Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review

The Surface Pro 7 feels more like a SKU of the Surface Pro 6 rather than a full on numbered successor. Its upgrades are minor and mostly unnoticeable to most users who are only interested in basic office tasks like word processing, browsing, and video streaming.

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Surface Pro 7 is evolution, not revolution. I love Surface Pro, but I now feel sorry for it in comparison to the next generation Intel Project Athena  2-in-ones, x360 5-in-ones and laptops. Samsung is mounting a challenge with its Galaxy Book 2 challenging the Surface Pro X (ARM) and Athena based Galaxy Book Ion and Flex. So, in many ways, I see the current Surface Pro 7 as the end of the line. Perhaps not in shape or basic design cues but it needs to catch up with current technology.

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The design is still nice, as ever, but it’s beginning to look dated. Meanwhile, the new silicone inside seems to be limited by the chassis. To cap it off, battery life is less impressive than I’d like it to be. Heck, Microsoft couldn’t even be bothered to borrow the neat docking system for the Surface Pen from the Surface Pro X – it still mounts magnetically to the side of the tablet whereas the Pro X has a handy pen-sized slot at the top of the keyboard. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is perfectly serviceable, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a marginal update that fails in any way to get the pulse racing.

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Microsoft’s 7th-generation Surface Pro doesn’t advance much beyond its predecessors in terms of raw performance. In fact, the biggest meaningful addition is USB-C support, but the overall level of quality means that may be enough to justify its existence.

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The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 feels more like a Surface Pro 6.5 than an actual new product. The only significant changes are the addition of a USB-C input and a move to Intel’s newer 10th-gen family of laptop CPUs. However, it remains a solid convertible and great choice for those looking for a flexible machine that works equally well as an office laptop as it does as a personal tablet.

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The Surface Pro is Microsoft’s flagship convertible tablet—a full-fledged Windows computer all jammed behind a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Priced to compete with high-end ultralight notebooks, it’s built for those who want ultimate portability. Of course, it’s a tablet before anything else.

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For now, the Surface Pro 7 still offers everything you’d expect from a Surface Pro, but in a hardware package that’s in need of a little attention. I love the versatility of the Surface Pro 7 hardware, but the Surface Pro X represents the future of this 2-in-1. I just wish the future was here now.

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Microsoft has finally added a loaded-out USB Type-C port to the Surface Pro 7. When combined with Intel's latest 10th Gen processor and GPU, this year's Core i5 blows away last year's Core i7 all without a fan. Minor tweaks to the RAM, going to Intel for Wi-Fi 6, and Instant On ability make this Surface Pro 7 an absolute joy to use.

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The hardware may have stayed largely the same but, arguably, that doesn’t really matter. The Surface Pro 6 was great to use and the Surface Pro 7 will likely be just as good. It’s all down to those new 10th-gen Intel chips. As long as they can improve performance at the same time as preserving or improving battery life (here’s hoping) then they’ll be a worthwhile upgrade. Watch this space for the full review.

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Port selection as a whole marks a difference between the Surface Pro 7 and the Surface Pro X, which cuts the USB-A port in place of a second USB-C port. Depending on your need and your willingness to use a dongle, you may prefer one combination of ports over the other.

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