Microsoft Surface devices are genuinely good hardware. They are well-built, integrate tightly with Microsoft 365, and hold up well in business environments. If you are considering Surface for your organization, here is what to know before you buy.
Which Surface Model Is Right for You
Microsoft makes several Surface models aimed at different use cases, and picking the wrong one creates frustration that lasts the life of the device.
- Surface Pro: A detachable 2-in-1 that works as both a tablet and a laptop. Strong choice for people who move between desk and meeting room frequently. Requires a Type Cover keyboard, sold separately, for comfortable laptop-style use.
- Surface Laptop: A traditional clamshell laptop with Surface build quality. Better battery life than the Pro in most use cases. The right choice if you mostly work at a desk or in a fixed location and do not need tablet functionality.
- Surface Go: A smaller, lighter, more affordable version of the Pro. Good for light workloads, travel, or users who primarily browse, take notes, and join meetings. Not suitable for demanding applications.
- Surface Studio: An all-in-one desktop designed for creative work. The tilting touchscreen and Surface Dial make it well-suited for design, video, and visual content work. Not a standard business device for most organizations.
Get the Dock
If Surface Pro or Surface Laptop users will connect to external monitors, keyboards, or wired ethernet at a desk, the Microsoft Surface Dock is worth the investment. It provides a single cable connection that handles power, display output, USB, and ethernet simultaneously.
Surface devices use a proprietary charging connector and a limited number of USB-C ports. Without a dock, desk setups involve a tangle of adapters. With a dock, connecting to a full desk setup takes one click.
Buy Directly From Microsoft
For business purchases, buying through Microsoft's commercial channel provides advantages that retail purchases do not. Business accounts get access to custom configurations, volume pricing, deployment services, and warranty options that include accidental damage protection.
Microsoft's commercial channel also allows you to pre-configure devices with your organization's Microsoft Intune settings, so new devices can be enrolled automatically when a user signs in. This is the foundation of zero-touch deployment: devices arrive ready to use without requiring IT to physically touch each one.
Practical Considerations Before Purchasing
Check that your required applications are compatible with the Surface model you are evaluating, particularly if you use specialized software. Verify that the processor tier you are considering has enough power for your workloads. The entry-level configurations of some Surface models are noticeably slower than mid-tier configurations, and the price difference is often small relative to the total cost of the device over its lifespan.
Surface devices running Windows 11 work naturally with Microsoft Intune for device management and Microsoft Autopilot for deployment. If your organization is already in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, Surface fits into that environment better than almost any other hardware vendor.