Surface Pro 7+ vs Surface Pro 8?

[wpcoe]

Other than the bigger screen and the two Thunderbolt 4 ports, what would be the selling points of a SP8 vs SP7+?

Pricewise they're the same, though I believe the SP7+ has Win10 Pro vs the SP8 having Win 11 Home, unless someone can find a page to order the Business version of the SP8?

Although the SP8 screen is nicer, 90% of the time I use my SP6 docked to an external monitor. TB4 is also nice, though I don't need it, and I would miss the USB-A port for so many of my peripherals (mouse, thumb drives, external hard drives, scanner, etc.)

Just making sure I'm not overlooking some must-have benefit of the SP8.

 

[vsherry]

I just got my Surface Pro 8. Most of my peripherals now use USB C, and I am really enjoying having two USB ports rather than one. I do, however, miss the microSD card slot, which the Surface Pro 7+ still has. I upgraded my Surface Pro 8 SSD to 1TB myself. What are you looking to get from an upgrade over your SP6? I used to have an SP5. I don't think the operating system matters since you can choose to upgrade the SP7 to Windows 11.

 

[GreyFox7]

You can get Docks that have USB ports and SDCard/micro SD card slots etc. Some are very portable as well.

I just saw an announcement for the Business SP8 models... Although I can't find it at the moment... They should be coming soon.

The Business model pricing in the past was $100 over the regular model. The only other difference is it would most likely have the vPro CPU i5-1145G7 or i7-11x5G7 and they often have other configurations of RAM and Storage the consumer model doesn't.

You can easily upgrade Home to Pro by just entering a Pro Key.

 

[wpcoe]

You can get Docks that have USB ports and SDCard/micro SD card slots etc. Some are very portable as well.

At home, no problem, but when I am travelling, a dockless/dongle-less portable is a plus.

I just saw an announcement for the Business SP8 models... Although I can't find it at the moment... They should be coming soon.

This MS Surface for Business link has SP7+ but not SP8. Leads to a page where you can actually order an SP7+ online.

This MS Surface for Business link lists SP8, but no way to order it, just linking to "where to buy" vendors like CDW and Stables who only offer SP7+, not SP8. Ditto for the other vendor links I clicked.

The Business model pricing in the past was $100 over the regular model. The only other difference is it would most likely have the vPro CPU i5-1145G7 or i7-11x5G7 and they often have other configurations of RAM and Storage the consumer model doesn't.

Ah, I had forgotten about the i7-1165G7 in SP7+ vs i7-1185G7 in SP8. Thanks for pointing that out. (I'm only interested in the i7.)

You can easily upgrade Home to Pro by just entering a Pro Key.

Yeah, that was why I mentioned that in a price comparison where the SP7+ already had a Pro license while the same-price non-Business SP8 had a Home license, effectively making the SP7+ cheaper.

 

[wpcoe]

I just got my Surface Pro 8. Most of my peripherals now use USB C, and I am really enjoying having two USB ports rather than one.

My scanner, keyboard and mouse are USB-A, as are my (many) thumb drives and external WD My Passport external drives (plural). I do have a couple USB-C devices though, but the SP7+ has both USB-C and USB-A ports. However, the SP8 does have USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 spec'd TB4 ports, while the SP7+ has a slower USB-C port.

I do, however, miss the microSD card slot, which the Surface Pro 7+ still has.

Haven't used the microSD slot on my SP6, so thankfully that's not a factor in my decision. Sorry you lost it, though!

I upgraded my Surface Pro 8 SSD to 1TB myself.

Exactly what I plan to do with either SP7+ or SP8. Did you apply any sort of thermal tape/glue within the SSD housing that MS uses? Did you even re-use the SSD housing?

What are you looking to get from an upgrade over your SP6? I used to have an SP5. I don't think the operating system matters since you can choose to upgrade the SP7 to Windows 11.

I'm looking for a faster computer, both the CPU and SSD. I have almost 1,000 scanned family photos to retouch (in Photoshop) and supposedly the 11th gen i7 CPUs are quite a bit faster than my i7-8650U. The Iris Xe Graphics is a nice bonus, too. I will also have larger PS "Scratch Disks" with a 1TB SSD. In Photoshop, I spend too much time waiting on the SP6. Even my old i3-6320 desktop seemed faster.

Another pro SP7+ factor in my decision making: I can use the same SP6 Touch keyboard on an SP7+. The SP8 requires a new pricey keyboard.

 

[jnjroach]

I've been using the SP8 since Tuesday and it is by far the best Windows 2 and 1 I've used.

Enhancements over the Pro7+

• 120Hz Screen
• 13" display that is the best panel I've seen on a Surface
• New Digitizer
• Slim Pen 2 with haptic feedback
• 2 TB4 ports allow for further upgrades and use cases
• Improved thermals with quiet fans, It hasn't throttled
• Feels better while holding it and while inking

 

[wpcoe]

Enhancements over the Pro7+

• 120Hz Screen
• 13" display that is the best panel I've seen on a Surface
• New Digitizer
• Slim Pen 2 with haptic feedback
• 2 TB4 ports allow for further upgrades and use cases
• Improved thermals with quiet fans, It hasn't throttled
• Feels better while holding it and while inking

Thanks for the summary. Nothing on that list that I want or need, but I'm still fighting the "but it's newer!" impulse to buy the SP8. Left brain still saying: "Get the SP7+". Thinking ahead to re-sale potential, I think the SP8 wins points. My main sticking point is no USB-A on the SP8.

 

[vsherry]

The SP8 screen is one of the best I've seen on any device, not just a Surface. I had it next to my XPS17, which I cherish for its 4K screen, so I know.

 

[GreyFox7]

I find this little baby pretty useful

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X8ZLYLR

Although they have them with SDCard/micro SDCard slots too

 

[vsherry]

Exactly what I plan to do with either SP7+ or SP8. Did you apply any sort of thermal tape/glue within the SSD housing that MS uses? Did you even re-use the SSD housing?

I didn't apply any thermal tape or glue. I just did a clean swap.

 

[Turbo4AWD]

Thunderbolt 4 with eGPU is reason enough....however, the lack of CPU throttling when pushed to the limit probably means a LOT as well. The test I saw went up to 35watts and no throttling. The bezels being smaller are also a huge selling point over the 7 Pro +

two USB C ports instead of just one USB A port....120hz refresh rate screen...I mean there is a LOT to love, but personally for me Thunderbolt 4 support is the DEAL MAKER...

 

[tuchas]

I've been using the SP8 since Tuesday and it is by far the best Windows 2 and 1 I've used.

Enhancements over the Pro7+

• 120Hz Screen
• 13" display that is the best panel I've seen on a Surface
• New Digitizer
• Slim Pen 2 with haptic feedback
• 2 TB4 ports allow for further upgrades and use cases
• Improved thermals with quiet fans, It hasn't throttled
• Feels better while holding it and while inking

I've been using the SP8 since Tuesday and it is by far the best Windows 2 and 1 I've used.

Enhancements over the Pro7+

• 120Hz Screen
• 13" display that is the best panel I've seen on a Surface
• New Digitizer
• Slim Pen 2 with haptic feedback
• 2 TB4 ports allow for further upgrades and use cases
• Improved thermals with quiet fans, It hasn't throttled
• Feels better while holding it and while inking

I completely agree. I thought it was kind of foolish to trade up from a 7+ but I got the itch. Overall it’s a better experience - screen, pen 2, Thunderbolt, and does feel much better to hold. I don’t regret it one bit.