Sarah Tew / CNET
For all Microsoft news Surface tablets I always thought that the Surface laptop was actually Microsoft’s secret weapon. Since Surface Laptop debuted in 2017, was a strong competitor for the best universal slim Windows laptop.
A lot of companies offer slim laptops in the 13-inch class, all hoping to be the Windows version of the ubiquitous Apple MacBook Air, and Microsoft’s input is as good as it gets. The Surface laptop simply works well. It’s also sleek, easy to use and often on sale, which makes it a solid flip laptop for not so much money. Shortly before the Surface Laptop 4 pre-orders go live, you can order a 13-inch Core i5 Surface Laptop 3 (with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB SSD) for $ 769 or $ 899 for a 256 GB SSD.
Look at this:
First look at the Microsoft Surface 4 laptop
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Microsoft, too introduced a 15-inch version in 2019, as part of the Surface Laptop 3 line. Both the 13-inch and 15-inch models have been updated as the Surface Laptop 4.
I now had the chance to spend some practical time with the new 15-inch Surface laptop 4. Unlike many of the previous Surface laptops I reviewed, this configuration omitted the Alcantara wrist support, which was always created for a Unique and truly unique laptop. A fabric-covered laptop wrist strap may seem like a strange choice, but the Alcantara is tough (it was originally used for boat interiors), and the idea has stayed around.
My review unit has a matte black aluminum wrist arm that looks perfectly sharp, even if it’s a little anonymous, but the Alcantara options are still available. Colors include standard black and platinum, plus a new option called ice blue.
Sarah Tew / CNET
The choice of processor is the biggest change from the previous generation. The new 13- and 15-inch Surface Laptop 4 models add 11th-generation Intel Core processors, paired with Intel Iris XE graphics or AMD processor options – the Zen 2 series – in special “Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition” models.
The unit I started testing has an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, paired with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. It costs $ 1,699, putting it in very premium territory (to be fair, a 16GB / 512GB 16-inch MacBook Pro costs $ 2,399). Add $ 100 and you can get essentially the same 15-inch Surface Laptop 4 setup, but with an Intel Core i7 processor. Given that the AMD part is from an older era, it could be a useful upgrade, although it is possible to give up battery life.
This is because the Surface laptop with AMD requires excellent battery life, addressing one of the shortcomings of the Surface 3 laptop. Microsoft’s predecessor says that the 13-inch AMD model can run up to 19 hours, making it the most durable product. from the Surface line. According to Microsoft, the 15-inch device can run for up to 17 and a half hours. In our initial tests, the 15-inch laptop ran a little over 12 hours, which is another three-hour improvement over the previous 15-inch model.
Unlike other expensive 15-inch laptops, there isn’t a lot of graphic muscle here. Iris XE graphics in Intel models and Ryzen 7 Radeon graphics in AMD ones. During some game tests, the new multiplatform shooter Outriders was agitated even at the slightest graphic preset. But Hades, the recent award-winning indie game, worked perfectly.
Geekbench 5 (multicore)
Surface Laptop 3 (Intel Core i7 15-inch)
Laptop Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 of 15 inches)
Surface Book 3 (15 inches, Intel Core i7)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance.
Cinebench R20 (multicore)
Surface Laptop 3 (Intel Core i7 15-inch)
Laptop Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 of 15 inches)
Surface Book 3 (15 inches, Intel Core i7)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance.
3D Mark Fire Strike Ultra
Surface Laptop 3 (Intel Core i7 15-inch)
Laptop Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 of 15 inches)
Surface Book 3 (15 inches, Intel Core i7)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance.
Inclined in AMD
The 13-inch 4-inch laptop starts at $ 999 (999 GBP, $ 1,599) – for the AMD version with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD. The least expensive 15-inch version costs $ 1,200 and is also based on AMD. Faster processors, more storage space and other options will increase the price.
There are no changes to the display, which was already a 3: 2 aspect ratio with a resolution of 2,256×1,504 pixels in the 13-inch model and 2,496×1,664 in the 15-inch version. The webcam remains at 720 resolution, and the ports are unchanged, with both USB-A and USB-C ports, but without Thunderbolt. I will go out on a member here and say that it is a generally very modest update in the latest generation.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Part of a set
Also on the Surface line comes a short list of new accessories. The Surface 2 Plus business headphones are a professional riff Surface headphones. Delivery starts later in April for $ 300 (£ 290). In June, two new headphones, from the Microsoft Modern line, will be available in USB and wireless versions for $ 50 and $ 100, respectively. The $ 100 Microsoft Modern USB-C speaker comes in June and focuses more on Zoom meetings (sorry, Microsoft Teams) than music.
Read more: Meet the new modern Microsoft family of audio accessories at work
But the most interesting will probably be the modern Microsoft Webcam. This $ 70 camera, also available in June, supports 1080p HDR video with a 78-degree field of view and a built-in privacy trigger.
The initial battery life results from the Surface Laptop 4 are below. Look for additional tests in our next full review.
Video stream battery test
Surface Laptop 3 (Intel Core i7 15-inch)
Laptop Surface 4 (AMD Ryzen 7 of 15 inches)
Surface Book 3 (15 inches, Intel Core i7)
Note:
Longer bars indicate better performance.