A Tablet Or A Laptop? The Microsoft Surface Is Both

The Microsoft Surface line of devices has caused quite a stir in the tech community. Is the Microsoft Surface a tablet or a laptop? In this article, we answer that question.

Across industries, the shift to remote and hybrid productivity was a tipping point to redefine the future of how we work, collaborate and learn outside physical office spaces or classrooms. We have seen a significant increase in the reliance on technology to keep organisations connected. In the past year, Surface usage within enterprise organisations nearly doubled, driven by strong growth in the use of collaboration and productivity apps to maintain business continuity.

As a company, Microsoft is committed to designing technology that fosters productivity, creativity and connection to empower people to be successful wherever they work and learn in an office or classroom, or remotely. The Surface line of devices embraces just that.

Covered In This Article:

The Perfect Hybrid For You
Security Where It Counts
There Is A Surface For You
Surface For Business
Surface Embraces The Windows Ecosystem

A Tablet Or A Laptop? Microsoft Surface Is The Perfect Hybrid For You

To answer this question that this article poses, the Microsoft Surface range embraces the 2-in-1 concept and offers the mobility and interactiveness of a tablet with the performance and power of a laptop.

For the latest and greatest Windows hardware on the market, look no further than Microsoft's Surface brand. Best known for innovative, tablet-like designs, Microsoft has expanded its Surface line over the years and now offers a full family of computers.

But with so many to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Just like a hammer has a purpose in a toolbox, so does each Surface device. Whether you’re plotting and planning your latest campaign with your team in the boardroom or working remotely from a coffee shop, there is a solution for you.

A Tablet Or A Laptop? Either Way, There's Security Where It Counts

Surface with Microsoft 365 provides unique protection at the front line. To provide a few illustrations of how devices may be vulnerable and how this new level of protection can support organisations and frontline workers. Here are a few commonplace examples:

Stolen Device

• Data on the hard drive is encrypted. Surface devices ship with BitLocker drive encryption enabled by default, so the data on the hard drive cannot be accessed without credentials or the encryption key. Even if the hard drive is removed from the device and inserted into a new device, it cannot be decrypted.
• USB booting is prevented because the organization used Microsoft Endpoint Manager to proactively turn off the ability to boot from USB through the firmware-level control that the Surface device offers.
• There is zero access to data even if the SSD is removed. If a Surface’s removable SSD is tampered with, the device will shut off power, erasing any residual data in its memory. Since the device is cloud-managed, the organisation can remote wipe all the machine’s contents.

Malicious Intent

• A Zero Trust approach means that even if a device is authenticated, the current user profile can only access data and content they have permissions for. The retail establishment assumes that a breach is always possible and maintains strict controls over data access. Conditional access capabilities in Microsoft 365 prevent data leakage from both internal and external actors.
• Any unusual behavior on the device is automatically detected and remediated with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which analyzes signals from the device to recognise any abnormal behavior, like an uncommon executable running on the device. As part of the remediation path, the device is automatically quarantined from the network until the situation is resolved.

Unsecured Network Connection

• Instead of worrying about encrypting data that could be shared on a public network, the organisation takes a proactive approach to having a guaranteed secure connection, especially for employees in the field, by equipping frontline workers with LTE-enabled devices. The entire Surface 2-in-1 portfolio (Surface Go 2, Surface Pro 7+, Surface Pro X) has LTE available.
• Any websites, cloud resources, or internal networks not explicitly defined as “trusted” are contained with Microsoft Defender Application Guard. These untrusted sites or files are opened in a virtualised container – essentially a separate PC within the existing PC – to isolate those potentially harmful sites or files from the rest of the device.

But, Is The Microsoft Surface A Tablet Or A Laptop? Regardless, There Is A Surface For You

The world is more connected than ever before. This has led to branches of business needing to rely on top technology to get the job done. Microsoft Surface offers a wide range of work solutions, no matter the industry. From crystal-clear video calls to a responsive touch screen display for easy and accurate input, Microsoft’s ultra-light and versatile 2-in-1 business laptop adapts to the ways you work. Surface devices run all Windows-friendly desktop software including full versions of Microsoft Office plus Windows 11 apps.

The Jack-Of-All-Trades
Surface Laptop 4

There when you need a straight-forward, no hold bars, good laptop… with a kick! The Surface Laptop 4 has a gorgeous, 13.5-inch or 15-inch high-resolution display, a responsive keyboard, an accurate glass track pad, and a designer case. On the port side, you now get a USB-C port along with your good old-fashioned USB-A input. It also has a magnetic charging port. The Surface Laptop 4 lets you multitask and get more done with the 11th generation Intel® i3 to i7 processors.

The 2-In-1 Hard-Hitter

Surface Pro 7+

Where it all started. The Surface Pro 7+ bridges the gap between laptop and tablet without breaking a sweat. Each Surface Pro 7+ sprints with an 11th-generation Intel chip and a 12.3” high-resolution touchscreen. You also get a USB-A port, a magnetic charging port, a Windows Hello-compatible webcam, and a MicroSD slot for expanding the onboard storage. The Pro 7+ update adds the much-anticipated USB-C port.

The Workhorse

Surface Book 3

A perfect match for the creative. Thanks to standard 10th-generation Intel processors and an optional discrete Nvidia GPU inside the keyboard dock, you'll get amazing performance from the Surface Book 3. Plus, you get the expected suite of Surface goodies – Windows Hello, a gorgeous high-res screen, a luxurious backlit keyboard, and a big, silky-smooth glass track pad. The Surface Book 3 comes in a 13-inch or 15-inch package. The Surface Book 3 has the hardware capabilities to make an easy effort of Adobe’s more demanding applications such as Premiere Pro and InDesign.

Hanging Out

Laptop Go

For those on the move, the Laptop Go is small and svelte, with clean lines and a nice solid feel and design. It’s perfect for everyday use and fit for streaming shows and catching up on homework and other tasks. There are three configurations available, all using the same Intel i5 chip, but varying in RAM and SSD size.

The New Whiteboard

Surface Hub 2S

Enable teamwork anywhere with the Surface Hub 2S family of devices, a Microsoft Teams-certified meetings platform and a modern collaborative canvas that brings teams together. Remote or in the same space, from a personal office to the conference room, Surface Hub 2S can bring people together wherever they work. Available in 50'' and 85'' displays. Thin and sleek, Surface Hub 2S integrates into any workspace. From conference rooms to open spaces, go wherever ideas strike with the optional mobile stand and battery.

Surface For Business, Even If It's A Tablet Or A Laptop

No matter which Surface device you settle on, each option has been created to be #anythingbutordinary while getting the job done, no matter the size of your business. Surface devices enable your people to work however they work best, offering flexibility, power, and style. Paired with Microsoft 365, Surface helps customers save time and money with streamlined deployment, modern management, and enterprise-level security.

Boost productivity by offering your people devices that enable them to work on their terms. From people always on the move to those who tackle intensive creative tasks, there is a Surface that’s a perfect match for everyone on your team. Surface laptops and 2-in-1s are small business-ready. In addition to the standard hardware warranty, commercial customers get Advanced Exchange – an expedited replacement service, at no additional cost.

The Surface for Business portfolio delivers experiences employees love with the choice and flexibility they need to work on their terms. Whether you’re looking to upgrade a few computers or deploy Surface devices across your growing business, Surface offers:

• Windows 11 Pro: Get built-in security features and automatic updates, including BitLocker and cloud-powered intelligent security to protect your devices from modern threats.
• Protection from chip to cloud: With Surface, security from Microsoft is built into every layer of the device, from hardware to firmware, to the operating system, and through to cloud management tools from Microsoft 365.*
• Modern management: Give users freedom but maintain control with Microsoft Endpoint Manager and DFCI for complete and seamless device management down to the firmware layer with just a few clicks through the cloud.

Is The Microsoft Surface A Tablet Or A Laptop? Either Way, It Embraces The Windows Ecosystem

Save time and money with streamlined deployment, modern device management, and built-in, cloud-powered security with connected experiences from Surface and Microsoft 365.

• Cloud-First Deployment and Management: Deploy and manage down to the firmware layer through the cloud with Microsoft Endpoint Manager13 and DFCI.6 Reduce IT complexity with Windows Autopilot.
• Windows Virtual Desktop: Meet complex business and security requirements with broad device redirection support, endpoint protection and Microsoft 365 virtualised in Azure.
• OneDrive For Business: Access and protect your business and school work with this intelligent files app. Share and collaborate from anywhere, on any device.
• Collaborate with Teams: Work better together. New integrations allow you to create shareable links, grant expiring access and follow configured policies.