The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Review: Why It's The Best Tablet For Productivity
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The Graphite model comes in only four configurations at the time of this writing. This includes a $1,199 model with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD on the lower end. The most expensive model costs $1,899 and sports an Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.



The dark anodized aluminum casing is not only eye-pleasing, but it makes the 2-in-1 feel tough and sturdy. The back of the unit has a glossy silver Microsoft logo on the kickstand. You can lift the kickstand via the two indentations on either side of the unit. This is also how you’ll access the removable SSD. There’s a webcam on the back and another on the front.

Ports
A power button, two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a Surface Connect port rest on the Surface Pro 8's right side. You’ll find volume buttons and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the left side. You can connect monitors and external hard drives and GPUs to the Surface Pro 8. The latter option is something you’ll want to take advantage of if you plan to play games on the 2-in-1.
The minimal amount of ports initially seems like a negative, but in reality, the two USB-C ports and the Surface Connect port are all that’s required for daily use. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you can pair devices such as the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse or any number of Bluetooth gaming controllers. Being able to snap a Surface Pro Signature or Surface Pro X keyboard to the bottom of the device also frees up the USB-C ports.

Audio
Cleverly hidden speakers
Impressive sound for a tablet
The Surface Pro 8 houses its speakers behind the top bezel. Audio quality on portable devices can be hit or miss, sounding thin and flat. While the Surface Pro 8’s audio isn’t mind-blowing, it’s impressive for this kind of device.

If you keep the volume below 75%, the audio from the Surface Pro 8 sounds crisp and clear. This holds true whether it’s a YouTuber speaking from their studio or a video game with booming explosions and music. Bass isn’t terrible but it’s not superb either. Audio quality suffers when it’s set to maximum, with everything becoming a jumbled mess. Keeping the audio between 50-75% is fine in most instances.

Webcam
Both front and rear cameras deliver sharp quality
Like its predecessor, the Surface Pro 8 features a 5MP front-facing camera. The camera produces detail-rich images if you snap photos anywhere with decent lighting. Even if your lighting situation is less than ideal, the camera still produces a clear image. Though I’m not a fan of selfies or looking at pictures of myself, the camera did an excellent job of capturing my best and worst features.
The front-facing camera is superb for virtual meetings. As long as your room’s lighting isn’t terribly dim, whoever you video-chat with should see you nice and clear. A webcam of this quality is especially appreciated by those of us who work from home and must attend virtual meetings.

The 10MP rear-facing camera impresses more than the front-facing camera. I snapped pictures of my (cluttered) room and could distinguish titles on book spines and video game covers. Whether you use the front or rear camera, you won’t be disappointed.

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