Review: Microsoft Surface Pro 7 2-in-1 Business PC

Technology

We received the Surface Pro 7 from Microsoft with a tenth generation Intel Core i5-1035G4 processor with 4 cores, 8 threads and a clock frequency of 1.5GHz. The working memory is 8GB and Microsoft has equipped this Pro 7 with a 256GB solid state drive on which Windows 10 is pre-installed. Of course Microsoft has equipped this PC with Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11 ax-compatible wifi 6. Despite the fact that this Surface Pro 7 is completely up to date in terms of equipment, the specs on paper are not out of this world. However, considering the retail price of this Surface Pro 7 (only 1,149 euros at the time of writing), we can only conclude that Microsoft has found an excellent balance between price and performance, on paper.

The 12.3-inch PixelSense screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio and the maximum screen resolution is 2736 x 1824 pixels. The display features a pressure-sensitive panel with 10-point multi-touch and has an excellent response where we do not have to apply excessive pressure. The foot has a maximum range of approximately 170 degrees (in studio mode) and here the foot (Microsoft calls this a Kickstand) has enough friction all the way around so that you can work relaxed in any position with this PC. The viewing angle is quite wide and in every position we experience excellent image quality. In addition, the screen automatically adjusts to the ambient light.

Even more innovation

In addition to a light sensor, the Surface Pro 7 is also equipped with an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a magnetometer, for those who find this important. The Surface Pro 7 is also equipped with two far-field studio microphones. Microsoft has specially chosen this type of microphone to make voice control easy and to be able to conduct video conferences with excellent intelligibility. We have already gained a first impression with the controlled first configuration of this Surface Pro 7. We have to admit that major steps have been made in this area in recent years, and that the equipment of this 2-in-1 PC is perfectly suited for this.

Two cameras with HDR support have been implemented in the housing. On the back, Microsoft chooses an 8MP autofocus camera with full HD 1080p video and a light-sensitive 5MP camera on the front. This camera is placed neatly at the top of the screen so that the camera angle does not create embarrassing video images with the leading role for the hairs in the nostrils. Because of the high light sensitivity of the camera above the screen, those cute freckles are very well visible during Skype conversations without specialist studio lighting. The camera at the back also delivers excellent images. The autofocus works reasonably fast, and the image quality is very good.