subscriptions

A Microsoft 365 subscription is not required to use newer Surface tablets or Surface Laptop devices themselves. The devices run Windows and can be used without any Microsoft 365 plan.

A Microsoft 365 subscription is only needed for certain Office app scenarios:

• On mobile devices (phones/tablets) larger than 10.1", a qualifying Microsoft 365 subscription is required to create, edit, and save files in Office mobile apps beyond basic viewing.
• A subscription is required if using Office mobile apps to create, edit, and save files to online business storage services such as OneDrive for Business, Google Drive (business), Box, or Dropbox for Business.
• A subscription is also required to unlock premium Office features (for example, Word’s advanced page layout options, PowerPoint Designer, Morph transitions, and SmartArt editing).

Without a subscription, it is still possible to:

• Use the Surface device and Windows normally.
• Use free web versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in a browser via Microsoft365.com with 5 GB of free OneDrive storage.

A Microsoft 365 Family or Personal subscription adds desktop Office apps, more cloud storage, and other benefits, but it is optional for using the Surface hardware.

References:

• When do I need a Microsoft 365 subscription?
• What's the difference between a Microsoft 365 subscription and free web apps
• Surface Pro help & learning
• Surface Laptop help & learning

I was glad to help.

thanks I bought a office program from face book store . I use out look but the block is greyed out wont let me do a thing. on I mac here. also need for note taking of the meetings what said to me and ?s and so on.

Hello, ROD MAROIS.

Surface devices come pre-installed with Windows OS, which is licensed for perpetuity and does not require a subscription. As for Office (if necessary), it all depends on your choice: you can purchase a subscription for a month to a year, or you can purchase an offline (boxed) version with a perpetual license. But there are pros and cons to each option. With a subscription, you will receive the most up-to-date version, which will receive updates for the entire subscription period. But you need to pay regularly for a subscription. The boxed version receives updates for a limited time, but is purchased once and for all.