Surface Pro 8 vs Surface Pro 7+

In this video we compare Microsofts new Surface pro 8 to their previous model the Surface pro 7+
Is it worth spending the extra money to get this years model or should you look for a bargain on last years model instead?

Timestamps: -
0:00:00 - Intro
0:00:37 - Externals
0:01:55 - Ports
0:02:42 - Cooling Systems
0:03:04 - Chassis Buttons
0:04:07 - Kickstands
0:04:33 - Type covers
0:05:55 - Pens
0:06:59 - Screens
0:08:12 - Speakers
0:10:22 - Windows Hello and Webcams
0:11:07 - Performance
0:13:10 - Battery Life
0:13:52 - Price
0:14:57 - Conclusion

* If you purchase something from our affiliate links we will get a small commission with no extra cost to you. This makes it possible for us to make more videos. Thank you!

[cpalenshus]

I originally purchased a Pro 8 i5 8gb but exchanged it for the i7 16gb. They both run fantastic. In my daily use, I noticed virtually no difference. The only reason I did the swap was for longevity. The main reason for my comment is I HATE the power and volume button placement. It is a horrible design choice because you cannot stand the tablet up in portrait mode without it shutting off or silencing itself. I love to use it in portrait mode for reading web pages, documents, taking notes with the pen in One Note or Journal, etc. If I'm not careful, the volume button will rest against my waist when holding it on my lap and initiate power down. If you stand it up on a table to rest against something, forget it. It will always power off. The button placement on the pro 7 was a much better design.

[sloppynyuszi]

As someone that uses these things to draw on. The 120hz and haptic feedback isn’t the selling point. The fact they finally fixed the jiggly lines is. The old surface pen you couldn’t draw slow diagonal lines or slow smooth curved lines, because it had these mechanical jiggles. Only way to fix that was to use line smoothing in clip studio or photoshop, and that eats performance a lot.

That’s the only reason I couldn’t get a surface again. Got the 8 and it’s awesome!

[flexo]

Great review/comparison! Reviews like this are really hard to find on the web. I think it will be very useful for those who are trying to decide on whether it makes sense to buy a new surface pro or keep the old one (for some time at least), like myself :)

[ramonmichaud]

I have first gen surface that has not failed me. Now that I can't run win 11, I think the pro 7+ will suit me just fine. cheers for the video.

[alexortiz]

I was just debating this 2 weeks ago. I almost ended up with the i5 7+, but I decided last minute to go for the i5 8 to avoid having any buyer's remorse in a few years. I'm mostly using it for school with notetaking and studying. I am very impressed with it overall, other than the battery life sometimes. Yeah, I could've saved some money bundling the 7+ with the keyboard and pen, but I thought that the upgrades to the 8 with the pen and keyboard were worthwhile enough, and they were on sale, fortunately. Great breakdown between the two!

[oisinmccullagh]

Just bought the 7+ a couple weeks ago. Great device. The speakers are great and it runs everything I need perfectly. I wouldn’t pay the extra £300-400 unless you can lol.

[wess]

Great comparison. I have the choice and chose the 7+. Mainly because I got the i7 with identical specs to the 8 but also use alot of the USB a perpherals for my work flow. I also tend to use the pen alot, and the loss of the magnetic attachment is something I would have missed. I also have a desktop so considered, the use case for a surface, its not really for gaming so if your aim is to buy an external gpu, why bother when you'd be better spending on a desktop because you loose all rhe portability and subthermal performance to desktop. It's a really tough sacrofice these days with the crazyness in components.

[isaacabelida]

Bought the surface pro 8 i7 16gbram and it officially replaced my laptop 🤭 I feel like with surface pro 8 it's either you go all-in on purchasing the highest spec or don't buy at all. It's costly, yes, and it's not student price friendly but if price doesn't bother you, this thing is an improvement from its predecessors. That's all.

[LazyPCRehab]

I just ordered a SP7+ from Best Buy for $799 with the typecover included. Gotta have that USB-A and battery life is a big factor for me. Looks like I made the right choice between the two.

[tuckrnonya]

I just picked up the Surface Pro 7 i7 with 16gb RAM / 512gb SSD for $850 USD plus tax - perfect condition. So far so good. Thanks for the comparison. This is is a step up from my Samsumg S7 tablet.

[thestorminmormin]

The larger bezel makes the older surfaces better if you like to use it in tablet mode

[lauralaura]

this was such an in depth view of both products. thank you for being so thorough

[NizarNoor]

The speakers have massively improved! Kicking myself a bit for getting the Pro 7 in 2020!

[franciscoxaviermartinez]

Thank you for the comparison. I was going back and forth on which to buy. The display model of the 7+ i5 with 128 storage and 8 ram was marked down to 599.97. The price seemed too good to just walk away. So, I ended up buying it. I have enjoyed it. I am just hoping I don't get buyer's remorse.

[MrWh]

I been using my new pro8 for couple months then back to my pro 7+, few reasons: fistly, pro 8 is slightly taller than pro 7+ which make it not as stable as pro 7+ on lap. secondly, pro 8's battery life is bit short than pro 7+. thirldly, pro7's keybaord is bit lower than pro 8, it made long time typing little bit easier than pro 8. lastly, I like the old more plastic feel of the old style typecover.

[jeffmcneill]

Super informative and detailed. Excellent review comparison. Thank you.

[adinchandra]

I still like the Older Surface Pro Design. Seems "this is iconic" for me

[reeeek]

Now this is how a comparison should be done. Thanks

[mortinocano]

There's just something about that exact form factor (measurement/weight) of the SP7+ that the new generation of Surface pros can't compete with. I think the Surface Pro7+ is superior for that reason alone.

[gcb]

No SD card slot on the newer Pro 8? WTF Microsoft?