Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: Software
- Windows 11 comes installed
- No bloatware on the screen
Aside from the recycle bin and Microsoft Edge, the Surface Pro 8’s screen is free of unnecessary bloatware. But the big story on the software front is that Windows 11 comes bundled with the Surface Pro 8.
For many who buy the device, the Surface Pro 8 will offer their first hands-on experience with Microsofts latest operating system. Considering Windows 11s touch-friendly interface, its perfect for the Surface Pro 8. I didnt miss Windows 10 at all during my testing. All of the new features and apps felt natural to use.
You can read our full Windows 11 review for a detailed analysis.
Surface Pro : Display And Inking
The centerpiece of Surface Pro is its display, and there are numerous significant changes for Surface Pro 8, all for the better.
Moving to a more prominent 13-inch display is not only easier on my aging eyes, but also results in those bezels being thinned out. An 11% increase in screen size may not sound like much, but it’s a significant difference in usage, with Surface Pro 8 being even more immersive.
Plus, it just looks better.
Sure, those bezels all have different proportions , but I don’t care. The result is a bigger, bolder display.
Pixels per inch is still 267 despite the large size thanks to the increased resolution of 2880×1920 . The display aspect is also still 3:2 a signature of Surface that closely resembles A9 paper size.
And that display is good. Using a colorimeter, I measured 100% sRGB, 81% AdobeRGB, and 83% DCI-P3 that’s a vast improvement. By comparison, Surface Pro 7/7+ was just 98% sRGB, 73% AdobeRGB, and 72% DCI-P3.
Brightness peaked at 441 nits and bottoms out at a super low 1.9 nits making this an excellent PC for use in a pitch-black room as you won’t be blinded.
Also new is the 120Hz screen refresh. By default, Surface Pro 8 is set for 60Hz, but users can go into Settings > Display > Advanced Display > Choose a refresh rate and set it to 120Hz . Animations and video are smoother, making Windows 11 feel zippier.
11th Gen delivers
Microsoft Surface Pro : Software And Features
One of the best things about getting any Surface device, including the Surface Pro 8, is that you’re getting a pure install of Windows 11, without any kind of bloatware. Microsoft installs a totally pure version of the operating system, and as a result, you don’t get any annoying popups or useless programs opening for no reason – unless you install them yourself.
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You Can Get More Value From Other 2
All the bells and whistles can’t soften the blow of the Surface Pro 8’s price tag. It starts at $1,099, not including the keyboard and stylus. For that, you’ll get an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The model I tested came with an i7 processor, as well as double the RAM and storage of the base model, and it’d be hard to recommend anybody get anything less than that. For reference, we tested a Lenovo ThinkPad E14 with the same i5 chip last year, and its performance left us disappointedyoull want to spend the extra cash on upgraded performance.
To get those upgrades, though, you’ll have to shell out $1,600, as well as purchase the Type Cover and/or Slim Pen, depending on your needs. That’s significantly more expensive than some laptops with better performance, like Apple’s M1 MacBook Air , or HP’s Envy x360 15z .
Its a big hurdle to jump over, but that money goes a long way. If youre looking for a real bargain, this isnt it. But if you love the form factor and want this kind of power in a versatile device, it may well be worth it.
The Removal Of The Headphone Jack Is The Only New Thing That’s Wrong With It
by Andrew Cunningham – Nov 10, 2022 8:08 pm UTC
Let’s talk about the Surface Pro 9.
Which Surface Pro 9? Not the version with 5G, which comes with a Qualcomm-made Microsoft SQ3 Arm processor and the typical shortcomings of an Arm Windows device but the vanilla, plain-old Surface Pro 9, the Intel-based one that follows-up a decade’s worth of numbered Surface Pro models.
Aside from that name confusion, the regular Surface Pro 9 isn’t designed to surprise. It improves performance while keeping everything that worked about prior models intact. It won’t win over anyone who didn’t already like the Surface, but for anyone who loves their 3- to 5-year-old Surface tablet, it ought to be a pretty safe upgrade.
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How Does The Surface Pro 8 Perform
We chose the entry-level model with a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-1135G7 main processor, 8GB RAM and Intel Iris Xe graphics and 256GB solid-state storage.
The i5 and i7 models with 256GB or more storage are built on Intel’s EVO platform, which includes 11th Generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Wi-Fi 6 wireless networking, high-speed Thunderbolt 4 ports and more.
As you’d expect from newer model CPU and graphics chips, all our performance tests showed decent improvements over the previous generation, with the graphics in particular getting a noticeable boost.
This means even the entry-level Surface Pro 8 is a good device for general gaming, but not so much for the more demanding elite titles. With a 256GB SSD you can’t install many large games easily anyway. If you want more storage, you can opt for the 512GB Intel Core i5 model for $2099.
Choosing the right model to start with is crucial if you want build your dream mobile PC
Or if you’re really serious about building up your dream mobile PC, you can head up the price scale to a more powerful starting point such as the Intel Core i7 version with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for $2698, or go even further with the Core i7 with 16GB RAM and 1TB of storage for $3299. But don’t forget to allow for the added cost of the keyboard and any other external add-ons.
Read more: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review
But There Are Different Cpus On The Surface Pro 9
Speaking of using your Surface! Since there are two Surface Pro 9 models this year, we also want to mention the CPUs. Generally speaking, Arm-based chips like the Microsoft SQ3 in the Surface Pro 9 5G model are much less power-hungry. The 5G Surface Pro 9 is also fanless, too. These two things help contribute to longer battery life. So if you really want a Surface with the longest battery life, then the 5G model of the Surface Pro 9 is probably better.
Microsoft uses an Intel CPU that runs at 15W for the Surface Pro 9 with Intel chips. It’s a U-class CPU. Theoretically, this can help improve battery life compared to last year’s Surface Pro 8, which had a 28W CPU. A lower-wattage chip uses less battery power. But again, that’s just an assumption. The new CPUs also have a hybrid architecture with performance and efficiency cores, which could help the Surface Pro 9 run more efficiently, too.
And that’s all we have to say about the battery life of the Surface Pro 9. The official numbers from Microsoft show that the Pro 9 has a smaller battery than the Pro 8. However, with the switch to 15W Intel CPUs, battery life could be improved on Intel models. On The 5G model, we also think battery life will be much better. Depending on how you use your Surface Pro 9, it should definitely have good battery life.
Surface Pro 9
The Surface Pro 9 is a top-tier Windows tablet with the choice between Intel or Qualcomm processors, and either option will give you good battery life.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: Design
- Easy-to-carry, lightweight design
At 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches and 1.96 pounds, the Surface Pro 8s small and light design makes it a suitable portable device.
The dark anodized aluminum casing is not only eye-pleasing, but it makes the 2-in-1 feel tough and sturdy. The back of the unit has a glossy silver Microsoft logo on the kickstand. You can lift the kickstand via the two indentations on either side of the unit. This is also how youll access the removable SSD. Theres a webcam on the back and another on the front.
The bottom of the Surface Pro 8 has a connector for the Surface Pro Signature or Surface Pro X keyboards, which snap magnetically onto the Surface Pro 8. Thinner bezels give the new device an 11% larger display than the Surface Pro 7. Overall, the Surface Pro 8 feels solid and looks great when sitting on your desk.
Microsoft Surface Pro : Webcam And Microphone
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably realized that video conferencing is more important now than it has ever been, and having a laptop with a decent webcam is a godsend, as we all want to look good in our morning meetings. And luckily, the Surface Pro 8 has one of the best webcams we’ve ever used in a mobile computing device.
In all of the calls we’ve taken in our time with the device, both for work and for chats with friends and loved ones, we’ve come through perfectly clearly without any kind of distortion or problems with focus. And, the front-facing camera is also Windows Hello compatible, so you can use it to log in.
But of course, because this is a tablet, it also has a rear-facing camera. And, it’s, well, fine. It’s not as good as what you likely have on your phone, but it’s perfectly ok for taking a quick snap of a pet if you don’t have your phone handy.
The microphone is also fantastic, especially considering the form-factor. Our voice comes through nice and clear with no distortion, and the tablet does a great job at filtering out background noise, so we don’t even need to use headphones in calls.
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There Are Still Many Things The Ipad Pro Does Better
I admit, up until this point I’ve been writing what amounts to a love letter to the Surface Pro 8. But that’s because it truly deserves it. It’s a fantastic 2-in-1 device that I have thoroughly enjoyed using, but there are some areas where the iPad Pro is just a better device for me.
I prefer to use Apple’s Mail app along with my iCloud+ personal domain as opposed to either Thunderbird or the iCloud website for accessing my email. I also love writing on the iPad because there are far fewer distractions with a single app open and visible. I need to experiment more with using Windows apps in full screen and Focus assist to recreate a similar experience on Windows. It’s also a better tablet thanks to an interface that’s designed for touch-first.
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Another thing I love about my iPad Pro is that its performance is reliable and consistent. When using the Pro 8 with multiple apps open, there would be a slight delay or pause before an app would appear after being minimized at times. It wasn’t specific to any one app I frequently experienced it with Thunderbird, Discord, and Slack.
About The Surface Pro 8
The model we tested came with the following specs:
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1185G7 @ 3.00 GHz
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 13 2880 x 1920
- Wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible
- Webcam: 5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video
- Battery: 51.5Wh
- Weight: 1.96 lbs
Our review unit featured an Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor with integrated Iris graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $1,599. You can opt for an i5 model with half the RAM and storage, but performance will take a hit. It starts at $1,099, and its available in platinum and graphite finishes.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Vs Surface Pro : Which Should You Buy
We help decide which of Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablets is right for you
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 9 has just arrived and whether you are looking to upgrade from an earlier model Surface Pro or are considering a switch to Microsoft’s 2-in-1 for the first time you way be wondering how different it is from last year’s Surface Pro 8.
As is always the case following the release of a new generation we would expect to see deals on the previous model for those that would rather save some money than have the latest and greatest.
So here’s a close look at the Surface Pro 9 vs. Surface Pro 8 to help you decide which one is right for you.
More Tips To Extend Surface Pro 4 Battery Life
Turn off backlit on your Surface Type Cover Backlit on your Surface type cover is also a minor part of battery draining, you can it off to get some extra battery life for your Surface Pro 4.
Close background power-hungry processes Some CPU-intensive processes appear to run in the background without your acknowledgment, those processes sometimes drain your battery extremely fast. You can go to Task Manager > Processes to check processes that have a high CPU usage if you believe that those processes are not important you can kill them by clicking on the End Task button.
Unplug USB devices you dont use On your Surface always comes with a single USB port for connecting a USB device to a mouse, external hard drive, flash drive, phone, or USB hub. Those devices use your Surfaces power while it is connected, so you can unplug all those devices or use an externally powered USB hub for connecting those devices to stop them from draining the battery from your Surface.
Turn off Windows Defender Real-time protection If you stay away from the internet, you can earn more battery life and performance by turning off the Windows Defender Real-time protection. It will reduce CPU stress by not scanning all processes and files you access in real-time. To do that, go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Defender and turn off the Real-time protection.
Using an external battery pack
Here are our top picks for external power packs for charging Microsoft Surface PCs:
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Turn On Battery Saver
Battery Saver is a new feature in Windows 10, by turning on the Battery Saver option, you can extend your battery life by limiting background system activity and push notifications. You can find the apps that run in the background even if you dont use them by going to Settings > System > Battery Saver > Battery use > Change background app settings.
When you turn on the Battery Saver option, all those apps will not run in the background. To turn on Battery Saver, you can click on the Battery icon on the taskbar and click on the Battery saver to turn on.
On Surface PCs with Power Slider enabled, you just move the slider all the way to the left to activate the battery saver.
Surface Pro 9 Vs Surface Pro : Similarities
This won’t be a typical face-off where we go through each round looking at how the two systems fare against each other. That’s because the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 8 are incredibly similar. This shouldn’t come as a shock after the Surface Pro 8 got the first significant design change that the Surface Pro has had in years and it doesn’t mean there are no differences but for the most part they all center around what’s inside the laptops.
Before we go through those differences, let’s talk about the similarities between these detachable 2-in-1s. First, the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 8 use the same accessories: the Type Cover keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus. Regretabbly these still aren’t included with the purchase of either unit, so remember to set aside about $130 for each one or if you want both you can typically find them in a bundle for around $250.
The designs of these tablets are identical right down to the exact measurements at 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.37 inches and 1.94 pounds. That means you have the same anodized aluminum body with a full-friction multi-position hinge to 165 degrees. We loved the move to the slightly larger 13–inch 3:2 display last year, so it’s good to see Microsoft stick with it. The only notable change is the addition of some new color options for the Surface Pro 9 that I’ll address in a later section.
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Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: An Amazing Premium Tablet
In this Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review you learn if its worth it to spend lots of money on this Windows tablet with many premium features.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 could be the best Windows tablet of this year at least on paper. It offers a new design, a larger 120Hz screen, new Intel processors, as well as a new stylus. But with a starting price of 1099 US Dollars, the entry-level version got much more expensive. So, is it a tablet you should get? Thats what youll learn in this Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review.
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 currently on sale at the Microsoft Store in two different colors: Platinum or Graphite. The Platinum model has eight different configurations, starting with a $999 base unit featuring an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. A $2,599 model offers an Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
The Graphite model comes in only four configurations at the time of this writing. This includes a $1,199 model with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD on the lower end. The most expensive model costs $1,899 and sports an Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.
Whichever model you’re after, head over to our Microsoft promo codes page to see if we can save you some extra dollars on the usual price.
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