The Surface Laptop's unibody aluminum chassis is premium quality, housing up to a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7660U processor, a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD), and 16GB of DDR3 RAM. The 13.5-inch touch display has a 2256 x 1504 resolution and is compatible with the Surface Pen. Configurations start at about $1,000 (opens in new tab).Bottom line: This is the best Microsoft laptop for most people.One more thing: Read our in-depth review for much more information on the Surface Laptop.
Why the Surface Laptop is the best
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Opening the Surface Laptop, you can't help but notice the Alcantara fabric finish that makes typing on the keyboard and navigating with the Precision touchpad that much sweeter. The 13.5-inch display is calibrated right out of the box for 99 percent sRGB color, and it sits at a 2256 x 1504 resolution. The bezel around the display is thin, but there's enough room at the top for an IR camera compatible with Windows Hello.
There are plenty of configuration options available, but you can get up to a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7660U processor, a 512GB SSD, and 16GB of DDR3 RAM for strong performance. As for ports, you're looking at one USB-A 3.0, one Mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect, and a 3.5mm headset jack.
Those who need a laptop that can be carried around all day without having to be charged should know that you get up to about 10 hours of life if you aren't really pushing it the entire time. Toss in support for the Surface Pen (opens in new tab) and the Surface Dial (opens in new tab), and you have an all-around fantastic laptop. Configurations start at about $1,000 (opens in new tab).
The standard Surface Book is a fantastic machine, but some of you might need a bit more power, specifically in the graphics department. Rather than the 1GB dedicated GTX GPU, the Performance Base comes with an NVIDIA GTX 965M with 2GB of GDDR5 VRAM. You can still get up to a sixth-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, and you get the same brilliant 13.5-inch, 2000p display. Due to the extra hardware, this model is a bit thicker and a bit heavier at 3.63 pounds (1.65kg). Configurations start at about $2,400 (opens in new tab).Bottom line: If you love Surface Book but need the most power possible, have a look at the Surface Book with Performance Base.One more thing: You can sign in with Windows Hello using the IR front-facing camera.
The newest Surface Pro from Microsoft keeps most of what we love about the Surface Pro 4 while also getting some welcome refinements. The kickstand can now tilt back to 165 degrees, the chassis has smoother edges, and a new thermal system quietly keeps things cool. Inside, get up to a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7660U processor, a 1TB SSD, and 16GB of DDR3 RAM. The Surface Pro starts at about $800 (opens in new tab), and don't forget to toss in a Type Cover (opens in new tab) and a Surface Pen (opens in new tab).Bottom line: The best 2-in-1 option from Microsoft is the Surface Pro.One more thing: Have a look at our review for far more information about this 2-in-1 laptop.
Plenty of configuration options are available here, but you can get up to an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. For graphics, you can also get a discrete NVIDIA GPU to help with intensive work.The 13.5-inch touch display on the Surface Book detaches from the keyboard, and the Surface Pen makes inking a breeze. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, the touchpad is precise, and the battery will last you a full day. Configurations of the Surface Book start at about $1,500 (opens in new tab).Bottom line: If it's a modular desktop replacement you're looking for, the Surface Book's incredible display and powerful hardware will treat you well.One more thing: Grab a Surface Dial (opens in new tab) if you're interested in using your Surface Book for artwork and design.
The Surface Pro 4 has been around for awhile, but it's still a top choice thanks to its stellar hardware and beautiful display. You can choose a configuration based on your needs, with up to a sixth-generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. That's some decent hardware in a device that weighs just 1.73 pounds (0.78 kg). The keyboard can be removed from the 1824p touch display, and you can use the Surface Pen for awesome inking while in tablet mode. This 2-in-1 device starts at about $650 (opens in new tab).Bottom line: If you want a Microsoft laptop that doesn't quite cost as much as the others, check out the Surface Pro 4.One more thing: The Surface Dial (opens in new tab) can further augment your overall design and art experience when using the Surface Pen.
Conclusion
The Surface Laptop's design and hardware will no doubt appeal to a lot of people, and it's our overall choice for best Microsoft laptop. If you need the most power, check out the Surface Book with Performance Base, and if you like the design but don't need quite as much power, the standard Surface Book makes a great business partner. The updated Surface Pro sits at the top of the 2-in-1 list, but that doesn't mean the Surface Pro 4 is completely out; its reduced price makes it a perfect option for a budget Microsoft device.
The Surface Laptop's unibody aluminum chassis is premium quality, housing up to a seventh-generation Intel Core i7-7660U processor, a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD), and 16GB of DDR3 RAM. The 13.5-inch touch display has a 2256 x 1504 resolution and is compatible with the Surface Pen. Configurations start at about $1,000 (opens in new tab).Bottom line: This is the best Microsoft laptop for most people.One more thing: Read our in-depth review for much more information on the Surface Laptop.
Updated June 19, 2017: We refreshed this list to include the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro.
