The Microsoft Surface Pro 7, first released in 2019, remains a compelling option in 2023 for those looking for a portable and capable 2-in-1 device. Powered by 10th generation Intel Core processors and up to 16GB of RAM, the Surface Pro 7 balances performance, battery life and lightweight design to deliver a versatile Windows experience.
Premium Design and Build Quality
The Surface Pro 7 retains the iconic Microsoft industrial design, with a slim magnesium alloy body weighing just 1.7 pounds. The choice of metal and glass gives it a sturdy yet premium look and feel. It measures 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches, making it easy to slip into a bag.
Multiple color options are offered, but fingerprints and scratches can be an issue on the matte black model, so using a protective case is recommended. Conveniences like the built-in kickstand, magnetic charging port, and Type Cover keyboard attachment points give you flexibility to use the Surface Pro 7 as a laptop or tablet.
Vibrant 12.3" Display Great for Game Streaming
The 12.3” PixelSense touch display renders images crisply at a resolution of 2736 x 1824. Colors pop nicely and it gets sufficiently bright, rated at up to 400 nits. While the bezels are still relatively thick, it’s great for watching videos or browsing content.
The stereo speakers provide decent audio output while video chatting, listening to music or gaming without headphones. The kickstand allows you to prop up the Surface Pro 7 on a desk, while the display size makes it well-suited for game streaming.
Usable Casual Gaming Performance
Available processor options range from Intel Core i3 up to Core i7, with integrated Intel UHD or Iris Plus graphics. The unit tested by reviewers had a Core i5, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. It handled office workloads like Word, Excel, PowerPoint smoothly, along with light image editing and web browsing with dozens of open browser tabs.
The SSD delivers quick load times for apps and files. The overall experience is snappy, thanks to the optimized Windows 11 OS. While the Iris Plus GPU enables some casual gaming, it cannot run intensive modern 3D games well.
Here is a look at frame rates achieved in some popular games:
| Game | Graphics | FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | Low | 47fps |
| Rocket League | Medium | 54fps |
| CS:GO | High | 96fps |
So less demanding competitive titles like CS:GO and Rocket League are very playable. Demanding games like Elden Ring or God of War Ragnarok will not run well though. Using cloud gaming services can help significantly improve playability of graphically-intensive games.
Long-Lasting Battery for Gaming Sessions
Microsoft claims up to 10.5 hours of typical device usage on the Surface Pro 7. In practical testing, it delivered between 6 to 8 hours of continuous work involving web browsing, streaming media and office productivity apps.
When gaming, the battery life is reduced of course depending on the game‘s demands, but you can still get a few hours in before needing to charge. This allows you to comfortably use it for mobile gaming or a long trip without having to plug it in frequently.
Convenient Features like Windows Hello
The Surface Pro 7 is equipped with handy features that improve the user experience. Windows Hello face sign-in uses infrared cameras to quickly and securely unlock the device just by looking at it. Other niceties include a 5MP front-facing camera for sharp video calls.
Despite its age, the Surface Pro 7 runs the latest Windows 11 operating system smoothly. The touch screen, Type Cover trackpad and Surface Pen allow you to interact with Windows in various modes.
Boosting Gaming Credentials with Accessories
While not a gaming laptop replacement, the Surface Pro 7 can provide a decent casual gaming experience either natively or when streaming games from the cloud. Here are some accessories that can take it to the next level:
Gaming Keyboard and Mouse – Pairing the Surface Pro 7 with a gaming keyboard and high DPI gaming mouse can greatly improve controls and precision in fast-paced competitive gameplay. Mechanical keyboards also provide superior tactile feedback.
External GPU Enclosure – Connecting an external GPU via the Surface Dock can significantly boost gaming performance by up to 8X. Options like the Razer Core X enable you to run AAA games at high FPS.
Controller Support – For a console-like gaming experience, Xbox One or PS5 controllers can easily be used with the Surface Pro 7 via Bluetooth. Useful for action RPGs and platformers.
Portable Monitor – Dual monitor setups greatly enhance immersion and productivity. Portable USB-C monitors from ASUS and Lepow pack slim to let you game anywhere with the Surface Pro 7.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 holds up remarkably well even 3 years after its release. It offers a refined design, vivid display, ample performance and long battery life in a slim and light form factor. If you need a highly portable machine that can tackle office work, media, content creation and casual gaming, the Surface Pro 7 certainly fits the bill.
It‘s priced affordably now, often available for $600 new and even cheaper refurbished. While not equivalent to a pure gaming laptop, accessories can really unlock the Surface Pro 7‘s gaming potential for playing popular esports and streaming AAA titles seamlessly. Compared to the Surface Pro 8, you sacrifice the Thunderbolt 4 ports and removable SSD, but gain a standard USB-A port and headphone jack.
So if those legacy ports are necessities and you‘d like to game on the go, the Surface Pro 7 warrants strong consideration in 2023 as a versatile 2-in-1. Pair it with some gaming accessories and Xbox Cloud Gaming, and you can both work productively and play from anywhere.