Thursday, March 28

Surface Pro 8 for Business: Is it worth the cost? | Digital Trends Spanish


There’s no question that Microsoft’s premier detachable tablet is an excellent 2-in-1 for consumers. It’s fast, has a killer 120Hz display, supports drawing with haptic feedback, and performs as well as or better than a competent legacy Windows 11 laptop. Surface Pro 8 for Business? Keep reading.

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Surface Pro 8 for Business

Yes, that’s right, there is a version of Surface Pro 8 for Business that is sold through a different Microsoft site than the consumer equipment that everyone has access to. You better start there to make your selection.

The differences between the business and consumer versions are not extreme, but they are noticeable. The first is that Surface Pro 8 for Business runs Windows 11 Pro instead of the Home version that comes with the traditional model, called consumer.

Businesses have more control over the PC, including the ability to join it to a domain, Windows Information Protection (WIP) for better security, and more ways to centrally manage it. The latter includes group policies, mobile device management, Active Directory support, and so on.

The business version is almost identical to the consumer model in terms of hardware. That includes the upgradeable solid-state drive (SSD), which is a boon for any business owner who may need more storage in the future and optional LTE.

If you buy the extended warranty, it will be easier for companies to manage and you will have protection against spills and accidents. Microsoft also offers Advanced Exchange for the business model, which means you can get a replacement before you send your Surface Pro 8 in for repair.

Finally, Microsoft offers special financing options for the Surface Pro 8 for business, including the Surface All Access plan, which allows you to spread payments over 18, 24, 30, or 36 months with no interest.

This can make a significant difference for a company that wants to buy multiple units, and Microsoft also has special pricing for companies that buy in volume.

Is the Surface Pro 8 for Business the best business 2-in-1?

A person drawing with the Surface Pen on a tablet.

So how does the Surface Pro 8 for Business fare itself for business users? Just as good as for consumers, but with the added ability to access corporate resources. That’s an important difference, one that makes the tablet just as functional on corporate networks as any other laptop.

The Surface Pro 8 is the best detachable tablet you can buy. It offers exceptional productivity performance thanks to 11th generation Intel Core processors, up to 32 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage.

The screen is larger than the previous model, the difference is 13 to 12.3 inches, with small bezels so that the tablet is only slightly larger and heavier than before. The screen is bright, with solid colors and exceptional contrast for a 120 Hz IPS.

Its 2,880 x 1,920-pixel resolution with a productivity-friendly 3:2 aspect ratio is a great experience for business users who need to access a lot of vertical information.

Connectivity has been improved, with the addition of Thunderbolt 4 to the usual Surface Connect port, offering much more flexible external display options and the ability to connect external GPUs for better gaming performance (yes, business users play games too). ) and creative applications (perhaps more pertinent).

This latter capability can help offset the Surface’s integrated Intel Xe graphics with a discrete GPU that would help with demanding creative tasks. Lastly, the functionality of adding LTE support is huge for business users and complements Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 nicely.

As always, while an expensive option, the Microsoft Signature Type Cover offers an excellent typing and mousing experience. It’s the best detachable keyboard out there.

The Surface Slim 2 pen supports haptic feedback for a more pen-on-paper feel. The Surface Pro 8 works great as a traditional laptop and even better as a tablet for making notes and sketches by hand.

Battery life isn’t as strong as more traditional business laptops. It has improved compared to the Surface Pro 7, but not as much as we would like. Depending on how demanding your workflow is, Surface Pro 8 may not last a full day on a single charge. The positive is that the charger is light and easy enough to carry.

Prices and configurations

Front view of the Surface Pro 8 showing the screen and keyboard.

Given the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, the Surface Pro 8 for business is slightly more expensive than the consumer equivalent. Prices start at $1,100 for a Core i3 (not available on the consumer model), 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.

The Core i5 version costs $1,200, that $100 premium extends to all configurations of the Surface Pro 8 for Business. You can also go for the LTE version, which is limited to 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD options for the Core i5 and Core i7 models.

At most, you’ll spend $2,700 for a Core i7, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.

Should you buy a Surface Pro 8 for Business?

A woman with headphones in front of a computer.
microsoft

Of course. You can set it up at work or home office with an external GPU and get superior performance from creative applications or use it on the go as a true productivity hub.

It’s great in meetings, where you can use the pen to take notes and sketch more smoothly and naturally than typing on a traditional laptop, and in video conferences thanks to its 5MP webcam with tuning that optimizes video performance. .

You may not get some of the enhanced business features that you get from brands that sell business versions, particularly those from Dell, HP, and Lenovo, which come with more advanced features.

We’re confident you won’t find another detachable tablet as well designed and built as the Surface Pro 8. If your job includes any kind of creative tasks or extensive note-taking and video conferencing, then the Surface Pro 8 for Business is a solid choice.

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