Which Surface Pro 7 should you buy?

Pick the right Pro 7 for the present and the future

When buying a new laptop, you always want to plan for the future. Dropping this much money on a device means you're going to want it to last for at least a few years. Buying too little PC can be an issue; you might not have enough storage space or processing power for your needs two years down the road. However, buying too much PC is also a problem. Overbuying leaves you broke now, and with a device in hand that might never see its true potential utilized.

With this in mind, there are several recommendations we can make when it comes to the Surface Pro 7. Note that no matter the hardware configurations you opt for inside, you're still going to get the same 12.3-inch touch display with 2736x1824 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, and 267 PPI. A USB-C port is also now included on all Pro 7 models, and you get the added benefit of Wi-Fi 6 connectivity for blistering wireless speeds. As for color, choose from platinum and black.

If you're a casual user who simply wants a svelte 2-in-1 to watch TV and movies, browse the web, and tackle a bit of lightweight productivity work, the introductory Pro 7 will likely be enough to tide you over for a few years. It has a 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor (CPU), 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive (SSD), all for about $749. Just keep in mind that 128GB is not a lot of storage space, and a move up to 256GB makes a lot of sense. Of course, that also brings a move up to a Core i5 CPU.

Whether it's for the extra storage or increased processing power, the Core i5-1035G4 CPU with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 256GB SSD makes a lot of sense. It's a considerable jump in price — it hits around the $1,199 mark — but you'll be able to better multitask across apps. There is a Core i5 model with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD if you're one who heavily relies on cloud storage and doesn't mind having a small SSD. It costs about $899.

Stepping things up to the Core i7-1065G7 CPU for those who need the best performance possible, you have the option of going with 16GB of RAM and varying levels of storage, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

What about gaming?

The 10th Gen Intel "Ice Lake" Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs feature integrated Iris Plus Graphics that can deliver a satisfying gaming experience. Don't expect the Pro 7 to beat out a gaming rig with hefty dedicated GPU, but you will still be able to use it for medium gaming.

On the other hand, the Core i3 CPU is still stuck with Intel UHD Graphics. It's not going to offer as good of a gaming experience as the higher-end CPUs. Keep that in mind if you're intent on using your 2-in-1 for some fun when the work is done.