The Surface Slim Pen 2 is official with haptics and zero-force inking

Haptics make writing or drawing on screen feel like real paper.

What you need to know

• The new Surface Slim Pen 2 features new haptic and zero-force inking features.
• Tactile signals will immitate the feeling of writing on real paper.
• The Surface Slim Pen ships later this year for $129.99.

In addition to all the new Surface PCs unveiled today, Microsoft is also announcing an updated Surface Slim Pen with a new revolutionary feature that it calls "tactile signals" which provide real-time haptics when using the pen on a Surface Pro 8 or Surface Laptop Studio running Windows 11.

Microsoft says the new Surface Slim Pen 2 also features a new "Zero-Force Inking" experience that makes digital ink "flow fluidly out of the pen the instant it hits the screen." In addition, Microsoft has also added haptic feedback that will send taptic signals to immitate the feeling of drawing of writing on real paper.

Category	Surface Slim Pen 2
Connection	Bluetooth 5.0
Buttons	Side button Top button
Color	Matte Black
Pressure Sensitivity	4,096 pressure levels Zero force inking
Dimensions	5.38 x 0.44 x 0.25 in (136.8 x 11.3 x 6.3 mm)
Weight	0.03 lb (13 g)
Battery	Rechargeable, up to 15 hours
Haptic Support	Surface Pro 8 Surface Laptop Studio
Pen Support	Surface Pro 3 and up Surface Pro X Surface Duo 1/2 Surface Go 1/2/3 Surface Hub 2S Surface Laptop 1/2/3/4 Surface Studio 1/2 Surface Book 1/2/3 Non-Surface devices that support MPP

Tactile signals can also make it easier to identify when you've correctly used natural gestures such as circling to select a group of words or crossing out items. The haptic feedback will be one of those things you have to use to really understand.

So far, these are the Windows 11 apps that support haptic feedback with the Surface Slim Pen 2:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Journal
• Microsoft Whiteboard
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Adobe Fresco
• Sketchable
• LiquidText
• Shapr3D

The Surface Slim Pen 2 can be wirelessly charged via its own Surface Slim Pen charging cradle, or if you have a Surface Laptop Studio, via the included charging area located underneath the front of the device. Surface Pro X and Surface Pro 8 users can charge the Surface Slim Pen 2 via the Type Cover, which is sold separately.

The Surface Slim Pen 2 is available for pre-order today for $129.99 in the United States. What are your thoughts on the Surface Slim Pen 2 so far? Let us know in the comments.

Haptic writing

Surface Slim Pen 2

$129.99 at Microsoft Store

Feels like real paper

Updated with a new taptic signal engine, the Surface Slim Pen 2 can make it feel as if you're writing or drawing on real paper thanks to a tiny haptic engine on the inside that vibrates as you use the device in certain apps.