Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Product Review

Are you in the market for a new laptop? If so, you should take a minute to consider the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. Released in 2021, this powerful 2-in-1 is the latest edition of the hugely popular Surface Pro series.But is it really worth your money? In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Surface Pro and break down all of its features and benefits. So if you're on the fence about buying one, read on! You may just change your mind.

Features & Benefits

The Surface Pro 8 is a tablet and laptop hybrid that offers the best of both worlds. In tablet mode, it's sleek and lightweight, perfect for browsing the web or watching movies. But when you need to do some serious work, just flip it into laptop mode and you've got a full-fledged computer with a keyboard, trackpad, and all the ports you need.

Another thing that makes the Surface Pro 8 so great is its portability. It's incredibly thin and lightweight (starting at just 891 grams), making it perfect for taking with you on the go. Plus, it has a long battery life, so you can work all day without having to worry about running out of power.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a device that looks great. It has ultra slim bezels, an HD screen and a robust inbuilt kickstand. This makes it perfect for productivity or entertainment.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a powerful and versatile device that can handle a wide range of tasks, from basic to advanced. Its latest generation of processors, including the Intel Core i7, makes it capable of handling even the most demanding tasks.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Ultra portable: lightweight and compact
• Stylish design: ultra thin bezels and aluminium case
• Easy to use: quickly switch between tablet and laptop modes (inc built in kickstand)
• Face recognition: Duel HD cameras with front facing featuring face unlock technology
• Connectivity: Two USB-C ports (with Thunderbolt 4) & nano-SIM slot
• Free trials: Microsoft 365 Family 30-day, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate one month

Cons:

• Expensive: especially the entry level model
• Keyboard and stylus sold separately
• USB-C ports only
• Does not support 5G

Key Specifications

Processor: Intel Core i5 11th Gen or Intel Core i7 11th Gen

Operating System: Windows 11 Home

Display: 13-inch FHD touchscreen with a resolution up to 2880 x 1920

Memory: 8GB, 16GB or 32GB (LPDDR4x RAM)

Storage: Removable solid-state drive (SSD) options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1TB

Battery Life: Up to 16 hours of typical device usage

Camera: 5.0MP with 1080p full HD video & Windows Hello face authentication (front), 10.0MP with 1080p HD and 4k video (rear)

Audio: Dual far-field Studio Mics & 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos

Ports & Slots

USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) (x2)

3.5mm headphone jack

Surface Connect port

Surface Type Cover port

Nano-SIM slot

Customer Reviews

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 has been getting good reviews, with people saying that it is expensive but powerful, light, and has a premium feel. 

The Surface Pro 8 starts at £999.00, which is more expensive than most tablets on the market. But it’s also powerful, with the latest 11th generation of Intel processors ranging from the Intel Core i5 to the Intel Core i7. This is supported by 8, 16 or 32GB of instant memory (RAM).

Despite its 13 inch touch screen, the Surface Pro 8 is surprisingly light, weighing in at just 1.7 pounds. And it has a premium feel, thanks to its aluminium chassis and built-in kickstand.

Customers also mention that the Microsoft Surface Pro 8's keyboard and stylus are not included and need to be bought separately. This could be a turn-off for some people, as it means that the total cost of the tablet rises quite significantly. 

Unique Selling Points

The 13 inch screen is bigger than the 12.3 inch of its predecessors, but still compact compared to a laptop. This larger screen makes multitasking over multiple windows easier. With a maximum resolution of 2880x1920 (267 PPI) and refresh rate of 120Hz this screen really stands out from its competitors.The screen also features PixelSense™ technology that allows non-digital objects to be used as input devices. In one example, a normal paint brush was used to create a digital painting in the software.

When it's time to work, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 has a kickstand that folds into its body. You can angle the tablet however you like all the way down to an almost flat writing surface which is perfect when using the Surface Slim Pen 2. 

The Surface Pro 8 has two main accessories that are sold separately: the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard and the Surface Slim Pen 2. 

The keyboard is sleek and compact, it performs like a traditional laptop keyboard, complete backlit keys and a large touchpad. The pen feels natural and seamless to use and securely sits and recharges in the keyboard’s built-in storage tray.

Competitors

Apple iPad Pro

The Apple iPad Pro has near identical performance figures, design and price points. The main difference is the operating system with the Apple iPad Pro running iPad OS and the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 running Windows 11.

Microsoft Surface Pro X

The Microsoft Surface Pro X is a lot cheaper and slightly lighter however falls short when it comes to touchscreen quality, processing speed and overall performance stats.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is cheaper but has a lower quality: display, touchscreen and overall design.

Evolution from Predecessor

The main difference between the Surface Pro 8 and its predecessor the Surface Pro 7 is it’s screen. Screen size has grown from 12.3 to 13 inches however the overall size of the device has remained more or less the same due to its new ultra slim bezels.In addition to screen size, screen resolution and refresh rates have also increased.

One of the main criticisms of the Surface Pro 7 is its lack of USB-C ports. The Surface Pro 8 fixed this by adding not one but two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports.

Finally, the Surface Pro 8 features the latest 11th generation Intel processors meaning this device can easily handle all types of advanced tasks like photo editing.

Summary

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a fantastic device that offers great value for money. Its ultra-portability and powerful hardware make it perfect for business users or students who need to be productive on the go. However, at a price point of starting at £999.00, it may be out of reach for some consumers. If you're looking for a high-end 2-in1 device, the Surface Pro 8 is definitely worth considering.

Alternatively, take a look at our range of devices in our webshop – we have something to suit everyone's needs and budget. Thanks for reading!