Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio $1550 Was $1800
Why Buy:
- Equipped with 16GB of RAM
- 120Hz refresh rate for 14.4-inch touchscreen
- 1080p HD camera and dual Studio Mics for online meetings
- Works well enough for casual gaming
For the best that Microsoft offers among its Surface Laptop products, you should check out the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Its powered by the 11th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and Intel Iris Xe Graphics, so it can handle multiple apps at a time, and it comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed as its operating system. In Digital Trendslaptop buying guide, 16GB of RAM is the recommended specification if youre planning to run intensive apps or engage in any form of content creation.
The laptop features a 14.4-inch touchscreen that displays lifelike colors through PixelSense Flow technology with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is one of its advantages when comparing the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Microsoft Surface Laptop 4, in addition to Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision IQ that makes adjustments depending on the light conditions surrounding you. For audio, its equipped with enhanced Quad Omnisonic Speakers that deliver cinematic sound from Dolby Atmos support. If your daily tasks include online meetings, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio will help you both look and sound good to the other participants in the call with its 1080p HD camera and dual Studio Mics.
Editors’ Recommendations
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go $400 Was $550
Why Buy:
- Great for watching streaming content
- 13 hours of battery life on a single charge
While there are rumors that the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is on its way, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go remains a worthy investment, as its a Surface laptop thats both reliable and affordable. With the 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and Intel UHD Graphics, its more than enough to carry out basic tasks for work or school, including doing online research, typing documents, and making presentations. It comes with the same full-size keyboard that you find on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, which is comfortable to use because of the soft-touch keycaps and 1.3mm of key travel.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go comes with a 12.4-inch touchscreen thats easy on the eyes and 64GB eMMC flash memory, which promises quick startup and support for high-definition playback. If you use the laptop to watch streaming content, the video is supported by Omnisonic Speakers and Dolby Audio, hidden below the keyboard, for amazing sound that doesnt require you to use a separate set of speakers.
What’s The Best Microsoft Surface Laptop For You
Struggling to spot the differences among the Surface Book, Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Pro X? CR can help.
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In 2012, Microsoft released its first Surface device, a computer with a detachable keyboard and a screen that measured roughly 11 inches. It was designed to merge the productivity benefits of a laptop with the convenience of a touch-screen tablet.
This idea of two devices in one was new at the time but paved the way for Surface devices that have largely done well in our tests over the years.
But with six models now availableall with similar-sounding names, such as the Surface Go, Surface Laptop, and Surface Laptop Go it can be tough to know which is right for you.
Are you a frequent traveler, or are you tethered to a desk most of the time? Do you need to regularly edit large photos and videos, or are you more of a Microsoft Word type of person? And do you plan on using your Surface to, say, watch Netflix or Amazon Prime Video in bed?
These are some of the questions you should be asking yourself to help narrow down your choices. In other words, think about what you plan to do with your Surface and go from there.
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Review: Keyboard And Touchpad
- Plenty of travel for comfy typing
- Smooth and accurate touchpad, and there’s a touchscreen, too
Typing on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 feels more comfortable than most laptops Ive worked on, thanks in large part to the nicely-sized keys and the Alcantara material around the keyboard. The keys feel satisfying to type on, with 1.3mm of travel and a nice click to them which helped me avoid bottoming out while typing quickly.
The 4.5 x 3-inch glass touchpad beneath the keys is also quite nice to use, feeling comfortably close to the keyboard while still affording my big dumb sausage fingers plenty of room to move. Both it and the laptops touchscreen felt very responsive to the touch, and I had no trouble using gesture commands on either surface.
Microsoft Surface Laptop : What We Want To See
Microsofts next everyday laptop
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 was released in April 2021, and though its an excellent machine in its own right, some might claim its more of a refresh of the Surface Laptop 3 than a new machine in its own right.
But with the Surface Laptop 5 more likely releasing sometime in 2022, its an opportunity for Microsoft to introduce new features and updates that would make the Laptop 5 feel like a true upgrade in its own right.
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Microsoft Surface Go 2
Good for: Frequent travelers and consumers with basic needs.
Youd hope a laptop named the Go would be a good travel companion, and thats exactly what you get here. Its a 10-inch detachable that has somewhat modest specs, but it should be sufficient if your computing mostly revolves around simple tasks, such as browsing the web or editing Office documents.
Theres an Intel Pentium processor , 4 gigabytes of memory, and 64GB of solid state storage. If youre familiar with Chromebooks, thats a good way to think of the Surface Go 2: modestly powerful but sufficient for everyday use. And because its a detachable, you can physically detach the screen to make it easier to unwind with a bit of Netflix.
Surface Laptop : What To Know And What To Buy
Microsofts Surface Laptop 4 is Microsofts latest general-purpose laptop, complete with a choice of Intels latest 11th-gen Core chips or Microsofts second-generation Ryzen Surface Edition processors, which Microsoft co-designed with AMD.
Theres a lot of information to process: What Surface Laptop 4s can you buy? How much does each Surface Laptop 4 cost? How fast is the Surface Laptop 4, compared to the competition? We have all the answers that youre looking for, below.
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Best Portability: Surface Pro X
If you’re looking for a Surface designed for on-the-go working, the Surface Pro X is your best choice. Featuring Microsoft’s thinnest Surface design yet, LTE built right-in for always-connected data, and Microsoft’s ARM-powered SQ1or SQ2 chip for excellent battery life when out and about. It’s a real Surface offering for mobile computing, followed closely by the Surface Go 2 with LTE.
The Surface Pro X is a 2-in-1 tablet that can also replace your laptop with an optional keyboard accessory with built-in pen charging capabilities. Surface Pro X features the new Surface Slim Pen and charges magnetically in the keyboard cover, a first for a Surface PC. It also has an edge-to-edge 13-inch display, which makes it feel much bigger than it is, especially compared to the Surface Pro 7.
The Microsoft SQ1 or SQ2 chip on the inside is an interesting choice. On the one hand, it enables the slim profile of the Surface Pro X, but on the other hand, it means there are some compatibility constraints with apps. Any x86-64 bit apps will not run on Surface Pro X, meaning you’re limited to ARM32, ARM64, or x86 apps only. This will change with a future software update that adds support for x86-64 apps, however.
Surface Pro X features two USB-C ports, a SIM slot for LTE, and a user-upgradable SSD under the kickstand in addition to the Surface Connect port for charging.
External Color And Kickstand
The exterior of the earlier generations of Surface is made of VaporMgmagnesium alloy giving a semi-glossy black durable finish that Microsoft calls “dark titanium”. Originally, the design of Surface was to feature a full “VaporMg” design, but the production models ditched this and went with a “VaporMg” coating. Later devices moved towards a matte gray finish showing the actual magnesium color through the semi-transparent top coating. The Surface Laptop is available in four colors: platinum, graphite gold, burgundy, and cobalt blue.
On October 6, 2015, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Book, a 2-in-1 detachable with a mechanically attached, durable hardware keyboard. It became the first Surface device to be marketed as a laptop instead of a tablet. The device has a teardrop design.
The Surface Book has what Microsoft calls a “dynamic fulcrum hinge” which allows the device to support the heavier notebook/screen portion.
Another unique aspect of the Surface Book is an available discrete graphics adapter, contained in the keyboard module. This module can then be detached while the Surface Book is running, in which case the system automatically switches to the integrated graphics in the tablet unit.
On October 26, 2016, Microsoft unveiled an additional configuration, called the Surface Book with Performance Base, which has an upgraded processor and a longer battery life.
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Webcams Repairability And More
With the pandemic forcing people to depend on webcams and microphones more, we do hope that the Surface Laptop 5 comes with improved cameras and microphones. Particularly, were looking to see if the webcams are 1080p or FHD, which the leaked specs sheets suggest could be a possibility.
The Laptop 4 had a 720p webcam, but Microsoft has shown it can bump the webcam quality on its devices. The Laptop Studio and Pro 8 both have 1080p webcams and studio microphones.
Though doubtful, itd be interesting to see if Microsoft might want to opt for an ARM-powered chip in the Surface Laptop 5. Windows 11 made some massive gains with app-emulation for devices with ARM-based chips. Microsofts partner, Qualcomm, also made some under-the-chip improvements with the next-gen Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 SoC. Its more than likely that Microsofts next-gen ARM processor could be based on this and in the Surface Pro X instead , but it cant stop us from dreaming.
What about repairability? The Surface Laptop 3 introduced a replaceable SSD, and it also made its way to the Surface Laptop 4. With Microsoft showcasing how the education-first Surface Laptop SE is super repairable and modular we hope the Surface Laptop 5 can be more of the same. Replaceable SSD, RAM, and ease of access to critical parts like the motherboard and critical system components would be awesome especially at a time when Dell and other companies are looking into it.
Editors’ Recommendations
Surface Laptop Studio: Best For Creatives And Power Users
The Surface Laptop Studio is the latest addition to the Surface lineup, replacing the Surface Book. Instead of a screen that detaches from the base, the Laptop Studios display has a new hinge that lets you position it however you want. You can even lay the screen down flat on top of the laptops housing to turn it into a tablet its pretty nifty.
Pricing for the Laptop Studio starts at $1,599 for a moderately specd build with an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD for storage. You can max out the build, and your budget at $3,099 for an i7, 32GB of memory, a 2TB SDD and an RTX 3050 Ti GPU for intense video editing sessions and casual PC gaming. There are multiple options between those two price points, but expect to pay a pretty penny if you need a dedicated GPU.
As we discussed in our review of the Laptop Studio, the keyboard on this beauty is the best weve ever used on a Surface device. And Microsoft added haptic feedback to the touchpad, something that Apples MacBooks have had for years, improving upon the overall experience as a small but very welcomed addition.
Battery life was good enough to get through a normal day of use, but dont expect to see up to 19 hours of battery like Microsoft advertises.
The Laptop Studio is built for someone who does a lot of video and photo editing, or even relies on CAD programs for work. Its the best Microsoft has to offer.
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Release Date
While there hasnt been any official Surface Laptop 5 news yet, Microsoft has been incredibly diligent with this series, judging by the usual release schedule of roughly one Surface Laptop every year since the first one came out in 2017.
Within that yearly release schedule, the Surface Laptop series has a more erratic release window, ranging from spring to fall in the US. But in the last few years, that date has become far more predictably in the fall which makes sense for a device meant for schoolwork. So, the Surface Laptop 5 will probably launch no later than late 2022, but thats just speculation on our part.
Introducing Surface Laptop 4 And New Accessories For Enhanced Meeting Experiences
Microsofts hardware legacy stretches back more than four decades to the early days of personal computing. As Windows built and inspired new computing experiences, new Microsoft hardware accessories helped people interact with them. At this intersection of hardware and software, magical experiences are possible. This core belief is at the heart of every product we build at Microsoft, and its especially true of our Surface products. For almost a decade, Surface has pioneered breakthrough experiences that immerse people in their creative flow, eliminating friction that often exists between people and technology. Surface allows people to adapt to new ways of working and creating through innovative and versatile devices that offer premium design and performance, quality typing and trackpads, exceptional cameras and mics, and immersive touchscreen display technologies. From the student learning on their Surface Go or Surface Laptop Go, to the knowledge worker on their Surface Pro 7+, to the creative professional working on a Surface Book 3, these products now serve as a lifeline to connections, content and work. Its inspiring to consider all that can be achieved on a Surface.
Accessories to optimize your virtual meeting experience
Surface Headphones 2+ for Business:
Microsoft Modern USB and Wireless Headsets:
Microsoft Modern USB-C Speaker:
Microsoft Modern Webcam:
Devices built to enable inclusive hybrid work environments
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Good for: Students and office professionals. This Surface is sort of like Apples MacBook Air: a good all-around laptop that puts reasonable power inside a thin-and-light package. Like the Air, its a traditional notebook, which means you cant remove the keyboard or bend it behind the display to use as a tablet. As such its probably not a great pick if youre into drawing with a stylus or taking digital handwritten notes using apps such as Microsoft OneNote.
The model we tested had an Intel Core i5 processor, 8 gigabytes of memory, and 256GB of solid state storage. Thats about average for a midrange laptop heading into 2021, but youll probably want more memory and storage space if you intend to regularly work with large photo and video files.
Nicholas De Leon
I’ve been covering consumer electronics for more than 10 years for publications like TechCrunch, The Daily , and Motherboard. When I’m not researching or writing about laptops or headphones I can likely be found obsessively consuming news about FC Barcelona, replaying old Super Nintendo games for the hundredth time, or chasing my pet corgi Winston to put his harness on so we can go for a walk. Follow me on .
Should You Buy The Surface Laptop 4
If youre looking for a stylish, lightweight, and ergonomic laptop, the Surface Laptop 4 might be the perfect choice for you. Its a really lovely device to use for everyday tasks and work, and can be used on the go for long periods of time thanks to its great battery life. We love the high-quality display and comfortable keyboard, which make the most boring tasks a breeze.
However, if youre looking for a powerful machine that can keep up with intensive coding and programming tasks, then you’ll need to splash out for one of the top-end Surface Laptop 4 models’, and they aren’t cheap.
The entry-level models do have a place though. Being lightweight, comfortable to use, and good value for money, the Surface Laptop 4 is an ideal choice for students looking for a laptop to see them through college.
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Surface Go : Best For Basic Tasks
The Surface Go 3 is by far the smallest and most affordable Surface device in the lineup. Part tablet and part laptop, it has a starting price of $399.99. For that price, you get a tablet with a built-in kickstand and internal components that are just good enough. The Go 3 is ideal for someone who needs a basic computer for simple tasks like online shopping, checking your email or watching your favorite YouTube creators.
We wont recommend getting the base model Go 3, though, simply because performance will be something it struggles with, especially if youre multitasking or doing the occasional minor photo edit. For $630, you can get a Surface Go 3 with more than enough to power through Excel spreadsheets while triaging your email inbox and dealing with Slack messages from co-workers. Its powered by an Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of solid-state drive storage.
The Go 3 offers portability, thanks to its compact size that is ideal for someone working from home or a student. A 10.5-inch display and an overall weight of just 1.2 pounds for the tablet portion make it easy to move around the house with, or pick up and take to class.
With optional keyboard and pen support, you can convert the Go 3 from a svelte-looking tablet to a miniature laptop with some serious netbook vibes. The Go Type Cover keyboard will set you back around $100, but you can find them on sale for around $70 if you look hard enough.