Microsoft Unveils Another Surface Laptop and New Surface Pro
Microsoft has just unveiled another Surface Laptop, but this one is a 13-inch version that falls between its larger 13.8-inch and 15-inch brethren. This smaller model has some serious differences in its belly, however, and it's an interesting question to wonder if the reduced price makes up for them.
What Are the Trade-Offs
Let's get straight to it, this new 13-inch Surface Laptop has a few compromises if we compare it with its elder siblings. The first you'd likely notice is the screen. It's a 13-inch one with a 16:10 aspect and a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display that gets bright to as high as 400 nits. The surprise. It sits at a standard 60Hz, compared to the silky-smooth 120Hz of the other versions, and also lacks HDR support.
It is powered by an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 chip. While ARM-processors are mythical for their power efficiency, this processor is subpar in relation to the pricier Surface Laptops that you might encounter.
The variations don't end with memory and storage. This 13-incher tops out at 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and a 512GB UFS storage drive (the UFS type wasn't made clear). This is way down from the potential 64GB RAM and 1TB storage available on other versions.
Where plugging in things is concerned, no more Surface Connect port. You get instead two USB 3.2 Type-C ports and one USB Type-A port. In wireless connectivity, it's up to date with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Is There an Upside
One area where this model is promising to shine is in battery life. Microsoft is advertising 23 hours of video playback. If that will truly be the case in real-world use, it's slightly longer than what the other Surface Laptop models are claiming, which could be a major selling point for the always-on-the-go crowd.
Design, Price, and When You Can Get It
The 13-inch Surface Laptop remains lightweight at 2.7 pounds and is available in three excellent colors: Ocean, Violet, and Platinum.
It begins at $899. That's only $100 less than the 13.8-inch version, which has a heck of a lot more hardware. So you'll need to choose whether the price savings are worthwhile in exchange for the compromises.
If you're interested, pre-orders are already being taken at Microsoft, Best Buy, and Amazon. The laptops will be widely available on or about May 20th.
Get to Know Microsoft's New Surface Pro: A 12-inch Challenger
It looks like Microsoft had yet another up its sleeve, as they've also announced a new Surface Pro, along with a new Surface Laptop. It has a 12-inch display and, as opposed to its laptop counterpart, is built on an ARM processor from Qualcomm. It is evidently designed to be a more affordable addition to the Surface Pro lineup.
Display and Performance Glimpse
The new Surface Pro features a 12-inch LCD screen. It measures 2196 x 1464 pixels in resolution, is a smoother 90Hz refresh rate, and peaks at a brightness of 400 nits. Naturally, it also supports 10-point multitouch for that tablet experience.
Under the hood, although Microsoft didn't mention exactly which Qualcomm chip at the announcement, previous leaks suggest an 8-core Snapdragon X1P-42-100. This type of processor is typically decent for battery life, and indeed, Microsoft is stating this Surface Pro can reach up to 16 hours of battery life from a single charge – very realistic for a Snapdragon device.
Memory, Storage, and Connectivity
But with internal specifications, there are limits. RAM goes up to 16GB LPDDR5x, and it is not upgradable by the user, so what you buy is what you're stuck with. Storage comes in a 512GB model, with the base model only offering 256GB.
The port selection is fairly minimalist. There are only two USB 3.2 Type-C ports. As a surprise, the Surface Connect exclusive port isn't on this version. With regard to wireless connectivity, it's current with Wi-Fi 7 and support for Bluetooth 5.4.
Here’s an interesting quirk: much like many smartphones these days, Microsoft isn't including a charger in the box with this Surface Pro. You’ll need to provide your own, or purchase one, rated for 27 Watts or higher.
Design, Colors, and How to Buy
This little Surface Pro weighs only 1.5 pounds, making it incredibly easy to take with you. It has two 2-Watt speakers. It comes in three colors: Platinum, Ocean, and Violet.
If the new Surface Pro has got you curious, pre-ordering begins May 20th, beginning at $799. You'll also be able to look for it online on Microsoft, Best Buy, and Amazon.
