As a full-time English teacher and a part-time content creator, I’m always on the lookout for tech that can keep up with my hectic schedule, high standards, and the demands of both my professional and personal life. After much research (and a bit of scepticism about buying refurbished), I decided to go for the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 with an Intel i5-1145G7 processor, and I can honestly say – it’s one of the best purchases I’ve made this year.
I paid £399.99, which is a fraction of what you’d expect to pay for this kind of premium device brand new, and I received it in just two working days. I was genuinely impressed not only by the speed of delivery but also by the exceptional packaging. It was incredibly secure, cushioned with protective materials that kept the device safe and snug. You wouldn’t have guessed it was refurbished – the unboxing experience felt just as satisfying as opening a new product!
✨ First Impressions: Like-New Condition
When I opened the box, I was immediately struck by how pristine the Surface Pro 8 looked. Not a single visible scratch or scuff. The screen was crystal clear, the body felt solid and premium in hand, and it booted up without any fuss. I connected to the internet straight away, and everything worked seamlessly from the get-go. No setup headaches, no glitches – just smooth sailing.
? Perfect for Teaching – My Digital Classroom Companion
In my role as a secondary school English teacher, I rely heavily on technology to manage lesson plans, mark student work, deliver PowerPoint presentations, and keep up with emails and administrative tasks. The Surface Pro 8 has exceeded my expectations in every way.
Portability: It’s incredibly lightweight and compact, so I can easily slip it into my handbag or tote without it weighing me down. I take it from the classroom to the staffroom and even use it during assemblies.
Speed: The i5-1145G7 processor handles all my day-to-day applications effortlessly. Whether I’m switching between Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and dozens of browser tabs, the Surface doesn’t slow down.
Windows 11 (which came pre-installed) runs beautifully – smooth animations, fast load times, and all the latest features.
Battery Life: This is a big one for me. I can get through a full teaching day (and then some!) on a single charge. On average, I’m seeing between 9 to 11 hours of usage before needing to plug it in. That’s with regular web browsing, streaming videos, and multitasking with several apps.
The touchscreen is incredibly responsive, and although I haven’t yet splurged on the Surface Pen, I’m already planning to – because I can tell this device is ideal for annotating essays or marking up PDFs digitally.
? Social Media and Creative Use
Outside of school, I manage a small book-related Instagram and TikTok account where I share teaching tips, reading recommendations, and creative writing prompts. The Surface Pro 8 has become my go-to content hub.
Display: The screen is stunningly bright and vibrant. Colours pop, which is perfect for editing photos and videos before posting. Even in bright sunlight, the screen remains clearly visible, making it practical for outdoor work or travel.
Versatility: I love the 2-in-1 functionality. I often use it in laptop mode when typing up blog posts or drafting lesson plans, but I also flip the keyboard back and use it in tablet mode for scrolling through social feeds or reading eBooks.
USB-C Ports: A small thing maybe, but very handy for quickly transferring photos and videos from my phone and camera.
Editing videos in apps like Clipchamp or Canva is smooth and hassle-free. It may not be a high-end video-editing machine, but for the kind of content I create – short reels, IG stories, etc. – it performs beautifully.
? Great for Students Too
I’ve already started recommending this exact model to a few of my sixth-form students and fellow staff members. For students heading off to university or needing a reliable laptop for coursework and Zoom calls, the Surface Pro 8 is an ideal choice. It’s light enough to carry to lectures, powerful enough for research and writing, and stylish enough that they’ll actually enjoy using it.
? Battery & Performance Highlights
Battery life is such an overlooked feature in tech reviews, but for teachers and students, it’s crucial. I routinely use the Surface Pro 8 from 7:30 AM (during form period) right through to 4 or 5 PM, and still have battery left for browsing in the evening. I haven’t had to carry the charger around school once.
Performance-wise, this device doesn’t stutter or lag – even when I’m juggling multiple programs. I’ve had Teams, Chrome (with 15+ tabs open), Word, and PowerPoint running all at once, and it never breaks a sweat.
?️ Refurbished – But Feels Brand New
Let’s talk about the refurbished side of things – because honestly, it’s the best-kept secret of tech shopping. I was hesitant at first, but this experience has completely changed my mind. The device feels as good as new, both in terms of appearance and functionality. I can’t spot a single flaw, and I’ve saved hundreds of pounds.
For £399.99, this was an absolute steal. Fast shipping, immaculate condition, secure packaging – I couldn’t have asked for more.
? Final Thoughts
If you’re on the fence about buying refurbished, or wondering if the Surface Pro 8 is worth it for your work or lifestyle – let me say this: Do it. You won’t regret it.
This device has made my teaching life more efficient, my content creation more fun, and my daily digital routine much easier. It’s reliable, stylish, and powerful – and thanks to the unbeatable price, I didn’t have to stretch my budget.
I’m so grateful to have found such a dependable machine at such great value. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or just someone looking for a reliable hybrid device, I can’t recommend this model – or this seller – highly enough.
Thank you for making high-quality tech affordable again!
Warm regards,
Mrs. H. Taylor
Secondary School English Teacher & Content Creator
