It's a fact that the big PC makers have great machines, but Microsoft's Surface family goes one step further and does so from its inaugural launch, which has much more merit. The Redmond firm could have been content with designing devices for use and fine-tuning the software for the hardware; however, they have chosen to risk or, to put it another way, create.

Surface today offers a range of options tailored to the needs of each user, distributing in each case the features for which this family of gadgets made a place for itself among the most demanding users: a Distinguished design, high-quality construction, top-quality components that guarantee the best performance and, of course, a fusion between hardware and software that few developers manage to achieve..

It is true that they managed to do it with a trick, because when you are the hardware manufacturer and you develop the software, you have the advantage, but to Caesar what belongs to Caesar... And when we talk about PCs, Microsoft is the Caesar. However, this Caesar has a family of devices to offer and each one can boast its strengths, sometimes shared, but optimized according to the model to boost efficiency in its specific field. What exactly makes Surface Pro 8 stand out? Let's find out.

In summary, Surface Pro 8 It is still the same as always, but better. In other words, a multipurpose device whose main virtue is to combine the classic essence of the Hybrid between tablet and laptop with a well-defined balance between capacity and flexibilityThe Surface Pro 8 is the device of choice for a professional—or, for that matter, any serious individual—looking for an all-in-one device with no limitations on power or flexibility.

Initial impressions of the Surface Pro 8.

The Surface Pro 8 stands out from the first glance, as we have already pointed out, for its slim design. This radical shows little opposition: it is enough to lay eyes on the device to know this. Surface Pro 8 is, above all, very elegantIt has well-established shapes, whether in tablet mode - placed on its characteristic rear stand - or in the company of certain unique keyboards designed by Microsoft.

Regarding the keyboard, there are multiple options: from a much more basic version called Surface Pro Keyboard, to a much more complete and customizable one such as the Signature keyboards. In both cases we are talking about Accessories made with quality, solid and distinguished materials, designed to attach magnetically to the device. What exactly is different about them? The options available to each of them. We have 2 editions of the Surface Signature Keyboard One comes with the Slim Pen 2 and a space to charge it and the other with just the charging space. In addition, in both editions we have multiple options when it comes to colors. The material with which they are manufactured is known as Alcantara, a strong material with which the interior of Ferrari cars is made, for example.

He Signature Keyboard for Surface Pro It is an important factor as a keyboard, but also as a support for the Surface Slim Pen 2, a stylus crafted with precision for compatible Microsoft devices that lets you transform your Surface Pro 8 screen into a handwritten notebook, digital painting—you name it.

For its part, the outer cover of Surface Pro 8 is made of iconic anodized aluminum, so the device can boast of lightness without losing solidity. But in addition to this, it gives a pleasant tactile sensation, similar to that of equipment built in standard aluminum, but much softer. We can find it in 2 different colors: shiny silver (platinum) and a dark charcoal without reaching black (graphite).

Surface Pro 8 also has physical buttons for power on and off, others to control the volume, and inputs for various connections.

Surface Pro 8 modernizes several features compared to its previous version, while improving its capabilities. Thus, while more rounded edges refine its profile, the reduction in the size of the bezel allows the device to debut a 13-inch PixelSense Flow display, 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2,880x1,920 pixels (267 ppi), with which it maintains its ultra-portable format, but with which it gains much more space for content.

The screen of the new Surface Pro 8 is undoubtedly the soul of the device. It is a 2-in-1 whose touch experience is an elementary feature of it. In this case, in addition to this, it has compatibility with Dolby Vision and has a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz active depending on the context and adaptive color with which to find the best fluidity whenever required. This refresh rate is particularly valuable when scrolling through the desktop, watching videos or playing games. On the other hand, if you are simply writing a file, the rate is reduced to 60 Hz and, consequently, consumes less power.

It is essential to emphasize the lightness of all that has been mentioned as it fits into only 28.7 centimeters wide by 20.8 centimeters high, 9 millimeters thick and weighing 891 gramsOf course, it is an ultralight that is served with the minimum possible packaging and with your keyboard you protect it without needing an additional case.

Surface Pro 8: Everything that hides its pretty face

If the new Surface Pro 8 is attractive on the outside, it is no less so on the inside. The device comes with Intel's latest in mobile processors in both capacity and efficiency, the usual margin for the choice of basic elements, sufficient connectivity options and a battery with which to enjoy a decent autonomy. Let's look at all these elements in parts.

Basic technical information for Surface Pro 8 includes:

• Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7 or i7-1185G7 4-core
• Memory: 8, 16 or 32 GB of RAM (LPDDR4x)
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Storage: 128, 256, 512 GB or 1 TB NVMe SSD
• Battery: 51.5 Wh

As you can see, the central processing unit is filled with processors Intel 11th Gen, designed for ultraportables and aimed, therefore, at suggesting a balanced performance and consumption for this class of gadgets. The two processors are powered by the Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics, the most powerful ones launched to date.

An important note regarding storage is that the SSD unit is removable, something very revolutionary in a device as small and with a high integration of elements as the Surface Pro 8. Thanks to this aspect, it is possible to increase its capacity or disassemble it when the device is going to be recycled, something of great interest in business environments to protect business data.

Its battery ensures "up to 16 hours of normal use of the device"According to official information, this usually means that the actual autonomy is significantly lower. How much lower will depend on the workload. In any case, even with the required adjustment, the autonomy is at the level expected and is more than enough to complete a day's work.

As an interlude between the basic elements and the connectivity that the device brings, the multimedia section is made up of 2 cameras, a 5.0 MP front camera with full HD 1080p video - perfect for making high-definition video calls given the hybrid work context we are in - and facial authentication support through Windows Hello, and a 10.0 MP rear camera with autofocus and HD 1080p and 4K video. The group is completed with 2 far-field studio microphones, 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and, of course, a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Do you like how such a cutting-edge device still has a standard headphone jack? Then you'll also like the connectivity options included in the Surface Pro 8:

• 2 USB-C ports with USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt 4
• 1 Surface Connect port
• Wi-Fi 6 compatible with 802.11ax
• Bluetooth 5.1

In fact, Surface Pro 8 expands the USB-C ports for greater connectivity compared to its previous version, while keeping all other connections. Of course, the device is also not lacking in multiple sensors such as accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer or a color sensor of scope to adjust the light and tone of the screen.

For its part, the device comes with Windows 11 installed, the brand new PC standard that is modernized in form and substance to provide the best desktop experience that Microsoft has offered us to date, and that, imbued with the capacity and possibilities of Surface Pro 8, reaches a new level. Surface Pro 8 was designed to emphasize the best of Windows 11, a radical issue that we are not going to dwell on, however, because it is close to our daily bread here at MC and we can add little that we have not already said over the last few months.

To sum it up, we liked Windows 10 quite a bit, but we’re liking Windows 11 even more, and the Surface Pro 8 feels like the perfect device to enjoy it on. Plus, the Surface Pro 8 comes ready to go, with Microsoft 365 apps installed, a 30-day trial of Microsoft 365 Family, as well as the Xbox app, and a one-month trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Surface Pro 8 in action

You don't need to know a lot about data to be able to see that Surface Pro 8 has an unusual performance, as it could not be otherwise knowing the elements that it uses. Apart from being a strong device, capable of carrying out all kinds of tasks wherever you are, enjoys reduced dimensions and weight, as well as a enormous autonomyIn a hybrid work context where we regularly need to be on the move with a device under our arm, we must take these peculiarities into consideration.

In terms of performance, it is on par with any high-end laptop, with the added flexibility that its Tablet aspect gives it, a powerful ally depending on the situation and much more, depending on what you do. In this way, this mode of the device can simply be an addition with which to enrich the user experience on trips or in moments of relaxation in which you do not like to be with the keyboard, or you may suspect a extremist transformation if we combine it with a digital pen.

Surface Pro 8 doesn't require much more expression

Surface Pro 8 in summary… After the many reviews we have dedicated to the device and its idiosyncrasies, it could be summarized as “The most notable Surface that Microsoft has released to date”, always commenting on what we have announced as the flagship of the family, a multipurpose device, and not a more specific one, which also exists.

Is everything positive? Is there no room for improvement? Obviously not… and yes, respectively, but with nuances. For example, the cheapest version of the Surface Pro 8 starts at 976 euros and for that price there are laptops that, due to their features, can be much more attractive… but they are only laptops, not convertibles as versatile and at the same time fast as the Surface Pro 8.

In addition, the integrated graphics of this Microsoft device are more than enough to play a large number of traditional and modern titles, but they cannot handle today's most demanding releases. For that, it would be necessary to have a dedicated graphics card that would completely break with the term of portability that an ultraportable like this one gives off. Nothing to object to in this regard, since Surface Pro, by definition, is not a device for gaming.

After all, Surface Pro 8 is a safe bet For those looking for a device with such features, A 2-in-1 focused on efficiency and off-road mobility with all the capacity of a laptop or, rather, an ultra-portable of its range, but with the utility that comes with a Tablet aspect that goes beyond the pure touch screen that many devices integrate today.