Do older Surface Pro privacy screens fit Surface Pro X?

Surface Pro X open on table
Surface Pro X open on table (Image credit: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central)

Do older Surface Pro privacy screens fit Surface Pro X?

Best answer: Unfortunately, older Surface Pro privacy screens don't fit the Surface Pro X. However, they do fit the Surface Pro 7.The future of Surface Pro: Surface Pro X (From $999 at Microsoft)A classic design, redefined: Surface Pro 7 (From $749 at Microsoft)

Why don't older privacy screens work with Surface Pro X?

Since the Surface Pro X has new dimensions compared to previous Surface Pro devices, screens that were designed to work with those older devices are not compatible with the Surface Pro X. This is unfortunate, but privacy screen developers are surely going to be making options that are suited for the Surface Pro X in the future.

Why get a Surface Pro X?

The Surface Pro X at the Microsoft Surface Event 2019.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

While the fact you can't use older Surface Pro privacy screens with it is unfortunate, that's hardly a good reason to avoid the Surface Pro X. In fact, the Surface Pro X is unquestionably one of the most interesting and exciting products Microsoft is launching in 2019. It's got an awesome 13-inch 2880x1920 display, Microsoft's cool and powerful new SQ1 processor, and it can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is great. In addition, it has LTE connectivity, two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and compatibility with Windows Hello, too, which will be very convenient for people who like using biometric security. Lastly, the device is the most compact Surface Pro ever made, coming in at just 1.68 pounds and featuring a slim, sleek profile that people who are on-the-go often will adore.

With how well the device balances capability, size, and convenience, it's easy to see why the Surface Pro X is such an enticing product for fans of 2-in-1 tablets.

What about the Surface Pro 7?

The Surface Pro 7.

Source: Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Windows Central)

If your heart is set on a Surface Pro that works with older Surface Pro privacy screens, we recommend getting the Surface Pro 7. Unlike the Surface Pro X, this Surface Pro uses the same dimensions as previous models, which means that older privacy screens can be used for it without any issue.

Out of all of the Surface Pros that use the standard-style dimensions, the Surface Pro 7 is by far the most powerful one. It can be configured with 16GB of RAM and a full 1TB of storage, and it's powered by Intel's powerful 10th Gen CPUs. As a sweet side effect of using these processors, you can utilize the Surface Pro 7 with Wi-Fi 6, the latest Wi-Fi standard that improves connection stability and speed considerably. The 12.3-inch 2736x1824 display is also great, and it comes with a convenient USB-C port as well. Overall, while the Surface Pro X represents Microsoft's step into the future of Surface Pro, the Surface Pro 7 is a very capable and impressive alternative that offers some unique perks of its own if you really want to use an older Surface Pro privacy screen.

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you'll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he's not writing or gaming, there's a good chance he's either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once. Follow him on X (Twitter).