Can Surface Pro 8 power dual 4K displays?

BenQ PD2720U (Image credit: Cale Hunt / Windows Central)

Can Surface Pro 8 power dual 4K displays?

Best answer: Yes, Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 supports the output of video to dual 4K external panels with up to a refresh rate of 60Hz.

Connectivity changes for the future

The Surface Pro 8 is the latest in the family lineup from Microsoft, rocking USB-C 3.1 with Thunderbolt 4 support. Since Microsoft included Thunderbolt 4, it's possible to connect directly to a maximum of two 4K monitors with nothing but a Thunderbolt cable (if supported as an input on the monitor) or a small adapter, as demonstrated in the above official video.

Doing so improves productivity while traveling with the Surface Pro 8 or creating a mobile office. There are numerous 4K monitors, depending on your requirements. There are some portable screens that can connect to a Thunderbolt 4 port directly and then you have the usual monitor affair that can range between budget friendly to professional grade.

More pricey monitors like the BenQ PD2725U (one of the best 4K PC monitors we've reviewed) will come with Thunderbolt support, allowing you to connect it directly to the Surface Pro 8. But some more affordable screens may only have HDMI and DisplayPort, which is when you'll need an adapter. We've got two from Cable Matters, one for hooking up a single monitor and another for two.

CATEGORIES

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.