Microsoft has just announced the Surface Pro 7+, its latest addition to the Surface family which includes an LTE option to help keep business connected. The flagship tablet is said to offer versatility, connectivity and enhanced security in a bid to adapt to the changing needs of businesses today.
Keep in mind that Microsoft is not selling the Surface Pro 7+ to consumers as they are targetting it towards their business and education customers in Malaysia.
Pricing and availability
The Surface Pro 7+ is now available in Malaysia via Surface Commercial Authorised Resellers including Software One. The Wi-Fi variant starts at RM4,115 while the LTE Advanced configuration starts from RM5,314.
Below is the full price list and configurations for the Surface Pro 7+ and its accessories:
Microsoft said commercial and education customers in Malaysia can order the Surface Pro 7+ through their local commercial resellers.
Features and specs
On the outside, the Surface Pro 7+ features a unibody magnesium design and comes in either platinum or matte black. It has a 12.3” PixelSense touchscreen display (2736 x 1824 resolution) with a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Under the hood, the device runs on Intel’s 11th generation processors. The WiFi variant can be configured up to a Core i7-1165G7 processor, up to 32GB LPDDR4x RAM and up to a 1TB SSD. Meanwhile, the LTE variant of the device can be configured up to a Core i5-1135G7 processor, up to 16GB LPDDR4x RAM and up to a 256GB SSD.
As for graphics, models with Intel Core i5 processors and better come with Intel Iris Xe graphics while those running on Intel Core i3 processors are configured with Intel UHD graphics.
In terms of battery life, the Surface Pro 7+ is claimed to run longer than the Surface Pro 7. The WiFi version of the device is rated up to 15 hours of battery life while the LTE variant has an estimated battery life of 13.5 hours.
As for ports, the Surface Pro 7+ includes one USB-C, one full-size USB-A, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Surface Connect port and Surface Type Cover port. Just like the Surface Laptop Go, the Surface Pro 7+ doesn’t have an HDMI port. so you will need a dongle if you intend to hook it up to a big screen for a presentation.
Another key differentiator between the two models is the fact that the WiFi variant comes with a Micro SDXC card slot while the LTE version features a nano-SIM slot. This means you cannot expand the storage on the LTE variant easily with a Micro SDXC like you would with the WiFi version.
We reached out to Microsoft to ask why this was the case, they responded:
With LTE Advance connectivity, we find our customers leverage cloud storage options including OneDrive Personal or OneDrive for Business.
It is strange that Microsoft doesn’t offer the LTE model with a more powerful Core i7 processor. This model also maxes out at 16GB of RAM and the biggest storage option you have is 256GB.
The new Surface Pro 7+ also features a removable SSD though Microsoft does not specify what type of drive it is. Even though the picture above may lead you to think that SSD can is user-removable, it actually isn’t. According to Surface Pro 7+’s product page, Microsoft recommends that the SSD should only be removed by a skilled technician following instructions provided by the company.
The tech giant said the removable drive is designed to help with data retention as well as support the security and privacy needs of businesses.
For video conferencing, the convertible PC comes with a 5MP front-facing camera that is capable of capturing Full HD video. It is complemented by dual microphones and a pair of stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos surround sound. In addition, the Surface Pro 7+ has an 8MP camera around the back.
As for connectivity, both versions of the convertible tablet support WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. In addition, the LTE variant also supports eSIM that allows you to subscribe to a mobile service without needing a physical SIM card
As the Surface Pro 7+ is targeted towards businesses and educational institutions, they are designed to be shipped in bulk in thinner and lighter packaging, making it easier to transport them while minimising waste.
In addition, system administrators can provision eSIM services centrally through the cloud. This makes it easier for them to setup a large number of devices for large enterprises.
The Surface Pro 7+ runs on Windows 10 Pro and comes preloaded with Microsoft 365 apps such as OneDrive, Outlook, Skype, OneNote and Microsoft Teams.
