Microsoft’s newest slate features a modernized look with slimmer bezels, making it the Surface Pro’s largest visual redesign in years. The Surface Pro 8 is more than just an incremental update. The excellent 2-in-1 touts Thunderbolt 4 support, a 120Hz display, a better camera, and a more modern design. The new Surface Pro 8 is Microsoft’s biggest upgrade in years.

New sensor that adjusts the display temperature based on ambient lighting.

Microsoft says the battery should last up to 16 hours.

Larger, 13-inch display with higher 2880 x 1920 resolution (up from 12.3-inch).

10MP rear-facing camera, with 1080p and 4K video.

11th-gen Intel quad-core Core CPUs, starting with i5 instead of i3.

You can double the refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz.

With all that said, is it worth upgrading or picking up the Pro 8 over the last-gen model when it launches on October 5th? To help make your decision a little easier, we’ve put together the comparison below based on specs and our initial impressions of the Surface Pro 8. And that’s also before you factor in the cost of Microsoft’s new stylus and detachable keyboard, two add-ons that are more like necessities if you intend to use the 2-in-1 as advertised. Whereas the Surface Pro 7 starts at $549.99, the Surface Pro 8 starts at $1,099.99, meaning it’s nearly double the price. The new 2-in-1 machine boasts a 120Hz display, Thunderbolt 4 support, and new processors, but all of those improvements come at a cost - literally. During its recent Surface event, Microsoft launched the largest upgrade of its flagship Intel-powered Surface Pro lineup in years: the Surface Pro 8.

Microsoft pro pen