NEW Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen review
NEW Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen review
At the office, at home, or en route, new Surface Pro 7 adapts to the way you work with laptop-to-tablet versatility. And now, it delivers more power than ever with a laptop-class Intel® Core™ processor, all-day battery¹, Instant On, improved graphics, and longer standby time - plus more multitasking connections, now including both USB-C™ and USB-A ports.The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 improves on its predecessor with stronger performance and better ports, but its battery life is disappointing.
FOR
Solid performance
Bright and colorful display
Excellent optional keyboard
USB-C port (finally)
Exceptional performance for Core i5 version.
All-day eight-hour battery.
Instant On and resume.
Best 2-in-1 form factor.
All-day eight-hour battery.
Instant On and resume.
Best 2-in-1 form factor.
AGAINST
Underwhelming battery life
Soft speakers
No Thunderbolt 3.
No LTE.
No Dolby Vision or anti-glare display.
Bezels look dated.
Your laptop, your way
This next-generation laptop features the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can type, touch, draw, write, work, and play more naturally.
Next-generation power to fuel your ideas
- with multitasking speed, improved graphics, stunning entertainment, incredible Wi-Fi performance, and long battery life¹.
More ways to connect
Now with both USB-C™ and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging.
Ultraslim and light
The standout design won't weigh you down - ultraslim and light - Surface Pro 7 starts at just 1.70 lbs.²
All-day power on the go
All-day battery life up to 10.5 hours¹, plus the ability to go from empty to full faster - about 80% in just over an hour.⁹
Express yourself
Choose from different colors and accessories to create your own style.
Do more with the Windows you know
With Windows 10 Home³, enjoy familiar features such as password-free Windows Hello sign-in. Create your best work with Office 365* on Windows, and keep photos and files safe in the cloud with integrated OneDrive.
Brilliant display in every light
The high-resolution PixelSense™ display with ambient light sensing automatically adjusts to lighting conditions.
You are the password
Log in securely with Windows Hello sign-in, a fast and secure way to unlock Surface Pro 7.
*Sold separately.
¹Up to 10.5 hours of battery life for typical device usage.
² Weight not including type cover.
³Surface Laptop 3 13.5" for consumers comes with Windows 10 Home to bring you the powerful Windows features you use most at an exceptional value.
If you need additional enterprise management and security tools for the workplace, you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro or purchase Surface Pro 7 for Business.
⁹ Testing conducted at Microsoft in September 2019 using pre-production devices and Software. Tested with the inbox Surflink 60W PSU under controlled conditions. Device was powered onto desktop screen with default display brightness settings.
Actual charge time will vary based on operating conditions. Measured at typical office ambient temperature of 23C.
¹⁰ 3DMark 11 overall score comparison of Surface Pro 7 i7 (3661) versus Surface Pro 6 i7 (1497); Septemer 2019.
Specifications
Key Specs
Total Storage Capacity
128 gigabytes
Security Features
Facial recognition
2-in-1 Design
Info
Yes
Screen Size
Info
12.3 inches
Screen Resolution
Info
2736 x 1824
Processor Model
Info
Intel 10th Generation Core i5
Internet Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Operating System
Info
Windows 10 Home
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
General
Product Name
Surface Pro 7 - 12.3" Touch Screen - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive (Latest Model)
Brand
Microsoft
Data Plan Required
No
Model Number
VDV-00001
Model Family
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Year of Release
2019
Color
Platinum
Color Category
Silver
Feature
Total Storage Capacity
128 gigabytes
Security Features
Facial recognition
2-in-1 Design
Info
Yes
Keyboard Included
No
Stylus Dock
None
Camera
Rear-Facing Camera
Yes
Rear Facing Camera Megapixels
Info
8 megapixels
Rear Facing Camera Video Resolution
Info
1920x1080 (1080p)
Front-Facing Camera
Yes
Front Facing Camera Megapixels
Info
5 megapixels
Front Facing Camera Video Resolution
Info
1080p
Display
Screen Size
Info
12.3 inches
Screen Resolution
Info
2736 x 1824
Screen Type
PixelSense
Stylus Input
Info
Built for Windows Ink (Active)
Performance
Battery Life
Info
10.5 hours
System Memory (RAM)
Info
8 gigabytes
Processor Brand
Intel
Processor Model
Info
Intel 10th Generation Core i5
Connectivity
Internet Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Compatible Wireless Standard(s)
Info
Wireless-A, Wireless-AC, Wireless-B, Wireless-G, Wireless-N
Bluetooth Enabled
Info
Yes
Bluetooth Version
Info
5.0
Headphone Jack
Yes
Interface(s)
Info
3.5mm audio, DisplayPort, USB Type A, USB Type C
Compatibility
Operating System Compatibility
Windows
Operating System
Info
Windows 10 Home
Expandable Memory Compatibility
microSDXC
Power
Charging Interface(s)
Info
Proprietary
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Included
Stylus Included
No
Included Software
Microsoft Office 365 30-Day trial
Additional Accessories Included
Power supply
Dimension
Product Height
0.33 inches
Product Width
11.5 inches
Product Depth
7.9 inches
Product Weight
27.2 ounces
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is more of a good thing, but is that enough? Microsoft's latest detachable improves on one of the best 2-in-1 laptops around with strong 10th Gen Intel performance and a long-overdue USB-C port. But Microsoft's flagship hybrid makes few other significant changes from the Surface Pro 6, and its battery life takes a step back from last year's model.
The Surface Pro 7's sharp display, ample power and excellent optional Type Cover keyboard make it one of the best laptops you can buy if you want a detachable. But if you can live without USB-C and the latest Intel CPUs, you can get the Surface Pro 6 for much less or consider one of many great alternatives. Check out our Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review if you need a more fully featured Windows convertible.
The Surface Pro 7 looks exactly like the Surface Pro 6 and Pro 5, but that betrays all the small – but not immaterial – internal changes, which include:
USB Type-C 3.1 port (replaces Mini DisplayPort).
Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax compatible.
Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology.
Change from Marvel to Intel wireless.
Instant On (never hibernates).
10th-Gen Intel processors (10nm "Ice Lake").
Iris Plus graphics.
DDR4 RAM.
Surface Connect+ with fast charge.
Dual far-field Studio Mics.
New color Type Covers (poppy red and ice blue).
The new banner feature is USB Type-C, which replaces the aging Mini DisplayPort. Microsoft is finally making this change across its entire Surface line, including Surface Book 2, Surface Pro X, Surface Studio 2, and Surface Laptop 3.
While this Type-C port is not Thunderbolt 3, it can power dual 4K displays (60Hz), act as a charging port, use hubs, and transfer data. It's now a universal port, and it is quite powerful even if it can't power an external GPU (eGPU).
For those looking for more specifics, the Surface Pro 7's Type-C port supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10GB/s) and DisplayPort 1.4. That also means it can accept high-capacity Type-C wall chargers ranging from simple smartphone ones at 5 watts and up to at least 65 watts while using fast charge. The laptop can likely utilize even 100W Type-C chargers, although those are rarer, and it is not clear if the Surface Pro 7 will utilize that extra power. At the very least, it means you can use a 65-watt Type-C charger and get similar benefits as the Surface Connect+ one.
But if you're looking for a solid detachable with good performance and features, check out our full Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review below.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 SPECS
Here is the Surface Pro 7 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: 10th-gen Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7
Graphics: Intel UHD or Iris Plus
RAM: 4GB/8GB/16GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD
Display: 12.3-inch 2736 x 1824
Size: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches
Weight: 1.6 pounds
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Design
Microsoft hasn't reinvented the wheel here. Like its predecessors, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a somewhat chunky tablet that can transform into a laptop thanks to its rear-facing kickstand and optional Signature Type Cover keyboard. We tested the Platinum model, though I'm partial to the sleek Black variation.
My biggest design gripe with the Surface Pro 7 is that its roughly 0.5-inch-thick bezels look positively massive for a laptop or tablet in 2019, especially compared with those of the iPad Pro and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, the latter of which has a barely noticeable 5.2mm edge. The Surface Pro X, with its thin bezels, looks much more modern by comparison.
While the Pro 7's 0.3-inch-thin design feels top-heavy when you're using it in conjunction with a keyboard (a problem that plagues many 2-in-1 laptops), there's still a lot to like about its versatility.
The kickstand rotates from 0 to 165 degrees, so you can easily prop it up for laptop use or tilt it slightly above desk level for when you're drawing or taking notes. The Type Cover keyboard attaches seamlessly to the Pro 7's underside, and the optional Surface Pen can attach to the side of the tablet magnetically (though I wish there were a dedicated pen dock, like that of the Surface Pro X's keyboard).
I didn't have too much trouble using the Pro 7 in laptop mode on my lap, though the top-heaviness does make it a bit wobbly. Still, the latest Surface Pro makes for a solid road warrior at just 0.3 inches thin and 1.7 pounds (2.4 pounds with a keyboard attached). It's just a tiny bit thicker and heavier than the iPad Pro, and notably lighter than dedicated clamshell convertibles like the Dell XPS 2-in-1 (0.5 inches, 2.9 pounds).
The overall design for the new Surface Pro 7 is the same as the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 5. Colors for the Surface Pro's chassis are still matte black, which was introduced last year, or the traditional platinum color.
The power and volume keys are located on the top left of the Surface Pro. The Type-C, Type-A, and Surface Connect+ ports are located on the right side while the optional Surface Pen can magnetically stick to the left side.
Interestingly, the new Surface Pro X, which is made from the ground up for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx, steals the design thunder from the Surface Pro. It's rumored Microsoft will bring similar design changes to the Pro line in late 2020. While thinner bezels would have been lovely for the Surface Pro, it's tough to be upset with its design, which works well even in 2019.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Ports
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 gets points for finally including a USB-C port, though the overall connections are scant on this machine. Aside from USB-C, you get a USB-A port (handy for legacy peripherals), a headphone jack, a microSD card slot and a Surface Connect port for juicing up.
While I'm glad the Surface Pro has finally adopted USB-C, I was bummed to discover that you can't charge the PC via that port should you lose the Surface Connect charger. It's also worth noting that this is a USB 3.1 port and not Thunderbolt 3, so you don't get the fast 40GB/s transfer rates of the latter.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Display
The Surface Pro 7's 12-inch, 2736 x 1824 display looked rich and colorful during my testing, whether I was surfing the web, crunching away at work or watching videos.
In the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer, the red and blue of Kylo Ren and Rey's lightsabers popped nicely on the Surface Pro 7's panel, and a group shot of the Resistance crew gathering in the Millennium Falcon looked sharp and colorful (if a bit oversaturated). I could make out every tiny detail on the Falcon during a space battle scene, and I could clearly see every reflection emanating from C-3PO's gold body as he delivered some heartbreaking dialogue.
The Surface Pro 7 notched 395 nits of brightness on our light meter, which is better than the average laptop but behind last year's Surface Pro 6 (408 nits) and the iPad Pro (484 nits). Our Pro 7 color tests told a similar story, as it reproduced a solid 97% of the sRGB color gamut but failed to top the Pro 6 (136%) or the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (113%).
Of all the changes to the Surface Pro 7, the lack of any to the display – especially when compared to other PCs – is the biggest frustration. It's still a superb screen and enjoyable to use, but Microsoft is falling behind the competition, not leading. The display is effectively the same as Surface Pro 6. Some enhancements in power consumption and minor tweaks likely have occurred, but there are no apparent differences.
You should not overlook the Surface Pro 7... it's the best yet.
The 12.3-inch LCD screen supports a resolution of 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI) with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Microsoft still offers two presets for the color gamut, including sRGB for color accuracy (photo editing) and "enhanced," which brings punchier colors and more contrast ideal for movies or regular usage.
Our brightness measurements pegged the Surface Pro 7's max output (100 percent) at 410 nits, while its minimum (zero percent) is barely visible at 2.8 nits. While good, the Surface Pro is beginning to fall behind competitors, who are achieving 500+ nits of brightness. That also translates into the lack of HDR400 (where 500 nits are needed) and the lack of Dolby Vision certification, something that is more mainstream.
Color accuracy is a decent 98 percent for sRGB, 73 percent for AdobeRGB, and 72 percent for DCI-P3. While those are good results, they are below that of something like the new Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, which achieved 100 percent sRGB coverage with AdobeRGB at 76 percent and DCI-P3 at 81 percent.
The Surface Pro 7's display is also still glossy with no anti-glare layer. Companies like HP, Dell, and Lenovo are investing heavily in anti-glare technology. The tech keeps the benefits of glossy displays, such as accurate color reproduction and wide color gamut, while also reducing reflectivity. That ability helps to lessen eye fatigue, and unfortunately, Microsoft has nothing to contribute here.
Another trend that Microsoft is missing out on is the push towards OLED displays. However, many users prefer the more natural look of LCD, making that more a subjective and personal critique.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 pen inking
f you want to use digital ink on the Surface Pro, you need to shell out an extra for the Surface Pen (although there are cheaper alternatives.
For 2019, there are two new colors for the Surface Pen that match the new Type Covers: poppy red and ice blue.
There is nothing new with the Surface Pen this year, so those who are upgrading can easily use their current Surface Pen and Surface Type Covers .
The pen still has the same 4,096 levels of pressure, supports tilt, rotation, and Bluetooth. Activation force – the amount of pressure required before the pen activates – is nine grams. Microsoft also maintains just 2.1 milliseconds of inking latency from last year's model due to the inking co-processor that's part of the Surface Pro 7 display. That co-processor connects the GPU to the screen's digitizer and helps speed up pen calculations.
Microsoft has steadily improved both the firmware for Surface Pen and made better apps with more significant support, such as Microsoft To Do, OneNote, and Sticky Notes 3.0.
Microsoft also has a new Surface Slim Pen designed for the Surface Pro X. While that pen works with the Surface Pro, it doesn't seem to make much sense to spend the extra cash for it over the regular Surface Pen. The changes are mostly in the design.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Type Cover, Windows Hello, and resume
Typing on the Surface Pro 7 is still just as excellent as it has been for the last few years. The keys are three-stage backlit with 1.3mm of travel.
The new Type Covers don't have any new features or improvements. The trackpad, which uses Microsoft Precision drivers, is the same physical size as last year's and still works wonderfully considering the size restrictions.
Following the Type Covers from Surface Pro 5 and Surface Pro 6, the Pro 7's new Type Cover also had dedicated keys for changing the display brightness.
The new Type Covers also feature the Alcantara cloth material, making them extra comfy. making it an additional but necessary purchase for most people. For those looking to save some money or who prefer a black cover with no Alcantara, Microsoft
Windows Hello facial recognition is still present thanks to the 8MP (1080p) front-facing camera and sensors. That system is now flanked by two microphone holes for what Microsoft is referring to as Studio Mics. Those mics give a considerable improvement for video teleconferencing.
The Surface Pro 7 also includes a world-facing 5MP (1080p) camera ideal for whiteboard and OneNote use. Both it and the front-facing camera are some of the best on any PC on the market.
Windows Hello activation is now even speedier than last year's model. These small details are what separate Surface Pro from everything else on the market. By the time you drop the Type Cover and open Windows Hello, Surface Pro 7 will have already logged you in even after hours of nonuse. It's a fantastic experience and easily the fastest system I have tried.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Audio
The Surface Pro 7's speakers are fine for a short YouTube or Netflix binge, but they're too quiet to help you get immersed in your favorite music and movies. Due to their overall low volume and lack of low end, the Pro 7's speakers completely dulled the powerful metal-pop of Issues' "Tapping Out." While the guitars and vocals came through cleanly, there wasn't enough bass or drums to make me want to bang my head.
The bouncy radio pop of Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" fell similarly flat on the Surface Pro 7. While Swift's airy vocals were mostly audible, I could once again barely hear any bass, and the speakers' low volume didn't do justice to the normally bright string arrangement.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Keyboard, touchpad and pen
I found the Type Cover's keys a joy to type on, thanks to their deep travel and springy feedback. I blazed through the 10fastfingers.com typing test at 103 words per minute (a bit above my usual rate) virtually error-free and felt totally comfortable no matter how fast I hammered away.
The 4-inch-wide touchpad provided plenty of real estate for my fingers and offered a satisfying click, while the soft-touch wrist rests made it easy to type comfortably. The lack of a Ctrl key on the right side annoyed me, as I'm used to relying on that key for copying, pasting and general formatting. But otherwise, this keyboard cover is so good that I wish it came with every Surface Pro 7 by default and wasn't a separate add-on.
The optional Surface Pen made it easy for me to jot down a quick to-do list in Sticky Notes. It reacted naturally to different levels of pressure when I doodled in Paint 3D using a virtual pencil. I really like the programmable shortcuts that the Pen's eraser-like button offers, such as long-pressing to pull up Sticky Notes or performing a quick click to open Microsoft Whiteboard.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Performance
Packing an Intel Core i5-1035G4 CPU (a mouthful of a number to let you know this is 10th gen) and 8GB of RAM, our Surface Pro 7 handled my usual multitasking crunch without a sweat. I didn't encounter any major slowdown during day-to-day use, even as I jumped between more than a dozen Chrome tabs, streamed five videos across Twitch and YouTube, and hammered away in Slack and Google Docs.
The Pro 7 performed similarly well on benchmarks, scoring a strong 17,225 on the Geekbench 4 general performance test. That's a big bump from last year's 8th Gen Core i5-powered Pro 6 (13,761) and roughly on a par with the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
The 256GB SSD in Microsoft's detachable transferred about 5GB of files at a decent 267MB per second, again trumping the Pro 6 (203) but falling behind the Dell's 512GB SSD (463).
The Surface Pro 7 isn't exactly a gaming laptop, but its integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics can handle non-intensive games at decent settings. The 2-in-1 ran racing game Dirt 3 at 36 frames per second, which is perfectly playable but not quite as smooth as the upward of 47 fps we saw from the XPS 13 2-in-1.
Software and features
Like just about every Surface before it, the Surface Pro 7 isn’t necessarily feature-rich or has many key pieces of software to discuss, which has its pros and cons. The major pro here is that there is practically no bloatware on this tablet at all, as it’s issued directly from Microsoft.
Another pro is the Windows Hello facial recognition, which uses the tablet’s infrared camera next to its webcam, and is as speedy and accurate as before. Once again, we can open the tablet from its Type Cover and it’s already logged us into Windows 10. Talk about instant-on performance.
However, there is basically nothing else in the way of distinctive software and features. If it’s on this tablet, you can get it on any other Windows 10 tablet. That includes the Your Phone feature, which allows you to sync up an Android phone with Windows to see and respond to text messages, edit calendar entries or even take calls.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Battery life
While the Surface Pro 7 will get you through most of a workday on a charge, you'll want to have a portable charger handy for longer trips. Microsoft's 2-in-1 endured through 7 hours and 52 minutes of Wi-Fi web surfing on our battery test, which is down significantly from last year's Surface Pro 6 (9:20) and far behind the iPad Pro (13:14) and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (10:57).However, when it comes to lasting power, we’re not seeing the same levels of battery life exhibited by the previous generation Surface Pro and its 14nm Intel Core CPU. In our tests, the Surface Pro 7 fell more than two hours short of the 8 hours and 45 minutes that the 2018 Pro 6 achieved in our local battery rundown test.
Likewise, the Surface Pro 7 came up more than 45 minutes short of the PCMark 8 battery test, with the Pro 6 clocking in at a straight 4 hours last year.
You would normally expect battery life to increase when moving to a supposedly more efficient processor architecture. However, Core i5 and i7 versions of Intel’s new CPUs made major boosts to graphical performance, which could come at the expense of battery life.
Hardware manufacturers and software makers – of which Microsoft is both – have had half a decade now to optimize their products around Intel’s 14nm silicon. They’ve likely had a fraction of that time to prepare for and adapt to Intel’s shiny new 10nm chips, and this could explain why the Surface Pro 7's battery life is worse than the previous model's.
Oddly enough, if it’s peak battery life you’re after, you may be better off picking up one of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 6 models. That is, at least until the company improves the Surface Pro 7 battery life via firmware patches, which is entirely possible, and we'd argue quite likely.
Microsoft also added "fast charge" to the Surface Connect port (now called Surface Connect+). It uses the same 65-watt charger as previous Surface Pros, but it can now charge the battery quicker.
A feature that was briefly glossed over by Microsoft is the new "Instant On" ability, thanks to a combination of that Intel 10th-Gen processor and some tweaking Microsoft has done. The Surface Pro 7 never enters hibernation like every other Windows PC or Surface before it. Instead, it is always in instant standby, so there is never any waiting for it to engage when you open the Surface Type cover. Whether you leave the Surface Pro 7 for two minutes or seven hours, it will always be ready to use, similar to how Qualcomm ARM PCs behave. This change is an extraordinary feature that makes the Surface Pro 7 similar to how an Apple iPad Pro operates.
The upgrade to DDR4 RAM (up from DDR3), improved dual "Studio Mics" for Skype or calls on Microsoft Teams, and adding two new colors to the Surface Type Cover line are minor tweaks, but still positive ones.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 delivers big on performance and display quality, complete with a responsive screen for note-taking and drawing and a convertible design that really shines with the excellent Type Cover keyboard. The introduction of USB-C is a much-needed change, and the Pro 7's design remains as travel-friendly as ever.
However, with chunky bezels and minimal changes since last year's model, the Surface Pro is starting to look dated compared with the latest iPad Pro, Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 and upcoming Surface Pro X. Our Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review proved that its battery life is underwhelming, and you'll actually get more juice out of the Pro 6. If you want the fastest Surface Pro currently available, the Pro 7 still delivers most of what matters. But you can get better battery life — and more-modern designs — if you're willing to consider some alternatives.
For most users, the Core i5 Surface Pro 7 is the ideal choice. Going by benchmarks, the Core i3 model should also do quite well, though it is still just a dual-core chip versus the i5 and i7, which are quad-core. The SSD and RAM are non-upgradeable, so buy what you will need.
The Core i7, which is likely enormously powerful, also brings a fan, so keep that in mind if you dislike the idea of an actively cooled system. That model is likely ideal for those who want to use a desktop dock where the Surface Pro will do double duty as a portable and desktop PC daily.
5 out of 5
Overall, I am more impressed by the Surface Pro 7 than I expected when I started this review. It's simply terrific. It proves that the Pro's design is not only here to stay but that this the best iteration of it. While the price is still high ( for a Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, not including Type Cover and Pen), that "Surface tax" is well earned. No other manufacturer has been able to make such a compelling 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro 7, despite many attempts.
No LTE.
No Dolby Vision or anti-glare display.
Bezels look dated.
Your laptop, your way
This next-generation laptop features the versatility of a studio and tablet, so you can type, touch, draw, write, work, and play more naturally.
Next-generation power to fuel your ideas
- with multitasking speed, improved graphics, stunning entertainment, incredible Wi-Fi performance, and long battery life¹.
More ways to connect
Now with both USB-C™ and USB-A ports for connecting to displays, docking stations and more, as well as accessory charging.
Ultraslim and light
The standout design won't weigh you down - ultraslim and light - Surface Pro 7 starts at just 1.70 lbs.²
All-day power on the go
All-day battery life up to 10.5 hours¹, plus the ability to go from empty to full faster - about 80% in just over an hour.⁹
Express yourself
Choose from different colors and accessories to create your own style.
Do more with the Windows you know
With Windows 10 Home³, enjoy familiar features such as password-free Windows Hello sign-in. Create your best work with Office 365* on Windows, and keep photos and files safe in the cloud with integrated OneDrive.
Brilliant display in every light
The high-resolution PixelSense™ display with ambient light sensing automatically adjusts to lighting conditions.
You are the password
Log in securely with Windows Hello sign-in, a fast and secure way to unlock Surface Pro 7.
*Sold separately.
¹Up to 10.5 hours of battery life for typical device usage.
² Weight not including type cover.
³Surface Laptop 3 13.5" for consumers comes with Windows 10 Home to bring you the powerful Windows features you use most at an exceptional value.
If you need additional enterprise management and security tools for the workplace, you can upgrade to Windows 10 Pro or purchase Surface Pro 7 for Business.
⁹ Testing conducted at Microsoft in September 2019 using pre-production devices and Software. Tested with the inbox Surflink 60W PSU under controlled conditions. Device was powered onto desktop screen with default display brightness settings.
Actual charge time will vary based on operating conditions. Measured at typical office ambient temperature of 23C.
¹⁰ 3DMark 11 overall score comparison of Surface Pro 7 i7 (3661) versus Surface Pro 6 i7 (1497); Septemer 2019.
Specifications
Key Specs
Total Storage Capacity
128 gigabytes
Security Features
Facial recognition
2-in-1 Design
Info
Yes
Screen Size
Info
12.3 inches
Screen Resolution
Info
2736 x 1824
Processor Model
Info
Intel 10th Generation Core i5
Internet Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Operating System
Info
Windows 10 Home
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
General
Product Name
Surface Pro 7 - 12.3" Touch Screen - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 128GB Solid State Drive (Latest Model)
Brand
Microsoft
Data Plan Required
No
Model Number
VDV-00001
Model Family
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Year of Release
2019
Color
Platinum
Color Category
Silver
Feature
Total Storage Capacity
128 gigabytes
Security Features
Facial recognition
2-in-1 Design
Info
Yes
Keyboard Included
No
Stylus Dock
None
Camera
Rear-Facing Camera
Yes
Rear Facing Camera Megapixels
Info
8 megapixels
Rear Facing Camera Video Resolution
Info
1920x1080 (1080p)
Front-Facing Camera
Yes
Front Facing Camera Megapixels
Info
5 megapixels
Front Facing Camera Video Resolution
Info
1080p
Display
Screen Size
Info
12.3 inches
Screen Resolution
Info
2736 x 1824
Screen Type
PixelSense
Stylus Input
Info
Built for Windows Ink (Active)
Performance
Battery Life
Info
10.5 hours
System Memory (RAM)
Info
8 gigabytes
Processor Brand
Intel
Processor Model
Info
Intel 10th Generation Core i5
Connectivity
Internet Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Compatible Wireless Standard(s)
Info
Wireless-A, Wireless-AC, Wireless-B, Wireless-G, Wireless-N
Bluetooth Enabled
Info
Yes
Bluetooth Version
Info
5.0
Headphone Jack
Yes
Interface(s)
Info
3.5mm audio, DisplayPort, USB Type A, USB Type C
Compatibility
Operating System Compatibility
Windows
Operating System
Info
Windows 10 Home
Expandable Memory Compatibility
microSDXC
Power
Charging Interface(s)
Info
Proprietary
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Included
Stylus Included
No
Included Software
Microsoft Office 365 30-Day trial
Additional Accessories Included
Power supply
Dimension
Product Height
0.33 inches
Product Width
11.5 inches
Product Depth
7.9 inches
Product Weight
27.2 ounces
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is more of a good thing, but is that enough? Microsoft's latest detachable improves on one of the best 2-in-1 laptops around with strong 10th Gen Intel performance and a long-overdue USB-C port. But Microsoft's flagship hybrid makes few other significant changes from the Surface Pro 6, and its battery life takes a step back from last year's model.
The Surface Pro 7's sharp display, ample power and excellent optional Type Cover keyboard make it one of the best laptops you can buy if you want a detachable. But if you can live without USB-C and the latest Intel CPUs, you can get the Surface Pro 6 for much less or consider one of many great alternatives. Check out our Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review if you need a more fully featured Windows convertible.
The Surface Pro 7 looks exactly like the Surface Pro 6 and Pro 5, but that betrays all the small – but not immaterial – internal changes, which include:
USB Type-C 3.1 port (replaces Mini DisplayPort).
Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax compatible.
Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology.
Change from Marvel to Intel wireless.
Instant On (never hibernates).
10th-Gen Intel processors (10nm "Ice Lake").
Iris Plus graphics.
DDR4 RAM.
Surface Connect+ with fast charge.
Dual far-field Studio Mics.
New color Type Covers (poppy red and ice blue).
The new banner feature is USB Type-C, which replaces the aging Mini DisplayPort. Microsoft is finally making this change across its entire Surface line, including Surface Book 2, Surface Pro X, Surface Studio 2, and Surface Laptop 3.
While this Type-C port is not Thunderbolt 3, it can power dual 4K displays (60Hz), act as a charging port, use hubs, and transfer data. It's now a universal port, and it is quite powerful even if it can't power an external GPU (eGPU).
For those looking for more specifics, the Surface Pro 7's Type-C port supports USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10GB/s) and DisplayPort 1.4. That also means it can accept high-capacity Type-C wall chargers ranging from simple smartphone ones at 5 watts and up to at least 65 watts while using fast charge. The laptop can likely utilize even 100W Type-C chargers, although those are rarer, and it is not clear if the Surface Pro 7 will utilize that extra power. At the very least, it means you can use a 65-watt Type-C charger and get similar benefits as the Surface Connect+ one.
But if you're looking for a solid detachable with good performance and features, check out our full Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review below.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 SPECS
Here is the Surface Pro 7 configuration sent to TechRadar for review:
CPU: 10th-gen Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7
Graphics: Intel UHD or Iris Plus
RAM: 4GB/8GB/16GB
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD
Display: 12.3-inch 2736 x 1824
Size: 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches
Weight: 1.6 pounds
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Design
Microsoft hasn't reinvented the wheel here. Like its predecessors, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a somewhat chunky tablet that can transform into a laptop thanks to its rear-facing kickstand and optional Signature Type Cover keyboard. We tested the Platinum model, though I'm partial to the sleek Black variation.
My biggest design gripe with the Surface Pro 7 is that its roughly 0.5-inch-thick bezels look positively massive for a laptop or tablet in 2019, especially compared with those of the iPad Pro and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, the latter of which has a barely noticeable 5.2mm edge. The Surface Pro X, with its thin bezels, looks much more modern by comparison.
While the Pro 7's 0.3-inch-thin design feels top-heavy when you're using it in conjunction with a keyboard (a problem that plagues many 2-in-1 laptops), there's still a lot to like about its versatility.
The kickstand rotates from 0 to 165 degrees, so you can easily prop it up for laptop use or tilt it slightly above desk level for when you're drawing or taking notes. The Type Cover keyboard attaches seamlessly to the Pro 7's underside, and the optional Surface Pen can attach to the side of the tablet magnetically (though I wish there were a dedicated pen dock, like that of the Surface Pro X's keyboard).
I didn't have too much trouble using the Pro 7 in laptop mode on my lap, though the top-heaviness does make it a bit wobbly. Still, the latest Surface Pro makes for a solid road warrior at just 0.3 inches thin and 1.7 pounds (2.4 pounds with a keyboard attached). It's just a tiny bit thicker and heavier than the iPad Pro, and notably lighter than dedicated clamshell convertibles like the Dell XPS 2-in-1 (0.5 inches, 2.9 pounds).
The overall design for the new Surface Pro 7 is the same as the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Pro 5. Colors for the Surface Pro's chassis are still matte black, which was introduced last year, or the traditional platinum color.
The power and volume keys are located on the top left of the Surface Pro. The Type-C, Type-A, and Surface Connect+ ports are located on the right side while the optional Surface Pen can magnetically stick to the left side.
Interestingly, the new Surface Pro X, which is made from the ground up for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx, steals the design thunder from the Surface Pro. It's rumored Microsoft will bring similar design changes to the Pro line in late 2020. While thinner bezels would have been lovely for the Surface Pro, it's tough to be upset with its design, which works well even in 2019.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Ports
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 gets points for finally including a USB-C port, though the overall connections are scant on this machine. Aside from USB-C, you get a USB-A port (handy for legacy peripherals), a headphone jack, a microSD card slot and a Surface Connect port for juicing up.
While I'm glad the Surface Pro has finally adopted USB-C, I was bummed to discover that you can't charge the PC via that port should you lose the Surface Connect charger. It's also worth noting that this is a USB 3.1 port and not Thunderbolt 3, so you don't get the fast 40GB/s transfer rates of the latter.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Display
The Surface Pro 7's 12-inch, 2736 x 1824 display looked rich and colorful during my testing, whether I was surfing the web, crunching away at work or watching videos.
In the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer, the red and blue of Kylo Ren and Rey's lightsabers popped nicely on the Surface Pro 7's panel, and a group shot of the Resistance crew gathering in the Millennium Falcon looked sharp and colorful (if a bit oversaturated). I could make out every tiny detail on the Falcon during a space battle scene, and I could clearly see every reflection emanating from C-3PO's gold body as he delivered some heartbreaking dialogue.
The Surface Pro 7 notched 395 nits of brightness on our light meter, which is better than the average laptop but behind last year's Surface Pro 6 (408 nits) and the iPad Pro (484 nits). Our Pro 7 color tests told a similar story, as it reproduced a solid 97% of the sRGB color gamut but failed to top the Pro 6 (136%) or the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (113%).
Of all the changes to the Surface Pro 7, the lack of any to the display – especially when compared to other PCs – is the biggest frustration. It's still a superb screen and enjoyable to use, but Microsoft is falling behind the competition, not leading. The display is effectively the same as Surface Pro 6. Some enhancements in power consumption and minor tweaks likely have occurred, but there are no apparent differences.
You should not overlook the Surface Pro 7... it's the best yet.
The 12.3-inch LCD screen supports a resolution of 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI) with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Microsoft still offers two presets for the color gamut, including sRGB for color accuracy (photo editing) and "enhanced," which brings punchier colors and more contrast ideal for movies or regular usage.
Our brightness measurements pegged the Surface Pro 7's max output (100 percent) at 410 nits, while its minimum (zero percent) is barely visible at 2.8 nits. While good, the Surface Pro is beginning to fall behind competitors, who are achieving 500+ nits of brightness. That also translates into the lack of HDR400 (where 500 nits are needed) and the lack of Dolby Vision certification, something that is more mainstream.
Color accuracy is a decent 98 percent for sRGB, 73 percent for AdobeRGB, and 72 percent for DCI-P3. While those are good results, they are below that of something like the new Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, which achieved 100 percent sRGB coverage with AdobeRGB at 76 percent and DCI-P3 at 81 percent.
The Surface Pro 7's display is also still glossy with no anti-glare layer. Companies like HP, Dell, and Lenovo are investing heavily in anti-glare technology. The tech keeps the benefits of glossy displays, such as accurate color reproduction and wide color gamut, while also reducing reflectivity. That ability helps to lessen eye fatigue, and unfortunately, Microsoft has nothing to contribute here.
Another trend that Microsoft is missing out on is the push towards OLED displays. However, many users prefer the more natural look of LCD, making that more a subjective and personal critique.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 pen inking
f you want to use digital ink on the Surface Pro, you need to shell out an extra for the Surface Pen (although there are cheaper alternatives.
For 2019, there are two new colors for the Surface Pen that match the new Type Covers: poppy red and ice blue.
There is nothing new with the Surface Pen this year, so those who are upgrading can easily use their current Surface Pen and Surface Type Covers .
The pen still has the same 4,096 levels of pressure, supports tilt, rotation, and Bluetooth. Activation force – the amount of pressure required before the pen activates – is nine grams. Microsoft also maintains just 2.1 milliseconds of inking latency from last year's model due to the inking co-processor that's part of the Surface Pro 7 display. That co-processor connects the GPU to the screen's digitizer and helps speed up pen calculations.
Microsoft has steadily improved both the firmware for Surface Pen and made better apps with more significant support, such as Microsoft To Do, OneNote, and Sticky Notes 3.0.
Microsoft also has a new Surface Slim Pen designed for the Surface Pro X. While that pen works with the Surface Pro, it doesn't seem to make much sense to spend the extra cash for it over the regular Surface Pen. The changes are mostly in the design.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Type Cover, Windows Hello, and resume
Typing on the Surface Pro 7 is still just as excellent as it has been for the last few years. The keys are three-stage backlit with 1.3mm of travel.
The new Type Covers don't have any new features or improvements. The trackpad, which uses Microsoft Precision drivers, is the same physical size as last year's and still works wonderfully considering the size restrictions.
Following the Type Covers from Surface Pro 5 and Surface Pro 6, the Pro 7's new Type Cover also had dedicated keys for changing the display brightness.
The new Type Covers also feature the Alcantara cloth material, making them extra comfy. making it an additional but necessary purchase for most people. For those looking to save some money or who prefer a black cover with no Alcantara, Microsoft
Windows Hello facial recognition is still present thanks to the 8MP (1080p) front-facing camera and sensors. That system is now flanked by two microphone holes for what Microsoft is referring to as Studio Mics. Those mics give a considerable improvement for video teleconferencing.
The Surface Pro 7 also includes a world-facing 5MP (1080p) camera ideal for whiteboard and OneNote use. Both it and the front-facing camera are some of the best on any PC on the market.
Windows Hello activation is now even speedier than last year's model. These small details are what separate Surface Pro from everything else on the market. By the time you drop the Type Cover and open Windows Hello, Surface Pro 7 will have already logged you in even after hours of nonuse. It's a fantastic experience and easily the fastest system I have tried.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Audio
The Surface Pro 7's speakers are fine for a short YouTube or Netflix binge, but they're too quiet to help you get immersed in your favorite music and movies. Due to their overall low volume and lack of low end, the Pro 7's speakers completely dulled the powerful metal-pop of Issues' "Tapping Out." While the guitars and vocals came through cleanly, there wasn't enough bass or drums to make me want to bang my head.
The bouncy radio pop of Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" fell similarly flat on the Surface Pro 7. While Swift's airy vocals were mostly audible, I could once again barely hear any bass, and the speakers' low volume didn't do justice to the normally bright string arrangement.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Keyboard, touchpad and pen
NEW Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen review
We tested the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 with Microsoft's Surface Pro Signature Type Cover, which transforms the tablet into a bona fide laptop while doubling as a wonderfully soft fabric covering when closed up. I love the extra flair that our Burgundy model gives our Pro 7, though you can also get the Type Cover in Platinum, Black and Cobalt Blue to personalize the slate to your style.I found the Type Cover's keys a joy to type on, thanks to their deep travel and springy feedback. I blazed through the 10fastfingers.com typing test at 103 words per minute (a bit above my usual rate) virtually error-free and felt totally comfortable no matter how fast I hammered away.
The 4-inch-wide touchpad provided plenty of real estate for my fingers and offered a satisfying click, while the soft-touch wrist rests made it easy to type comfortably. The lack of a Ctrl key on the right side annoyed me, as I'm used to relying on that key for copying, pasting and general formatting. But otherwise, this keyboard cover is so good that I wish it came with every Surface Pro 7 by default and wasn't a separate add-on.
The optional Surface Pen made it easy for me to jot down a quick to-do list in Sticky Notes. It reacted naturally to different levels of pressure when I doodled in Paint 3D using a virtual pencil. I really like the programmable shortcuts that the Pen's eraser-like button offers, such as long-pressing to pull up Sticky Notes or performing a quick click to open Microsoft Whiteboard.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Performance
Packing an Intel Core i5-1035G4 CPU (a mouthful of a number to let you know this is 10th gen) and 8GB of RAM, our Surface Pro 7 handled my usual multitasking crunch without a sweat. I didn't encounter any major slowdown during day-to-day use, even as I jumped between more than a dozen Chrome tabs, streamed five videos across Twitch and YouTube, and hammered away in Slack and Google Docs.
The Pro 7 performed similarly well on benchmarks, scoring a strong 17,225 on the Geekbench 4 general performance test. That's a big bump from last year's 8th Gen Core i5-powered Pro 6 (13,761) and roughly on a par with the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1.
The 256GB SSD in Microsoft's detachable transferred about 5GB of files at a decent 267MB per second, again trumping the Pro 6 (203) but falling behind the Dell's 512GB SSD (463).
The Surface Pro 7 isn't exactly a gaming laptop, but its integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics can handle non-intensive games at decent settings. The 2-in-1 ran racing game Dirt 3 at 36 frames per second, which is perfectly playable but not quite as smooth as the upward of 47 fps we saw from the XPS 13 2-in-1.
Software and features
Like just about every Surface before it, the Surface Pro 7 isn’t necessarily feature-rich or has many key pieces of software to discuss, which has its pros and cons. The major pro here is that there is practically no bloatware on this tablet at all, as it’s issued directly from Microsoft.
Another pro is the Windows Hello facial recognition, which uses the tablet’s infrared camera next to its webcam, and is as speedy and accurate as before. Once again, we can open the tablet from its Type Cover and it’s already logged us into Windows 10. Talk about instant-on performance.
However, there is basically nothing else in the way of distinctive software and features. If it’s on this tablet, you can get it on any other Windows 10 tablet. That includes the Your Phone feature, which allows you to sync up an Android phone with Windows to see and respond to text messages, edit calendar entries or even take calls.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Battery life
While the Surface Pro 7 will get you through most of a workday on a charge, you'll want to have a portable charger handy for longer trips. Microsoft's 2-in-1 endured through 7 hours and 52 minutes of Wi-Fi web surfing on our battery test, which is down significantly from last year's Surface Pro 6 (9:20) and far behind the iPad Pro (13:14) and the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (10:57).However, when it comes to lasting power, we’re not seeing the same levels of battery life exhibited by the previous generation Surface Pro and its 14nm Intel Core CPU. In our tests, the Surface Pro 7 fell more than two hours short of the 8 hours and 45 minutes that the 2018 Pro 6 achieved in our local battery rundown test.
Likewise, the Surface Pro 7 came up more than 45 minutes short of the PCMark 8 battery test, with the Pro 6 clocking in at a straight 4 hours last year.
You would normally expect battery life to increase when moving to a supposedly more efficient processor architecture. However, Core i5 and i7 versions of Intel’s new CPUs made major boosts to graphical performance, which could come at the expense of battery life.
Hardware manufacturers and software makers – of which Microsoft is both – have had half a decade now to optimize their products around Intel’s 14nm silicon. They’ve likely had a fraction of that time to prepare for and adapt to Intel’s shiny new 10nm chips, and this could explain why the Surface Pro 7's battery life is worse than the previous model's.
Oddly enough, if it’s peak battery life you’re after, you may be better off picking up one of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 6 models. That is, at least until the company improves the Surface Pro 7 battery life via firmware patches, which is entirely possible, and we'd argue quite likely.
Microsoft also added "fast charge" to the Surface Connect port (now called Surface Connect+). It uses the same 65-watt charger as previous Surface Pros, but it can now charge the battery quicker.
A feature that was briefly glossed over by Microsoft is the new "Instant On" ability, thanks to a combination of that Intel 10th-Gen processor and some tweaking Microsoft has done. The Surface Pro 7 never enters hibernation like every other Windows PC or Surface before it. Instead, it is always in instant standby, so there is never any waiting for it to engage when you open the Surface Type cover. Whether you leave the Surface Pro 7 for two minutes or seven hours, it will always be ready to use, similar to how Qualcomm ARM PCs behave. This change is an extraordinary feature that makes the Surface Pro 7 similar to how an Apple iPad Pro operates.
The upgrade to DDR4 RAM (up from DDR3), improved dual "Studio Mics" for Skype or calls on Microsoft Teams, and adding two new colors to the Surface Type Cover line are minor tweaks, but still positive ones.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 delivers big on performance and display quality, complete with a responsive screen for note-taking and drawing and a convertible design that really shines with the excellent Type Cover keyboard. The introduction of USB-C is a much-needed change, and the Pro 7's design remains as travel-friendly as ever.
However, with chunky bezels and minimal changes since last year's model, the Surface Pro is starting to look dated compared with the latest iPad Pro, Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 and upcoming Surface Pro X. Our Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review proved that its battery life is underwhelming, and you'll actually get more juice out of the Pro 6. If you want the fastest Surface Pro currently available, the Pro 7 still delivers most of what matters. But you can get better battery life — and more-modern designs — if you're willing to consider some alternatives.
For most users, the Core i5 Surface Pro 7 is the ideal choice. Going by benchmarks, the Core i3 model should also do quite well, though it is still just a dual-core chip versus the i5 and i7, which are quad-core. The SSD and RAM are non-upgradeable, so buy what you will need.
The Core i7, which is likely enormously powerful, also brings a fan, so keep that in mind if you dislike the idea of an actively cooled system. That model is likely ideal for those who want to use a desktop dock where the Surface Pro will do double duty as a portable and desktop PC daily.
5 out of 5
Overall, I am more impressed by the Surface Pro 7 than I expected when I started this review. It's simply terrific. It proves that the Pro's design is not only here to stay but that this the best iteration of it. While the price is still high ( for a Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, not including Type Cover and Pen), that "Surface tax" is well earned. No other manufacturer has been able to make such a compelling 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro 7, despite many attempts.
NEW Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – 12.3" Touch-Screen review
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