If you've been waiting for a good deal to justify picking up a Surface laptop, then now is your chance. The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 4 with the AMD Ryzen 5 CPU is currently discounted by $200 at various retailers.

Microsoft has announced a Surface event is coming soon, and a new model of the popular laptop unit is likely to be unveiled during that event. With new stock likely on the way, retailers are looking to clear out inventory by discounting past models. That means you can enjoy sweet, sweet discounts on what we at Windows Central considered one of the best 13-inch laptops. The Surface Laptop 4 is currently discounted from $899 down to just $669 at Amazon and $699 at Best Buy.

🔥More great deals🔥

• Surface Pro 9 laptop | was $1,099.99 now $933 at Best Buy
• Xbox Series X | was $499 now $449 at Walmart
• Insignia 50-inch 4K TV | was $299.99 now $209.99 at Best Buy
• Lenovo LOQ 15 laptop | was $949.99 now $599.99 at Best Buy

Uniquely designed and perfect for productivity on the go

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4's 13.5-inch model may be small, but it is still mighty. It packs similar specs to its bigger brother, the 15-inch model, with a more minimalist and travel-friendly footprint. Inside the machine is an AMD Ryzen 5 4000 processor designed specifically for Microsoft's Surface line, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB solid-state drive for storage. 

AMD's onboard Radeon Graphics provide enough power for some light, casual gaming, but the Surface Laptop 4 is geared more toward productivity and everyday usage. The laptop is well suited for creative endeavors like photo editing and even some light digital art, but tasks like 3D modeling or video editing may be a bit too much. 

In his review of the Surface Laptop 4's 15-inch model, Windows Central Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino dubbed the device "one of the nicest, most enjoyable PC laptops available" and declared it was competing with some of the best AMD Ryzen laptops.

The Surface Laptop 4 13.5-inch model features a touchscreen display with PixelSense technology and still manages to pull 19 hours of battery life. The long-lasting battery makes it an ideal laptop for students and professionals who need tech ready to go at a moment's notice, even if there isn't an electrical outlet readily available. 

While the 13.5-inch model was originally released in 4 color options, it seems the best discounts at the time of writing are all limited to the Platinum color. However, the Platinum 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 4 does have the Alcántara material finish for the keyboard area, an option unavailable on the other colorways and sizes that were available at launch.

Need a new laptop for productivity work and general use? Microsoft's Surface Laptops are some of the best ones on the market for this thanks to their competitive prices and performance capabilities, and even though their design hasn't changed much since the original came out in 2017, we're still big fans of them. Right now, you can get the Surface Laptop 4 for up to $600 off thanks to some killer deals, with multiple SKUs heavily discounted for a limited time.

Both the 13.5-inch and the 15-inch variants of the Surface Laptop 4 are on sale right now, with the price of the former starting at $699.99 and the latter at $999.99. CPU options on smaller model include the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U, Intel's 11th Gen Core i5-1135G7, and the Core i7-1185G7, with both the Core i7-1185G7 and the Ryzen 7 4980U available on the larger one. You can get the clamshell with up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 1TB of storage space, too, though there are other options you can choose if you'd like to save some extra money.

The Surface Laptop 4's performance is great overall, though it dips a bit when you're using it off the plug. Also, keep in mind that the Surface Laptop 5 and many other laptops from 2022 and 2023 will outperform it since they have newer components, though in our view, the discounted price is absolutely worth dealing with this caveat. Make no mistake: for productivity multitasking, the device is more than up to the task, and you can look forward to a 17-19 hour battery life as well. It may be a bit old, but the Surface Laptop 4 is still one of the best Windows laptops — especially at these prices.

Display-wise, the laptops come with a solid 3:2 2256x1504 (13.5-inch) or 2496x1664 (15-inch) panel with 97% sRGB, 72% AdobeRGB, and 75% DCI-P3, along with 400 nits of peak brightness. Notably, both devices support touch with styluses like the Surface Pen and others that support Microsoft Pen Protocol, so you could use one to jot down notes or sign documents if you're into that.

The design of the Surface Laptop 4 is sleek and minimalist with slopes and plenty of smooth surfaces. The vents are located on the rear edge of the laptop, which means you won't need to worry about toasting your legs and blocking airflow like you'd have to if they were on the bottom. The keyboard and trackpad are also are top notch in terms of comfort and ease-of-use. For ports, you get a USB-A, USB-C, Surface Connect, and 3.5mm audio.

Available models of the laptop include a handful of different colors and materials. Ice Blue SKUs use Microsoft's Alcantara fabric for the keyboard, while the Sandstone and Matte Black colorways are fully metallic. There's also Platinum, which is available with both.

While we now have a Surface Laptop 5, the previous-gen version is certainly no slouch. Ahead of Black Friday, Microsoft is offering a truly massive discount on this exemplary laptop. 

The Surface Laptop 4 was a huge leap from its predecessor, gaining AMD processor options for the first time. With configs running all the way up to an Intel Core i7 with 16GB RAM, this ultrabook will serve you well across a variety of basic to mid-level productivity tasks, and may even afford you enough juice for some higher-end creativity tools like Photoshop or 1080p Adobe Premier video editing. For the most part, though, this device revolves around Microsoft Office productivity tools, alongside email and high-quality web browsing. This isn't a laptop that will stutter and chug while browsing YouTube, and it will demolish large documents and spreadsheets with consummate ease.

There are various discounts ranging from $200 all the way up to $400 off the asking price. Some configurations are already sold out as of writing, so if you're interested, I wouldn't wait too long before jumping on it. 

This is undoubtedly one of the best Windows laptops in recent memory, with its sleek alcantara fabric keyboard and bold and beautiful 4:3 aspect ratio display. Many of Microsoft's partner OEMs look to the Surface range for design inspiration and it's for good reason; they're simply often more polished and elegant when it comes to raw execution. The downside is that they're often far, far more expensive than competing affordable laptops. Thanks to this deal, though, that's all changed a bit. 

Keep it locked to Windows Central for the best Black Friday laptop deals and best Black Friday Xbox deals as we head deeper into the winter season. 

Grab the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 with an AMD Ryzen 5 and 16GB RAM today for just $900 at Amazon. That's a 25% saving over its usual $1,199 price, meaning you get to keep an extra $300 that you can spend on something else. Not bad for Microsoft's latest Surface Laptop!

The Surface Laptop 4 was released in 2021 and features AMD Ryzen 4000 series chips in either R5 or R7 configurations. It also has options with up to 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, and can be had in either 13.5-inch or 15-inch configurations in a selection of colors, including Platinum, Ice Blue, Sandstone, and black.

• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India

Get a Surface Laptop 4 for less on Prime Day

The model on offer today is the Platinum one. which has a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with 2256x1504 resolution. It has an AMD Ryzen 5 on the inside, paired with a nice 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage that should be able to get you by just fine. What's nice about the Platinum Surface Laptop 4 is that it comes with an Alcantara keyboard deck, providing the laptop with a soft-touch material around the keys and trackpad. 

Alcantara is only really found on Surface products, so you'll definitely stand out from the crowd if you're pulling out a Surface Laptop 4 with Alcantara around the keys. It looks amazing, and the laptop itself is slim and lightweight too, with around 8 hours of battery life.

Stay tuned to Windows Central for the next few days as we're rounding up all the best Prime Day laptop deals and Prime Day monitor deals too if you're really looking to upgrade your computing setup.

What you need to know:

• Microsoft recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Surface family of devices.
• Our readers rated the Surface Pro as their favorite device, beating out the Surface Book, Surface Laptop, and every other piece of hardware from the Surface lineup.
• The Surface Laptop SE, Surface Hub, and Surface RT were the least favorite devices among our voters.

Microsoft's Surface family of devices recently had its 10-year anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, we took a look at the Surface lineup from a wide range of angles. Our executive editor Daniel Rubino, Xbox editor Jez Corden, and senior editor Zac Bowden ranked every single Surface from the last decade. We also reached out to our readers to rank Microsoft's Surface family.

While our editors took a look at every edition of each device, our poll was more general. We pitted lines of Surface hardware against each other. The Surface Pro earned the top spot, receiving just over 32% of the vote. The second-place device, the Surface Book, wasn't especially close, bringing in just 12.8% of votes.

The Surface Laptop SE (0%), Surface Hub (.0.43), and Surface RT (0.79%) rounded out the bottom three spots.

Interestingly, the Surface Book received more votes than the Surface Laptop Studio. While the Surface Laptop Studio serves as a successor to the Surface Book, the two devices have different form factors and approaches. The Surface Book allows users to detach its display to use it as a standalone tablet. This increases the number of postures the Surface Book can be used in but limits how powerful the PC can be. In contrast, the Surface Laptop Studio has a hinge that lets people flip it into different modes, all while keeping the display attached to its base. As a result, the Surface Laptop Studio is the most powerful Surface device to date.

Make sure to check out our other coverage of the 10-year anniversary of Surface:

• What’s the point of Surface? 10 years on
• 10 years of Surface: What we want to see next
• 10 years of Surface: The highs and lows of Microsoft's personal computers
• How 10 years of Surface inspired a wave of 2-in-1s
• Why I haven't bought a Surface PC (and probably never will)

It's the 10-year anniversary of Microsoft's Surface lineup. Throughout this week, we celebrated the family of devices. To wrap things up, we'd like to know which Surface device stands out above the rest.

The Surface family has come a long way since the launch of the RT and original Surface Pro. Microsoft has since released laptops, desktops, foldables, and even a massive conference room hub. This week's poll stacks them all against each other, allowing you to show your love for your top Surface device.

Perhaps you enjoy the Surface Pro 8, a refinement of Microsoft's original vision for the 2-in-1. Maybe you prefer the unique form factor of the Surface Laptop Studio. Alternatively, you may long for the days of Windows Phone and love holding a foldable Surface Duo 2 in your hands. No matter which Surface you love, we want to hear about it.

Of course, most Surface devices have had several iterations, but for this poll, we focused on each range from the lineup. If you're interested in comparing every single Surface device, make sure to check out our extended video special from this week. Executive editor Daniel Rubino, senior editor Jez Corden, and senior editor Zac Bowden go through the entire history of the family.

We also covered the Surface lineup from a variety of other angles this week. You can check out our entire collection of Surface articles or browse through some of the highlights:

• What’s the point of Surface? 10 years on
• 10 years of Surface: What we want to see next
• 10 years of Surface: The highs and lows of Microsoft's personal computers
• How 10 years of Surface inspired a wave of 2-in-1s
• Why I haven't bought a Surface PC (and probably never will)

As a reminder, comments are temporarily disabled on Windows Central. Please reach out to me on Twitter or jump into our official Discord channel to share your thoughts on Surface.

If you're looking for a laptop that offers quick and snappy performance in a premium, sleek, and portable form factor, an Ultrabook will be right up your alley. Ultrabooks are amongst the best laptops on the market since they offer an excellent balance of horsepower and battery life longevity, and two of our favorites are the Dell XPS 13 and the Surface Laptop 4. Both offer top performance and have exceptional battery life, though there are some key differences between the laptops that we'll go over below.

It's a tough choice, but overall, the Dell XPS 13 will be the better option for most folks due to the more impressive specs, better port selection, and more available storage. With that said, the Surface Laptop 4 is an awesome laptop, and we highly recommend it if you need something with the best possible battery life or if you just want something that's a bit less expensive. 

XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop 4: Comparison and specs

Both the Dell XPS 13 and the Surface Laptop 4 have excellent performance, though the latest models of the Dell XPS 13 pull ahead thanks to the availability of 12th Gen Intel CPUs that outperform the 11th Gen and AMD Ryzen chips you can get with the Surface Laptop 4. The fact that you can get an AMD Ryzen 5 4680U in the Surface is a nice-to-have option for fans of Intel's main competitor, though. 

Both devices can also be configured with plenty of RAM — up to 32GB of RAM is available for both. Notably, though, the Dell XPS 13 comes with cutting-edge DDR5 memory while the Surface Laptop 4 is limited to DDR4. In terms of storage, the Dell XPS 13 pulls ahead yet again, as it can be configured with an SSD of up to 1TB, which trumps the Surface Laptop 4's maximum SSD size of 512GB. Both laptops are Windows Hello compatible and work with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, so regardless of which you choose, you won't have to worry about security or connectivity.

Another area where the Dell XPS 13 has an edge is with its displays. Both laptops have screens with excellent colors and contrast, but the Dell XPS 13's has an anti-glare coating and is much brighter at 500 nits compared to the 349 nits of the Surface Laptop 4's panel. Additionally, the Dell XPS 13 also has options for higher resolution displays like a 3.5K OLED or 4K panel, while the Surface Laptop 4 is limited to its standard 2256x1504 resolution (at the time of writing, the Dell XPS 13's higher res options appear to be temporarily unavailable).

The Dell XPS 13 also has better ports than the Surface Laptop 4 — dual Thunderbolt 4 compared to a single USB-C and USB-A slot —but the Surface Laptop 4 does boast a better battery life of 17-19 hours. This beats out the 10-14-hour battery life of the Dell XPS 13, making the Surface the ideal pick for folks who don't spend much time near outlets. Most configurations of the Surface are also more affordable, making it the better choice for folks who want to save as much money as possible.

XPS 13 vs. Surface Laptop 4: Which should you buy?

Ultimately, we think that the Dell XPS 13 is the better option between these two devices because it offers greater performance while also coming with advantages like 4K availability, better ports, and more storage. It's a close call, but we feel that these benefits give the Dell XPS 13 the edge at the end of the day.

With that said, the Surface Laptop 4 is still an awesome device, and it will serve you well if you opt for it. The improved battery life and the availability of AMD Ryzen will both benefit the people who want or need these benefits immensely. And while the Dell XPS 13 does have better specs, the hardware in the Surface is far from weak or lacking. The fact that the device is more affordable also makes it a more appealing choice for folks on a budget.

If neither of these laptops appeals to you, make sure you check out our list of the best Windows laptops for more options. It's also worth keeping the Dell XPS 13 Plus in mind, as this experimental version of Dell's flagship 13-inch device features cutting-edge 12th Gen Intel P-Series CPUs and a gorgeous new design with an edge-to-edge keyboard and a significantly larger trackpad for hassle-free mousing. It's pricier than both of the laptops discussed in this matchup and the lack of a 3.5mm audio port is disappointing, but it's nevertheless worth considering as an alternative to the Dell XPS 13 and Surface Laptop 4 if you want some of the best possible Ultrabook performance money can buy.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's Panos Panay recently shared a promotional video featuring the Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Pro 8, and several other Microsoft devices.
• The video shows closeups, renders, and other clips of Microsoft's latest pieces of hardware.
• The Surface Slim Pen 2, Surface Laptop SE, and Xbox Series X also appear in the video.

Microsoft's Surface lineup continues to grow. The company's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, decided to highlight Microsoft's most recent products in a promotional video. It's not just PCs that Surface devices that appear. The Xbox Series X is also shown off, as is the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse.

The Surface Laptop Studio is featured prominently in the promotional clip. It is the most recent Surface device to introduce a new form factor, so it's not surprising that Microsoft would want to show it off.

Most of Microsoft's other Surface devices make at least a brief appearance, including the Surface Pro 8, Laptop 4, Pro X, Laptop Go, and Studio. All of the PCs in the reel are running Windows 11, of course, which is the most recent operating system from Microsoft.

The marketing team also showed some love for the Surface Duo 2, which appears toward the end of the video. The company's graphics team has a track record of highlighting hinges, which is how it introduces the Duo 2 in the reel.

On the gaming side of things, Xbox Cloud Gaming is streamed onto the Duo 2 around the end of the promo. The Xbox Series X appears shortly after.

The clip is only two minutes long, but Microsoft managed to fit in at least a snippet of just about every major consumer-facing product it makes.

One of Best Buy's deals of the day is the Sandstone version of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 on sale for $1,349.99. While these deals of the day are quite temporary, this is a fantastic price drop that even beats out a deal we shared on a similar configuration a couple weeks ago by $50. Normally these laptops sell for around $1,700 or so.

You can still get the Matte Black version for $1,399.99 as well. Not quite as cheap but still a good price and maybe worth it if you prefer that color.

We reviewed the Surface Laptop 4 back in April last year and gave it 4 out of 5 stars with a Recommended badge. Daniel Rubino said, "What makes a Surface a Surface is Microsoft's attention to detail and the sum of its parts... That holds especially true for the Surface Laptop, which is still one of the nicest, most enjoyable PC laptops available."

This version of the Surface Laptop 4 includes an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive. You also get a 13.5-inch display that's a full touchscreen and has a 2256 x 1504 pixel resolution. It's also designed to work with Windows Ink, which means you can use the Surface Pen accessory if you want.

Some of the other great features of the Surface Laptop 4 include a long-lasting battery life that can actually last for up to 17 hours. It also includes fast charging technology that can get you back up to 80% in just an hour. In addition to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, the Surface Laptop 4 also includes USB-C and USB-A ports for plugging in your favorite peripherals.

Surface Laptop 4 is the latest in Microsoft's premium laptop series, ideal for on-the-go productivity, entertainment, and everyday personal computing. It's one of the best Windows laptops on the market, portable, and sporting a conventional yet high-end design. It vastly differs from the Surface Laptop Studio, instead focused on best-in-class performance for digital creatives and power users. It has leading specifications and a hinged display that slides flat for precise inking, delivering the ultimate mobile workstation.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Laptop 4 specs

The past decade has seen the Microsoft Surface family sprawl from its iconic laptop-meets-tablet Surface Pro line into a growing lineup of devices. The Surface Laptop sits outside those category-bending form factors, a conventional clamshell designed to take on the premium Windows market.

The Surface Laptop has become a best-seller since Microsoft introduced the device back in 2017, with annual revisions bumping specifications with minor aesthetic tweaks. It's essentially the closest product to a Windows-powered MacBook, delivering upon the fundamentals for everyday productivity in a slick high-end package.

Microsoft has also taken the Surface Laptop in a new direction through its Surface Laptop Studio, an experimental, higher-end product geared to digital creatives. The device fuses the DNA of the Surface Studio with a laptop, translating to high performance, with a glass canvas for inking and editing.

The full Surface Laptop and Laptop Studio specifications follow, as provided by Microsoft.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Laptop 4 design and features

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4, like previous Surface Laptop entries, adopts a traditional clamshell design, akin to most modern laptops. It's one of the thinnest laptops out there, measuring less than 15mm when closed, both in 13.5-inch and 15-inch configurations. It's also built with premium materials in mind, from its aluminum casing to the choice of metal or Alcantara fabric palm rests. Unlike the Surface Laptop Studio, you also have several colors available.

Surface Laptop is Microsoft's answer to the MacBook Pro, with power in a portable package, without compromising aesthetics. Its 3:2 aspect ratio is suited to productivity, with an integrated touchscreen and inking support for added flexibility. It also has a front-facing 720p webcam for calls, also offering Windows Hello face sign-in.

The Surface Laptop Studio is a different beast designed for those who need more than a standard PC. It's intended to be adaptable, with a screen supporting various postures, accommodating all types of work styles.

It can be a traditional laptop, with a fixed 14.4-inch, 3:2 display, suitable for every day at-home and in-office productivity. The onboard webcam outputs 1080p video, while dual microphones and upgraded speakers make the cut. It's also well constructed, with a magnesium and aluminum shell, albeit a little bulkier than the standard Surface Laptop, at 19mm thick.

But adaptability is what makes the Surface Laptop Studio unique, with a hinged display, allowing the device to transform on the fly. It can also be an angled display, great for presentations and content consumption, while it also lays entirely flat for drawing and annotations with the pen. It's also simply more powerful than the Surface Laptop on paper just like the Surface Book series it succeeded.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Laptop 4 performance

Surface Laptop 4 ships in a variety of configurations, spanning Intel 11th Gen and AMD Ryzen processors, albeit held back by the lack of a discrete GPU. The device effortlessly wrangles everyday productivity, delivering slick performance across Windows 10 and Windows 11, whether browsing the web, editing documents, or dabbling in lightweight photo and video editing. Our Surface Laptop 4 review provides a deeper dive into Microsoft's latest and its performance, and whether the device works for you.

Improved performance can be found with the Surface Laptop Studio, rocking newer 12th Gen chips, and no AMD configurations. The entry-level models boast better hardware, while the top-spec devices hugely outpace what's found inside the costlier Surface Laptop models. While the Laptop Studio handles everyday computing with ease, you're also getting more power for photo and video editing, programming, and other intensive tasks. While it doesn't join the best gaming laptops, as discussed in our Surface Laptop Studio review, you'll have a much better time here for light video games, versus the Surface Laptop.

The Surface Laptop 4 also boasts impressive battery life, although expectations vary depending on your chosen configuration. Estimated battery life ranges from 16.5 hours to 19 hours, varying based on your choice of screen size or processor, Microsoft says. The larger screen size draws more power, decreasing battery life, while AMD generally comes out on top over Intel. The Surface Laptop Studio lasts a little longer, between 18 and 19 hours, with the i7 processor falling just short of the i5 SKU.

Surface Laptop Studio vs. Surface Laptop 4 pricing

Current Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 pricing sees 13.5-inch devices start at $800 via Microsoft, while upgrading to 15 inches means a $1,050 starting price. Top-spec models range from $1,500 to $1,550, with incremental pricing depending on your chosen configuration. The Surface Laptop Studio starts at $1,400, while investing in higher-end models could cost as much as $2,900. The full breakdown of Surface Laptop 4 and Surface Laptop Studio prices follow, via current Microsoft Store pricing in 2022:

Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) pricing: Consumer

Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) pricing: Consumer

Surface Laptop Studio pricing: Consumer

Got your eye on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4? Well there's one configuration available at the Microsoft store that could save you $150. It normally costs $1,300, but today it's down to $1,149.99. This same version is available with this discount in all four color options. You can also save on the $1,300 configuration of the 15-inch Surface Laptop 4.

As you go down the menu, you have to choose or not choose different things to be a part of your bundle. One of the required choices is a protection plan with the most basic version costing $149.99. Essentially this deal gives you that for free, and it doesn't hurt to have two years of accidental damage protection. However, if you want to you can remove that plan later in your shopping cart so you're authentically saving $150 off the price.

In our review we gave it 4 out of 5 stars with a Recommended badge. Daniel Rubino called it "one of the nicest, most enjoyable PC laptops available" and added that it's "a welcomed improvement to the line irrespective of whichever processor you choose."

In the case of the deal above, you can choose an Intel processor in the 13-inch version or an AMD processor in the 15-inch version. The smaller laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB solid state drive. While the 15-inch version includes an AMD Ryzen 7 4980U processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

Both options give you a machine with a 10-point multi-touch display that's designed to work with Surface Pen. You'll also get a battery that can last for up to 17 hours. Connectivity options include the Surface Connect port, one USB-C port, and one USB-A port.

It looks like several versions of the Laptop 4 have gone out of stock so be sure to grab this one while it's on sale and still available.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is making more spare parts available for Surface devices starting on October 15, 2021.
• Commercial customers will be able to order a replacement kickstand, SSD door, and other parts.
• The availability of parts varies from device to device.

Microsoft will expand its offering of spare parts for Surface devices to make it easier for IT technicians to repair PCs. Starting on October 15, 2021, commercial customers will be able to order a wider range of spare parts from Microsoft, including a kickstand and an SSD door. Organizations will be able to order spare parts through authorized Surface device resellers.

"We have a longstanding commitment to maximize product life, minimize waste, use more renewable resources, and improve the modularity, reparability, and recyclability of our devices—including our packaging," says Microsoft in a Tech Community post. "We are also working with our industry partners to make available more repair options that ensure the quality of repairs, safeguard consumer's privacy and security, and help protect consumers from injury."

The specific components available vary between devices.

Microsoft's Surface devices have a history of being difficult to repair. The Surface Pro 7 earned a 1/10 repairability score from iFixit. That's slightly better than the original Surface Laptop, which earned a 0. In its verdict, iFixit said, "The Surface Laptop is not a laptop. It's a glue-filled monstrosity. There is nothing about it that is upgradable or long-lasting, and it literally can't be opened without destroying it."

Microsoft appears to have listened to complaints regarding Surface repairability. The Surface Laptop 3 earned a 5/10 score from iFixit. While that's relatively low, it's significantly better than previous Surface Laptops. The expansion of spare part availability should also make devices easier to fix.

Microsoft notes that previously released spare parts, including SSDs for the Surface Pro 7+, are only available in the United States. The company also recommends that skilled IT technicians perform any repairs.

What you need to know

• The CEO and founder of iFixit discussed how difficult it is to repair popular gadgets at a recent hearing.
• Microsoft, Apple, and Samsung were specifically called out for making it difficult to repair smartphones, laptops, and other devices.
• It can be difficult or impossible for third-party repairers to obtain parts and tools required to fix some devices.

Microsoft, Samsung, Apple, and other major tech companies have been called out by iFixit co-founder and CEO Kyle Wiens regarding how difficult it is to repair hardware. Wiens explains that it's difficult for third-party repairers to obtain the required tools and parts to fix popular smartphones, laptops, and other gadgets.

"We've seen manufacturers restrict our ability to buy parts," said Wiens at the Productivity Commission's virtual right to repair public hearing on Monday (via ZDNet). "There's a German battery manufacturer named Varta that sells batteries to a wide variety of companies. Samsung happens to use these batteries in their Galaxy earbuds … but when we go to Varta and say can we buy that part as a repair part, they'll say 'No, our contract with Samsung will not allow us to sell that.' We're seeing that increasingly."

Microsoft's Surface Laptop is among the devices that are difficult to repair. In fact, iFixit gave the Surface Laptop an unprecedented score of zero, which is below the company's normal range of one to 10. "It had a glued-in battery … we had to actually cut our way into the product and destroyed it in the process of trying to get inside," explained Wiens.

Microsoft isn't alone in making devices that are hard to fix. Apple has a charging chip on its MacBook Pro that's "tweaked enough that it's only required to work in this computer," according to Wiens. The CEO explains that the company that makes the charging chip is under a contractual requirement with Apple, so it won't sell the parts to third-party repairers.

In California, a recycler allegedly destroyed spare parts rather than selling them. "California Apple stops providing service after seven years, so this was at seven years and Apple [had] warehouses full of spare parts, and rather than selling that out in the marketplace — so someone like me who eagerly would've bought them — they were paying the recycler to destroy them," said Wiens.

One proposed solution to this situation is to introduce a labeling scheme similar to one introduces in France and Australia. This would inform customers about how difficult it is to repair a device. In France, a repair index applies to smartphones, laptops, televisions, washing machines, and lawnmowers.

People have also called for laws regarding the right to repair devices to change.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has a large collection of Pride products and themes for Pride Month 2021.
• You can get Pride-themed Surface skins, Xbox gear, and themes and skins for several apps.
• Microsoft is also donating $150,000 to organizations that support LGBTQI+ communities.

June is Pride Month, and Microsoft is celebrating in a big way. This year's Pride products from Microsoft feature the 19 different LGBTQI+ flags, which in many cases are woven together. Microsoft explains that this creates "a sense of unity and evoking both technology and the possibilities of coming together to make change."

We recently highlighted that this month Microsoft has what it calls its most inclusive collection of Pride products and gear ever. Between the gear we've gotten to see firsthand and the products Microsoft is showing off, there are a lot of options to love.

In addition to having the large collection of Pride gear, Microsoft is donating an additional $150,000 to organizations that support the LGBTQI+ community, including:

• ACLU Foundation
• OutRight Action International
• Act To Change
• BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective)
• Mermaids
• The Trevor Project

In addition to physical merchandise, you can also get themes and backgrounds for a wide range of software, including Microsoft Teams, Skype, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Edge, and Windows. Microsoft has links to all of its Pride themes and products in a blog post.

What you need to know

• Microsoft recently rolled out updates for the Surface Laptop 1, 2, and 4.
• The company also released a firmware update for the Surface Studio.

Microsoft has fresh firmware updates for several Surface devices this week. The Surface Laptop 4, 2, and 1 have updates, as does the Surface Studio (1st Gen). As is normally the case, the updates don't have any new features. They do, however, improve stability, reliability, and security.

Here's everything in the update for the Surface Laptop 4, as found on its support page:

The changelog for the Surface Laptop 2 is much shorter. The original Surface Laptop shares the same changelog:

The Surface Studio (1st Gen) has the following changes:

You can get these firmware updates now through Windows Update.

What you need to know

• Microsoft just released a new ad for the Surface Laptop 4.
• The ad calls out the MacBook Air for not having a touchscreen.
• It also highlights the Surface Laptop 4 having a USB-C port and a USB-A port.

Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 is the latest member of the Surface family. It has plenty of options when it comes to size and processors and continues the tradition of thin-and-light laptops from Microsoft. In the latest ad for the Surface Laptop 4, Microsoft puts it head-to-head with the MacBook Air.

The ad features the same actor as Microsoft's other recent Surface ads, but also ads his sister. In the ad, the pair discusses how the Surface Laptop 4 has a touchscreen and a USB-A port. Of course, they make sure to point out that the MacBook Air lacks a touchscreen and doesn't have a USB-A port.

The Surface Laptop 4 has a USB-A and USB-C port, while the MacBook Air only has USB-C ports. Depending on your accessories, either setup could arguably be better if we're honest.

Needless to say, everyone doesn't share the opinion of the siblings in the latest ad for the Surface Laptop 4. In his MacBook Air review for our sister site iMore, Daniel Bader calls the MacBook Air a "giant leap" forward. Bader also calls the MacBook Air a "potent combination of class design and a new, ultra-fast M1 SoC."

Surface Laptop 4 display info

The Surface Laptop 4 includes the PixelSense touchscreen that came with the Surface Laptop 3. As on the Surface Laptop 3, the PixelSense display supports both touch and stylus input. However, the Surface Pen can enhance the touchscreen experience the most with tilt support, which allows for shading, and 4,096 points of pressure sensitivity with very little lag. The 3:2 aspect ratio is also ideal for productivity work, able to show more text, programming code, and whatever else you may need to look at on a screen simultaneously.

The 15-inch variant of the Surface Laptop 4 features a higher display resolution than the 13.5-inch model, but both have the same pixel density of 201 PPI. The display resolutions — 2256x1504 for the 13.5-inch displays and 2496x1664 for the 15-inch displays — remain the same from the previous generation.

Surface Pro 7 comparison

Whether you're better off with a Surface Laptop 4 or Surface Pro 7 comes down to several factors. The Surface Pro 7 comes with a 3:2 PixelSense touchscreen also, but the display is smaller at 12.3 inches. However, the resolution and pixel density are higher at 2736x1824 and 267 PPI, respectively, than both of the Surface Laptop 4 models. At the end of the day, the display for the Surface Laptop 4 won't disappoint, and it's nice to have a bigger screen.

The Surface Pro 7 seems like a more natural fit for artists or simply users who will often take notes or sketch on their screen. In most other cases, the Surface Laptop 4 might be the way to go.

Upgrades and other features

Among the other Surface Laptop 4 features are new Intel and AMD processors and better graphics processing. The 11th-generation Intel i5 and i7 CPUs include new Iris Xe integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 4000 series CPUs still come with AMD Radeon integrated graphics.

When it comes to weight, the Surface Laptop 4 doesn't stray from its predecessor, with the 13.5-inch version still weighing as little as 2.79 pounds and the 15-inch version coming in at 3.40 pounds.

Last word

If you're looking for a work laptop with a touchscreen and enough power for most work applications, especially one that won't feel too heavy as you transport it between the office and your home, then the Surface Laptop 4 is worth looking into. There's a reason the 15-inch model is one of our best 15-inch laptops of 2021.

When Microsoft first introduced Surface Laptop back in 2017, I called it one of the best Surfaces yet. Years later, a lot has changed for Microsoft, but surprisingly Surface Laptop has not (save for the added 15-inch model as an alternative to the original 13.5-inch one).

But Surface is all about the details, and while I mostly panned Surface Laptop 3 with AMD Ryzen 3000, the new Surface Laptop 4 with Ryzen 4000 makes a noticeable impact thanks to those eight cores. Yes, Surface Laptop 4 is a marked improvement, so much so I am coming around to the 15-inch model. But, as usual, there are prominent areas where Microsoft can still improve and some heavy qualifications around that AMD chip too.

As to which model you should go with – Intel vs. AMD – the choice is complicated, but the bottom line is that either is a great option, with the latter competing among the best AMD Ryzen laptops available.

Surface Laptop 4: Price and availability

Surface Laptop 4 is now available direct from Microsoft or through Best Buy and Amazon.com, as well as many other retailers. Global availability varies, but it should be available in all current Surface markets by June.

New this year is the broader availability of choice between Intel and AMD models and many more configuration options.

Pricing still begins at $999 for the 13.5-inch model and $1,399 for the 15-inch one, but there is much more value for 2021. Compared to last year, the $999-entry level Surface Laptop doubles storage from 128GB to 256GB along with 8GB of RAM and a Ryzen 5 processor (instead of Intel Core i5). There is also no longer a $1,199 15-inch model with Ryzen 5. Instead, there is a $1,299 model, but the processor is now a more powerful Ryzen 7, and it also doubles the storage to 256GB making it well worth the extra $100.

Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Consumer

Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Consumer

While AMD may be the star of the show for some, it is evident that Intel still gets preferred options. If you want the cloth-like Alcantara 13.5-inch in Ice Blue, that is Intel-only. The same goes for sandstone and black non-Alcantara models too. And if you are a big spender, the model with 32GB of RAM (also new this year) and 1TB of storage is also Intel-only.

Surface Laptop 4: At a glance

Surface Laptop 4 looks a lot like all previous models because Microsoft has not modified the core design since version one. Nonetheless, there are plenty of smaller changes, including processors, configuration options, pricing, and software that do add up to a substantial refresh over its predecessors:

• Intel 11th Gen Core processors with Iris Xe Graphics
• AMD Ryzen 4000 and Radeon Graphics Surface Edition
• Up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage (Intel only)
• No more 128GB option (256GB or higher)
• Dolby Atmos spatial-audio
• Ice Blue with Alcantara (13.5-inch Intel only)
• Consumer availability of AMD and Intel models
• Commercial availability of AMD and Intel models
• Up to 70% performance improvement
• Battery jumps from 11.5 hours to 17 to 19 hours
• Slightly faster Windows Hello login
• 15-inch models are only Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
• Same $999 starting price (AMD Ryzen 5, 256GB, 8GB)
• AMD models now have Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x

Specs-wise, Surface Laptop 4 falls into the traditional Ultrabook category – thin and light computing. While the 13.5-inch is more reflective of many of the best 13-inch laptops available, there are very few thin and light 15-inch laptops. Most 15-inch PCs add on at least a pound in weight, are significantly thicker, have worse battery life, but are also substantially more powerful thanks to a discrete NVIDIA GPU, which Surface Laptop 4 lacks.

Only the 13.5-inch models offer the famed Alcantara cloth finish, and even then, it is only available in platinum or ice blue. The other two finishes are matte black and sandstone, which are traditional metal. For the 15-inch models, there are no exciting colorways, just platinum (Intel) and matte black (AMD or Intel).

This review uses the 15-inch matte-black model with Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, and 512GB of storage provided by Microsoft. It retails for $1,699 and ships with Windows 10 Home.

Looks familiar

Surface Laptop 4: Design and features

Surface Laptop 4 can best be described as minimalist. Borrowing from the design philosophy of Dieter Rams, Microsoft wants a laptop that is clean, unobtrusive, and easily understood, where "less is more." It succeeds.

There are only four ports: Type A, Type C, and a headphone jack on the left side. On the right is the proprietary Surface Connect port (used with the 65-watt charger or port expansion via Surface Dock). There is no Thunderbolt 4 despite Intel building it into 11th Gen chips. The reason for omission may fall upon offering AMD processors, where adding the port specification is challenging (and maybe even political).

The matte-black chassis is spotless thanks to a single logo on the lid with a mirror finish. While matte black looks nice, it quickly picks up fingerprints and oils, meaning it needs occasional wiping to stay clean. The platinum chassis is a better option for those who hate the sight of such marring. However, you are then limited to Intel as your processor choice in platinum, at least for the 15-inch series.

The sloped design of the chassis is smooth with no sharp edges. The display lid can be opened with one hand, and there is little flex to the whole body. Typically, the bottom of a laptop is where one finds large intake vents for the processor, but Microsoft pushes them to the rear edge. That means when in your lap, you never block the vents, and it results in a purer design (and likely a cooler chassis). Such details are easy to overlook, but few laptops go this far to hide necessary components due to the complexity of pulling them off.

There are no visible speakers on the Surface Laptop – another unique design trait not found on any other PC. Microsoft, instead, hides them below the keyboard. Despite its non-visible status, the audio is well above average, which is only improved upon this year by the inclusion of Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is a software driver solution that increases the speakers' spatial capabilities during music playback, but especially during modern movies optimized for the standard.

The keyboard and trackpad, as always with Surface, set the bar. Key travel, size, and the overall feel are some of the best in the business, with only HP offering similarly competitive typing. The three-stage backlighting makes it easy to see the keyboard in low-light situations. While some may lament the lack of a number pad on the 15-inch model, Microsoft is again going for a purer experience (and one I favor). The trackpad is large, smooth, and has a relatively quiet click when depressed.

A good display

Surface Laptop 4: Display and camera

Unfortunately, there are no new improvements to the screen for Surface Laptop 4. It is still the same LCD-based 15-inch PixelSense 2496 x 1664 display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The 201 pixel per inch (PPI) is slightly lower than that of Surface Pro 7 (267 PPI) and Surface Book 3 (260 PPI), but that's not discernible.

The Surface Laptop 4 supports inking with a Surface Pen (not included), but the display does not open to 180 degrees, nor is there a place to keep the pen in transit. However, in a pinch, the pen is great for signing a document or making a quick note. Likewise, the Surface Dial works with off-screen interaction.

Display accuracy is typical, but unremarkable with 97% sRGB, 72% AdobeRGB, and 75% DCI-P3. The LG Gram 17 and VAIO Z, by comparison, earn 100% sRGB, 87% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3. Granted, neither of those also have a touch display like Surface Laptop 4, but it is evident Microsoft is not pushing the bar with screens lately.

Brightness peaks at an average of 399 nits in the center, with just 6.3 nits of brightness when set to zero, making this laptop easy to use in the dark of night without being too bright.

Microsoft still does not include an anti-reflective treatment (not to be confused with anti-glare/matte) for reducing eye strain. It also does not support HDR for more vibrant contrast, nor wide color-gamut (WCG) for those who need precise colorwork for photography or video. Such features are now increasingly common, but Microsoft is still uninterested in adding those to Surface.

Color, contrast, and vibrancy are all good with very even brightness. Microsoft gets some credit for having one of the thinnest displays in a laptop, but the bezels are still on the large size compared to what HP and Dell are doing these days.

Microsoft does, nevertheless, excel in the web camera department. Even at just 720P resolution (below that of Surface Pro and Pro X at 1080P), it is an excellent camera that is much better than any other premium laptop in this category. However, post-pandemic, it would have been nice to see even more minor improvements in the hardware to match the new normal.

AMD shines, but …

Surface Laptop 4: Performance and battery

Performance with Surface Laptop 4 with AMD Ryzen 7 (4000 Mobile) is outstanding and a massive improvement over last year's Ryzen 3000 models. While some will lament that Microsoft is not using the newer Ryzen 5000 Mobile chips, the gains between it and the 4000 series are significantly less substantial than those between Ryzen 3000 and 4000 Mobile. It may be better to think of these processors as Ryzen "4500 Mobile" with the modifications to clock speeds and driver optimizations made by Microsoft.

Compared to other chips, including 11th Gen Intel and even Apple's touted M1 processor, the picture quickly gets complicated. Those hoping for a clear winner between Intel, AMD, and Apple will be sorely disappointed as each has pros and cons.

Before we begin, there is a caveat and a change to our benchmarks. During my testing, it became apparent there is a discrepancy in performance on Surface Laptop 4 (AMD) between using AC power or on battery (set to performance in both modes). This behavior is also valid on Surface Laptop 3 (AMD). While the difference is not perceptible (that is, it did not feel slower), it is consistent, measurable, and often significant. Intel laptops do not exhibit such variance by comparison. I include benchmarks for both AC and battery scenarios for evaluation to give the entire picture.

On PCMark 10, an overall look at system performance, Surface Laptop 4 is only beat by laptops with a discrete NVIDIA GPU, which is extraordinary. It even slightly edges out the Dell XPS 15's 8-core Intel i7-10875H and even newer Intel Core i7-11375H. However, on battery, Surface Laptop 4 is a hair slower than Surface Laptop 3 (AMD) when running on AC and below that of 10th Gen Intel laptops.

3Dmark Time Spy reveals limitations of the AMD RX Vega GPU nearing the bottom of the list and below that of similar laptops with Intel Iris Xe graphics regardless if plugged in or not. The discrepancy with discrete GPUs from NVIDIA is even more apparent but unsurprising.

We see similar results on 3Dmark Night Raid, a mix of CPU and GPU overall system performance. Surface Laptop 4 on AC edges out Surface Pro 7+ but is well behind Razer Book 13 and HP Spectre x360 14, neither of which has a discrete GPU, just Iris Xe Graphics. On battery, Surface Laptop 4 edges out Surface Laptop 3 (Intel).

Geekbench 5, which focuses on pure CPU performance, again highlights the difference between being plugged in or not. When on AC, Surface Laptop 4 nearly reaches Apple's M1 processor and is well ahead of Intel's 8-core and 4-core chips. However, when on battery, AMD falls behind processors like the one used in Surface Laptop 4 but with Intel for single-core but maintains a slight edge on multi-core (even though it has twice the core count).

It's not all bad news, however. On Cinebench R23, Surface Laptop 4 is remarkable regardless of power state. The AMD's 8-core advantage is especially apparent on the multi-core test, where it handily beats Apple's M1 processor by a substantial margin (Apple slightly edges AMD out on single-core). Intel quad-core and even 8-core 11th Gen chips are left in the dust.

Surprisingly, even SSD speeds, which is never an area Microsoft excels in, takes a hit depending on power status (plugged or unplugged). Surface Laptop 4 PCIe 3.0 SSD has below average speeds of 2,310 MB/s for sequential read and a low 1,060 MB/s for sequential write when on AC power. On battery, those results drop to a disappointing 1,806 and 1,056 MB/s, respectively. Like Surface Laptop 3, the SSD on Surface Laptop 4 is serviceable, meaning users can upgrade it, although the process is a bit tricky.

Thermals are pretty good, with the top of Surface Laptop 4 never exceeding 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius) on the top deck. The bottom peaks at or just below 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), making this laptop warm but never hot. Similar numbers are seen on Apple's MacBook Pro with M1 when both devices are running Cinebench 23.

Fan volume is about 2 decibels less than Surface Laptop 3, peaking around 46 dBA, which is incredibly quiet for a laptop in peak mode. Apple's MacBook Pro with M1 is a smidge softer at 44 dBA. When not pushing CPU and GPU to the max, the Laptop 4's fans rarely turn on, making this a very quiet laptop for everyday usage.

However, compared to Intel 10th Gen Surface Laptop 3 (13.5-inch) Surface Laptop 4 with AMD did not pass the 3Dmark Time Spy Stress Test earning just 91.6% FPS Stability compared to Intel's 99.1% score. Such a result suggests that the 8-core AMD processor is hitting thermal limitations, which seems plausible considering how thin and quiet this laptop is versus proper gaming or workstation PCs.

Battery life is decent even though the 15-inch Surface Laptop has the same battery as the 13.5-inch. Of course, as has been illustrated, AMD and Microsoft accomplish this by reducing the CPU, GPU, and even SSD performance, which heavily influences such a result. In our controlled battery rundown test (PCMark 10 Modern Office), which loops through productivity-related tasks with occasional breaks, Surface Laptop 4 matched Surface Laptop 3 15-inch with an Intel Core i7 10th Gen.

The battery results are OK but not super impressive either, and it makes us wonder what the version with Intel 11th Gen would attain. In real-life experience, battery life appears to hit the 8-hour mark and should be fine for most people.

Surface Laptop 4 also resumes from sleep very quickly so that by the time the lid is opened, the Windows Hello infrared camera is already logging you into the OS. However, on hibernate, AMD takes around 5 seconds longer than an Intel Evo laptop to fully resume, clocking in at approximately 15 seconds versus 8 to 10.

Putting aside benchmarks and charts, Surface Laptop 4 feels very fast and responsive, much more so than Surface Laptop 3. Microsoft makes a big deal about "system integration" of all the hardware to work smoothly and efficiently — and I believe them. While the Ryzen 7 drops in overall performance on battery, where I use it most of the time, it still feels exceptionally competent and enjoyable.

Anything better?

Surface Laptop 4: The competition

While there are plenty of similar PCs in the 13-inch range, there are very few thin laptops like Surface Laptop 4 15-inch.

The most obvious comparison is the new LG Gram 14, which has a slightly smaller and lower resolution non-touch display (1920 x 1200), 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage with an Intel 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7. It does offer Thunderbolt 4, more ports, a larger battery at 72WHr (versus 47.4 WHr), and weighs just 2.2 pounds (999g) – more than a pound lighter than Surface Laptop 4, all for $300 less at $1,400.

Another interesting choice is HP's ENVY 14. It has a smaller, lower-resolution 16:10 14-inch touch screen, but it offers up a moderately powerful NVIDIA GeForce 1650 Ti GPU, which obliterates Iris Xe or AMD. It gets surprisingly good battery life, has many more ports (including microSD and full HDMI), and it is overall just one of the most lovely laptops I have used. Pricing with GPU is much lower than Surface Laptop 4 (15") at $1,260 while or smidge heavier at 3.53 pounds (1.6kg) versus 3.4 pounds (1,542 g).

The rest of the 15-inch space is crowded with some excellent offerings like the Dell XPS 15, Razer Blade 15, HP Spectre x360 15T, and more. Still, these all get into gaming laptop or workstation genres weighing much more than Surface Laptop 4 with higher price tags and often worse battery. You also get something much more performant since that class of laptop also features an NVIDIA GeForce GPU.

See our best 15-inch laptop and best 13-inch laptop lists to see our top-rated choices.

It's better

Should you buy Surface Laptop 4?

Who it's for

• People who want a light and thin 15" touchscreen laptop
• Those who want an elegant PC with strong AC performance
• Writers, photo and video editors, office workers
• Fans of Surface who want a traditional laptop

Who it isn't for

• Those who need Thunderbolt 4 or a convertible PC
• Gamers
• People who need 4G LTE or 5G connectivity

My first experience with Surface Laptop 3 15-inch was, at best mediocre. Part of it was AMD's Ryzen 3000 processor was lacking compared to the much superior Intel 10th Gen chip. The other was more philosophical: why even buy this laptop?

The processor dilemma has mostly been answered, or rather, improved upon. AMD Ryzen 4000 and the eight-core R7 is a very powerful upgrade one that can even nip at the heels of Apple's M1. Battery life is decent – not unique – and the overall responsiveness, instant-on, and quality of the components shine. All of that has greatly improved my impressions and even fondness of the 15-inch model.

What makes a Surface a Surface is Microsoft's attention to detail and the sum of its parts. It is something you only "get" in using one firsthand. That holds especially true for the Surface Laptop, which is still one of the nicest, most enjoyable PC laptops available.

Of course, as the benchmark section revealed, there are a lot of qualifications too. Whether you primarily work on AC or battery could impact your choice of processor. AMD gets the battery life, but Intel gets the mobile performance. When plugged in, AMD dominates, but only if you do not need a strong GPU. If you primarily do work in multi-core app scenarios, then go with AMD, but Intel is the winner if you use single-core apps. Likewise, for media creators, our results from PCMark 10 revealed the AMD Surface Laptop 4 better for photo editing, but Intel Iris Xe (Surface Pro 7+) is better for video.

It is all overly complicated, and most people don't have single answers to those questions. Instead, "it depends." The only takeaway is there is no clear winner between the two processors, and either option is fine. Just don't overthink it.

The more significant issue is why get Surface Laptop 4 15-inch regardless of the chip inside it? For myself, it is a tricky question to answer. The most obvious answer is the simplest: you prefer a more prominent display. That may be a good enough response for many, and it is not my place to disagree. However, I would still like to see Microsoft do a bit more to make the 15-inch model more than just a "blown up" smaller one. Even things like using a larger battery, adding an extra port, or a 1080P camera would at least be interesting. LG can get away with this because its whole schtick is ridiculously light laptops, e.g., Gram 17.

For either the 13.5-inch or 15-inch Surface Laptop 4, Microsoft could still do things to make the display on par with Apple, HP, or Dell regarding HDR, WCG, and anti-reflective treatment. Thunderbolt 4 would also be excellent (even if I think it is overrated for your average user).

Overall, Surface Laptop 4 is a welcomed improvement to the line irrespective of whichever processor you choose. As always, Microsoft seems to be slipping a bit in pushing new features making this laptop full of potential not yet realized. But if you are set on the 15-inch model, it is much easier to recommend in 2021 than last year.

What you need to know

• Microsoft breaks down the security features of the Surface Laptop 4 in a recent post.
• The Surface Laptop 4 is the second secured-core PC from the Surface family of hardware.
• The Surface Laptop 4 has several layers of security, including hardware, software, and firmware protection.

Microsoft recently announced the Surface Laptop 4. The newest member of the Surface family has plenty of options, including allowing people to choose an AMD or Intel CPU as well as either a 13.5-inch or 15-inch body. To protect the Surface Laptop 4 and any information people store on it, Microsoft built in several security measures. Microsoft breaks down the security features in a recent post. Specifically, the post breaks down the security elements of the AMD-powered Surface Laptop 4.

The Surface Laptop 4 is the second secured-core PC from the Surface family of hardware, the first being the Surface Pro X for Business. Secured-core PCs have several security features built-in, including virtualization-based security, System Guard, and kernel DMA protection. They also offer multiple layers of protection, including hardware, firmware, software, and identification. Microsoft goes into more depth about secured-core PCs on its website.

The Surface Laptop 4 also has the Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM) and an AMD Ryzen Mobile processor with System Guard. Kernel Direct Memory Access Protection is pre-enabled on the Surface Laptop 4 and helps protect against Direct Memory Access (DMA) attacks.

Microsoft built its own Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) that's within the Surface Laptop 4 as well as other devices. As explained by Microsoft, it is "essentially a modern version of a BIOS that initializes and validates system hardware components, boots Windows 10 from an SSD, and provides an interface for the OS to interact with the keyboard, display, and other input/output devices."

The UEFI can be updated through Windows Update, which means you don't have to use a third-party piece of software or a website to grab an update. Microsoft shared an example of how this setup allowed the company to roll out an update to address Spectre and Meltdown right away.

The Surface Laptop 4 also supports Surface Enterprise Management Mode. This lets you remotely enable or disable components of the Surface Laptop 4. This improves security by reducing how many components can be utilized by attackers.

Virtualization-based security (VBS) provides another layer of protection for the Surface Laptop 4. It creates a hardware-based security boundary that separates security features and sensitive data from any vulnerabilities in Windows 10.

On top of all these features, the Surface Laptop 4 supports several types of identity protection. People can use Windows Hello with the device, including support for biometric logins and FIDO2 keys.

While no device is impenetrable, Microsoft put in quite a bit of effort to help secure the Surface Laptop 4.

What you need to know

• Microsoft launched a website for original Surface skins inspired by celebrities and influencers.
• The website features designs inspired by former NFL player Martellus Bennett and creator Cache Bunny.
• The skins featured on the website are made by dbrand.

Earlier today, we spotted a video by the Microsoft Surface team with the tagline "original by design." Alongside that video highlighting the Surface family of devices, Microsoft announced a website called WeAreOriginalByDesign. The website includes dbrand skins for Microsoft's entire range of Surface devices.

The website features original designs inspired by different celebrities and influencers, such as creator Cache Bunny and former NFL player Martellus Bennett. In total, there are seven skins featured right now, six of which are inspired by people. The seventh is dbrand's well-known Robot Camo pattern. Each featured person also has a video that tells their story and a section that breaks down the Surface kit that they use.

If you click the section to redesign your Surface, you're taken to an area to pick out your skin. You have to select a category of Surface first, such as Surface Pro, and then you can pick a specific model. For example, if you'd like a skin for your Surface Pro X, you have to first select Surface Pro and then specify that you want a skin for the Surface Pro X.

When you've picked out what you'd like to buy, going to your cart redirects you to dbrand's website.

The website seems a bit awkward to navigate at this point, especially with a keyboard and mouse. There are several different types of movement required to navigate the site, including clicking and dragging a page, clicking through content, and ultimately jumping to another website entirely to make a purchase. It doesn't load on Edge on my Android phone either at this point.

Your reward for navigating the website is a unique set of skins for just about any Surface device that you'd like.

What you need to know

• Microsoft just released a video highlighting its entire Surface lineup of hardware.
• The video focuses on the original ideas people can come up with while using Surface devices.
• the Surface Duo, Surface Studio, Surface Book, and several other Surface devices are featured in the video.

Microsoft just announced the Surface Laptop 4 yesterday. The new laptop features refreshed internals and dramatically improved battery life compared to its predecessor. It's the latest addition to Microsoft's expanding Surface lineup. Today, Microsoft shared a video highlighting the Surface lineup as a whole that focuses on how the devices are "original by design."

The "original by design" title is a play on words that refers to both the designs of the devices themselves as well as what people create while using the devices. The video talks about finding inspiration as it cycles through the Surface Duo, Surface Studio, Surface Pro, Surface Book, and Surface Headphones. Pretty much all of the best Microsoft Surface PCs are shown off.

The video isn't just about creating art, though it does feature photography, drawing, and designing clothes. It also shows off people innovating technology and studying in school.

The Surface family of hardware includes devices in almost every major form factor, including mobile devices, tablets, laptops, and all-in-ones. Many of the Surface devices broke the mold in their respective categories, such as the 2-in-1 nature of the Surface Pro or the detachable tablet of the Surface Book.

Microsoft has officially announced the Surface Laptop 4. It offers 11th Gen Intel CPU and AMD Ryzen 4000 CPU options and stylish design updates for the Surface line of laptops. However, those two perks come at a cost — a literal one.

The Surface Laptop 4 starts at $999 and only goes up in price from there if you want anything more than the bare minimum configuration. If you love the Surface line, prefer to have the latest iterations of tech possible, and crave the power of, say, an AMD Ryzen 7 4980U CPU or 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7, then the decision's a no-brainer. But for those who are undecided: which way are you leaning?

On the one hand, the Surface Laptop 4 is a cool machine. On the other, having to spend four figures for an incremental upgrade of the Surface Laptop 3 might not cut it for everyone. It's not like the CPU upgrades are a game-changer, and the aesthetic updates also don't reinvent the wheel. Are they enough to sway you, though?

Alternatively, if you've yet to adopt a Surface laptop, does this one look like it's the perfect fit for you? If you've yet to dip your feet in the Surface pool, we'd love to hear about your level of interest in Microsoft's latest model.

Whether you're a Surface veteran or a curious onlooker, let us know your thoughts! And in the meantime, keep it tuned to Windows Central for all the latest Surface Laptop 4 news.

What you need to know

• A Microsoft Mechanics video takes a deeper look at the Surface Laptop 4.
• The video breaks down the laptop's battery improvements, internals, and options.
• The Surface Laptop 4 is available for order now and starts shipping on April 14, 2021.

Every time Microsoft announces a new Surface device, we keep our eyes peeled for the ensuing Microsoft Mechanics video. These videos by the official Microsoft Mechanics YouTube channel take a deeper look at devices and often share bits of insight not shared in the shorter marketing videos. The Surface Laptop 4 is no exception, as it received a Microsoft Mechanics video shortly after its official announcement.

We'll have to get our hands on the device before we can determine if its one of the best Windows laptops, but this video gives us a better idea of what's inside.

The Surface Laptop 4 is all about options. You can get it in either 13.5-inch or 15-inch variants and have options for Intel or AMD internals regardless of if you are a general consumer or a business customer. The video breaks down details about both models, including how improvements to efficiency across power states bring the battery life up to 19 hours on certain models.

An odd tidbit appears at the 2:13 mark of the video. The video states that the AMD Ryzen 5 version of the Surface Laptop 4 has seven cores and that the extra core "is used for GPU." It's unclear if this is a mistake in the video as Microsoft's website states that the Ryzen 5 variant has six cores.

The video also talks about the improved cooling system of the laptop. The Surface Laptop 4 measures temperature at several points on the device to help manage cooling. You can also manually configure cooling options.

The Surface Laptop 4 and color options

The Surface Laptop 4 is here, and Microsoft is offering buyers a nice selection of different color options. If you're interested in getting the 13-inch version, you can get the Surface Laptop 4 in Ice Blue, Sandstone, Platinum, or Matte Black. The 15-inch versions of the device are limited to the Platinum and Matte Black color schemes.

It's also important to highlight that the Ice Blue and Platinum options feature an Alcantara fabric keyboard, while the Sandstone and Matte Black ones come with a metal keyboard. Both types of keyboard are excellent, but if you like soft and textured typing surfaces, you'll probably prefer Alcantara.

Why should you get the Surface Laptop 4?

There are many reasons to get the Surface Laptop 4 beyond its nice selection of colors. Arguably the best thing about the device is the fact that it can be configured with a variety of powerful 11th Gen Intel or AMD Ryzen 4000 processors, all of which will be productivity powerhouses. These processors come with Intel Iris Xe and Radeon RX Graphics, respectively, which are both very capable as well. Up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 1TB of storage is available, too, meaning that you'll never have to worry about running out of memory or storage. Also, both the 13-inch 2256 x 1504 and 15-inch 2496 x 1664 touch-enabled displays are pretty sharp and will be excellent for both work and recreational activities. The battery life is awesome, too, as the device is capable of lasting for 17-19 hours before needing a recharge.

When it comes to connectivity, the Surface Laptop 4 features full Wi-Fi 6 support and a suite of useful ports that include a USB-C, USB-A, Surface Connect, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack port. Bluetooth 5.0 is also present here, meaning that you can make use of your favorite Bluetooth computer accessories. The device is also only 2.84 lbs (13-inch) or 3.4 lbs (15-inch) and is only just over a half-inch thick, allowing you to carry it around with you easily.

Overall, the Surface Laptop 4 is simply an excellent device all-around, and it's arguably one of the best Windows laptops available.

Microsoft's latest and greatest Surface Laptop is the Surface Laptop 4. It's what you'll want to choose if you need the best performance possible from the latest processors out of AMD and Intel. Because the Surface Laptop 4 is the newer model, you can expect to pay a small premium compared to the Surface Laptop 3, which is still a great notebook on its own and can be found at a discount.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Specifications

Microsoft has officially announced the Surface Laptop 4 so we know exactly how the newer notebook compares to the Surface Laptop 3. Almost matching leaked Surface Laptop 4 specifications, we've put together the below specifications chart to show how the comparison in full.

There are many configurations available, starting with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 and AMD Ryzen 5 4680U. It's possible to configure up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 1TB of storage with Intel processors only, but all storage is removable allowing you to install your own NVMe drive.

What's new with the Surface Laptop 4

• Intel 11th Gen Core processors with Iris Xe Graphics
• AMD Ryzen 4000 and Radeon Graphics (Surface Edition)
• Up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage (Intel only)
• No more 128GB option (256GB or higher)
• Dolby Atmos spatial-audio
• Ice Blue with Alcantara (13.5-inch Intel only)
• Up to 70% performance improvement
• Battery improvements
• Slightly faster Windows Hello login
• 15-inch models are only Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
• AMD models now have Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Design & Display

It'll be difficult to tell the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Laptop 4 apart unless you know what to look for. Microsoft is using the exact same chassis, making both the Surface Laptop 3 and Laptop 4 look almost identical, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you're a fan of the older all-aluminum design, you'll dig the newer notebook.

The Surface Laptop 3 looks amazing and Microsoft did a solid job with designing such a premium-looking notebook. You'll be able to enjoy the same small bezel experience with stunning displays. The port selection is the same, rocking a single USB-C, USB-A, and a headphone jack. Microsoft chose not to include Thunderbolt 3 or 4.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Performance

This is where the major change comes into play. The Surface Laptop 4 comes rocking 11th Gen Intel and AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors. What's more is the AMD processors are available in the 13.5-inch laptop, likewise with the Intel CPUs in the 15-inch, allowing for far more choice. Compared to previously available chips, these offer up to a 70% increase in performance.

Interestingly, Microsoft is not planning to include 12th Gen Intel processors nor will it take Ryzen 5000 series CPUs from AMD. This is a strange move if you'd prefer to choose the very latest from AMD and Intel. The 11th Gen Intel and AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors aren't bad, but they won't be the latest and greatest.

It's not just computing power that has been given a slight bump, but also graphics processing. Intel 11th Gen processors come with Iris Xe graphics, and AMD still offers its excellent integrated Radeon GPUs with the Ryzen 4000 series.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3: Pricing

Microsoft is pricing the Surface Laptop 4 at $999 for the base model, which is the same as the Surface Laptop 3 when it first came out. You can easily find the Surface Laptop 3 for $800 or less right now, making it a better deal if you're on a tighter budget. Still, the additional $200 is worth forking out if you could make use of the additional performance.

Surface Laptop 4 has the latest tech

Going with the current generation of any product is best if you plan on making full use of the hardware available. Like other products, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 comes rocking 11th Gen Intel and AMD Ryzen 4000 series processors. The price will be a little higher, but it's well worth it if you need one of the best Microsoft Surface PCs available.

Buy the Surface Laptop 3 for a better deal

Just because the Surface Laptop 3 is from the last generation, this doesn't mean it's a bad purchase. The Surface Laptop 3 is still a very good notebook, coming equipped with 10th Gen Intel processors and plenty of tech to keep you online throughout the day. You may even find one at a steal of a deal.

Microsoft is giving the Surface Laptop a mild refresh with new processors from AMD and Intel. As always, this generation promises longer battery life and improved performance, but this time it looks to be significant thanks to those newer processors.

While the Surface Laptop's overall look remains the same, save for the new Ice Blue with Alcantara for the 13.5-inch, there are numerous new configuration options available. There is also now wider availability of the previous 'business-only' Intel models for consumers. Conversely, businesses can now buy AMD Surface Laptops.

The laptops are now available to order in the US, Canada, and Japan with other markets in the coming weeks.

Surface Laptop 4 (2021): What's new

Let's cut to the chase and go over what is new. Microsoft is sticking with the existing formula for the 13.5 and 15-inch models while making minor adjustments:

• Intel 11th Gen Core processors with Iris Xe Graphics
• AMD Ryzen 4000 and Radeon Graphics Surface Edition
• Up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage (Intel only)
• No more 128GB option (256GB or higher)
• Dolby Atmos spatial-audio
• Ice Blue with Alcantara (13.5-inch Intel only)
• Consumer availability of AMD and Intel models
• Commercial availability of AMD and Intel models
• Up to 70% performance improvement
• Battery jumps from 11.5 hours to 17 to 19 hours
• Slightly faster Windows Hello login
• 15-inch models are only Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
• Same $999 starting price (AMD Ryzen 5, 256GB, 8GB)
• AMD models now have Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x

Interestingly, while the AMD models of Surface Laptop 3 were readily available for consumers, those who wanted Intel for security or performance reasons had to go through Microsoft's business channels to acquire one. That's changed as now consumers and commercial channels have access to both AMD and Intel models.

The same goes for commercial channels as they can now go with either processor brand and get Windows 10 Pro (instead of Windows 10 Home), which is why they run $100 more.

Microsoft is still not budging on Thunderbolt 3 or 4 and instead is sticking with its Surface Connect for docking or Type-C. There are also no options for 4G or 5G or any other changes to the display, size, bezels, or ports.

But at least the AMD models get Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x RAM this time.

Surface Laptop 4: Specs, pricing, and availability

The specifications are mostly the same compared to Surface Laptop 3 save for the new processor options, of which they are plenty, especially when you consider both consumer and commercial channels.

Pricing gets exceptionally complicated due to the sheer number of models and variants available. It's a good sign, though, for Surface Laptop as Microsoft must be selling enough to warrant offering so many versions.

First up are the consumer SKUs, which will be available wherever Surface Laptops are sold, including online and in physical stores:

Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Consumer

Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Consumer

*Note, the 13.5-inch $1,199 Ryzen 5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is not available until ~8 weeks after launch.

Next up are the commercial SKUs, which are available through Microsoft Business channels. The only differences are even more configuration options (e.g., Ryzen 7 in 13.5"), and these ship with Windows 10 Pro:

Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Commercial

Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Commercial

*Note, the 13.5-inch $1,199 Ryzen 5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is not available until ~8 weeks after launch.

Surface Laptop 4 is now available starting today and begins shipping Thursday, April 15 in the US, Canada, and Japan, with additional market availability in the coming weeks.

Bonus: Free Surface Earbuds (Thru 4/15)

As a special bonus for Surface fans in the US who purchase Surface Laptop 4 online through Microsoft or Best Buy before April 15 will receive Surface Earbuds for free from Microsoft.

Related to the Surface Laptop 4 announcement, Microsoft announced an array of new connected-office accessories (headphones, speakers, webcam), Surface Headphones 2+, and a wider Surface Duo availability.

Stay tuned for our full review to see if Surface Laptop 4 makes our best Windows laptops list.

What you need to know

• Microsoft just sent out a teaser video on its Twitter and YouTube accounts.
• The video shares the story of Surface and teases that there's "more to come."
• Rumors state that Microsoft could announce the Surface Laptop 4 and other Surface devices soon.

Microsoft usually announces some new Surface hardware for us to get excited about this time each year. It appears that will be the case again in 2021, as Microsoft's Twitter and YouTube account just shared a video teasing Surface devices. The video closes with the text "more to come."

Microsoft hasn't confirmed any upcoming Surface devices, or even when we'll find out more about any additional hardware. Still, rumors and reports shed some light on the Surface lineup's upcoming expansion. It seems likely that Microsoft will announce a Surface Laptop 4 shortly, which could be one of the best Windows laptops.

Rumors and leaks suggest that the Surface Laptop 4 will run on AMD's Ryzen 4000-series processors. The CPU specs for the Surface Laptop 4 leaked online last month. As those appeared in a leak, the specs need to be taken with a grain of salt.

In addition to the Surface Laptop 4, we could see Microsoft announce another pair of Surface Headphones. These could be named the Surface Headphones 2+, in a naming move similar to what Microsoft did with the Surface Pro 7 Plus.

We could also see some other new accessories, like a Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 and a new webcam from Microsoft.

We have a roundup of everything we expect to see at Microsoft's spring Surface hardware refresh if you'd like to read more.

With Microsoft teasing "more to come" in a video on its official social media channels, it seems likely that we won't have to wait that long to see what Microsoft has in store.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Zac and Daniel talk about Microsoft's lead in mixed reality computing and their massive $22 billion contract with the US Army. They also look ahead to the Spring Surface lineup and the $499 B&O headphones for Xbox. Plus, the Xbox mini fridge is a reality!

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on April 2nd 2021.

Links:

• Microsoft scores U.S. Army contract to produce augmented reality headsets | Windows Central
• With Apple and other rivals in the wings, mixed reality is Microsoft's race to lose | Windows Central
• All the new Surface hardware we're expecting to see in spring 2021 | Windows Central
• Bang & Olufsen unveils $499 Beoplay Portal headset for Xbox | Windows Central
• Xbox's latest console is the Xbox Series Mini Fridge | Windows Central
• Razer Laptop Stand Chroma V2 review: Ridiculously priced, but ridiculously awesome | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

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Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
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It's that time of year again! Microsoft is rumored to be gearing up to release new Surface hardware, so I've rounded up everything we're expecting to see get announced this spring. It sounds like this spring will be a minor refresh for existing product lines, with no new form factor products or major hardware redesigns expected.

This spring, word on the rumor mill is that Microsoft will unveil updates to its Surface Laptop and Surface Headphones product lines. These updates will feature minor spec bumps, with no significant changes to the external hardware design or feature set. Microsoft is also set to announce a handful of new accessories, most of which will be aimed at commercial customers.

So, here's everything we know:

Surface Laptop 4

Microsoft is expected to unveil the next iteration of its Surface Laptop, featuring Intel 11th-Gen or AMD Ryzen 4000 processors on the inside. For the first time, Microsoft will offer AMD chips in the 13.5-inch model, and the line-up will start at $999 for the 13.5-inch variant with AMD Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage.

We understand that Microsoft will be replacing the Cobalt Blue color option found on the Surface Laptop 3 with the new Ice Blue color scheme that was first introduced with the Surface Laptop Go. Alcantara will still be an option for those who want it on the 13.5-inch model, but the 15-inch remains metal-only.

Users will be able to configure the Surface Laptop 4 with up to 32GB RAM as well. The overall design and feature set of the Surface Laptop 4 is expected to remain the same as its predecessor, however. Will the new Surface Laptop replace the Laptop 3 as our pick for best Surface PC? We'll have to wait and see.

Surface Headphones 2+

In addition to a new Surface Laptop, we know that Microsoft is also planning to unveil a minor update to the Surface Headphones 2, likely dubbed "Surface Headphones 2+." This release will be aimed at commercial customers only just like the Surface Pro 7+, and are said to be "Teams Certified" unlike previous models.

According to Brad Sams, the Teams certification comes in the form of a dongle accessory that allows the headset to connect to a PC without Bluetooth. Additionally, word on the rumor mill also suggests that Microsoft will begin selling the earmuffs separately for customers who need to buy replacements.

I do know not to expect any major changes to the hardware. Overall audio quality, design, and feature set is expected to remain the same, though I'm told the Surface Headphones 2+ will only be offered in black.

Accessories

Petri has reported that Microsoft is planning to unveil a new webcam this spring, and I'm hearing this will show up alongside the Surface Laptop 4 and Surface Headphones 2+. In addition, I'm told that the Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 will start shipping to commercial customers this month.

Release date

When will Microsoft unveil this new hardware? It's hard to say, but I've been told to expect an announcement to take place in mid-April, with hardware starting to ship to customers a week or two thereafter.

So that's everything we know about Microsoft's spring Surface hardware refresh. Of course, Microsoft can cancel or change its plans at any time. For now, what are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

To see what else we expect this year, make sure to check out our 2021 Surface predictions list for things coming later this fall.

We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Cortana has died more times than Jason Voorhees and Freddie Krueger combined. Surface Laptop 4 specs have leaked online — Daniel and Zac have the details. A new Microsoft webcam is reportedly on the way as well. Additionally, Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 build 21332 to Insiders in the Dev Channel.

The guys also dig into some gaming news. 20 Bethesda Softworks titles are coming to Xbox Game Pass, and Halo Infinite developers have offered insight into the game's day/night cycle, weather, different biomes, and more. All that, plus Daniel's review of the Dell XPS 8940 SE desktop!

This episode of the Windows Central Podcast was recorded on March 12th 2021.

Links:

• Harman Kardon confirms Cortana cutoff dates for Invoke speaker | Windows Central
• Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 CPU specs leak online | Windows Central
• Microsoft webcam will reportedly be announced alongside Surface Laptop 4 this spring | Windows Central
• Microsoft rolls out Windows 10 build 21332 to Insiders in the Dev Channel | Windows Central
• 20 Bethesda Softworks games are joining Xbox Game Pass, some will benefit from Xbox FPS Boost | Windows Central
• Microsoft officially welcomes Bethesda to the Xbox family, some new titles to be Xbox exclusive | Windows Central
• Halo Infinite devs detail day/night cycle, dynamic weather, different biomes, and more | Windows Central
• Dell XPS 8940 SE review: A powerful but minimalist desktop PC with NVIDIA RTX graphics | Windows Central

Subscribe to the podcast

• Download directly: Audio
• Listen via Spotify
• Listen via: Windows Central app Windows 10 | Android
• Subscribe via iTunes
• Subscribe via RSS
• Subscribe via Google Play Music
• Subscribe via Pocket Casts
• Watch the live stream video archive

Hosts

• Daniel Rubino
• Zac Bowden

Make this show great by participating!

Send in your comments, questions, and feedback to:

• Email: wcpodcast@windowscentral.com
• Twitter: @WindowsCentral with hashtag #wcpodcast

What you need to know

• Alleged specs of the Surface Laptop 4 have leaked online.
• It appears that both the 13.5-inch and 15-inch versions of the device will have options for Intel or AMD CPUs.
• The device will reportedly launch sometime in April 2021.

Rumors continue to swirl about an upcoming Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft. WinFuture recently shared alleged leaked specs of the Surface Laptop 4. Based on the report, the Surface Laptop 4 will have options for either AMD or Intel processors regardless of which size that you choose.

It seems that we won't have to wait long to see if the Surface Laptop 4 is one of the best Windows laptops. The report states that the Surface Laptop 4 will launch sometime in April.

It's unsurprising that the Surface Laptop 4 will have 13.5-inch and 15-inch options. This has been the case for the Surface Laptop line for years. What is different is that it appears that people will have a choice for AMD or Intel processors for each of the sizes.

Specifically, the Surface Laptop 4 will reportedly have options for the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U or AMD Ryzen 7 4980U. WinFuture notes that each of these will likely be "Surface Edition" chips. Some will be disappointed if these leaks turn out to be true, as AMD has newer chips in its 5000 Series.

On the Intel side of things, the Surface Laptop 4 will allegedly have options for the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1145G7 or the Intel Core i7-1185G7.

The use of Iris Plus Graphics (64 EUs) is suspect as the Intel datasheet on those processors lists Iris Xe (96EUs) as the preferred GPU.

These are the alleged specs, as reported by WinFuture. These may not line up with what Microsoft ships.

As with all leaks, we need to take these with a grain of salt. Luckily, it appears that we won't have to wait long to find out if they're accurate.

Surface Laptop 3, which came out in late 2019, is currently discounted and starts at $769 (save $250).