– I’m excited to get my hands on the new Microsoft Surface Pro 8.
– The PixelSense Flow Display is 13 inches, which is larger than the 12.3-inch display featured on most Surface Pro devices.
– The Pro 8 is reasonably priced at $1,099.99.
– I’m tempted to reach for my wallet when I see the new Microsoft Surface Pro 8.
The latest Surface Pro tablet appears to be a credible rival to my 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro as the greatest productivity tablet on the market. The new Surface Pro, according to Microsoft, has 43% more CPU power and 75% faster graphics power than the Surface Pro 7. A 13-inch, 120Hz display with fewer bezels than past Surface models is also included.
While I enjoy my iPad Pro, the Surface Pro 8 promises a full Windows experience without the lag that plagued previous Microsoft tablets. I own and use the Surface Pro 7, but it’s multitasking capabilities and lackluster screen have never thrilled me.
“The display on the Pro 8 has a 120Hz refresh rate, which should result in smoother scrolling and better-looking videos.”
Better Display
The Pro 8’s top-notch display specs are the most compelling improvement. Although the Surface Pro models are designed to be workhorses, their displays have always been too small for me to consider them a true laptop replacement.
The Pro 8 is a real game-changer in terms of display. The PixelSense Flow Display has a 13-inch display, which is larger than most Surface Pro devices with 12.3-inch displays. The new display, according to Microsoft, is 12.5 percent brighter and has an 11 percent higher resolution than previous models. The screen also offers Dolby Vision and Adaptive Color Technology, which should improve the naturalness of movies.
The Pro 8’s display also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which should result in smoother navigation and better-looking videos. The screen’s refresh rate is set to 60Hz by default, however, it can be increased to 120Hz for touch or stylus tasks. Apple’s ProMotion display, which likewise adjusts refresh rates, uses similar technology.
If you have the keyboard cover from the Pro 7, as I do, keep in mind that it will not fit the Pro 8. You will need to buy a new one. But I’m delighted to announce that the new keyboard cover for the Pro 8 has a slot for the new Surface Slim Pen 2 to be held and charged. Because the Pro 7 doesn’t have a place to keep a pen, I’m continually losing mine.
The Surface Pro’s pricing is a little misleading because, without the pen and keyboard cover, it’s scarcely worth buying. The keyboard is $180, the pen is $130, and the two items are $280 when purchased together.
Of course, the Surface Pro 8 keeps the built-in kickstand that has become a hallmark of the Surface Pro line. It’s difficult to exaggerate how helpful the kickstand has been in converting the Pro from a tablet to a laptop with a simple swivel. The kickstand design, on the other hand, has one major flaw: it’s difficult to use when typing on your lap.
Inside, it’s stunning
It’s not all about looks with the Pro 8. Microsoft has updated the internals with a choice of Intel Core i5 and Core i7 quad-core processors from the 11th generation. The base model comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, with upgrades to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage available. The Pro 8 also features two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, as well as a unique Surface, Connect charging port.
The performance improvement is nice since the Surface Pro 7 has always lacked enough performance to be an annoyance while trying to get work done. On the Pro 7, even basic web browsing and word processing may slow things down, but I’m optimistic that the Pro 8 will change that.
The Pro 8 looks to be a great choice for Windows users looking for a laptop that can be used for both work and play. The Pro 8 is reasonably priced at $1,099.99, and I’m looking forward to trying it out.
