Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 was almost identical to Surface Pro 7. 

The 13-inch screen is larger than the 12.3 inch Surface Pro 7, and the borders are thinner around it. It is slightly heavier than the Surface Pro 7. However, it feels and looks more elegant and refined than previous versions.

The screen gets plenty bright and I appreciated the built-in kickstand — a staple on Microsoft’s Surface Pro — to help prop up the device while I watched “Squid Game” on the couch over the weekend.

Microsoft has also abandoned the USB-A port, which some people may still like for old accessories. Instead they have switched to faster USB-C ports using Thunderbolt 4. The 4K Monitors can be added easily, making it great for moving around from home to work or office.

You will also notice many other upgrades. You get the most recent Intel Core processors. As configured, the model that I tried cost $1,600 and included 16GB RAM. Windows 11 was very responsive, with many tabs open in Chrome as well as an Amazon Workspaces session running in another window. It was also able to run Amazon’s New World on its lowest settings. While I would prefer the game to be played on higher settings than it is on tablets, I wasn’t expecting it to work on tablet. 

Windows 11 is an important update to Windows 10 which was about six years ago. Although I won’t be able to review it in detail, the software is a pleasant refresh.

The task menu and start bar now appear centered. There’s also more transparency in windows. The interface looks somewhat Apple-y. However, Windows 11 is a touch too Apple-ish. It’s still quite clunky as a tablet. An iPad, which was designed primarily for touch screens, works much better with keyboard and mouse.

While you can use touch to move Windows 11 around, it is much more intuitive with the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard. It’s a must-have accessory for any Surface Pro 8 purchase.

The Slim Pen 2 bundle costs $280. It includes the keyboard as well as Microsoft’s new pen. This is useful if you plan to sign documents or take notes on your Surface Pro 8.

Additionally, Signature Pro Keyboard conceals and charges your pen even when it’s not being used. Side note: The pen features a new tactile motor which vibrates when it is used. The pen is meant to mimic writing on paper. However, I feel it rumble to me.

Other niceties are available. Windows Hello remains my favourite way to login to a computer. This is like Apple’s Face ID. You simply need to look at Surface Pro 8 and Windows will unlock and log you in within seconds. It’s loud enough to stream Dirt 5 on Xbox Game Pass. In case of an upgrade or service, you have the option to take out your hard drive. An iPad can’t do this.

The battery has performed well so far. The screen can be left on as a default, or you can switch to the 120hz more powerful but less efficient mode. However, I managed to complete several hours before my battery ran out. You can adjust the brightness to get through a whole work day. Microsoft claims that the battery can last up to 18 hours.

The kickstand is both a love-hate relationship. The Surface Pro 8 is a joy to use. I like to pop it off my keyboard and place it on a desk while playing or watching TV. The kickstand doesn’t fit well on my lap. This has been the norm since the beginning. Although you may not need your laptop on your lap all the time, it can be frustrating when you do. The Surface Pro 8 started falling over when I attempted to work from the sofa, as I couldn’t get it balanced correctly.

You can use an ordinary laptop for these situations. If you are primarily at a table or desk, the kickstand works well.

Surface Pro 8 still feels heavy and bulky, much like an iPad. You might find it difficult to balance your tablet above your head, even if you are just browsing the web and not doing anything like you do with Apple’s tablets. Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a smaller Windows tablet that can do this. 

Finally, Microsoft should offer a 5G option. Although we are all still at home so this is not a major issue, people who commute to work would benefit from faster cellular internet, especially for watching movies and streaming videos. If you have a Wi-Fi router at your house, it’s best to stay with Wi-Fi 6.

Surface Pro 8 has been a significant upgrade to last year’s Surface Pro 7. It’s an excellent tablet that anyone who uses Windows rather than Mac OS or iPadOS will love. It’s a complete computer, so you can buy the keyboard. Although it is a great tablet for casual use, it can be difficult to navigate and hold when in tablet mode.