Microsoft Surface Pro 8 to Look Out for in 2022
It has been nearly a decade-long journey for Microsoft as a developer of the Windows tablets, and like any other story, this one has had its downsides too. First, let us consider the example of the first generation “Surface” that they had launched, in which the Windows RT was a significant flop among customers. Later, after many years of persistence and attempts at iterative updates, Windows finally has delivered the sweeping upgrades in the form of Surface Pro 8. This newly launched device features smaller bezels, an improved battery life, a larger 120Hz display along with a phenomenal back camera. On September 22, 2021, Microsoft released its latest Surface Pro 8 tablet, aiming to be a trendsetter and stand out from the crowd.
With a 13-inch touch screen display and a resolution of 2880×1920 pixels, this tablet says out loud why it is different from its predecessors.
A quad-core Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU powers the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. It offers 8GB of RAM. The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 runs Windows 11 and comes with 128GB of internal storage. The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 weighs 889.00 kilos and has dimensions 208.00 x 287.00 x 9.30mm (height x width x thickness). It came in two colors: Graphite and Platinum.
However, a frequently asked question here is if the Surface Pro 8 is really worth the price that Microsoft has set. With the increasing number of competitive alternatives in the market to choose from, what makes Microsoft’s latest launch tablet special? Let us dive deeper into the features and specifications of this device to get a better understanding of whether the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is a device worth your money or not. Is it to pursue, or is it to pass?
Design – The Look and Feel
The Surface Pro 8’s design strikes a balance between being readily recognizable while still offering a proper update. Even if you are confined to the same two color selections – Platinum (silver) or Graphite (black) – its magnesium alloy build looks and feels as great as ever. A matte coating provides excellent grip while preventing apparent fingerprint smudges. It also means that the Pro 8 may be used as a tablet without a case, but at 891g, you’ll want to prop it up for extended use. Although many users argue that there are no differences between the Pro 7 and this model, a solid metal hinge gives it a surprisingly robust and sturdy feel.
The 5MP front-facing lens is of comparable quality, making it an excellent choice for video conversations. In addition, it can record in 1080p, which many built-in laptop webcams still can’t equal. Many Surface laptops excel at this, especially when combined with dual studio mics.
The most noticeable design change is the substantially smaller bezels, which allow for a more prominent 13-inch display in a nearly identical footprint. This makes it feel more like a laptop than ever before, even though the tablet is much lighter. On the sides of the tablet, the power button, volume rocker, 3.5mm headphone socket, and docking station for keyboard coverings are all standard fare.
Although you may use either of the USB-C connections instead, Microsoft has stayed with the proprietary Surface Connect charging technique. As a result, the USB-A port has been removed, although Thunderbolt 4 is supported for rapid data transfer.
Accessories – The Extended Must-haves
Despite the keyboard being an essential purchase for most consumers, Microsoft continues to sell all of the Surface Pro 8 peripherals separately. The business, on the other hand, is pairing the updated Signature Keyboard with the new Slim Pen 2. Above the keyboard, there’s even a built-in storage area for the stylus, which also charges it. This is preferable to a pen that magnetically attaches to the device’s top, especially since the new design keeps it out of the way when typing.
The Surface Pro 8‘s size means that a full-size keyboard may now be used. The Signature Keyboard provides a good typing experience, similar to the Surface Laptop 4. Both are covered in a soft-touch Alcantara fabric, and the backlit keys give them a leg up on the competition. With Windows 11’s full range of gestures, a somewhat large trackpad is also more usable now. But if you are someone who spends longer durations with your device, we suggest using a Bluetooth mouse.
Screen & Speakers – The See and Hear
The display of the Surface Pro 7 was scarcely a flaw for many, but Microsoft has made it a priority to improve it. The screen size has increased from 12.3 inches to 13 inches, although it still has a 3:2 aspect ratio. That means the resolution has been bumped to 2880×1920, though the ‘PixelSense Flow’ display is still LCD rather than OLED.
At the launch of Windows 11 in 2021, Microsoft announced a Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) feature that would allow the Surface Pro 8 and a few other devices to modify refresh rates depending on the situation automatically. This should assist in saving battery life. The Pro 8 retains its dual 2W stereo speakers, which are visible through big grilles on both sides of the tablet. They produce a deep, powerful sound that you wouldn’t expect from a device of this size. The bass is adequate and does not become distorted at high volumes, and Dolby Atmos’ capability allows for room-filling sound. Audiophiles will still need to use headphones or external speakers, but for casual users, it’s a fantastic experience.
Specs & Performance – The Keys
Microsoft has improved the internals of the Surface Pro with each version, and this is no exception. The Pro 8 is powered by Intel’s 11th-generation processors, which were released before Intel’s newest CPUs were announced in January 2022. The Core i5-1135G7 and Core i7-1185G7 are the options here, although I can only comment on the latter. Performance on this mid-spec machine is superb, thanks to the Iris Xe integrated graphics and 16GB of RAM.
From online surfing and email checking to video chats and multitasking, the Pro 8 excels at all of the most basic productivity tasks. Even with many apps running at the same time, there were no stuttering or app crashes observed.
Software – The Soul
The Pro 8 comes with SSD storage in all configurations. However, the entry-level model is limited to just 128GB. This and the 256GB models, on the other hand, include a detachable SSD, allowing them to be easily replaced when they reach capacity. Unfortunately, if you choose 512GB or 1TB of storage, you won’t get that functionality.
Since its launch, Microsoft has addressed many of the faults with Windows 11, but it still has a considerably different appearance and feel than Windows 10. Unfortunately, there’s also no tablet mode, so touch interaction is still treated as an afterthought in comparison to cursor-based navigation.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Battery Life & Charging – The Life Savers
Microsoft has not provided a battery capacity for the Surface Pro 8. However, SurfaceTip claims it is a 50.2Wh cell. That’s reportedly a little less than the Surface Pro 7+, but a significant improvement over the Pro 7’s 43.2Wh battery. Microsoft claims that you’ll get ‘up to 16 hours of regular device usage’ but doesn’t elaborate. When the battery runs out, the 65W converter provided in the box will get you back up and running quickly. You can charge 95% of the battery within 90 minutes, which is commendable.
In today’s scenario, where much of it happens from behind the screens, the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is one of the best tablets for working from home. You will not only look great but will also sound better because of its 5-megapixel front-facing camera that can shoot video in 1080p and two far-field studio microphones.
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