Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, Review

The 128GB storage is a hard stop. This config is for browsing only. Spend your money on a model with more breathing room, or get a different tablet.

Look, the Surface Pro 7 is a classic, but this specific refurbished model with only 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage is a trap. The one thing you need to know is that its storage is in the 1st percentile, which is basically dead last. That means you'll be constantly managing files and deleting apps before you can even think about using it for serious work. It's a sleek, well-built 2-in-1 with a great screen, but this base configuration is hobbled from the start.

The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a several-year-old Intel Core i5: middle of the pack. Our database shows its CPU and GPU scores are in the low 40s percentile, so it's fine for web browsing, Office apps, and light photo editing, but it will start to chug if you push it. The real surprise, and not a good one, is the connectivity, which scores a disappointing 24th percentile. Don't expect blazing-fast Wi-Fi or a ton of ports.

At the low end of the price spread, around $549, it's a decent deal for a basic web machine if you absolutely need Windows in a tablet form. But for anything over $800, it's a hard no. You can find much newer, better-equipped devices for that money. Shop around, because prices vary wildly up to over $5,000 for some listings, which is insane for this spec.

If you want a tablet-first experience, the Apple iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ will run circles around this in speed, battery life, and app optimization, though they're not full Windows PCs. If you need a Windows 2-in-1, a newer Surface Pro with more RAM and storage, or even a Lenovo Yoga, will be a much better investment. This Pro 7 config is stuck in an awkward middle ground.

If you're a student, creative, or anyone who needs to install more than five programs, skip this. Go find a refurbished Surface Pro with 256GB+ SSD. If you don't need Windows, an iPad Air will give you a better tablet experience for the money.

We can't recommend this specific 8GB/128GB model for anyone but the most casual user who needs a portable screen for email and Netflix and has zero plans for file storage. For everyone else, the storage and RAM limitations are deal-breakers. Spend a little more on a refurbished model with at least 256GB and 16GB of RAM, or look at a different device entirely.