Microsoft Surface Pro 7 vs. Surface Pro 6: Which should you buy?

Microsoft's Surface Pro 7 and Surface Pro 6 are certainly cut from the same cloth, and at first glance, you might mistake one for the other. However, the real changes (other than the USB-C port) come on the inside, with the Pro 7 sporting new 10th Gen Intel Core CPU options and LPDDR4x RAM for improved performance. Here's a breakdown of the exact specs you'll find in each model.

With Black Friday quickly approaching, we're expecting to see some discounts on these 2-in-1 devices. There are plenty of Pro 7 tablets and bundles available, often at a great price without a sale, so be sure you're actually getting a good deal. A tool like CamelCamelCamel can help you determine if you're seeing a deal or standard pricing. The Pro 6 is a bit of a different story, as stock is waning due to its age. Still, you might be able to find a great deal on a bundle or refurbished models as retailers attempt to get rid of old stock.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 vs. Surface Pro 6 tech specs

Design and features

The Surface Pro 7 is a minor refresh over the last-gen Surface Pro 6, with most of the changes coming from the internal hardware. Still, the Pro 7 has made the jump from Mini DisplayPort for the much more versatile USB-C port. This should make it much easier to connect your newer accessories, and it can still be used for external displays. Alongside USB-C, the Pro 7 holds onto USB-A, 3.5mm audio, Surface Connect, and a microSD card reader.

If you're making the jump from an older Surface Pro model (from the Pro 3 and newer), older Type Covers should work with the Pro 7. This should save you a good chunk of money if you're upgrading. One new feature that we're excited about is Wi-Fi 6 connectivity in the Pro 6, which will offer wireless speeds far beyond what we've become accustomed to with Wi-Fi 5. Both the Pro 6 and Pro 7 are available in Platinum and Black colors.

Display and inking

Nothing has really changed when it comes to the display. With both the Pro 6 and Pro 7 you're looking at a 12.3-inch touch display with boxy 3:2 aspect ratio, 2736x1824 resolution, and 267 PPI. Both Pro models are compatible with the Surface Dial for off-screen interactions, and both offer an exceptional inking experience with the Surface Pen. Expect 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support.

Performance and price

The Surface Pro 6 is available with 8th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 "Kaby Lake R" CPUs. These are not the later 8th Gen "Whiskey Lake" CPUs, but they're nevertheless performers.

Geekbench 5 single-core scores for the Core i5-8250U hover around the 800 to 900 mark, while multi-core scores reach up to about 3,400. The Core i7-8550U again measures around the 900 single-core score, reaching up to about a 3,500 multi-core score. These CPUs can handle a relatively heavy workload, and they should be able to shred through any multitasking.

The Pro 7 has been refreshed with 10th Gen Intel Core "Ice Lake" CPUs with a 10nm architecture, and it's available with Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 versions. Compared with Geekbench 5 tests, the Core i7-1065G7 begins around the 1,200 to 1,300 mark for a single-core score, while multi-core scores reach, in many cases, well above 4,000.

The Pro 7 Core i5 model outperforms the Pro 6 Core i7 model, which is quite impressive. As for battery life, the Pro 7 will last about eight hours from a charge, whereas the Pro 6 hits closer to 10 hours. That's the tradeoff for better performance.

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

Geekbench 4

Geekbench 4.0 (CPU) (higher is better)

PCMark

PCMark 10

GPU

Geekbench 5.0 OpenCL (higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

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As for gaming, 10th Gen Core i5 and Core i7 Intel CPUs feature Iris Plus Graphics, which will provide a better experience than what the 8th Gen CPUs have to offer. Neither device has a dedicated GPU option, so if you want to game on a Pro, spending the extra money is no doubt worth it.

As expected, you're going to pay more for the newer Pro 7. Configurations with a Core i3 CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD start at $750, while a model with Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD costs closer to about $1,200. Maxing things out with the Pro 7, including a Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD costs about $2,300.

As for the Pro 6, prices are all over the place due to third-party retailers mostly taking over remaining stock. Your best bet is to find a bundle with Type Cover, Surface Pen, and more for around the same price you'd pay for a new standalone tablet. There are also plenty of refurbished options available that will save you quite a bit of money compared to a new Pro 7.

Go with the Surface Pro 7 for better performance, connectivity

The Surface Pro 7 hasn't seen a substantial physical change since the last generation, but inside is where it counts. 10th Gen Intel Core "Ice Lake" CPUs outperform the 8th Gen "Kaby Lake R" CPUs in the Pro 6, and the newer 2-in-1 also sports faster LPDDR4x RAM. You will pay more for the Pro 7, but for better performance and a USB-C port, it's the right choice. And if neither of these laptops is quite what you're looking for, check out our collection of the overall best Windows laptop options on the market today.

The Surface Pro 6 is still a solid buy

The release of a new generation always makes an older device pale, but the Surface Pro 6 is still a reliable option for anyone who wants to save some money and still get an awesome device. The touch display is the same resolution and offers the same brilliant picture, and the overall design is essentially the same. You won't get a USB-C port or 10th Gen Intel CPU performance, but for many people, that's OK.