Microsoft Surface tablet that iPad aspires to be when it grows up is a whopping $412 off

2 min readUpdated May 28, 2025Dec 22, 20228:41 AM

In this article (5)

We have almost made it to the end of the year and surely deserve to treat ourselves to a little something with a lot of power. The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is one device that fits this description and the best part is that it’s currently on sale.

The Surface Pro 8 is a versatile portable device that easily morphs from a tablet to a laptop. It is very lightweight, ultraportable, and sturdy, and sports a 13-inch screen with a fluid refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen has a tall aspect ratio so there is more vertical room for viewing articles and working on text documents. There is also a kickstand for multiangle viewing.

The Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor powers the variant that Amazon has discounted. It provides ample performance for everyday tasks, including moderately heavy workloads, so it’s easy to recommend to students and professionals.

There are two USB-C ports with support for USB4 and Thunderbolt 4, ensuring fast data transfer rates.

Microsoft promises a battery life of 16 hours, and while it may not last this long for everyone, it will easily get you through a whole workday. The tablet’s cameras and microphone are also impressive and the device also has the Windows Hello facial recognition system.

What makes the Surface Pro 8 special is that it comes from a company that has a long history of making productivity-centric devices. Microsoft has successfully taken the best bits from laptop and tablet form factors for the ultimate portable experience, giving the Surface Pro 8 an edge over other top 2022 tablets.

The Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage has been marked down by 34 percent, meaning you can currently get it for $787.99 instead of $1,199.99.

That’s a seriously chunky discount for a modern-looking standalone productivity machine with a beautiful screen and promising battery life. This deal has been going on for a while and other variants have already sold out, so get this model while you can.

AdvertisementAdvertise with usMobile 320×100

What this means

Microsoft's deep discount on the Surface Pro 8 for $787.99 is a calculated move to capture market share, capitalising on consumer demand for versatile productivity devices. This aggressive pricing puts pressure on competitors, particularly those targeting professionals and students, who might find the 34 percent saving compelling. While Microsoft has focused on cloud infrastructure expansion in Asia, such as their new cloud region in Hyderabad, India, this consumer-facing promotion demonstrates a parallel strategy to drive hardware sales through e-commerce platforms like Amazon. The risk lies in whether this markdown cannibalises full-price sales or if it successfully introduces the device to a new segment. We should monitor sales figures and subsequent price adjustments across variants.

Aiko Tanaka · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What specifications does the discounted Microsoft Surface Pro 8 variant feature?

The discounted variant is powered by an Intel 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7 processor, includes 8GB of RAM, and offers 256GB of storage. It has a 13-inch screen and two USB-C ports.

How much of a discount is currently being offered on the Microsoft Surface Pro 8?

The Core i5 model is currently discounted by 34 percent, making its sale price $787.99 instead of its original price of $1,199.99. This represents a saving of $412.

What is the advertised battery life for the Surface Pro 8?

Microsoft promises a battery life of 16 hours for the Surface Pro 8. While this may vary, the device is expected to last through a typical workday for most users.

What features make the Surface Pro 8 suitable for productivity?

It combines laptop and tablet form factors, has a tall aspect ratio screen for more vertical space, and comes with a kickstand for multiangle viewing. The processor handles everyday tasks and moderately heavy workloads.

Reader pulse

Is this significant discount a smart move for Microsoft?

17,877 votes so far