Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Microsoft continues to add minor refinements to this finely chiseled tablet-laptop.

The only real difference between the confusingly named (5th Gen) Surface Pro, its successor the Surface Pro 6, and the latest Surface Pro 7, is the CPU. All are available in the same four, eight and 16GB RAM configurations and identical 128GB to 1TB storage options. It also uses the same 12.3-inch, 3 x 2 PixelSense display at the same 2,736 by 1,824 resolution as its two most recent predecessors and even fits into the same 29 x 20 x 0.9cm chassis and weighs an almost identical 790g.

The Surface Pro 7’s CPU has been updated to one of Intel’s latest 10th Gen processors and regardless of whether you get the Core i3-1005G1, the Core i51035G4 or the Core i71065G7, you will have access to the new faster Wi-Fi 6 networking specification. Microsoft has finally swapped out the Mini DisplayPort for a USB 3.1 Type-C interface, alongside its existing USB 3.1 Type-A port.

In R15 multi-threaded CPU benchmarks, the Core i7 Surface Pro 7 was 31.5 percent better than the Surface Pro 6 and 87.6 percent faster than the Surface Pro (5) and it scored higher than any other quad core CPU in this roundup. The Intel Iris Plus Graphics won’t be capable of anything more than light games and graphical workloads, but it roughly doubles the graphical performance of its predecessor. The 46Wh battery gets close to six hours in PCMark 8 Battery Life benchmarks, equating to more than a working day’s battery life.

A decent update that improves on power and efficiency in an ultra-compact and portable tablet 2-in-1.

“In R15 multi-threaded CPU benchmarks, the Core i7 Surface Pro 7 was 31.5% better than the Surface Pro 6 and 87.6% faster than the Surface Pro (5) and it scored higher than any other quad core CPU in this roundup.”