Microsoft Surface Pro 12.3" 7+ 2021, Core i5-1135G7, 8GB, 256GB SSD, Platinum

The Surface Pro 7+ is a featherweight Windows tablet that punches above its weight for business use, but the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage are dealbreakers for power users. Buy it for the portability and the removable SSD, not the specs.

The Core i5-1135G7 here sits at the 23rd percentile for CPU performance in our database, which sounds rough until you remember this is a 1.7-pound tablet. The Iris Xe graphics are middle of the pack at 49th percentile, so light photo editing and streaming are fine, but don't expect to game on this thing. Gaming score is 6.3 out of 100, which is basically Microsoft saying 'we know you weren't buying this for that.' The 8GB of RAM is the real bottleneck at 14th percentile, and 256GB of storage at 16th percentile means you'll be leaning on cloud storage or that removable SSD slot sooner than later. What surprised me is how well the whole package holds together despite those individual weak spots. The screen is a standout at 85th percentile, and that 2736x1824 resolution on a 12.3-inch panel is crisp enough to make spreadsheets almost pleasant.

Against something like the MSI Prestige 13, the Surface Pro 7+ gives up a lot of raw CPU and RAM headroom but wins on portability and that detachable form factor. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i are in a completely different universe for gaming and heavy workloads, but they're also twice the weight and not tablets. The Apple MacBook Pro M4 Max is faster in every measurable way, but it's also a traditional clamshell and costs a fortune. If you need a Windows tablet that can be a laptop when you need it, the Surface Pro 7+ is still the default answer. If you just need a laptop, buy a laptop.

This is a tough one because the Surface Pro 7+ isn't cheap once you add the keyboard cover, and the specs look dated next to modern ultrabooks. But if you need a Windows tablet that can dock into a desktop setup and travel light, it's still a solid buy. Just don't pay full retail for it. The business-focused features like the removable SSD and LTE option are what you're really paying for, not raw performance.

The Surface Pro 7+ is Microsoft doing what it does best: making a tablet that actually works as a laptop. This thing weighs 1.7 pounds and still runs full Windows 10 Pro, which is kind of wild when you think about it. The 11th Gen Core i5 and Iris Xe graphics aren't going to blow anyone away on paper, but for the business crowd this was built for, it's the right tool. The removable SSD is a nice touch for IT departments that care about data security, and the optional LTE means you're not hunting for coffee shop Wi-Fi all day.

If you're looking for a gaming machine, this isn't it. The 6.3 out of 100 gaming score should tell you everything. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 or a Lenovo Legion Pro instead. If you need serious multitasking with dozens of browser tabs and heavy apps, the 8GB RAM will frustrate you daily. And if you just want a traditional laptop, skip the Surface tax and buy a regular ultrabook with better specs for less money.

The Surface Pro 7+ is a niche product that nails its niche. It's not for gamers, not for video editors, and not for people who want a desktop replacement. It's for business travelers, students who take handwritten notes, and anyone who wants one device that can be a tablet, a laptop, and a desktop with a dock. The 8GB RAM and 256GB storage are the weak points, so if you can find a 16GB model, get that instead. But for what it is, it's still the best Windows 2-in-1 you can buy.