Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review, Price, Specification: The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 (beginning at $1,099) is the company’s latest 2-in-1 Surface Pro tablet. This model features an Intel 11th generation CPU, a 13-inch 120Hz display, two Thunderbolt 4 connectors, and a removable SSD. Also, it comes with Windows 11 out of the box and is optimised for the new operating system. The Surface Pro 8’s tiny size and lightweight design make it suitable for usage at home or on the go.
During my testing for this review, I discovered the device to be reliable for everyday use. I also liked how effectively the tablet’s touch-friendly Windows 11 operating system worked with it. The front and rear cameras are outstanding, producing clear, detailed images.
Unfortunately, the Surface Pro 8 falls short as a gaming laptop and falls short of the stated 16-hour battery life.
Despite these reservations, the Surface 8 Pro is undoubtedly the best in Microsoft’s illustrious Surface family. Those wishing to upgrade from the Surface Pro 7 or looking for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops should really consider this one.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Price and configuration
- Many configurations to choose from
- Platinum and Graphite models are available
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is presently available in two colours: Platinum and Graphite. The Platinum model is available in eight different configurations, beginning with a $999 basic unit equipped with an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. A $2,599 model includes an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
At the time of writing, the Graphite model was available in only four variations. On the low end, this includes a $1,199 model with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. The most costly model, which costs $1,899, includes an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
MICROSOFT SURFACE 8 PRO SPECS
Price: $1,099 (starting), $1,599 (tested)
Type Cover keyboard: $129 extra
CPU: Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-1185G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Display: 13-inch screen (2880 x 1920)
Memory: 8GB | 16GB | 32GB
Storage: 512GB | 1TB (128GB or 256GB removable SSD options)
Ports: 2 Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, headphone jack, external GPU and HDD support
Size: 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches
Weight: 1.96 pounds
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Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Design
- Easy-to-carry, lightweight design
- Thin bezels
- Sturdy casing
- Removable SSD
The Surface Pro 8’s tiny and light size, measuring 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches and weighing 1.96 pounds, makes it a perfect portable tablet.
The black anodized aluminium housing is not only visually appealing, but it also gives the 2-in-1 a strong and solid feel. The kickstand on the rear of the device features a shiny silver Microsoft logo. The kickstand can be raised using the two indentations on either side of the device. You’ll also use this method to access the detachable SSD. There are two webcams: one on the back and one on the front.
The Surface Pro 8 has a connector on the bottom for the Surface Pro Signature or Surface Pro X keyboards, which magnetically attach to the Surface Pro 8. Because of the thinner bezels, the new gadget has an 11% bigger display than the Surface Pro 7. Overall, the Surface Pro 8 feels sturdy and looks excellent on your desk.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Ports
- Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports
On the right side of the Surface Pro 8, there is a power button, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C connectors, and a Surface Connect port. On the left side, you’ll discover volume controls and a 3.5mm headphone connector. Monitors, external hard drives, and GPUs can all be connected to the Surface Pro 8. If you intend to play games on the 2-in-1, you’ll want to go with the later option.
The lack of connectors may appear to be a disadvantage at first, but in reality, the two USB-C ports and the Surface Connect port are all that is required for daily use. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect devices like the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse or any number of Bluetooth gaming controllers. Being able to snap a Surface Pro Signature or Surface Pro X keyboard to the bottom of the device also frees up the USB-C ports.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Display
- Brilliant picture quality
The Surface Pro 8 includes a 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 2880 x 1920 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. Dolby Vision and Adaptive Color technologies are also included.
According to our tests, the display achieves an average of 452.8 nits and reaches 444 nits at the centre of the screen. This is close to the 450 nits advertised by Microsoft for the Surface Pro 8. Images are clearly visible in both bright and dim lighting.
We tested the Surface Pro 8’s screen with a colorimeter and discovered that it achieves 103.7 percent of the sRGB colour range and 71.9 percent of the DCI-P3 colour spectrum (the closer to 100 percent , the better). Colors pop and minute details are easy to see in streamed video material, video games, and just about everything else.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Audio
- Cleverly hidden speakers
- Impressive sound for a tablet
The Surface Pro 8’s speakers are hidden beneath the top bezel. Portable device audio quality can be hit or miss, sounding thin and flat. While the audio on the Surface Pro 8 isn’t mind-blowing, it is impressive for a device of this size.
The audio from the Surface Pro 8 sounds crisp and clear when the volume is kept below 75%. This is true whether the speaker is a YouTuber or a video game with roaring explosions and music. Bass isn’t bad, but it’s also not great. When set to maximum, audio quality decreases, with everything becoming a confused mess. In most cases, keeping the audio at 50-75 percent is sufficient.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Performance
- Excellent performance on daily chores
- Gaming performance is disappointing.
According to Microsoft, my evaluation unit has a quad-core 11th generation Intel i7-1185G7 processor and 16GB of RAM, making it twice as fast as the Surface Pro 7. The Surface Pro 8 never froze during my testing, whether I was browsing the web, watching YouTube videos, or listening to Spotify – all programs functioned flawlessly. The built-in Windows 11 operating system is undoubtedly a part in the 2-on-1’s outstanding performance.
The Surface Pro 8 received a score of 5,347 on the Geekbench 5.4 overall performance test. This is lower than the Dell XPS 13, which scored 5,639, and nothing near the 7,298 score of the M1-powered 2021 iPad Pro.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Battery life
- Less battery life in our testing than Microsoft promised
According to Microsoft, the Surface 8 Pro battery may last up to 16 hours on regular usage at 150 nits with auto-brightness and adaptive colour turned off. However, our testing show that by continuously surfing the web, the tablet may endure for 9 hours, 6 minutes, and 33 seconds (at 60Hz).
During my initial test, I was able to get over 7 hours out of the Surface Pro 8 by browsing the web, viewing YouTube, listening to Spotify, and playing video games. Gaming, of course, consumed the most of the battery life. After charging the machine overnight, I was able to get over ten hours of use out of it by performing all of the aforementioned things except gaming.
Though 10 hours is better than 7 hours, it’s still short of the promised 16 hours. If you can, it’s best to keep the Surface Pro 8 plugged into a charger during use.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8: Webcam
- Both the front and back cameras provide high-quality images.
The Surface Pro 8 has a 5MP front-facing camera, just as its predecessor. If you take shots in good lighting, the camera provides detailed images. Even under less-than-ideal lighting conditions, the camera generates a crisp image. Though I dislike selfies and gazing at images of myself, the camera performed an outstanding job of capturing both my finest and worst traits.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review: Surface Slim Pen 2 and Surface Pro Signature keyboard
- Slim Pen 2 has fantastic haptic feedback
- Signature keyboard feels like a natural extension of Surface Pro 8
- Both peripherals sold separately
The Surface Slim Pen 2 and Surface Pro Signature keyboard, both optional, are required to get the most out of the Surface Pro 8.
The Surface Slim Pen 2’s haptic motors make the digital pen feel like you’re writing or drawing on paper. Digital artists are unlikely to trade in their Wacom tablets for a Surface Pro 8, but Microsoft’s tablet isn’t a bad tool to have. The pen isn’t as responsive as I’d like, but it’s better than using your fingers to write or sketch.
My evaluation unit also included the Surface Pro Signature keyboard, which I felt to be an important accessory. I have nothing against the tablet’s built-in keyboard interface. It’s quick, responsive, and doesn’t take up much screen space (though you may raise the keyboard’s size if you like). Having said that, I preferred to use the attachable keyboard. When pressed, keystrokes generate a pleasing click, although I wish they had more resistance. The Signature keyboard doubles as a screen protector and wireless charger for the Slim Pen 2.
