The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 isn’t the tablet hybrid we were all expecting, or at least the Messiah that’ll fix the inadequacies of its predecessor – Microsoft Surface Pro 6. Unfortunately, the Surface Pro line has failed to be the victory lap of all sorts many of us were hoping for, especially missing some crucial improvements we were eager to see.
However, it’s not like the device is lacking in updates, it does improve in few meaningful ways especially the internals. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is specifically built for business users and adds a swappable SSD with improved thermals. Fortunately, the key selling point of the Surface Pro 7 is the 11th Gen Intel CPUs which never fail to deliver significant performance. Unfortunately, those gains in power have somehow affected its battery life. Also, they’re not enough improvement for this hefty price tag.
However, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 suffers from many of the issues we experienced in the previous model. Still, a more USB-C implementation plus slimmer chunky bezels would have been a great addition. Meanwhile, here’s our full review and verdict about the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Key Specifications
- Display: 12.3-inch
- Resolution: 2,736 x 1,824 PixelSense display
- Processor: 1.1GHz Intel Core i5-1035G4 (quad-core, 6MB cache, up to 3.7GHz boost)
- Camera: 8-MP rear-facing; 5-MP front-facing
- RAM: 8GB /16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Battery Capacity: 6 hours
- OS: Windows 10
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Design and Display
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 still has the same design build-up as its predecessor apart from the addition of a USB-C port. The Notebook still maintains the same 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches (292 x 201 x 8.5mm) and weighs 1.7 pounds (770g). Also, the detachable tablet still comes in the same matte black and silver aluminum finishes.
However, as for the major Surface Pro design change, Microsoft managed to sneeze in a USB-C port at last, but it’s still struct on the USB 3.1 standard and not the trending Thunderbolt 3. This is still a welcomed improvement as you get the versatility of this new connection. Unfortunately, Apple and other brands of the same price segment have widely adopted the Thunderbolt 3 connection which puts the Surface Pro 7 behind its competitors. A good example is the Apple MacBook Pro 13 which is on the same price point as the Surface Pro 7.
The 12.3-inch tablet has a 2,736 x 1,824 pixels resolution, alongside a 3:2 aspect ratio and 267 PPI. The Surface Pro 7 display is just as crisp, sharp, and vibrant to touch as the previous model except for a few improvements. However, this is the same display specifications that have been for years, but we expect to see an update in features such as the addition of OLED panel, HDR, and enhanced color gamut coverage. Now, complaining about the same issues for years now seems like the American company has reached its limit on the Surface design, or the company is no longer interested in tweaking the Surface Pro with a new design.
Fortunately, Microsoft has improved the tablet’s audio quality which paves way for stronger accuracy when using Cortana with your voice. Also, the Type Cover keyboard has been improved, meaning you’ll get a better key-travel as well as a bouncier feeling while your finger leaves the keys. However, the Type Cover’s touchpad remains unchanged, it’s still as smooth and responsive as it was before.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Processor, Performance, and Software
While the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 failed in aesthetics, its set of processors is the best of its kind using the new Intel 10-nanometer (nm) processors (CPUs). With that in mind, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is faster than we can ever imagine, processing both common and high demanding tasks at a fast speed. Also, the graphics are now more efficient with Intel Iris Plus graphics over the normal UHD graphics processor.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 employs a 1.1GHz Intel Core i5-1035G4 processor with RAM that could reach up to 16GB depending on the model you wish to buy. Fortunately, the Surface Pro 7 needed just 24 minutes to convert a 4k resolution video to 1080p resolution using the Handbrake app.
With integrated Iris Xe graphics, the Surface Pro 7 will play and edit 3D modeling apps or games at a very smooth rate. However, you should be careful not to extend the tablet beyond its limit as it’s not meant for running high graphics games.
Just like every other Surface Pro before it, the Surface Pro 7 runs on the latest Windows 10 operating system. However, there are no new features here to discuss as they’re already present in the previous models.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Battery Capacity
However, when it comes to battery durability, the Surface Pro 7 fell more than two hours short of the 8 hours battery life that’s on its predecessor. This would give the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 a 6 hours battery cell. Unfortunately, why you would normally expect battery life to increase when moving up, the reverse is the case with the Surface Pro 7. Meanwhile, if it’s peak battery life you’re after, you may have to choose any of the Microsoft Surface 6 models.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7: Price in Nigeria and Availability
The latest Microsoft Surface Pro 7 was released on October 22, 2020. However, the price varies depending on the configuration, but the cheapest model starts at ₦400,000 (around $1,024) and comes with an Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. However, that’s without the SurfacePen and Type Cover included.
The 4G LTE model, along with a Core i5-11357 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD goes for ₦600,000(about $1,535). Meanwhile, you’ll need to spend ₦917,000 (roughly $2,348) Core i7-1165G7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
