Home > HUAWEI > Surface Pro 8: Release date, specs, price, and everything you need to know

Surface Pro 8: Release date, specs, price, and everything you need to know

Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 is finally official, and it’s mostly what we were expecting. Essentially, it’s a cross between the Surface Pro 7 and the Surface Pro X. It adds the larger display and thinner bezels, but still has the thicker chassis and fan needed for the Intel processor.

That’s not all. The display is a lot nicer with a higher refresh rate, it has new processors, removable storage, and more.

Navigate this page:

Specs

Surface Pro 8 Specs

CPUConsumer:Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 ProcessorQuad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7 ProcessorDesigned on the Intel Evo platformCommercial:Dual-core 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 Processor (Wi-Fi)Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1145G7 Processor (Wi-Fi or LTE)Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7 Processor (Wi-Fi or LTE)Designed on the Intel Evo platform (i5 and i7 processors only)
GraphicsIntel UHD Graphics (i3)Intel Iris Xe Graphics (i5, i7)
BodyDimensions: 11.3” x 8.2” x 0.37”Weight: 1.96 lbs (891g)
DisplayScreen: 13” PixelSense™ Flow DisplayResolution: 2880 x 1920 (267 PPI)Up to 120Hz Refresh Rate (60Hz default)Aspect ratio: 3:2Touch: 10-point multi-touchGPU Ink AccelerationDolby Vision support
Memory8GB/16GB/32GB LPDDDR4x RAM
StorageRemovable solid-state drive (SSD) options: 128GB or 256GB (Wi-Fi or LTE)SSD: 512GB or 1TB (Wi-Fi only)
SecurityTPM 2.0 chip for enterprise-grade securityEnterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in
NetworkWi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatibleBluetooth Wireless 5.1 technologyLTE:LTE Advanced5 with removable SIM and eSIM supportQualcomm Snapdragon X20 LTE ModemLTE bands supported: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
Battery lifeUp to 16 hours of battery lifeCharge your Surface Pro 8 to 80% in just over an hour
CamerasWindows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4k video
AudioDual far-field Studio Mics2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
Ports2 x USB-C with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 43.5mm headphone jack1 x Surface Connect portSurface Type Cover portCompatible with Surface Dial off-screen interaction
SensorsAccelerometerGyroscopeMagnetometerAmbient Color Sensor (brightness and color)
Power supply60W power supply with additional 5W USB A charging Port
In the boxSurface Pro 8Power SupplyQuick Start GuideSafety and warranty documents
Color and materialMechanical features: anodized aluminum body, kickstand with full-frictionmulti-position hinge to 165 degrees, magnetic attach for keyboard fold stabilityColors: Platinum, Graphite
OSSurface Pro 8: Windows 11 HomeSurface Pro 8 for Business: Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro

When is the Surface Pro 8 release date?

The Surface Pro 8 was released on October 5. Yes, this corresponds with the release date of Windows 11, as does all of the Windows hardware that Microsoft announced in September.

The Surface Pro is one of those devices that’s refreshed every year. After all, it’s Microsoft’s best-selling PC, and also the original Surface PC. While things like the Surface Book can go a couple of years without seeing anything new, the Surface Pro stays up to date pretty frequently.

You can buy one in the U.S., Canada, UK, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, France, and Japan.

What is the price of the Surface Pro 8?

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 starts ay $1,099.99, a hefty bump from its previous starting price. Indeed, the Surface Pro 7 started at $749. But of course, this is an all-new Surface Pro, which Microsoft is touting as its biggest refresh since the Surface Pro 3.

There are eight configurations, four of which have a Core i5-1135G7 and four of which have a Core i7-1185G7. That base model includes a Core i5, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD.

One thing that’s really nice is that the next step up, with a 256GB SSD, is $100 more at $1,199.99. Historically, that minor bump up in storage could cost up to $300, so this is a nice change. From there, you can tack on another $200 to either upgrade to 512GB of storage or 16GB of RAM. After that, you start getting into the Core i7 models, which max out at $2,599.99 for 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD.

What’s new in the Surface Pro 8?

An all-new design with a larger, high refresh rate screen

You can think of the Surface Pro 8 as a cross between the Surface Pro 7 and the Surface Pro X. If you look at it from the front, it looks like a Surface Pro X. It has narrow side bezels with larger top and bottom bezels.

It also uses the same keyboard as the Surface Pro X, which is kind of a big deal. The Surface Pro has used the same connector since day one, and this is the first time it’s changed. The original Type Cover might not fit the dimensions of the new product, but you could still use it.

The new keyboard comes with the pen garage for the Slim Pen 2, which wirelessly charges the pen. If you’re familiar with the Surface Pro X, you’re familiar with this method.

Surface Pro 8: Release date, specs, price, and everything you need to know

And yes, it’s now made out of aluminum, also a big deal for a product that’s been made out of magnesium forever. It still comes in Platinum and black though, and the black is known as Graphite.

It’s thicker than a Surface Pro X, so you’ll see the difference as soon as you look at it from the side. Using an Intel processor, it just needs to be thicker, and it needs a fan.

And then there’s the new display, which is now 13 inches. It’s also got a 120Hz refresh rate, which is pretty cool. It’s actually going to ship at 60Hz, so you’ll have to turn on the higher refresh rate. We were expecting dynamic refresh rate, but Microsoft confirmed that this feature is coming later.

Intel 11th-generation processors

The Surface Pro 8 includes Intel’s 11th-generation processors, codenamed Tiger Lake. The new chips are the second-gen 10nm chips, and they have new Iris Xe graphics. For a tablet like this, that gives it a lot more graphics power.

Seriously, a few years ago, the idea of doing anything remotely graphics-intensive on an Intel tablet was crazy. The company has really stepped up its game with integrated graphics though, and allows us to do some cool things in form factors we didn’t think we’d be able to do them with.

Removable storage

Like 11th-gen processors, removable storage first appeared in the lineup with the business-focused Surface Pro 7+, although it originated in the Pro X and Laptop 3. Using a SIM tool to pop out a panel, you can access the SSD and pull it out.

This still isn’t meant to be user-replaceable. The idea is if you’re a business and you need to get a machine serviced, you can pull the storage out and put it in a new device. Or you might work for a government institution where the storage might have to be removed before a service center even gets its hands on it. And of course, if you’re recycling the PC, you can easily remove and destroy the sensitive data that’s on it.

Thunderbolt 4

One of the biggest things missing from Surface devices over the last few years is Thunderbolt, and it’s finally here. We just talked about integrated graphics power with Iris Xe, but with Thunderbolt 4, you can actually connect an external GPU if you want.

That’s right; you can go and plug an external GPU into this and turn it into a gaming rig or a video editing powerhouse. If you’re still only into productivity, you can connect dual 4K monitors on a single port.

Where can I buy the Surface Pro 8?

As usual, you can buy the Surface Pro 8 from wherever Surfaces can be found, such as the Microsoft Store, Amazon, and Best Buy.

Surface Pro 8 FAQ

Does the Surface Pro 8 have Thunderbolt 4?

Yes. The Surface Pro 8 has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and this is the first year there’s no more USB Type-A port. It does have a Surface Connect port, but that’s still USB 3.2 Gen 2, so it only gets 10Gbps speeds instead of the 40Gbps speeds you can get from Thunderbolt.

What regions is the Surface Pro 8 available in?

You can buy a Surface Pro 8 in the following countries:

Does the Surface Pro 8 have 5G or 4G LTE?

Yes. The Surface Pro 8 is the first mainstream Intel-powered Surface Pro to have 4G LTE since the fifth-generation model. The Surface Pro 7+ had it, but that was a business-exclusive device. For consumers, the only option on a pro-sized device was the Surface Pro X.

It has a Snapdragon X20 4G LTE model, supporting the following bands: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66.

Does the Surface Pro 8 come with Windows 11?

Yes. This is a Windows 11 launch device. For consumers, you’re going to get Windows 11 Home. Businesses have the option of buying the Surface Pro 8 for Business, which comes with the option of Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro.

The reason for giving businesses the option is that many businesses aren’t going to upgrade to Windows 11 on day one. That’s just how it works.

Is there a Surface Pro 8+?

No. There was a Surface Pro 7+, and that was a one-off for a very specific purpose. It was all about giving businesses the compatibility they require. Many have standardized on the old Surface design.

So that’s what Microsoft did. It took the Surface Pro chassis that’s been relatively unchanged since 2014, added 11th-gen processors, 4G LTE, and removable storage, and called it the Surface Pro 7+. If you were wondering why consumers weren’t allowed to buy it, now you know. It’s because the Redmond firm had a proper Surface Pro 8 planned.

The new Surface Pro 8 has a new keyboard connector, which is going to be a big deal for businesses that have spare Type Covers. It also drops USB Type-A.

Does the Surface Pro 8 come with the pen and keyboard?

No. Microsoft never includes the keyboard or pen in the box, and it hasn’t since the very early days of Surface. You’ll see bundles though, and most retailers will have them, including the Microsoft Store, Costco, and more.

Does the Surface Pro 8 come with a charger?

Yes. The Surface Pro 8 comes with a 60W charger that attaches to the Surface Connect port. The charging brick also has a 5W USB Type-A port in it that you can use to charge your phone.

Of course, you can also use any standard 65W USB Type-C charger on the Surface Pro 8. That’s just not the kind you’ll find in the box.

What configurations is the Surface Pro 8 available in?

This year, at least at launch, the Surface Pro 8 is being offered in eight configurations:

CPURAMStorageColorPrice
Core i58GB128GBPlatinum$1,099.99
Core i58GB256GBPlatinum, Graphite$1,199.99
Core i58GB512GBPlatinum, Graphite$1,399.99
Core i516GB256GBPlatinum, Graphite$1,399.99
Core i716GB256GBPlatinum, Graphite$1,599.99
Core i716GB512GBPlatinum, Graphite$1,899.99
Core i716GB1TBPlatinum$2,199.99
Core i732GB1TBPlatinum$2,599.99

What colors does the Surface Pro 8 come in?

The Surface Pro 8 comes in Platinum and Graphite. It’s made out of aluminum now, so it’s still a bit different from the Platinum and Black that we saw in the Surface Pro 7.

You don’t get the same pretty colors that you get from the Surface Laptop, but the way to get some color out of your Surface is to accessorize. Since the keyboard connector is the same as the one on the Pro X, you don’t quite have as many options. You can get a keyboard in Black, Platinum, Ice Blue, and Poppy Red.

Does the Surface Pro 8 have a good webcam?

Yes. It has a 5MP front camera that can record 1080p video and a 10MP rear camera that can record 4K video. The webcam is actually something Microsoft has been focusing on for years, longer than pretty much any other OEM. If you’re working from home, Microsoft Surface is a pretty great brand to buy and this is a key reason.

Does the Surface Pro 8 have Windows Hello?

Yes. The Surface Pro 8 has an IR camera for facial recognition, a staple in the Surface lineup since Windows Hello became a thing with Windows 11. In fact, that’s why the top bezel is so much bigger than the side bezels. Microsoft didn’t make compromises on the webcam or the IR camera.

Does the Surface Pro 8 run Android apps?

Not at launch. Microsoft did confirm that Android apps are going to be coming in Windows 11; however, the feature is still only in preview. There’s no clear date for when non-Insiders will get it, but when they do, the Surface Pro 8 will get Android app support via the Amazon Appstore.

Prev: 8 Of The Best Cases For Your New iPhone 13

Next: Samsung Galaxy M32 5G Benchmark Scores Out; Dimensity 720 SoC Confirmed