Microsoft Surface: Which One Is Right For You?

Microsoft’s Surface lineup of touchscreen computers was introduced in 2012, launched initially to set new standards for other Windows machine manufacturers. Today, the company has seven diverse product lines that aim to address different user needs within the premium device category.

Notable has been Microsoft’s vision to introduce different form–factors of machines that they view may pave the way for the future of personal computing. Different designs within the Surface family include hybrid tablets, 2–in–1 notebooks, all–in–one convertible desktops, and more traditional clamshell laptops.

With many differentiating features, not only in the way of specifications but how we utilize the devices in our day to day lives, Microsoft’s Surface lineup introduces a plethora of choice. As we move forward into the future, our view of the PC may be transformed, but what form factor is best for your needs?

Surface Laptop 3

• Display: 13.5-in 2256x1504 Resolution, or 15-in 2496x1664 Resolution
• Processor: Intel Quad-core 10th Generation Core i5 or Core i7 CPU; or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7
• Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM (Intel); or 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB (AMD)
• Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSD
• Graphics: Iris Plus 950 (Intel); or Radeon Vega 9 (AMD)
• Battery: Up to 11.5 Hours; Fast Charging
• Weight: 2.89–3.4 Pounds
• Release Date: October 2019

Surface Laptop 3 is twice as fast as previous versions of the device and is available in two sizes depending on your use case. However, even with such a large screen and powerful processor, you can charge the Surface Laptop 3 to near completion in just an hour, making is ideal for trips and last-minute heavy use right up until you have to unplug it.

With a USB-C and USB-A port, you can rest assured that your mix of devices can all plug into your laptop with no hassle. It's not the heaviest or the lightest generation of Microsoft Surface devices, so it's perfect for both mobile and stationary work.

Notable Features:

• Comfort: The Surface Laptop 3 has a trackpad that's 20% larger than previous versions, making it easier to use it longer.
• Performance: Has the latest Intel Core processor for better speed and performance, but you can still charge the Surface Laptop 3 up to 80% in just an hour.
• Color Choices: New Sandstone color but also Matte Black, Cobalt Blue, and Platinum.
• Data Safety: The SSD is completely removable, so you can keep your information safe by storing the drive elsewhere when needed.

Surface Pro 7

• Display: 12.3-in 2736x1824 Resolution
• Processor: Intel Dual-core 10th Generation Core i3, Quad-core 10th Generation Core i5, or Quad-core 10th Generation Core i7 Processor
• Memory: 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSD
• Graphics: Intel UHD (i3) or Iris Plus (i5, i7)
• Battery: Up to 10.5 Hours
• Weight: 1.7–1.73 Pounds
• Release Date: October 2019

Surface Pro 7 is ideal if you're into 2-in-1 devices. You get the benefit of a mobile tablet with the security and robust nature of a full laptop, all in one device. It boasts performance of over two times that of older generations, and displays anything you need on a beautiful 12.3-in PixelSense display.

The Surface Pro 7 can be customized to you liking, with various colors for the Signature Type Cover, Surface Arc Mouse, and Surface Pen.

Notable Features:

• Device Ports: Lots of options for all your devices, including USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, Mini display port, Surface Connect, MicroSDXC card reader, Surface Type Cover Port, and Surface Dial compatibility.
• All-day Battery Life: Use it through a full work day on a single charge, and boost it to 100% in less than a couple hours.
• Windows Hello: Authenticate with your face using the front-facing 5MP camera. It also comes with 1080p full HD video and an 8MP rear-facing autofocus camera.
• Wireless Connectivity: Works with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0

Surface Pro X

• Display: 13-in 2880x1920 Resolution @ 267 PPI
• Processor: Microsoft SQ1
• Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB SSD
• Graphics: Adreno 685 iGPU
• Battery: Up to 13 Hours
• Weight: 1.70 Pounds
• Release Date: October 2019

If sleek is what you're after, you can't go wrong with the Surface Pro X. This 2-in-1 is Microsoft's thinnest Surface device, yet it still manages to have a 13-in, edge-to-edge PixelSense display.

The large screen coupled with the massive battery life, full LTE support, and lightweight design, makes this is a true mobile laptop that works well for anyone. You can write emails, play games, compose documents, video chat, or whatever else you want, at home, work, and on the go.

Although 1 TB isn't a storage option with this Surface device, 128 GB is enough for most people, and gamers and other heavy users can enjoy the 512 GB option.

Notable Features:

• Mobile Access: Take work or play with you wherever you go with LTE connectivity.
• Sensor Technology: Includes an ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer.
• Custom Processor: The Qualcomm/Microsoft custom-built CPU delivers enough power to support dual 4K video over USB-C.

Microsoft Surface Book 2

• Display: 13.5 in 3000x2000 @ 267 PPI or 15 in 3240x2160 @ 260 PPI
• Processor: Intel 7th Generation Core i5 or Intel 8th Generation Core i7 CPU
• Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSD
• Graphics: Intel HD/UHD 620, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050, or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
• Battery: Up to 17 Hours
• Weight: 3.38 Pounds (13 in model) or 4.2 Pounds (15 in model)
• Release Date: October 2017

Microsoft’s Surface Book lineup has placed its focus on the 2–in–1 detachable notebook form–factor. What appears to be a typical 13.5 in or 15 in a notebook is instantly transformed with the click of a button, allowing the screen of the device to be pulled off and used as a tablet. Users can also take advantage of docking the tablet back into the keyboard in reverse position to take advantage of longer battery life of up to 17 Hours.

The Surface Book does award itself the position of being Microsoft’s heaviest portable device at 4.2 pounds for the larger 15 in variation with the keyboard attachment. Coming into play with the most powerful internal specifications out of any of the Surface products, the Surface Book 2 is ideal for those who either prefer the more typical laptop form factor with an option to break away a tablet, or those who will need to take advantage of the system’s processing capabilities and VR capable Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or 1060 graphics processors.

Notable Features:

• Surface Pen Support: Both systems fully support the use of Microsoft’s Surface Pen, allowing for 4096 levels of pressure and 1024 levels of tilt detection.
• Port Selection Includes 1 USB–C port, 2 USB–A ports, full–size SDXC card reader, 3.5mm headset jack, 2 Surface Connectors.
• Windows Hello: Sign–into your PC with a glance of your face thanks to the units’ front facing 5.0 MP 1080p camera. The unit also sports an 8.0 MP 1080p rear-facing camera with autofocus.
• Detachable Dock: Easily switch between a notebook computer and a tablet with Microsoft’s patented hinge solution.

Microsoft Surface Laptop

• Display: 13.5 in 2256x1504 @ 201 PPI
• Processor: Intel 7th Generation Core i5 or Core i7 CPU
• Memory: 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSD
• Graphics: Intel HD 615, 620 or Intel Iris Plus 640
• Battery: Up to 14.5 Hours
• Weight: 2.76 Pounds
• Release Date: June 2017

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop will be the most familiar of design choices to consumers as it is merely a standard clamshell notebook design–no detachable displays or removable keyboards on this model. Designed in mind to be ultra–light and portable the unit achieves its goal with an overall weight of only 1.69 pounds and an impressive 14.5–hour battery.

Comparing Microsoft’s Surface lineup, the Laptop is positioned as an excellent choice college students or other individuals who prefer the more conventional laptop design, and don’t have the need to utilize a stylus in their work. With a healthy selection of processors, storage devices, and memory allotments, the thin and light laptop can handle much thrown it's way. However, graphics-heavy applications may fall short due to the system only offering integrated Intel graphics.

Notable Features:

• Color Choices: Available in four different colors including burgundy, platinum, cobalt blue, and graphite gold.
• Alcantara: Palm–rest and keyboard surroundings are covered in spill resistant, soft Alcantara fabric material.
• Port Selection Includes 1 USB–A port, 1 mini DisplayPort, 3.5mm headset jack,1 Surface Connector.
• Windows Hello: Sign–into your PC with a glance of your face thanks to the unit’s front-facing 720p HD camera.

Microsoft Surface Pro

• Display: 12.3 in 1236x1824 @ 267 PPI
• Processor: Intel 7th Generation m3, Core i5 or Core i7 CPU
• Memory: 4 GB, 8 GB, or 16 GB of RAM
• Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSD
• Graphics: Intel HD 615, 620 or Intel Iris Plus 640
• Battery: Up to 13.5 Hours
• Weight: 1.7 Pounds (2.4 Pounds with Type Cover)
• Release Date: May 2017

The Surface Pro was one of the original devices to kick off Microsoft’s lineup of consumer personal computers back in 2012. To this day, the company’s vision has continued forward with welcomed improvements and tweaks to the overall design. Surface Pro is effectively a tablet PC that can be supplemented with an external keyboard known as the Type Cover. Using the machine’s built-in kickstand, user’s can quickly switch between holding a lightweight tablet or sitting down at a desk with a full-sized physical keyboard.

Compatible with the Surface Pen, Microsoft’s Surface Pro device is an excellent choice for those looking for a full Windows 10 tablet with the ability to jot down notes or conjure up beautiful works of hand-drawn art. With the ability to pack in a Core i7 CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD don’t let this tablet fool you–it is a full-blown Windows computer ready to perform even some of the most intense computational tasks. Only don’t expect too much graphics performance from the units limited integrated Intel graphics.

Notable Features:

• Port Selection Includes 1 USB–A port, 1 microSDXC card reader, 1 mini DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headset jack, and a Surface Connector.
• Windows Hello: Sign–into your PC with a glance of your face thanks to the units’ front facing 5.0 MP 1080p camera. The unit also sports an 8.0 MP 1080p rear-facing camera with autofocus.
• Type Cover: Microsoft’s physical keyboard add–on for the Surface Pro is a much–needed addition for productivity and comes in three signature colors: Burgundy, cobalt blue, and platinum.
• Optional Cellular: Go mobile with the Surface Pro’s optional 4G LTE cellular radio to access an internet connection anywhere you have a cell signal.

Microsoft Surface Studio

• Display: 28 in 4500x3000 @ 192 PPI
• Processor: Intel 6th Generation Core i5 or Core i7 CPU
• Memory: 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB of RAM
• Storage: 64 GB SSD with 1 TB HDD, 128 GB SSD with 1 TB HDD, or 128 GB SSD with 2 TB HDD.
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M or GeForce GTX 980M
• Weight: 21 Pounds
• Release Date: October 2016

While Microsoft had aimed their Surface lineup at mobile computing, a new desktop addition was introduced in 2016. The massive 28 in all–in–one desktop is set upon what Microsoft calls a ‘Zero Gravity Hinge’ and can effortlessly float between being propped up for daily use or laid flat down on the desk for use with the Surface Pen. Wholly aimed at creative professionals, the Surface Studio is aimed at individuals who are looking for the most powerful machine in the Surface lineup with an immensely beautiful touchscreen display to match.

The high price tag of the machine doesn’t limit the machines on specs with a top–end model featuring an Intel Quad–Core i7 CPU, 32 GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M. However, it is worth noting that the unit’s processor is an older 6th generation processor that was introduced over three years ago. The Surface Studio does offer impressive storage with hybrid design drives, but some may find them underwhelming when compared to standard SSD drives–especially at this machine’s price point. Out of the box, the Surface Studio includes the unit itself, as well as a Surface Pen, Surface Keyboard, and Surface Mouse; this is out of line with any other of the machines which do not include the Pen in the box and must be added as a separate purchase.

Notable Features:

• Port Selection Includes 4 USB–A ports, 1 full–size SDXC card reader, 1 Mini DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headset jack, and 1 Gigabit Ethernet port.
• Windows Hello: Sign–into your PC with a glance of your face thanks to the units’ front facing 5.0 MP 1080p camera.
• Surface Dial: On-screen support for Microsoft’s Surface Dial accessory, allowing for physical control onto of the screen itself.
• PixelSense Display: The true beauty of the machine is the unit’s ultra-thin 28 in display with 10–bit color depth and 13.5 million total pixels surrounded by an aluminum frame.