Microsoft Surface Pro 8 announced with new Slim Pen 2 & 120Hz display

The new Microsoft Surface Pro 8 offers a litany of improvements over its predecessor and it's coming alongside Windows 11 on October 5.

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Just ahead of the launch of its upcoming Windows 11 operating system, Microsoft had a few special new products to show off for the upcoming launch. The Surface Pro touchscreen PC has proven to be a versatile piece of portable technology for Windows work, recreation, and overall operation, and soon a new version will be joining the lineup. Microsoft just revealed the new Surface Pro 8 with a new Slim Pen 2 accessory and up to 120Hz display. It’s set to launch in early October.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 was announced during a special Microsoft Event livestream on September 22, 2021, dedicated to the Surface line of products. The Surface Pro 8 is quite an improvement over the previous device. The topline is that while it will run natively at 60Hz, its display is capable of up to 120Hz during touchscreen and pen-based operation, providing a next level reactivity in input and response. To best take advantage of this, the Slim Pen 2 was also announced, bringing precision input and even haptic feedback to the digital interface accessory. The device will also feature two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports for connection to a multitude of further devices.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 was also given a launch date and price as of the Microsoft Event today. It will be retailing at a starting price of $1099, and the release date is set for October 5, 2021. This will coincide with the official launch of Windows 11, which the Surface Pro 8 will be packaged with. Preorders for the Surface Pro 8 have also opened up now if you want to secure one ahead of time.

With the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 coming out alongside Windows 11 at the start of October and the upgraded 120Hz display to go with it, it’s looking like a strong portable product to go alongside Microsoft’s new operating system. Stay tuned as we continue to follow both the new Surface Pro 8 and Windows 11 for further any further updates and details.

Senior News Editor

TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on Twitter @JohnnyChugs.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    September 22, 2021 9:25 AM

    TJ Denzer posted a new article, Microsoft Surface Pro 8 announced with new Slim Pen 2 & 120Hz display

    • reply
      September 22, 2021 5:16 AM

      Microsoft Surface Event
      11am ET

      https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/event?icid=mscom_marcom_H1a_SurfaceEvent

      Windows 11 releases in just under 2 weeks (Oct. 5th), so the integration with that may play a big role today. other rumors include an ARM based Surface X Pro, 120Hz display Pro 8 with thunderbolt, new Book 4, and maybe an updated Duo 2.

      I literally don't care about any of this, I want the damn Neo with current day specs and a 2021 release!

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 5:27 AM

        The book with 120hz and thunderbolt would be perfect.

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          September 22, 2021 5:53 AM

          I have the Book 3 and it's the tits but yeah that would be a nice update. one thing I would LOVE to see is being able to detach the keyboard but still be able to use it via bluetooth. I'm all about the keyboard shortcuts with my left hand while drawing with my right.

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            September 22, 2021 6:34 AM

            I have the 2, and after using my gsync for a while it is fucking painful going back to 60. That and its sluggish now with the windows 11 beta. Not sure why as they all have ssd's. The Bluetooth keyboard idea is a great one!

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 7:49 AM

          New Book supposedly doesn't have a detachable screen. Instead the screen pulls forward and covers the keyboard for tablet mode. It also is supposed to have a NVidia 30xx GPU in it.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 5:44 AM

        All these specs are great, but they never give enough ram and hdd in the base model forcing you to add another $500 to increase them which puts it out of my price range.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 7:05 AM

        Those arm chips basically shit on enterprise software though.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 7:32 AM

        I want to be excited about Windows on ARM but MS’s half assed approach to it so far hasn’t given me any reason to be excited about it.

        I’m back in the Apple ecosystem at this point after being a pretty die hard Surface user for quite some time.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 7:40 AM

        I want an amd based surface pro, screw intel's integrated graphics monopoly on tablets

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 7:57 AM

        yo I love this intro music. super fucking chill.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:03 AM

        Just get on with showing us the new shit dude!

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:05 AM

        Duo 2 in background! In Black!

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 8:35 AM

          i want one of these so bad. but i don't need it. i just want to finally own a Microsoft Courier

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:05 AM

        zomg a mouse!

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:06 AM

        I wonder if the Neo is dead.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:06 AM

        How many buzzwords can we cram into each sentence?!

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:11 AM

        [deleted]

        • rms legacy 10 years legacy 20 years mercury super mega
          reply
          September 22, 2021 8:18 AM

          So bring on haptic mice!

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          September 22, 2021 8:19 AM

          I had to step away did they say if the haptics worked on the new Surface Go?

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:12 AM

        This new Pen is pretty impressive.

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          September 22, 2021 8:18 AM

          Yeah, it's the most interesting thing so far

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:16 AM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:17 AM

        [deleted]

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        September 22, 2021 8:21 AM

        I do appreciate and think that MS is doing some of the best top tier work in accessibility.

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 8:23 AM

          MS has been about accessibility for quite a while now. They have speakers at their events who aren’t perfect - speech impediments, stutters, etc. Great to see them continuing to focus on and spend a lot of time showcasing their work in events like this.

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        September 22, 2021 8:24 AM

        DUO 2 TIME!

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 8:31 AM

          It looks neat, bit still seems like it would be kinda tough to use

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:30 AM

        Duo 2 looks like a nice iteration (not sure about curved screens, gross) but I’m personally not interested while it’s running Android.

        Someone’s gonna make a good foldable soon, we’re getting really close!

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        September 22, 2021 8:33 AM

        I need a new private notebook. I've been on the xps13 series for a while now and very happy with it but I'm open for a new mbp if the rumors are true and they fixed they trash keyboard, have proper ports and a new display. Same with Ms surface. If it's good I'll consider it.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:35 AM

        whoa. rad as fuck

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 8:51 AM

          single SKU for that, it seems? what's pricing on it and the dock/breakout box?

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:36 AM

        Surface studio laptop thing looks nice.
        I do feel like 8t has around 400 hinges that could vreak... bit still

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:36 AM

        I love everything about the Duo 2, but thinking about how I would use it, and how i use my current phone, I don't think it is right for me. Pixel 6 Pro for me I guess.. :)

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:37 AM

        [deleted]

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        September 22, 2021 8:39 AM

        That’s a thick girl and I hate the idea of having all the components back in the base - It’s gonna be hot AF on your lap.

        That said, the concept is really awesome and is waaaaay better than the Surface Book style solution. Surely they have metrics that show that pretty much no one detached the screen from their Book

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 8:42 AM

          Also, haptic touchpad. Fucking finally!

          Easily the best part of MacBook.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:45 AM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:49 AM

        [deleted]

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 8:51 AM

        Did they say what pricing was for the Surface Studio Laptop? I’m not going to get one but I’m curious. I imagine it’ll be in line with what Book was.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 9:21 AM

        I still have a windows 8 system, probably should upgrade that to ten before its too late.


        It's just an old server that runs all the time.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 9:26 AM

        I'll be holding on to my SP7 for a while longer yet. The new pen was one of the more interesting things on display today and I don't use my Slim Pen 1 anywhere near as much as I had expected to.

        Oh well.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 9:29 AM

        Duo 2 with 8GB/128GB $1499. - Pass.

        • reply
          September 22, 2021 9:32 AM

          I just looked at the prices and yeah. Ouch. I wasn't going to get one, but now I'm REALLY not going to get one.

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 10:06 AM

        no real update to the Surface Pro X?

      • reply
        September 22, 2021 10:13 AM

        Love the look of the Duo 2. The price is steep, but need to upgrade from my Duo 1 so that I can have the improved cameras.

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