Surface Pro 7 Plus for Business review: LTE and Intel 11th Gen make a huge difference, even if the rest is boring
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
In January, Microsoft announced non Surface Pro eight, simply Surface Pro 7+ with the unique "for Business" added on to the name. It is a motion we accept not seen from the company earlier, but it makes sense if a modernized and revamped Surface Pro 8 for consumers is due later this year.
There is not a long list of changes between Surface Pro 7 and Surface Pro 7+ for Business, but that does not mean they are insignificant either. Indeed, bumping to Intel's latest hardware and adding in Iris Xe graphics is a game-changer for this PC category.
So, who should get Surface Pro 7+, and what does improve internal hardware get you? Let's find out.
More of the same, but faster
Microsoft Surface Pro seven+ with LTE
Bottom line: Surface Pro 7+ for Business doesn't deviate far from 2022's Surface Pro 7 for consumers, but the small changes add up to an splendid experience. Intel'south 11th Gen functioning gains are massive, optional 4G LTE is blazing fast, and you tin can now swap out the SSD with a pin. It'due south not an exciting device for consumers, merely businesses volition love it.
Pros
- Intel 11th Gen and Xe graphics are fast
- Improved optional 4G LTE is quick and reliable
- Up to 32GB of RAM
- Removable SSD
- Longest battery life yet
Cons
- Dated design, thick bezels
- Withal no Thunderbolt 4
The TL;DR
Surface Pro 7+ for Concern What's new
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
This review will be slightly different from previous Surface Pro ones simply because I already did an exhaustive review of terminal twelvemonth'south Surface Pro 7, which is still relevant. Instead, I will focus on what is new with Surface Pro 7+ compared to previous versions, summarized this way:
- New configuration options: Up to 32GB of RAM
- Design: New removable SSD enclosure
- Connectivity: New optional 4G LTE
- Performance: Intel 11th Gen + Iris Xe graphics
- Longevity: Larger battery, longer battery life
Some of these are self-explanatory.
For the first time, you can now order a Surface Pro with upward to 32GB of RAM instead of being limited to just 16GB. That model, which features a Core i7 and 1TB SSD, will set you back a jaw-dropping $two,800, but for developers and those who really like Surface Pro, it is an excellent option to have bachelor finally. Y'all can't go that model, though, with LTE.
The new removable SSD enclosure follows Surface Pro 10, which has had a similar design since late 2022. Consumers may value this pick, merely it is driven by enterprise and regime customers who want an easier fashion to upgrade hardware and ensure security (since IT tin remove the drive earlier servicing).
| Category | Surface Pro 7+ |
|---|---|
| Operating organization | Windows 10 Pro |
| Display | 12.3-inch PixelSense, 3:2 aspect ratio, 2736x1824 (267 PPI) |
| Processor | 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 (Wi-Fi) 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 (Wi-Fi or LTE) 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 (Wi-Fi) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics (i3) Intel Iris Xe Graphics (i5, i7) |
| Memory | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x (Wi-Fi or LTE) 32GB LPDDR4x (Wi-Fi) |
| Storage | 128GB SSD or 256GB SSD (Wi-Fi or LTE) 512GB SSD or 1TB SSD (Wi-Fi) |
| Rear photographic camera | 8MP autofocus (1080p) |
| Forepart camera | 5MP (1080p) |
| Security | TPM 2.0 Windows Hi face up authentication camera |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax 4G Snapdragon X20 LTE Modem (optional) |
| Ports | One USB-C One USB-A One microSDXC I Surface Connect+ Surface Keyboard connector iii.5mm headphone jack |
| Battery | Up to 15 hours (Wi-Fi) Up to 13.5 hours (LTE Advanced) |
| Size | eleven.5" 10 7.9" x 0.33" (292 mm ten 201 mm 10 viii.5 mm) |
| Weight | i3, i5: 1.70 lb (775 g) i7: one.74 lb (790 1000) |
| Colors | Platinum Black |
Swapping the SSD is a simple task. Use a SIM tool for popping the door, removing the single T3 Torx screw to slide out the drive. The form factor is M.ii 2230, so information technology is smaller and more than stubby than regular laptop SSDs, but the operation and concept are the aforementioned. I wrote a detailed guide on swapping the SSD for Surface Pro X, and everything applies hither to Surface Pro 7+ for Business.
USB Blazon-C, Blazon-A, and Surface Connect ports on Surface Pro seven+ are the aforementioned as Surface Pro 7. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Fundamental
Everything else is the aforementioned with Surface Pro 7+ compared to Surface Pro seven, including the excellent dual-front end facing speakers, colour-accurate brandish that supports bear on and inking, and the entire blueprint. Even ports, which are still limited to a single Type-A and Type-C (power, data, brandish out; no Thunderbolt) with a Surface Connect for power, remain unchanged. In that location'south also a headphone jack on the upper left side, as expected.
LTE, processor, and battery life get a piddling more complicated, and then they get detailed sections in this review.
For more in-depth discussions on Surface Pro 7+'s design, pen functionality, keyboard, sound, and more, delight refer to my full Surface Pro 7 review.
Ever connected
Surface Pro 7+ now with 4G LTE
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Primal
LTE is crucial for business devices due to the inherent security flaws found when using open Wi-Fi networks, specially when traveling at airports or coffee shops. Moreover, it is much more than convenient to take an always-connected PC versus tethering with your phone.
Microsoft terminal offered a Surface Pro with 4G LTE back in 2022 with Surface Pro five. A lot has inverse in those three years, with Intel going from dual-core to quad-cadre processing, resulting in a jumbo leap in multi-core performance. So, it makes sense to see that option here in 2022 for business users.
Microsoft uses the Snapdragon X20 LTE Modem supporting True cat 18 and upwardly to i.2 Gbps downloads and True cat thirteen and 150 Mbps uploads. It is not as fancy as Qualcomm's newer X24 modem with upwardly to ii Gbps downloads, but it is more than adequate for well-nigh users. This modem is also a significant jump from the 2022 model, which just supported LTE Advanced Cat ix up to 450 Mbps downloads.
The LTE SIM slot and removable SSD on Surface Pro vii+for Business Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
For 2022, it is odd for Microsoft to pass over an selection for 5G, which many companies like HP and Lenovo are offering in their 2-in-1 devices. Microsoft says its customers did not list 5G every bit a priority feature, which may be authentic, but it seems unlikely to hold water in two years from now. Notwithstanding, 4G LTE is withal quite capable and, when paired with the latest Intel hardware, is quite performative.
At that place's not a lot new with Surface Pro 7+, but Intel'south latest CPU makes a massive difference in performance.
Surface Pro 7+ supports both a physical nano-SIM and eSIM profiles. Users can dynamically switch between the two profiles through network properties, making it easy for IT departments to manage. Users can also buy data on the go with the Mobile Plans app, which activates instantly.
The laptop is SIM-unlocked and supports global LTE bands, including 1, 2, 3, iv, 5, 7, viii, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66. Compared to the previous LTE Surface Pro, Surface Pro 7+ supports more bands, including 13, 25, and 66.
LTE and SIM management on Surface Pro vii+ is easy. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
LTE functioning is excellent with Surface Pro 7+, primarily due to the platonic antenna placement. Microsoft gets credit for putting the antenna at the elevation and rear of the device, ensuring maximum reception exposure.
The LTE antenna lines are barely visible thanks to an "industry first" process from Microsoft. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Interestingly, Microsoft hides the 4G LTE antenna through a very artistic process they had to invent. A laptop must have "windows" built-in that are non-metal based for adequate reception. Microsoft accomplishes this with a "gapless and stepless" process, fusing the antenna seamlessly to the chassis. Information technology is a subtle thing, but it demonstrates Microsoft'due south focus on particular and design worth calling out.
During my testing, the modem never crashed or had problems reconnecting. With a decent T-Mobile connection, I was able to pull downwardly nearly twoscore Mbps, and an impressive 47 Mbps upload in my office.
With no LTE, Surface Pro 7+ falls back to Wi-Fi 6 powered by Intel. There'south also Bluetooth v.0 for peripherals and headphones.
Damn that'southward good
Surface Pro 7+ Benchmarks and battery
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Key
The crux of Surface Pro 7+ comes down to its upgraded Intel 11th Gen processor and Iris Xe graphics (available in Cadre i5 and i7 models). Like previous Surface Pro generations, the Core i3 and i5 options are nonetheless fanless, whereas the Core i7 model uses active cooling when necessary. (Microsoft uses the empty fan slot in the i5 model for the 4G LTE modem).
Surface Pro vii+ is the fastest Surface for all intents and purposes (Surface Studio 2 being the exception). While multi-cadre scores are dramatically improved over 10th Gen models, Iris Xe graphics help the most.
On Cinebench 23, Surface Pro seven+ with a Core i5 non only beats Surface Pro vii, but it blows abroad a Surface Pro six with a Core i7-8650U.
Battery life of Surface Pro 7+ can edge out even Surface Pro X.
On Geekbench 5, Surface Pro 7+ is the fastest Surface, even beating a Surface Book 3 xv" with a 2022-era Cadre i7-1065G7.
In 3Dmark Fourth dimension Spy, which uses CPU and GPU, Surface Pro 7+ most doubles Surface Pro vii and triples that of Surface Pro 6. Surface Book three 15" redeems itself thanks to its much beefier NVIDIA GeForce GTX-1660 Ti, but it'south not by a lot.
These results suggest that the Cadre i7 Surface Pro 7+ would even be more impressive for raw functioning, albeit at the expense of having a fan.
Another nice bump is the noticeable increase in storage performance. Surface Pro 7+ gains some faster sequential read speeds (2,200 MB/s) and gets an even more significant jump in sequential write (1,076 MB/s) over Surface Pro vii thanks to the 256GB Samsung 830 SSD. The dissimilarity is even starker between Surface Pro seven+ and Surface Pro 6. It's nowhere near PCIe 4, but information technology'south better.
Broadening results to other modernistic laptops and Surface Pro 7+ is comparable to other devices in its class with similar hardware configurations. The results are nix special, but Microsoft is the only vendor using a fanless Cadre i5, whereas all the others are actively cooled. That is notable.
Turning to battery life and there are some interesting conclusions. Leaving 4G LTE on (but not being actively used) has no impact on bombardment life. Running PCMark ten'south Mod Office Battery rundown benchmark (with LTE off, brightness fixed at 40 per centum, and on recommend power), Surface Pro vii+ earned eleven hours and 13 minutes of run fourth dimension. Leaving LTE on and re-running the benchmark resulted in 11 hours and 12 minutes of runtime, which is remarkably consistent.
Past comparing, Surface Pro vii scored simply 9 hours and 52 minutes with the same settings. While an extra 1 hour and 20 minutes is non a massive gain, that additional 90 minutes could be 'brand or break' for many users in daily usage. Toss in the credible operation gains of Surface Pro 7+ and 4G LTE availability, and it is even more noteworthy.
Turning to Windows Bombardment Report, which is based on my existent-world usage and Surface Pro vii+ ranges betwixt 7 hours and 30 minutes up to 11 hours with lighter utilise. Your feel volition depend on how bright you fix the display and how hard you push button the GPU.
Surface Pro 7+ actually gets keen battery life. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Even with the lack of a fan, Thermals are excellent with Surface Pro seven+ never getting too hot to bear upon thanks to its vertical orientation and heat dissipation through the top vents.
Configuration options
Surface Pro 7+ pricing, models, and availability
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
With the inclusion of LTE, up to 32GB of RAM, and both black and platinum colorways, there are quite a few configuration options for Surface Pro vii+. Here are all of them broken by category.
Surface Pro 7+ Wi-Fi Commercial
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| 11th Gen Intel Cadre i3, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB, Platinum | $899 |
| 11th Gen Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB, Platinum | $999 |
| 11th Gen Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB, Platinum/Black | $ane,299 |
| 11th Gen Intel Cadre i7, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB, Platinum/Black | $1,599 |
| 11th Gen Intel Cadre i7, 16GB RAM, 512 GB, Platinum | $1,999 |
| 11th Gen Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, one TB, Platinum | $2,399 |
| 11th Gen Intel Core i7, 32 GB RAM, i TB, Platinum | $ii,799 |
Surface Pro 7+ LTE Commercial
| Model | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11th Gen Intel Cadre i5, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB, LTE, Platinum | $1,149 |
| 11th Gen Intel Core i5, xvi GB RAM, 256 GB, LTE, Platinum | $i,649 |
Surface Pro vii+ Wi-Fi Instruction
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| 11th Gen Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB, Platinum | $899 |
| 11th Gen Intel Cadre i5, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB, Platinum | $one,199 |
Pricing starts at $899 for the Core i3 with 8GB and 128GB of storage (platinum) and peaks at $ii,800 for Core i7, 32GB, and 1TB of storage (platinum). Education models are $100 cheaper, just come up in platinum, and do not have an LTE pick.
The Surface Pro 7+ is now bachelor but you can't merely go selection one up from your local store. The Surface Pro 7+ is for business concern users, and to guild one you lot'll need to become through a Surface Commercial Authorized Device Reseller or the Microsoft Store Business Desk-bound.
Should you buy?
Surface Pro 7+ is dull but as well incredibly powerful
Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Cardinal
If Microsoft were marketing Surface Pro 7+ as a consumer device, information technology would exist easy to critique the thick bezels, lack of 5G, and lack of Thunderbolt 4. Those are notwithstanding cons for many, just Surface Pro 7+ is aimed squarely at enterprise and education markets where such things are less important.
It's evident Surface Pro vii+ delivers substantial improvements, especially over the final LTE model from 2022. Businesses will capeesh improved 4G LTE, a removable SSD, and up to 32GB of RAM. Intel 11th Gen is a jumbo upgrade with markedly increased CPU and GPU performance. Those benchmarks are only made sweeter by the considerable jump in battery life.
Surface Pro 7+ has some stiff contest from Lenovo and HP, which offer Thunderbolt 4 and even 5G.
Some volition see Microsoft as being stubborn (or lazy) with Surface Pro by not revamping the design. That's fair. Simply, It departments will rejoice that this new version does not break compatibility with Surface Dock two, Kensington Dock, or need new cables. Companies buying these en masse for the next two to four years volition likely be OK with any perceived limitations.
Thick bois: Lenovo ThinkPad X12 (2021) on the left vs. Surface Pro 7+ on the correct. Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central
Surface Pro 7+ for Business organization does have stiff contest, though. Lenovo's similar ThinkPad X12 offers Thunderbolt four and fifty-fifty 5G with its famed Lenovo keyboard and TrackPoint. HP has the refreshed Elite x2 G8 (due in April) with 4G LTE, Thunderbolt iv, more brandish options, and upwards to 2TB of storage. Both are exceptional options that fill up in Surface Pro 7+'south obvious gaps should they carp you. Microsoft'south own Surface Pro X SQ2 has a larger display, pen storage, and overall more modernistic look. For something fancier and more of a traditional laptop, Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Titanium Yoga with 5G is fascinating.
For more than ideas, see our best 2-in-ane laptops. And if you need an always-connected PC, encounter our all-time LTE laptops and all-time 5G latops for boosted alternatives.
Only if you are hooked on the Surface Pro's design and Microsoft'due south vision, it is hard not to similar the new 7+, even if it is for business. Information technology'south a scrap tiresome, only it's also a workhorse. The adept news for consumers is information technology seems probable nosotros will become a more substantially revised Surface Pro eight later this year. If Surface Pro 7+ is a preview for performance and battery life, it will be worth the await.
Better and faster than ever
Microsoft Surface Pro vii+ for Business organization
It is faster with LTE
Addressing the needs of enterprise and educational activity markets, Microsoft's Surface Pro 7+ brings a few new features to its classic laptop. With an option for LTE, removable SSD, and the latest Intel processors, Surface Pro 7+ should be an fantabulous choice out in the field.
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Buyer'due south guide
Protect your Surface Pro with one of these great cases
You accept a Surface Pro in your hands and you desire to protect information technology. This roundup of cases compatible with Pro 4, Pro (2017), Pro 6, Pro seven, and Pro 7 Plus covers rugged and stylish options then that you find something yous like.
Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-pro-7plus-review
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