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I love my SP - had them since 5 to X. To the average user - newer iPad Pro is better in terms of screen brightness, battery life, and audio/visual output. While many of the full applications also exist on Microsoft platform, certain apps work better on iOS.
Although I would recommend getting as much ram as you can on SP.
The SP9 i7 16GB 256GB is c. $640 fake refurb is a much, much, much better deal. We got brand new, untouched units w c. 30 min on the clock (presumably for QC) from BuyDig.
This SP7+ config has two major Achilles heels:
1. 8GB of RAM is not adequate in 2025
2. it is a fanless design and gets basically permanently thermal throttled. People who tested it say these SP i5s are slower than SP i7s (that have a cooling a fan) from two generations prior. Base on that math, this thing is slower than a SP6 i7.
The SP 9 also has a larger screen (it does make a difference), much better speakers, snappier windows Hello and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
EDIT: I see downvotes. I actually OWN an 8GB i5 SP7. It struggles with Zoom calls once it gets hot. You can downvote my comment all day. It won't change that fact that this device is inadequate for video calls, which is part of normal business use these days. It's a very unfortunate design choice. It doesn't have a "loud fan" at the expense of performance. People run much louder desk fans behind these i5 SPs to correct the mistake MS's marketing people made (no engineer in their right mind would design an x86 laptop without a cooling fan unless forced by people who care about form over function).
1. Window's isn't a great tablet experience, the touch responsiveness feels like back in the early 2000s PocketPC days.
2. The laptop experience is hobbled by the flexy keyboard and need to have that kickstand out.
So, it's not a great tablet nor a great laptop. For us, it's been relegated to a Plex viewing device, since you don't need Plex Pass as one would on an iPad.
I have one of these. Wouldn't recommend. 1. Window's isn't a great tablet experience, the touch responsiveness feels like back in the early 2000s PocketPC days. 2. The laptop experience is hobbled by the flexy keyboard and need to have that kickstand out. So, it's not a great tablet nor a great laptop. For us, it's been relegated to a Plex viewing device, since you don't need Plex Pass as one would on an iPad.
I suppose it depends on your needs. I am typing this on a 7. i don't do anything super intense on. The only gripe I have is only 8GB ram. I have in in a dock at home with regular kb and mouse with dual monitors and undock it for on the road. I've never used tablet mode. For me, it's fine.
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1. Window's isn't a great tablet experience, the touch responsiveness feels like back in the early 2000s PocketPC days.
2. The laptop experience is hobbled by the flexy keyboard and need to have that kickstand out.
So, it's not a great tablet nor a great laptop. For us, it's been relegated to a Plex viewing device, since you don't need Plex Pass as one would on an iPad.
To each here own. It is NOT a tablet. It's a light laptop. Between me and my wife we've owned seven SPs over the past eight years and keep buying them. SPs are super expensive for their specs. I'd rate them 3 out of stars given the numerous software glitches. Yet, every First / Business Class airport lounge is full of them the world over for a reason. Most people fall in love after an initial period of doubt. I just wish they didn't cost 2x an equivalent clamshell laptop, and MS put a slightly larger battery in them.
And yes, I would not recommend this device either. I'd rather get the SP9 16GB 256GB Refurb from BuyDig when it's on sale for $640. We received brand new units.
I suppose it depends on your needs. I am typing this on a 7. i don't do anything super intense on. The only gripe I have is only 8GB ram. I have in in a dock at home with regular kb and mouse with dual monitors and undock it for on the road. I've never used tablet mode. For me, it's fine.
I've been using my SP4, SP5, SP7, SP9 the exact same way. (They can drive two 4K monitors.) Why? It's the most portable productivity laptop to carry when you travel. If you go into any Business Class / First Class airport lounge anywhere in the world, they are all dominated by Surface Pros. Nobody uses them as tablets.
A couple main issues with this model:
1. 8GB is not enough. (Even 16GB is not enough if you like having multiple Chrome tabs open. Which is the vast majority of people.)
2. No CPU cooling fan in the i5 models leads to thermal throttling.
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I've been using my SP4, SP5, SP7, SP9 the exact same way. (They can drive two 4K monitors.) Why? It's the most portable productivity laptop to carry when you travel. If you go into any Business Class / First Class airport lounge anywhere in the world, they are all dominated by Surface Pros. Nobody uses them as tablets.
Every time you post in a Surface thread, you say that nobody uses them as a tablet. I use mine as a tablet constantly, otherwise I'd just get a laptop.
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Although I would recommend getting as much ram as you can on SP.
This SP7+ config has two major Achilles heels:
1. 8GB of RAM is not adequate in 2025
2. it is a fanless design and gets basically permanently thermal throttled. People who tested it say these SP i5s are slower than SP i7s (that have a cooling a fan) from two generations prior. Base on that math, this thing is slower than a SP6 i7.
The SP 9 also has a larger screen (it does make a difference), much better speakers, snappier windows Hello and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
EDIT: I see downvotes. I actually OWN an 8GB i5 SP7. It struggles with Zoom calls once it gets hot. You can downvote my comment all day. It won't change that fact that this device is inadequate for video calls, which is part of normal business use these days. It's a very unfortunate design choice. It doesn't have a "loud fan" at the expense of performance. People run much louder desk fans behind these i5 SPs to correct the mistake MS's marketing people made (no engineer in their right mind would design an x86 laptop without a cooling fan unless forced by people who care about form over function).
1. Window's isn't a great tablet experience, the touch responsiveness feels like back in the early 2000s PocketPC days.
2. The laptop experience is hobbled by the flexy keyboard and need to have that kickstand out.
So, it's not a great tablet nor a great laptop. For us, it's been relegated to a Plex viewing device, since you don't need Plex Pass as one would on an iPad.
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1. Window's isn't a great tablet experience, the touch responsiveness feels like back in the early 2000s PocketPC days.
2. The laptop experience is hobbled by the flexy keyboard and need to have that kickstand out.
So, it's not a great tablet nor a great laptop. For us, it's been relegated to a Plex viewing device, since you don't need Plex Pass as one would on an iPad.
And yes, I would not recommend this device either. I'd rather get the SP9 16GB 256GB Refurb from BuyDig when it's on sale for $640. We received brand new units.
Also is the ram and SSD upgradable?
A couple main issues with this model:
1. 8GB is not enough. (Even 16GB is not enough if you like having multiple Chrome tabs open. Which is the vast majority of people.)
2. No CPU cooling fan in the i5 models leads to thermal throttling.
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