While the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is only taking its first steps on the French market ( official release October 22, 2019 ), our American colleagues have already been able to test it in all its aspects: design, performance, autonomy … Here is a summary of their feelings.
- Strong points
- Significant gain in performance (i5)
- Adding a USB-C port
- Comfortable Type Keyboard Cover
- Fanless
- Weaks :
- Still no Thunderbolt 3
- Autonomy at half mast
- Aging design with wide borders
- Keyboard always optional
Technical characteristics of Surface Pro 7
Screen | 12.3 “High Definition 3: 2 touch multi-touch (2736×1824) |
Processor | Intel Core i3-1005G1, Intel Core i5-1035G4, Intel Core i7-1065G7 10th generation |
RAM | 4GB, 8GB, 16GB LPDDR4x (non-scalable) |
Storage space | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD M.2 PCIe NVMe |
Graphic card | Intel UHD Graphics (i3), Intel Iris Plus Graphics (i5 G4, i7 G7) |
Network | 802.11 ax, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Connectors | 1 USB-C port, 1 USB-A port, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1 Surface Connect port |
Dimensions / Weight | 292 x 201 x 8.5 mm / 775 g (13, 15), 790 g (17) |
Surface Pro 7: An outdated design?
A certain feeling of weariness invades the majority of testers in front of a design seen and reviewed in the Surface Pro family since the Pro 4. Admittedly, the aluminum case is robust and the level of finish is impeccable but for this 7th generation, we expected a little more revival on that side. We find the same format, the same colors Platinum or Matt Black and the same measurements well optimized with a thickness of 8.5 mm and a weight under the 800g mark.
Engadget sums it up: “If you’ve ever crossed a recent Surface Pro, you will not be left out, or if you’re not, you’ll appreciate its rugged chassis and well-designed crutch.” and The Verge continues, “I just wish the Surface Pro 7 looked like a Surface Pro X with an Intel chip inside.”
Moreover, when we bow to the format and the target of the Surface Pro 7, Engadget is worried. “Microsoft markets it as a versatile, lightweight convertible notebook, and while few Windows-based tablets can compete with the Surface Pro, Microsoft also needs to pay attention to recent ultrabooks, which are getting lighter and thinner with curbs.” screen generally thinner than the big black bars that frame the Surface Pro 7 “ .
Connectivity: not enough point
As for the Surface Laptop 3 15 , the SP7 finally sees arrive a USB Type-C in place of the mini-DisplayPort. Hallelujah! All testers welcome this arrival for its versatile side. “Connect a headset Check Check the device Check You can even connect a USB-C dock and connect even more devices for video output.” Engadget rejoices while The Verge regrets that it does not support the Thunderbolt 3 and is therefore limited to USB 3.1 10Gbps. Another improvement, the pickups have been amplified to allow the device to hear more easily your requests Cortana and keep your voice clear during conference calls.
A Type Cover keyboard even more comfortable
” Writing on Surface Pro 7 is always a treat ” for Windows Central . It is true that all testers have only praise about it apart from the fact that it is still sold as an option at the salted price of 179.99 €. The individual keys (chiclet) offer a large travel and elastic returns, and the entire layout is well spaced. Here, no button is too small or inaccessible, allowing typing quickly and accurately. Two new Type Cover colors are appearing, one orange red and one light blue. The keys are backlit on 3 levelsof brightness with a run of 1.3 mm. However, the sound of typing could be a little more muffled and the touchpad – albeit very fluid and responsive – would have gained to be a little wider emphasizes Engadget.
The Surface Pen sold for € 109.99 does not receive any changes, except for the colors that match the Type Cover. Microsoft has just reworked its firmware and expanded the list of optimized applications for better support.
A screen that does not talk too much
It was vain to look, the screen of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 obviously did not inspire our testers. Some comments often come back as its borders too wide for 2019 or its bright display. Only Windows Central develops a bit about it by specifying the maximum brightness measured at 410 nits , the brilliant side of the brilliant screen, although subject to glare, and the decent colorimetry with 98% sRGB, 73% AdobeRGB and 72% DCI-P3 .
A significant gain in performance thanks to the Intel 10th Gen
The power of the Surface Pro 7 has made much more ink (digital) in comparison. Indeed, this is the only real novelty factor of the tablet, first in its class to integrate the 10th generation Intel processor engraved in 10nm.
The performance is affected in particular graphically with the support of Intel Iris Plus chips. All the cross tests have been done with the duo Core i5-1035G4 and Iris Plus G4 and are without appeal. ” Excellent performance ” Engadget enthuses. Ditto for Windows Central which finds the ” Core i5 exceptional ” while TechRadar emphasizes especially the graphic gain which allows among others to “play Fortnite in 1080p with a good level of FPS” .
As proof of his great abilities, Engadget exclaims: ” I watched The Good Place on Hulu while writing a review, editing photos, running benchs, sending messages to my friends, playing Overcooked and Twittant without feeling the slightest weakness . Indeed, the different tests show a gain of about 30% in the overall performance compared to the 8th and 9th gen. Windows Central adds: “The fact that you can now buy a fanless Core i5 Surface Pro and get more performance than last year’s Core i7 – all at a lower price – is a huge win for consumers.”
Another point emphasized by The Verge, the perfecting of the Instant On function. “Whenever I (the SP7) leaves for a few hours, she wakes up instantly and Windows Hello connects me even before the crutch is fully in place.” While the Surface Pro offered a 6-hour standby time, the Surface Pro remains ready for use for 72 hours , a real plus.
The price to pay for this instant standby? battery. The Verge left Surface Pro 7 at 11am with 86% battery and resumed at 8pm (9am later) with 80%, which is less than 1% per hour. It is a compromise that the tester is ready to make for this type of comfort. Especially since the SP7 also has a fast charge function, allowing you to achieve an autonomy of 80% in one hour. The complete recharge lasted one hour and 40 minutes during the test. More details on the autonomy below.
Temperatures and noise: no worries for SP7
The fanless on a Quad Core low power you believe it? Microsoft did it. And the least we can say is that he’s doing well. The Verge is forced to find that “the Surface Pro 7 remains silent even during times when I pushed it with video editing.” Similarly, the temperatures – even if the Core i5 is passively cooled – are excellent. After 25 minutes, the system had only reached a temperature of 33 ° C.
Autonomy: the small fall
The finding regarding the autonomy of Surface Pro 7 is not good. While Microsoft boasts 10.5 hours of autonomy, The Verge only managed to take 7 to 8 hours in mixed use (Chrome, Word, Twitter …). It is the same for Windows Central which totals 8 hours in web browsing, videoconferencing, Office applications, with a little inactivity between. Engadget finds the same result while TechRadar even talks about 6 hours of autonomy on their home test (without specifying what it stands for). Anyway, the SP7 loses 1 to 2 hours on its predecessor, a major compromise at its level.
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