Image: Microsoft

Nearly 10 years ago, on a hot June afternoon, I was standing on a Los Angeles street corner waiting to be let into a top-secret Microsoft briefing. On the floor, someone had chalked a line of rectangles, leading to the door. What did they mean? 

Those rectangles were the first sign of what was to become Microsoft's line of Surface devices, at first with the familiar 16:9 aspect ratio, but soon transitioning to a more tablet- and document-friendly 3:2. That display has been the heart of Surface and is key to understanding how Microsoft thinks of its devices: a surface where we interact with applications and content. 

Top: Surface RT (2012). Above: Surface Pro (2013).

Images: ZDNet

The LA launch (which was not gremlin-free) set the scene for Microsoft's arrival in the PC hardware market, with slim, lightweight tablets and removable keyboards, plus a built-in kickstand for use on desk and (more awkwardly) lap. The first Surfaces were touch-first Nvidia ARM-based devices, and were shortly followed by Intel-powered Pro models with pen support.

SEE: The best Surface PC: Which Windows 11-ready Surface device is right for you? 

Over the past decade, the Surface range has evolved from these beginnings to include laptop devices like the Surface Book and the Surface Laptop Studio, and even to foldable Surface Duo phones running Android. All have excellent displays, designed to show two documents side by side. 

Today's Surface family covers everything from robust educational laptops to slim lightweight always-connected devices, to creator-focused convertibles, to an all-in-one desktop PC and huge collaboration screens. There's a device for all budgets and for most use cases, with some models supporting 4G LTE connections and offering front-facing infrared-equipped webcams for Windows Hello facial authentication. 

Here's what the current line-up looks like.

Surface Pro 8 

Announced	September 2021
Form factor	2-in-1 detachable (13-inch)
Price (from)	$859.99 (consumer),$1,099 (business)

Image: Microsoft

The latest version of the classic Surface tablet, the Surface Pro 8 has a new design that makes it thinner and lighter, building on cues from the ARM-based Surface Pro X. It's a powerful machine, with an excellent screen and long battery life. You can add the familiar Type Cover removable keyboard, as well as a Surface Pen. 

SEE:Six reasons I'm replacing my Surface Pro 7 with a Surface Pro 8 

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

$859.99 at Microsoft

Surface Pro 7+ for Business

Announced	January 2021
Form factor	2-in-1 detachable (12.3-inch)
Price (from)	$699.99

Image: Microsoft

Microsoft's business-focused Surface Pro 7+, announced in January 2021, is the workhorse of the family. The last iteration of the design introduced with the Surface Pro 3, it was the first Intel-based Surface to have removable storage, allowing you to upgrade the built-in M.2 2230 SSD. 

SEE: Surface Pro 7+ for Business: Here's what makes it different 

Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ for Business

$699.99 at Microsoft

Surface Pro X 

Announced	October 2019 (SQ1), October 2020 (SQ2)
Form factor	2-in-1 detachable (13-inch)
Price (from)	$899.99 (consumer),$999.99 (business)

Image: Microsoft

The return of the ARM-based Surface, the Surface Pro X is a light and powerful machine that runs full Windows and supports x86 binaries as well as ARM apps on Microsoft's own SQ2 processor (a modified version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2). The versions announced in October 2020 came with built-in 4G LTE for always-on connectivity, with Microsoft adding a more affordable (-$150) Wi-Fi-only version in September 2021. 

SEE: Microsoft Surface Pro X review: Desirable but expensive hardware, work-in-progress software 

SEE: I upgraded the SSD in a Surface Pro X. This is how it went 

Microsoft Surface Pro X

$899.99 at Microsoft

Surface Go 3 

Announced	September 2021
Form factor	2-in-1 detachable (10.5-inch)
Price (from)	$399.99 (consumer),$499.99 (business)

Image: Microsoft

If the Surface Pro is Microsoft's pro tablet, the Surface Go is the consumer edition. The Surface Go 3, announced in September 2021, is small and light, and best thought of as a 10.5-inch version of the larger Surface Pro, with either a Pentium Gold or Core i3 processor. It's not the most powerful tablet on the market, but it is one of the cheapest and a 4G LTE option makes it a good option for a low-cost, carry-along device. 

SEE: Microsoft Surface Go 3 review: A portable and versatile 2-in-1, but battery life disappoints 

Microsoft Surface Go 3

$399.99 at Microsoft

Surface Laptop Studio 

Announced	September 2021
Form factor	Convertible laptop (14.4-inch)
Price (from)	$1,399.99 (consumer),$1,614.99 (business)

Images: Microsoft

The current Surface flagship, part of the wave of new hardware announced in September 2021, is the Surface Laptop Studio, which replaces the Surface Book. Instead of a removable screen, Microsoft has added a second hinge, so you can fold the display over the keyboard, turning the Laptop Studio into a 14-inch tablet. There's plenty of horsepower too, with an 11th generation Intel processor and a discrete Nvidia GPU. 

SEE: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio review: A true convertible, with designer appeal 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

$1,399.99 at Microsoft

Surface Laptop 4 

Announced	April 2021
Form factor	Laptop (13.5-inch, 15-inch)
Price (from)	$799.99 (consumer),$1,199.99 (business)

Image: Microsoft

The workhorse of the Surface range, the Surface Laptop 4 comes in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch versions, as well as with Intel or AMD processors. It's a great everyday machine, offering both touch and pen support in a lightweight laptop form factor. The latest versions have removable storage, making them easier to repair and upgrade. 

SEE: Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch, AMD) review: Sleek, stylish, speedy and sensible 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

$799.99 at Microsoft

Surface Laptop Go 

Announced	October 2020
Form factor	Laptop (12.4-inch)
Price (from)	$399.99 (consumer),$574.98 (business)

Image: Microsoft

The Surface Laptop Go is the budget Surface, built around Intel's Core i5 processor. It was the first Surface to use plastic components in its case, and also removed pen support to keep the cost down. Small and light, it's ideal for many home users and for education. Launched in October 2020, the Surface Laptop Go is among the oldest members of the current line-up. 

SEE: Surface Laptop Go: Microsoft's smaller, cheaper budget PC is easy to recommend 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go

$399.99 at Microsoft

Surface Laptop SE 

Announced	November 2021
Form factor	Laptop (11.6-inch)
Price (from)	$249 (education channels only)

Image: Microsoft

Unlike the rest of the Surface family, the Surface Laptop SE isn't available through traditional consumer channels. That's because it's designed for educational users, and is the Microsoft equivalent of a school-managed Chromebook. It runs the locked-down Windows 11 SE for Education operating system, which needs to be managed through Microsoft's Intune cloud-hosted management platform. The Surface Laptop SE was announced in 2021, but only became available for purchase from educational suppliers in early 2022. 

SEE: Microsoft introduces Windows 11 SE, new$250 Surface Laptop SE for education market 

Surface Duo 2 

Announced	September 2021
Form factor	Dual-screen phone (2x 5.8-inch, 1x 8.3-inch)
Price (from)	$999.99 (consumer),$1,549.99 (business)

Image: Microsoft

When Microsoft cancelled its Andromeda project, it was assumed the Surface phone would never appear. However, we're now two generations into Microsoft's folding phone experiment, with the Surface Duo 2 becoming available in October 2021. The second Android-powered Duo adds better cameras and a flagship-grade processor, as well as support for a built-in pen charger. Taking lessons from its Windows-based tablet stablemates, the Surface Duo 2 is a lot more than a phone