Microsoft might well argue that it hasn't neglected the Surface Pro 7. It's added USB Type-C and upgraded the internals, too, but all the evidence points to a hybrid that's badly in need of an update.

Tried and tested 2-in-1 design; Finally has USB Type-C; Good value keyboard

Core i7 model disappointing; Middling battery life

An excellent hybrid that doesn’t do quite enough to innovate on what Microsoft already had.

Powerful hardware; USB-C support; Improved pen sensitivity; Display remains great

No significant design changes; Average battery life; Expensive peripherals

The Surface Pro 7 is the creative hardware of choice for the Illustrator – and by this we mean professional vector artists and graphic designers whose main tool is Adobe Illustrator.

The best tablet/laptop hybrid that can run full Windows apps; Impressive performance for its size; Stylish accessories.

Screen needs improving.

Surface Pro X Performance Summary: Microsoft's Surface Pro X performance can be summed up best as uneven . Even with native Arm applications, the Surface Pro X couldn't keep up with any of our 64-bit x86 test machines nor a 3rd gen iPad Air.

Full Windows 10 experience on Arm; Good compatibility with x86 32-bit apps; Bright; sharp PixelSense display; Amazing battery life; Totally fanless; Premium materials and build quality; Integrated always-connected 4G; 4-core 10th Gen Intel CPU impresses; Industry standard x86-64 native...

It is similar to the last Surface Pro, but this is still one of the few tablet hybrids we’d be happy to work all day on. Just remember to bring the charger, as the battery won’t last.

Bold; sharp screen; Punchy 10th Gen Intel CPUs; Type Cover remains surprisingly good

Battery life is not great; Aspects of the design are ageing; Accessories are a bit pricey

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is no revelation. It's a lot like the Pro 6. Aside from the no-brainer addition of a USB-C port, progress here is down to Intel's new chipsets, not any major Microsoft innovation. But look at the more dynamic Surface Pro X and you may decide you will be happier with this more familiar hybrid. It has none of the compatibility issues of that model, the Type Cover keyboard design is a tried and tested hit and it isn't much less portable than an iPad Pro. We’d like significantly longer battery life and a lower price would really start to tempt us away from a more conventional laptop. But this hybrid does work well as a “real” computer.

Bold, sharp screen; Punchy 10th Gen Intel CPUs; Type Cover remains surprisingly good;

Battery life is not great; Aspects of the design are ageing; Accessories are a bit pricey;

Bold, sharp screen; Punchy 10th Gen Intel CPUs; Type Cover remains surprisingly good;

Battery life is not great; Aspects of the design are ageing; Accessories are a bit pricey;

Microsoft updates its Surface Pro 7 Windows tablet with a powerful Intel Ice Lake chip and a modern USB-C port.

Powerful Intel Ice Lake CPU boosts performance; USB-C; USB-A ports allow for peripheral flexibility

Lack of Thunderbolt and WWAN option are disappointing

While it might look the same as the Pro 6, the Surface Pro 7 packs a punch.

If you’re going to get the use out of the portability and flexible nature of the 2-in-1, the Surface Pro 7 is well worth considering, especially with the upgrades on offer compared to the Pro 6, but there are more powerful laptops at a similar price if processing power is key.