Does Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3 have an Alcantara keyboard?
Does Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3 have an Alcantara keyboard?
What is Alcantara?
Alcantara is a fabric that gives your laptop or device a unique look and feel. It feels similar to suede but is actually made up of polyester and polyurethane. The material is used in some luxury cars but made its way to the Surface line in recent years.
The Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro 7, Surface Go, and some versions of the Surface Laptop 3 include this fabric. It's also included in some other Microsoft devices like the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard. It looks unique and helps the base of your keyboard feel a bit more cushioned and can help it feel a bit warmer when you first jump onto your device. But not everyone loves Alcantara. It can wear over time, showing pressure points and some grime. Some people also just prefer to look and feel of an all-metal laptop.
Options for some
The Surface Laptop 3 has several versions, including a 13-inch and 15-inch model. These models have a range of specifications that let you pick the color, processor, RAM, and storage. Additionally, for the 13-inch Surface Laptop 3, you can choose between a metal (Aluminum) or Alcantara keyboard. The 15-inch model only has options that include metal (Aluminum) keyboards.
The addition of options for the 13-inch version of the Surface Laptop 3 is a welcome change. The Alcantara fabric on previous Surface devices was often either loved or hated. The option to purchase either is a nice touch from Microsoft. Unfortunately, that option did not extend to the 15-inch version of the Surface Laptop 3. The larger Surface Laptop 3 only comes with an all-metal body.
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

Sean Endicott is a News Writer at Windows Central, where he covers Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, AI, apps, and the broader PC ecosystem. Since joining the site in 2017, he has written well over a thousand articles across the Microsoft landscape, covering breaking news, analysis, and feature reporting.
He writes Windows Wrap, a weekly column covering the biggest stories in Windows and the PC industry, and what they mean for the platform going forward.
Before joining Windows Central full-time, Sean worked in journalism and media production after earning a First Class degree in Broadcast Journalism from Nottingham Trent University. Outside of tech, he is an award-winning American football coach based in Nottingham, England, and was named BAFCA Youth Coach of the Year in 2024.
