Microsoft has recently unveiled the newest iterations of its Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lines, emphasizing portability, enhanced performance through integrated AI, and the convenience of USB-C charging. These devices, which are part of Microsoft's Copilot+ PC initiative, feature more compact screens and aim to deliver a seamless blend of power and user-friendly design.
The Surface Laptop now comes in a 13-inch model, complementing the existing 13.8-inch and 15-inch versions, making it the most compact in the lineup. This new laptop is designed for users who prioritize portability, featuring a thin and light aluminum chassis available in Ocean, Violet, and Platinum colors. The Surface Pro also sees a reduction in size with a new 12-inch model. This device maintains the 2-in-1 form factor, offering the functionality of a laptop with the versatility of a tablet, complete with an adjustable kickstand and detachable keyboard. The keyboard is available in Slate, Violet, and Ocean colors.
Both the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus processor, which includes an 8-core CPU and a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) operating at 45 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). This NPU is designed to accelerate AI tasks, enabling features like Recall, Live Captions with translations, and Windows Studio Effects. Microsoft claims the Surface Laptop is 50% faster than the Surface Laptop 5 and outperforms the Apple MacBook Air M3 in multitasking scenarios. The Surface Pro also boasts significant performance improvements, being 90% faster than the Surface Pro 9.
A key highlight of these new devices is the integration of AI-powered features through Microsoft's Copilot+ PC suite. Copilot in Windows serves as an AI companion to enhance productivity and connectivity. Features like Recall allow users to quickly retrace their steps and find content on their PC. The AI extends to the camera and microphone, with AI-enhanced camera capabilities and noise reduction to ensure clear video calls. A dedicated Copilot key on both devices provides quick access to AI functionalities.
The Surface Laptop is expected to provide up to 23 hours of video playback or 16 hours of web browsing. The Surface Pro promises up to 16 hours of local video playback and 12 hours of web usage. Both devices support fast charging via USB-C, allowing users to quickly recharge on the go. Microsoft has transitioned to USB-C charging and has removed the Surface Connect port in the Surface Pro. The Surface Laptop has 1x USB-A (3.1), 2x USB-C (USB 4 and DisplayPort 1.4a) and a headphone jack. The Surface Pro has 2x USB-C ports that support USB 3.2 and DP 1.4a protocols.
The 13-inch Surface Laptop features a 1920 x 1280 resolution LCD touchscreen with a 60Hz refresh rate. The 12-inch Surface Pro has a 2196 x 1464 resolution LCD touchscreen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Surface Pro also includes a 1080p front-facing camera with Windows Hello and a 10MP rear camera.
Microsoft is also emphasizing sustainability with these new devices. The Surface Laptop incorporates 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and recycled rare earth metals in the magnets. The Surface Pro contains 82.9% recycled content in the enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery cell. The Surface Pro is designed with replaceable components to reduce e-waste.
The 13-inch Surface Laptop starts at $899, while the 12-inch Surface Pro starts at $799. Both devices are available for pre-order and are scheduled to be released on May 20, 2025. These new Surface devices represent a significant step forward, combining portability, AI integration, and user-friendly features.
