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Review the Core i7 / 16GB RAM model of "Microsoft Surface Pro 8".Good model with improved usability

The 2-in-1 Windows laptop "Surface Pro 8" announced by Microsoft on September 23, 2021 has been on sale in Japan since November 1.

The new "Surface Pro 8" has a larger display size of 13 inches and is equipped with the long-awaited USB-C Thunderbolt 4, and the Signature keyboard can store a rechargeable Slim pen like the "Surface Pro X". Something has been improved.

[Microsoft store only] 3-piece set: Surface Pro 8 (i7 / 16GB / 256GB / platinum) + dedicated type cover black (with pen) Microsoft ¥ 249,040 (as of 2022/03/06 12:04) Amazon product reviews and reviews View Amazon Rakuten Yahoo! Shopping Official Store

This time, Microsoft Japan lent out the actual Core i7 / 16GB RAM model of "Surface Pro 8", so I would like to review it immediately.

  1. Actual machine review
    1. display
    2. Body appearance and port
    3. Signature keyboard and Slim Pen
    4. Usability and battery life
  2. summary

Actual machine review

First of all, the "Surface Pro 8" used this time is a model equipped with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage on the Core i7-1185G7.

display

Although the "Surface Pro 8" has been changed from the 12.3-inch display of the previous model "Surface Pro 7" to a 13-inch display, the body size has become slightly smaller due to the narrow bezel on all sides. ..

The resolution is slightly higher due to the change in display size, but the high-definition Pixel Sense is adopted and the aspect ratio is 3: 2.

By the way, if you use it at native resolution, it is too high resolution at 2880 x 1920, but since Windows can adjust the display magnification, it was just right to use it at around 125% (2,304 x 1,536) or 150% (1,920 x 1,280).

Body appearance and port

Since the housing is also based on aluminum, it is still lightweight, but the slightly rounded edges of the main body make it easier to hold when grasped.

The actual weight of the main body is 890g, and the keyboard and pen weigh 290g, totaling 1,180g, which is lightweight for a 13-inch class and is extremely excellent as a portable device.

The stepless adjustment kickstand that is familiar to Surface is also easy to handle, and although it requires some ingenuity to use it on the knee, it is convenient as a laptop computer, tablet, or when using a pen.

Looking at the side part, I think that the fact that 2 ports of USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) are installed is a big change of "Surface Pro 8".

  • Until the previous model, there was only one USB-C port and USB-A port that were not Thunderbolt, and it was necessary to devise ways to output to multiple monitors and utilize the hub, so it became Thunderbolt including high-speed data transfer. I think there are more things you can do with.

    Also, with Thunderbolt, it is now possible to use it for gaming using an external GPU, so it is a plus that the range of utilization has expanded beyond using it for business and school.

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    And because Surface Connect is alive and well, people who used to use the Surface series and used hubs via Surface Connect will not be wasted.

    However, as always, probably because the connection to the hub or monitor is premised on the use of Surface Connect, the position of the USB-C port is high, and if you want to use the monitor output or hub by USB-C connection, the cable I am worried that it is unstable because it floats.

    Also, since there are two USB-C ports on the high side of the right side when looking at the display, it is often necessary to devise the arrangement of the device, if possible, arrange one on each side or make Surface Connect on the left side. I personally feel that it was good to move the position of the USB-C port down.

    However, there is no difference in usability improved by having two C ports, so it is a nice change. very.

    Signature keyboard and Slim Pen

    Next is the new detachable keyboard (type cover / Signature keyboard), which is not much different from what you touched with "Surface Pro X", and in a good way it has a "Surface" -like finish.

    There are two types of materials, resin and Alcantara, and I think that the way the keyboard part bends due to the feeling of keystrokes and typing is the same as in the previous series.

    The key size and pitch are the same, but I'm glad that I'm worried about the small size of the Backspace key every time and that I can also select the US (English) keyboard layout.

    The trackpad part is a rectangular type that is long horizontally, but I am concerned that it is a little small. This is the same as the previous series.

    And the pen holder part that can store the pen in the keyboard part that has been adopted since the appearance of "Pro X" and can also be charged.

  • Until now, even with "Surface Pro", I had to worry about where to put the pen, such as not having it when I wanted to use it, but it is safe to put it here.

    By the way, when you put the pen on, you can charge it with the side with the logo and button facing up, and the pen can be charged either left or right.

    Usability and battery life

    In terms of impressions I've used for the past week or so, it's not much different from the Surface series so far, but it's easier to use because it has two USB-C Thunderbolt ports and can store a pen. I think it's getting better.

    It's easier to use multiple displays at home or at work, and it's now possible to use the receiver and charge together outside, so you can carry it around without worrying about the pen, so you need to take notes or write on documents suddenly. We can respond immediately even when.

    The shape of the pen is a flat design like a rectangle, so you may need to get used to it, but the reaction of the pen itself is good, so I think it is easy to use.

    Also, because it is rechargeable and you do not have to worry about running out of battery when you need it, "Surface Pro 8" is a powerful choice as a digital notebook and laptop that can be used for business and university classes.

    The battery life is also good, it was cloud-based work mainly using the Chrome browser, but I also occasionally use Microsoft Office, Photoshop, Lightroom, etc., with a brightness of 90 and a battery setting of "recommended" for 5 to 6 hours. It became a degree.

    I think that if you work a little lighter, you will have more, but if you work for a long time, it is difficult not to charge for a whole day, but since it lasts for half a day, it is enough to use at school or on the go.

    Here, I will introduce the benchmark measured when the actual machine is running on battery (recommended setting).

    Speaking of simple scores, even in the battery-powered state, it has high performance at a level that is not much different from the power connection of last year's model, so you should be able to do your work with confidence.

    summary

    So this time I have reviewed the actual machine of "Microsoft Surface Pro 8", but it is definitely evolved from the previous model, and it is recommended for those who want to carry it and work anywhere. think.

    Especially if you want to use it not only as a laptop computer but also as a substitute for handwritten notebooks and memos, the Signature keyboard makes it easy to carry the pen, so it should be useful in business and school.

    If you want to use a wide range of games (requires an external GPU) instead of working on a single laptop computer, why not consider "Microsoft Surface Pro 8".

    [Microsoft store only] 3-piece set: Surface Pro 8 (i7 / 16GB / 256GB / platinum) + dedicated type cover black (with pen) Microsoft ¥ 249,040 (as of 2022/03/06 12:04) Amazon product reviews and reviews View Amazon Rakuten Yahoo! Shopping Official Store

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  • 「Microsoft Surface Pro 8」のCore i7/16GBRAMモデルをレビュー。使い勝手が向上した良モデル