Microsoft Launches Surface Pro 7+ for Business, Sold Only via Channel

Microsoft has launched the Surface Pro 7+ for Business, a commercial version of its tablet-PC sold only through channel partners. Introduced this week, Microsoft engineered its latest Surface Pro for managed business and enterprise customers.

Unlike the bulk of its Surface Pro line, Microsoft isn’t selling the new device direct or through retailers. For managed environments, the Surface Pro 7+ for Business is bundled with Windows Autopilot and Microsoft Endpoint Manager. Windows 10 Pro comes standard on the new Surface Pro Tablet PC.

“From small and medium-sized businesses to the largest organizations, Surface Pro 7+ is purpose-built with the needs of our business and education customers in mind,” Robin Seiler, corporate VP for devices noted.

The Surface Pro 7+ for Business looks like the Surface Pro 7, though the 2-in-1 tablet PC has distinct features. It is designed with a removable SSD and is available with an LTE WWAN option. Configured with Intel’s new 11th generation core processors, it is the first Surface Pro available with 32 gigabytes of RAM.

A fanless configuration is available with LTE Advanced, which works with both eSIM and nano SIM options. Microsoft has expanded its eSIM ecosystem with wider geographic coverage, and the Surface Pro 7+ connects with more mobile operators, noted Tomer Katz, program manager in Microsoft’s commercial engineering group.

Microsoft’s Tomer Katz

“LTE Advanced can ensure reliable network and internet connections and works in tandem with built-in Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, to avoid dropped video calls and to provide resiliency when Wi-Fi connections aren’t reliable or available,” according to Katz explained in a post outlining the technical specs of the Surface Pro 7+.

Thermal Design Improvements Borrowed from Surface Pro X

Katz said it incorporates some of the design of the Surface Pro X, the ARM-based model introduced in late 2019. “The new thermal design is the most efficient and compact to date,” Katz said. “It uses graphite heat spreading, heat pipes and carbon composite materials along with larger vents. Consequently, the Surface Pro 7+ has room for a new 50.4 watt-per-hour battery, versus the Surface Pro 7’s 46 Wh. The result is a boost in capacity from 10.5 hours to 15 hours.

The Surface Pro 7+ also offers more flexible device management options, Katz added.

“Starting with device procurement, before devices are shipped using the Windows Autopilot service, Surface Pro 7+ can be placed under management and personalized with required apps and policies, enabling factory direct delivery to your users,” Katz said. “What stands out as top of mind for almost everyone, is ease of device deployment and manageability along with built in, chip to cloud security.”

The Surface Pro 7+ starts at $899 configured with an i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. At the high end, it is available with an i7 processor, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. The Advanced LTE option is only available with an i5 processor, either with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD or 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. Pricing is $1,149 and $1,649, respectively.

Microsoft showcased key LARs offering the Surface Pro 7+ including CDW, Connection, Insight, PCM, SHI, Softchoice, Staples Advantage, Verizon and Zones. It is also available through Microsoft’s network of solution providers.