Microsoft Surface Pro 6 vs. 7

In a world where electronics fight tooth and nail to be the best, the Microsoft Surface Pro has found a comfortable spot. With the release of the Surface Pro 7 in late 2019, the company renewed its line of detachable. The newest model succeeded the Surface Pro 6, which Microsoft released in 2018.

The Surface Pro 7 retains these two-in-one Microsoft tablets’ fundamental qualities while offering several improvements over the Surface Pro 6.

What is the Microsoft Surface Pro?

Microsoft Surface is a series of communicative whiteboards and personal computers based on touchscreens.

To make it simpler, you could say that the Surface Pro series consists of intelligent tablets that can perform a computer’s functions. These dual-purpose devices are dependent on Windows as their operating system. The Surface Pro line was introduced in 2013 with the launch of the Surface Pro 2-in-1 detachable.

The Surface Pro line has almost identical performance to the line of Microsoft Surface laptops. The main difference between a full-fledged laptop and a detachable lies in their foundational CPU and the highest GPU clock speed.

If you are searching for a flexible device that can accompany you anywhere you go, the Surface Pro 6 or 7 are ideal.

Design, Features, and Build

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is undoubtedly an improvement over the Surface Pro 6, if not by a huge margin. The design, features, and build of the two devices share some vital aspects while vastly different in others.

Design

When asked to tell the design variance between the Surface Pro 6 and 7, you may discover there is not much to note! Both the models exhibit the familiar design style and construction of the Surface series by Microsoft.

The design of the two tablets is sleek and classy, with no unnecessary bulk. You can get yourself either of the two in Platinum. Microsoft offers the Surface Pro 6 in black, while the Surface Pro 7 has a stylish matte black option.

Build

The Surface Pro 6 and the Surface Pro 7 come with undoubtedly the smoothest and most flexible kickstand available today. There is not much of a noticeable difference between the two variants when it comes to the build. The size and weight of both devices are more or less the same.

The tablets are shaped using silver-grey magnesium, producing thin and lightweight yet highly robust devices. Both tablets are an elegant blend of fine glass and metal.

The two detachable models have an identical 12.3-inch display. Thanks to the 3:2 aspect ratio and crisp 2736 x 1824 resolution, it is incredibly beneficial in terms of productivity. It comes down to 267 pixels held in every inch.

The displays of the two models wield the latest Pixelsense technology, creating a thin, fine panel for all the images to pop. It also creates an ideal surface for using a pen or stylus. It also ensures that every time you touch the screen, you feel as natural as possible.

Connectivity

So far, it may seem to you that the successor of the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 has not introduced any major developments. However, one aspect that the Surface Pro 7 has indeed improved is the connectivity.

The Surface Pro 6 as well as 7 sport the same Surface Connect and USB-A ports. The latter switches the Mini DisplayPort of the Surface 6 for USB-C connectivity. However, it comes without Thunderbolt 3, which can prove to be a put-off for some people.

Compatibility

The Surface Pro 6 and the Surface Pro 7 are both compatible with the same voluntary Type Cover. The keyboard serves you with a precise and accurate mechanism and steady backlighting.

It has an excellent and adequately sensitive Microsoft Precision touchpad, available with all the necessary support for Windows 10 gestures. You may find the touchpad to be a little smaller than convenient, but it is pretty handy and easily usable nonetheless.

Similarly, the two models are compatible with the Surface Pen as well. It comes with the typical 4096 levels of sensitivity to pressure, quick response time, and admirable tilt support.

Performance

The most significant difference between the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 and the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is performance. The company swapped the former’s Intel 8^th Gen ‘Kaby Lake R’ CPUs with the latter’s 10^th Gen ‘Ice Lake’ chips.

The CPU of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is, therefore, a faster and far more efficient processor with Intel Iris Pro graphics that challenge entry-level discrete graphics in terms of performance.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 will not serve you as the best gaming laptop, but it can shoulder casual games. It is also a decent device for apps focusing on creativity, such as photo and video editing programs. In fact, the Surface Pro 7 provides far better performance than the Surface Pro 6 in this area.

If you plan on using the Surface Pro 7 for your gaming endeavors, you will notice a vastly better deliverance on the Core i7 configuration. It makes use of the integrated G7 graphics core offered by Intel.

If you wish to take a technical approach, you must know that the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 fares better than its predecessor in multi-core performance. It also has quicker 4K video conversions.

Battery Life

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 has unbeatable performance, but the Surface Pro 6 flaunts a better and longer battery life. The tenth generation CPU inevitably drains the battery faster than the eighth generation CPU of the Surface Pro 6.

The battery of the Surface Pro 6 lasts for approximately 13.5 hours. On the other hand, the Surface Pro 7 runs for only 10.5 hours at an estimate.

Should You Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Or the Surface Pro 7?

The Microsoft Surface Pro is a rather old model, so of course, it will not be the most viable buy in the long run. Additionally, it is available only through third-party sellers and dealers such as Amazon. You may find that the cost of the Surface Pro 6 may exceed its value in terms of features, performance, and age.

The best of the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 offers a range of higher specs. It has an Intel Core i7 chip, 1 TB of total SSD storage space, and 16 GB of RAM. The price tag that comes with it is not light either, but you get exactly what you pay for.

With both models, you need to factor in the cost of the optional elements when discerning the total value for the price.

As you have read already, the Surface Pro 6 has a better battery life than the Surface Pro 7. When deciding which one to buy, you may want to consider whether you desire top-tier performance abilities or need good battery life.

The Microsoft Surface detachable is ideal for office work or creative projects, with sufficient features to support you. They are excellent even for academic purposes. However, if your primary requirement is gaming, it would be best to look at other options.

Pros and Cons of the Microsoft Surface Pro 6

As you may have gauged, there is not much to focus on when you look at the differences between the two models. However, each does have specific pros and cons. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the Microsoft Surface Pro 6:

Pros

• Longer battery life
• Sleek design

Cons

• Weaker CPU
• Old model

Pros and Cons of the Surface Pro 7

Now that you have taken a look at the benefits and drawbacks of the Microsoft Surface Pro 6, it is time to do the same for the Surface Pro 7.

Pros

• Attractive design
• Powerful and faster CPU
• More efficient performance

Cons

• Shorter battery life

Final Verdict

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is not a significant improvement over the Surface Pro 6, but it is a better performer. The biggest change lies in the CPU, with the Surface Pro 7’s tenth generation unit making it far more efficient and reliable.

The Surface Pro models have a slender design in subtle shades that give it a modern appearance. The Microsoft Surface 7, with its updates over the Surface Pro 6, performs just as well as any other device in this range.

It is always better to “future-proof” yourself with a newer model, so it is worth considering that you go for the Surface Pro 7. However, if you need a flexible device for light usage extending over a lengthy period, the Surface Pro 6 is your best bet.

Ultimately, the value of your choice will come from its price. Make sure you assess all aspects before making a decision!

Check Price for Microsoft Surface Pro 6 on Amazon
Check Price for Microsoft Surface Pro 7 on Amazon