It has a more modern, rounded look versus the Surface Pro 7, and it feels very nice to the touch. What matters is that it still feels like a sleek, high-quality build, sturdier and more premium than many Windows tablets. The chassis has also swapped from magnesium alloy to recycled anodized aluminum, which is another recent example of Microsoft employing more environmentally conscious design. That said, this is an exceedingly compact and portable device to begin with, so those margins are mostly negligible (and if anything, slightly more thermal space may lead to improved performance, which we’ll get to). The Pro 7 came in at 0.33 by 11.5 by 7.9 inches and 1.7 pounds, so this redesign actually does not trim down the overall footprint. It measures 0.37 by 11.3 by 8.2 inches (HWD), and this trim chassis weighs 1.96 pounds, excluding the keyboard.

The past few iterations of the Surface Pro hadn’t seen much physical design change, but some noteworthy alterations finally-ahem-surface with the Pro 8.įirst, let’s touch on the size. Despite losing its value play, the Pro 8's boosted performance, smart redesign, and new stylus make the Surface Pro line an object of envy once again, and a repeat Editors' Choice winner among Windows tablets. And its expensive accessories jack up the price whichever config you choose, with the keyboard being essential if you aim to use the Pro 8 as a laptop replacement. Mind you, the A$1,649 starting price is much higher than the Surface Pro 7's $1,149, reducing the appeal of its lower-end configurations. This is still a best-in-class detachable 2-in-1 in terms of design, and when paired with the improved 11th Generation Core i7 'Tiger Lake' processor in our model (and the advantages of Windows 11), this tablet can compete as a true laptop replacement. It's much more attractive, thanks to its new thin-bezel 13-inch screen, but its core functionality is otherwise unchanged. The Surface Pro 8 changes that, introducing a sleeker chassis with a larger display than the Surface Pro 7. It's been a few years since Microsoft launched an all-out new entry in its Surface Pro line, and even longer since there's been a noticeable redesign.

Surface 8gb vs 16gb