As more leaks appear for the new Microsoft Surface Pro 8, our understanding of what hardware specs to expect increases.
The latest on the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 indicates that the upcoming generation will come with a minimum of 8GB RAM, even for the "entry-level" models.
8GB RAM Minimum for Surface Pro 8
Microsoft Surface Pro users will rejoice with the news that even the cheapest option of the updated Surface Pro line-up is receiving a substantial memory boost.
Currently, the cheapest Surface Pro 7 configuration, which includes an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor, is only available with 4GB RAM.
Although 4GB RAM is okay, 8GB is fast becoming the de facto standard for laptops and desktops, as programs and apps, and even the operating system itself requires more processing power. With 8GB RAM to play with, most users will never encounter a lack of memory.
The latest information, seen on WinFuture, indicates that the cheapest Surface Pro 8 configuration will ship with an 11th generation Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD. As with the previous Surface Pro generation, the entry-level configuration is the only option that will feature an Intel Core i3 processor.
The premium Surface Pro 8 configuration, using an 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor, will come with a minimum of 16GB RAM, plus SSD storage options of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. There is also a 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage option too.
The full list of currently known Surface Pro 8 configuration is as follows:
- Intel Core i3, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
- Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
- Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Intel Core i5, LTE, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
- Intel Core i5, LTE, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Intel Core i5, LTE, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD
- Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD
- Intel Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
There could well be more Microsoft Surface Pro 8 configurations to join the current list.
Not the First Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Leak
Although there is no current release date for the Microsoft Surface Pro 8, the list of potential configurations for the new generation is promising. It is also not the first leak relating to the new hardware.
In early December 2020, we reported on a Geekbench 5 benchmark test leak that appeared to show an unspecified Microsoft device using an 11th generation Tiger Lake Intel Core i7-1185G7, a quad-core processor with a base frequency of 3.0GHz and a maximum frequency of 4.80GHz.
The benchmark also showed the device using 32GB RAM, which would tally with the expected specs for the flagship Microsoft Surface Pro 8.
So, when will the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 hit the shelves? If previous Surface Pro launches are anything to go by, the smart money is on October 2021.