Surface Pen Third Generation: Model 1710 and Surface Hub
With the launch of the Surface Pro 4, Microsoft evolved its stylus ecosystem by introducing the Surface Pen Model 1710. This third-generation tool refined the user experience by balancing hardware simplicity with smarter software integration, ensuring that creators and professionals could transition seamlessly between handwriting and digital navigation.
Key Facts
- Pressure Sensitivity: Detects 1024 levels of pressure at the tip.
- Reduced Latency: Response time dropped to 45 milliseconds.
- Magic Button: A customizable top button for OneNote, screenshots, and Cortana.
- Magnetic Attachment: Snaps to the opposite side of the device to clear the Surface Connect port.
- Broad Compatibility: Works with Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, Surface Studio, Surface Pro 3, and Surface 3.
The Surface Pen Model 1710
While the Model 1710 utilizes the same core technology as its predecessor, it introduces several design changes. The side of the pen now features a single non-customizable button, moving away from the two-button layout of the Surface Pro 3 pen. However, it reintroduced the top-mounted eraser, which doubles as a programmable "magic button."
The magic button allows users to trigger specific actions quickly: a single click opens OneNote, a double click captures a screenshot, and pressing and holding the button launches Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant.
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Hardware and Connectivity
One of the most practical updates is the return of the magnetic attachment. The pen now snaps to the opposite side of the Surface device. This design choice was intentional, as it prevents the pen from blocking the Surface Connect port (the dedicated charging and docking port).
In terms of performance, the third-generation pen offers 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing for varied line thickness based on how hard the user presses. Furthermore, latency—the delay between the pen tip moving and the digital ink appearing—was reduced to 45 milliseconds, providing a more fluid writing experience compared to the Surface Pro 3 Pen.
Availability and Customization
The Model 1710 was bundled with the Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, and Surface Studio, and was available as a separate purchase for the Surface Laptop. It is also backward compatible with the Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3. The pen was available in four colors, identified by the following model numbers:
- Silver: 3XY-00001
- Black: 3XY-00011
- Dark Blue: 3XY-00021
- Gold: 3XY-00051
To cater to different writing preferences, Microsoft included a set of four interchangeable tips. These tips follow standard pencil hardness nomenclature: 2H, H, HB, and B. While included by default with the third generation, these tips became an optional add-on (Model RJ3-00003) for the fourth generation.
Surface Hub Digital Pens
Released in June 2015, the Surface Hub—a large-scale collaborative display—ships with two specialized digital pens. While these pens use technology similar to the PC-based Surface Pens, they are optimized for a shared environment.
These pens are holstered on either side of the Hub and feature eraser tips but lack additional buttons. Their primary function is integration with the built-in Whiteboard app. Unlike the standard Surface Pen, the Surface Hub pens support simultaneous inking, allowing multiple users to write on the screen at the same time.
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Technical Specifications Summary
| Feature | Surface Pen (Model 1710) | Surface Hub Pens |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Levels | 1024 | Not Specified |
| Latency | 45 ms | Not Specified |
| Custom Buttons | Side button & Top "Magic Button" | None |
| Eraser | Top-mounted | Tip-mounted |
| Multi-user Inking | Single user | Simultaneous multi-user |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "magic button" on the Surface Pen Model 1710?
The magic button is the customizable top button of the pen. By default, it opens OneNote with a single click, takes a screenshot with a double click, and launches Cortana when pressed and held.
Which devices are compatible with the Model 1710 pen?
It is bundled with the Surface Pro 4, Surface Book, and Surface Studio. It is also compatible with the Surface Laptop, Surface Pro 3, and Surface 3.
How does the Model 1710 differ from the Surface Pro 3 pen?
The Model 1710 has lower latency (45ms), a single side button instead of two, a return of the top-mounted eraser/magic button, and a magnetic attachment point that does not block the charging port.
What do the different pen tip labels (2H, H, HB, B) mean?
These labels refer to the hardness of the pen tip, mimicking traditional pencil grades to provide different tactile feels and line qualities during use.
Can multiple people use pens on the Surface Hub at once?
Yes, the Surface Hub pens are specifically designed to allow multiple users to ink simultaneously within the Whiteboard app.