Once upon a time, laptops and tablets – two very different types of devices separated by very different specifications, functions and prices. But in 2020, these two contrasting machines came together into one, giving users the best of both worlds when it comes to the best laptops of the year.
And with the right accessories, some of the most impressive tablets can be turned into fully functional 2-in-1 devices – but which one strikes the right balance between your needs? We’re here to help you determine which is the best buy: the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. From format to battery life, we’ll break down everything you need to know.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book S (Intel) review
We also like that not everyone has the same requirements when it comes to a hybrid laptop, so we picked two awesome 2-in-1 deals from some of the biggest names in IT and compared them on everything from their touchscreens to ports and connectivity options. This way, you can make the most informed decision based on the information below.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7: DESIGN AND USE
(Image credit: Microsoft)
In terms of weight, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is the lighter of the two, weighing in at around 1.27 pounds compared to the slightly heavier Microsoft Surface Pro 7 at 1.7 pounds. Expect these weights to fluctuate if you go for the higher versions.
As for the dimensions, the Surface Pro 7 is really slim at just 0.33 inch while the Tab S7 is even thinner at just 0.24 inch. Of course, it’s two tablets at the base, so thickness will never be much of an issue (although it’s good to consider the extra thickness that a keyboard shell will add to its profile).
The Surface Pro 7 transforms from a tablet to a laptop with its built-in kickstand – perfect for working from home – while the removable Type Cover makes word processing a smooth and ergonomic experience. The Tab 7 works best with the official keyboard shell, which can be adjusted 165 degrees to give you all the positioning options you need to transform your tablet. Just keep in mind that this device doesn’t come cheap and will likely set you back over $ 200.
The Tab S7 features Quad speaker sound by AKG and Dolby Atmos for more complete overall sound, and supports Galaxy Live Buds and connectivity with the Galaxy Watch range. The Surface Pro 7 ships with 1.6W stereo speakers which aren’t as impressive, but it does have two far-field studio mics for Zoom calls and basic podcasting needs.
In terms of looks, the Surface Pro 7 comes in a sleek platinum or black finish with color accentuation coming from the choice of detachable keyboard or wireless mouse you use with the device – which are available in black. very attractive, charcoal or red. The Tab S7 itself comes in a variety of colors, including Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, and – you guessed it – Mystic Bronze.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7: DISPLAY
(Image credit: Samsung)
As tablets at heart, these 2 in 1 laptops have impressive screens as one of their main features. Both feature capacitive touchscreens, with the Surface Pro 7 shaping up around a 12.3-inch display supporting precise input from the Surface Pen (sold separately, of course), which automatically adapts to changing conditions. lighting in which it is currently operating.
This PixelSense display has a resolution of 2736 x 1824 (257 ppi), an aspect ratio of 3: 2 and a 10 point multi-touch function. It’s great for almost any task you’d expect from a high-end 2-in-1, including word processing, Netflix streaming, online shopping, and a bit of light gaming.
The Tab S7 also comes with an impressive display to its name, including an LTPS LCD touchscreen, with 2560 x 1600 resolution, 500 nits (276 dpi) brightness, DCI-P3 color gamut, and certification. of low blue light. It’s a vibrant display, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate that adapts to your conditions while saving battery power while you work.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7: SPECIFICATIONS AND OPTIONS
(Image credit: Microsoft)
In terms of processing power, the Tab S7 comes with a very respectable Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus mobile platform, which makes it ideal for all your daily tasks, multiple tabs browsing the internet, streaming movies and even a bit. Lightweight gaming (even more if you upgrade to Tab S7 Plus with its improved specs). Between versions, you can expect processor speeds of 3.09 GHz, 2.4 GHz or. 1.8 GHz
The Surface Pro 7 has a few more CPU configurations, including the base 10th Gen Intel Core i3 dual-core processor, as well as the option to upgrade to a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 quad-core processor – this The latter really makes a difference in terms of app switching, menu navigation, and light gaming.
In terms of memory, the Surface Pro 7 supports multiple configurations from 4GB and 8GB up to 16GB LPDDR4x RAM. Its storage comes in the form of a fast SSD with options of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB depending on onboard storage needs (we would go for the latter if you want it to be a heavy-duty machine. ‘applications). The Tab S7 is a bit more limited in this area, with 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, and support for 102.7GB of additional memory (and support for up to 1TB of storage additional via MicroSD).
Graphics aren’t nearly as important for tablet-centric 2-in-1s like the Surface Pro 7 and Tab S7, but that doesn’t mean they don’t take advantage of some of the best GPUs in computing. mobile. The Tab S7 offers decent performance and will handle most basic tasks as well as some of the more demanding games such as PUGB or Call of Duty: Mobile.
The Surface Pro 7 comes with a variety of graphics configurations, with the choice of an Intel UHD Graphics (i3) or an Intel Iris Plus Graphics (in the i5 or i7 varieties). Even the basic versions can cope with heavy web browsing and light gaming. In fact, the Surface Pro 7 and Tab S7 can cope with mobile-focused graphics applications when paired with a supported stylus.
The Tab S7 comes with the latest version of Android, so you know your 2-in-1 is optimized for all of your mobile computing needs. Surface Pro 7 comes with an optimized version of Windows 10 Home, as well as a 30-day hands-on trial of Microsoft 365 for your overall Microsoft Office needs (including SharePoint and more).
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7: FEATURES AND PORTS
(Image credit: Samsung)
Fortunately, the Surface Pro 7 and Tab S7 have plenty of connectivity options despite their small form factor. The Surface Pro 7 has everything to choose from, including a USB-C port, USB-A port, Surface Connect port, Surface Type Cover port, MicroSDXC card reader for expanded storage options, and a headphone jack 3 , 5 mm. The Tab S7 doesn’t have as many plug-in connectivity options as its competitor, with a single USB 3.2 (Gen 1) port to its name and a standard headphone jack.
The Surface Pro 7 packs a bunch of cool features, including a 5MP front camera and a rear-facing 8MP autofocus camera, capable of recording videos in Full HD 1080p. Each setup also comes with an ambient light sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer (a common set of sensors for models in the larger Surface line).
In terms of sensors, the Tab S7 matches the Surface Pro 7 in most areas (and a few others) with an accelerometer, fingerprint sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, and a RGB light sensor. The Tab S7 also comes with a dual camera setup, with a 13MP main camera and an ultra-wide 5MP offering – so if capturing photos and videos on your tablet is your thing, the multiple modes showcased here (including Pro Video and Live Focus) will certainly appeal.
In terms of connectivity, Surface Pro 7 supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax compatible) and Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 to connect to all of your other smart devices. When it comes to security, Surface Pro 7 supports TPM firmware and enterprise-grade Windows Hello sign-in authentication. The Tab S7 comes with Samsung Knox, Samsung’s local security protocols, and supports Bluetooth 5.0, with higher configuration models also supporting 5G if you want to get away from access points and your connection. home wireless.
MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO 7 VS SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB S7: PRICE AND VERDICT
(Image credit: Microsoft)
As for the price, the Tab S7 comes with a suggested retail price of $ 849.99 for the base model with Wi-Fi support and 128GB of storage, although you can currently purchase one. for just $ 399.99 direct from the Samsung online store. For the 256GB version, you will currently pay $ 479.99 (RRP $ 929.99) and $ 579.99 (RRP $ 1029.99) for the 512GB version. Keep in mind that these prices may change there. it is therefore wise to take the suggested retail price as a starting point.
The Surface Pro 7 has a starting price of $ 749.99 for the base model, with a price of $ 799.99 direct from the Microsoft Store for the 128GB i5 version, up to $ 1199.99 for the configuration. 256 GB. Alternatively, for the i7 versions, prices range from $ 1299.99 to $ 2099.99 for the top configuration.
These are some of the more premium models in the 2-in-1 market, so you should expect to pay a price that reflects those specs and features. The Surface Pro 7 is one of the flagship models in Microsoft’s Surface lineup, which is why you can expect to pay over $ 2,000 for the top configuration. However, if you want a high-end tablet with the power to function as a hybrid laptop, you get what you pay for.
Keep in mind that you will likely need to invest in some significant accessories to get your 2-in-1 tablets ready, like compatible keyboards, so expect to pay a bit more to get the full experience.
You can find the lowest prices on any given model of Microsoft Surface Pro 7 or Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 by using our price locators below – you can use the filters to specify the specs you want.
