Microsoft’s Surface laptops have gained significant traction in the market, challenging Apple’s dominance with its MacBook lineup. The seventh-generation Surface Laptop, which was released last year, is currently available on Amazon for $849, reflecting a discount of $350 for the base model.
One of the standout features of the Surface Laptop is its 3:2 aspect ratio display, which is designed to enhance productivity. The screen boasts a brightness of 600 nits, making it suitable for outdoor use, such as video calls from a park. Additionally, the laptop includes a 120-Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother experience for general tasks and potential gaming, despite the OS’s touchscreen capabilities not being the standout feature.
Microsoft has opted to utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors for the Surface Laptop, moving away from Intel and AMD. This decision allows for efficient performance that aligns well with everyday activities. Windows now supports built-in emulation for applications not optimized for ARM CPUs; however, users may still face issues with certain custom or third-party applications.
Despite the promise of enhanced support for AI functionalities, some features have received mixed reviews. For instance, AI captioning worked reasonably well, yet other features, such as eye-focus adjustments during video calls, proved to have unintended consequences. Brenda Stolyar, a reviewer, expressed some skepticism towards the effectiveness of these AI implementations.
Currently, there are two configurations on sale, with availability dependent on color options. The base model includes a 10-core Snapdragon X Plus, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512-GB SSD priced at $849, while an upgraded model featuring a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite is discounted to $1,000.
If the Surface Laptop and its ARM architecture do not meet your requirements, consider exploring alternative laptop models that might better suit your preferences. As Microsoft continues to innovate, these Surface devices reflect a growing competitiveness in the laptop market, providing consumers with increasingly versatile options.