While compatible with the Surface 3 and SP3, the SP4 and Surface Book decidedly work better with the new pen since they support 1,024 levels of pressure sensitivity screens and thinner glass whereas the Surface 3 and SP3 only offer 256 levels of sensitivity. The new Surface Pen works with the following devices: It’s always nice when a manufacturer makes products compatible across multiple devices. Surface Pro 3 Pen vs Surface Pro 4 Pen: Compatibility To me, the interesting points are the backward compatibility and interchangeable pen tips so, let’s touch on those aspects next. Surface Pen with HB tip installed, Battery, Pen Tip Kit Surface Pen, 1 AAAA, 2 319 coin cell batteries Surface Pro 3, Surface 3, Surface Pro 4, Surface Book If you’re more of a “black and white” person, you might find the technical specifications in the table below interesting as well. Even when I shook the SP4 in an attempt to knock the pen loose, it stayed firmly attached.ĭon’t get me wrong, I would still recommend getting a physical pen loop to store the Surface Pen when it’s in your bag or briefcase because who want’s to risk losing $60? However, the magnetic attachment is really nice if you want to quickly stow your Surface Pen while you use they keyboard or touchscreen but. Note: Microsoft reports that there is a second button on the SP4 Pen: “access formatting options using the right-click button on the side”, however, when I used the pen, I didn’t notice this button…hmmm…Īfter playing with it, I’m happy to note that the new magnetic attachment system is much more secure. Personally, while it changes the way I work with the pen, I won’t miss them since I often accidentally press one or both when I write with the pen on my SP3. You can also see that it is lacking the two buttons on the barrel of the pen.

Surface Pro 3 Pen vs Surface Pro 4 Pen: Side-By-SideĪs you can see in the picture below, the new Surface Pen (bottom) is slightly bigger than the original Surface Pro 3 Pen. You have to click it in the correct area (at the end) to notice that it is there.

It is hidden, at the lower end of the long bar that runs down the front of the pen. UPDATE: After receiving the Surface Pro 4, I examined the pen again. Let me give you the scoop on the new pen… You may have even heard that the new Surface Pen will have different functionality but do you know exactly how or why it’s different from the existing Surface Pen? You have probably already heard that Microsoft has changed the Pen with the new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book.

Microsoft surface pens