Microsoft Surface Pro 7 Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ Tablet 12.3-Inch Touch Review

The renewed Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ is a budget-friendly way to get into the classic Windows 2-in-1 form factor. It offers strong performance for everyday tasks and a brilliant display, but the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage feel limiting. You'll need to add a keyboard, and battery life is just okay.

Looking for a Windows tablet that can double as a laptop? The renewed Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ is a solid contender, especially at its current price around $399. It's the classic 2-in-1 design with the built-in kickstand, ready to transform into a full workstation with the addition of a keyboard (sold separately). Under the hood, you're getting an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD, which is enough for everyday office work, browsing, and media. It runs full Windows 11 Pro, so you can install any desktop software you need, which is the main reason you'd pick this over an iPad.

The 11th Gen i5 is a capable chip for general productivity. In our database, its CPU performance lands in the 75th percentile for tablets, which means it's faster than most ARM-based slates for tasks like spreadsheets, document editing, and having a dozen browser tabs open. The Intel Iris Xe graphics (also in the 75th percentile) can handle light photo editing and even some older or less demanding games at lower settings. Just don't expect it to run the latest AAA titles. The real star is the 12.3-inch PixelSense display, which scores in the 85th percentile. That 2736x1824 resolution is sharp, colors are accurate, and the touch response is excellent for note-taking or drawing with a stylus.

At around $399 for a renewed unit, the Surface Pro 7+ sits in a tricky spot. It's a lot of computer for the money if you need full Windows on the go, but you have to factor in the cost of the essential Type Cover keyboard, which can easily add another $100-$150. For a similar total outlay, you could look at a new budget Windows laptop with more RAM and storage, but you'd lose the tablet flexibility. If your budget is tight and you're set on the Surface form factor, this renewed model is one of the more affordable ways in.

The most direct competitor is the newer Microsoft Surface Pro (with Copilot+), but that's a much more expensive machine. For the $399 price, you're really comparing against two different worlds. Against an iPad Pro, you're trading Apple's silky smooth ecosystem and incredible battery life for the ability to run full desktop applications. Against Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+, you're getting a much more powerful and flexible OS in Windows, but likely sacrificing some polish and app optimization for tablet use. If you just need a media consumption device, a standard iPad or a Galaxy Tab is probably a better bet. But if you need to run QuickBooks or Visual Studio on a tablet, this Surface is one of the few games in town.

Skip this if you're looking for a simple, long-lasting media tablet. The iPad or a Samsung Galaxy Tab will be easier to use and have better battery life. Also, avoid it if your work requires heavy multitasking or uses memory-intensive applications—the 8GB RAM will be a bottleneck. In those cases, look for a renewed Surface Pro with 16GB of RAM or a traditional laptop with more power for the price.

Should you buy this? It's a very specific yes for a specific person. If you absolutely need a portable Windows machine that can also be used as a tablet for note-taking or drawing, and you're on a strict budget, the renewed Surface Pro 7+ is a reasonable choice. Just go in with your eyes open about the RAM and storage limitations, and be prepared to buy the keyboard. For everyone else—especially if you just want a tablet for Netflix, web browsing, and casual games—a modern iPad or Android tablet will offer a smoother, longer-lasting experience for similar money.