Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review

For 2021, Microsoft has finally fulfilled the dream of Surface Pro (mostly). The latest gen Surface Pro 8 features an updated design borrowed from Surface Pro X with smaller bezels and softly rounded thin sides. The display is larger now and close to a mainstream Ultrabook size at 13”, and as ever it supports pen and touch. The updated display digitizer combined with the new MS Slim Pen 2 make for a much improved writing and drawing experience. The convertible tablet that becomes a laptop with a kickstand runs Windows 11 on Intel 11th gen Core i5 and i7 processors, now with an upgradable SSD and still soldered RAM. Thunderbolt 4 replaces legacy ports. As ever, the Type Cover keyboard and pen are sold separately. Cellular options will arrive at a later date.

[NoProbRob]

I trust Lisa's judgment like my mother. No fluff or click bait, just honest and well thought.

[cameron]

This lady should have 10million subscribers. I literally don’t buy anything she hasn’t reviewed. So to all the companies out there, if you don’t get her your product I won’t buy it.

[nephiilim]

First time watcher here. Something about the way you talk makes me trust you and happy. You're so down to earth. I love the way you deliver!

[YA]

I really think it's worth mentioning that these products, especially previous surface devices, take a massive price cut later in the year (Black Friday). The prices are much more reasonable if people wait for sales season.

[zachg]

Where are her early release products? She tells it how it is and is just a genuine good person. Great review as always

[Karpour]

Wow, it's so refreshing to find a channel that has good, honest factual reviews. Great work! :)

[majestymedia]

I remember the days when you first reviewed the early Surface Pro. I took notes and presented it to the company for purchase. Almmost a decade later, I am now in a different company and still taking notes from you and they still bought the Surface Pro 8 from the recommendations. Great review as always!

[singhsc]

Lisa: the excitement and large smile I have seen in the first 30 seconds has not been shown for any product before LOL :)

[joshm]

Vocational trade teacher here, I find the surface pro is an absolute fantastic device for teaching. I used my i5 SP7 through Covid lockdowns where I had to work and connect with my students online. Having a stylus, MS whiteboard, OneNote and PowerPoint inking greatly helps communicate concepts both online and in person. The only issue I have with the SP8: no micro SD card, but that's honestly something I can work with. I'll definitely investigate getting the top spec i7 SP8, but I'm in Australia and it's ridiculously expensive for us. Even more so that the keyboard and new pen are additional costs to factor into the price.

[vidarnilsen]

Why Lisa at this point doesn't have 10M+ subscribers is beyond me. Consistent quality from A to Z

[tsmithgb]

Finally a review that compares it to a laptop rather than a damn iPad. Thanks Lisa, great work as always, was waiting on your review before pulling the trigger on the order, shame no 16gb on the i5 🤔

[meandmyEV]

Great review. I am buying a house and I noticed that the developer had issued Surface Pros to all of their staff like contractors and seller agents. It really makes sense for people in those positions who mostly use them as a desktop with a monitor and then carry them to write notes using the pen. I like tablets but since I mostly use a machine like this as a laptop, I prefer a more traditional 2-in-1 or convertible. I currently have a first gen Surface Book which is getting a little long in the tooth but is good enough for what I need.

[Connor_Dempsey]

Your reviews are the best. Informative and enjoyable.

[jonathanbr_]

Watching this on my surface pro 1. They've come a long way lol

[mademedothis]

People keep comparing the Pro to the Studio and other convertibles, and it's always weird to me. I suspect the reason the Pro isn't "niche" is that, like me, people want a free-standing tablet where typing isn't a nightmare and can be done quickly. My surface is often resting on weird places while I'm doing something else without the keyboard and I slap it on just to type something like this. The built-in kickstand and magnetic keyboard are still a killer app. The iPad doesn't do it, convertibles with attached keyboards don't do it. The only equivalent is the Galaxy Tab S7+ with the book cover, and then you're stuck on an Android tablet which, let's be honest, is way less convenient than being on full-on Windows. That's why I've had all three of those devices and I keep coming back to the Surface Pro.

It is very expensive, though. If they sorted out Windows on ARM I think something like the Surface Go would be a better deal. As it is, for my use case, the Pro is just the single best computing device on the market.

[dmitriy]

Hi. I've been watching your reviews probably for a decade now. I go to you for nitty gritty and real attention to detail. Thank you for what you do.

[racheljones]

Always appreciate Lisa's reviews. Been a long time Surface fan, and it's nice to have someone who gets what they're about while still giving a fair, honest, and in-depth review. It's about time to upgrade my SP4 so thanks for the review!

[johncoffman]

The surface pro 4, 5, 6, 7 and tried the X model were ok for me I moved to a HP Elite x2 g4 LTE and was blown away. I like it so much I got a new Elite x2 g8 16gb i7 3.0mhz and 2 TBssd. I do not see myself going back to Surface Pro's. My new G8 is awesome and a workhorse for a road warrior. I got an open box for 1998.00. Love my Gem cut Spectre.

[daric_]

I love your reviews. I remember watching your review of a Sony touchscreen 2-in-1 back in like 2012 or 2013 that convinced me to buy it. Thanks for your review! I'm highly considering a 16 GB RAM i5 model of the Surface Pro 8.

[albertjackinson]

I would also like to add Windows 11's new touch support really helps when using this as a tablet. The new gestures (they're essentially what you would find on the trackpad, but usable with your fingers on the touchscreen now) especially make a big difference. Improvements to window management help as well.