The Surface Laptop 2 was one of my favorite laptops last year, notwithstanding some reviewers suggesting it didn't make sense for Microsoft to release it. After all, it's just a typical Ultrabook. My contention was the excellent 3:2 display, typing and trackpad experience, sublime audio, and overall design were an engineering marvel that delivered on core features.

For 2019, Microsoft made a bigger 15-inch version of the Surface Laptop. Surface Laptop 3 should be the pinnacle of what I want in an Ultrabook. With a larger screen, more room to work, longer battery life, and the potential for Microsoft's new partner, AMD, to show the world how it can beat Intel, how could it go wrong? Unfortunately, my hopes have been somewhat dashed.

Here's why the Surface Laptop 3 15-inch doesn't quite win me over.

Update: Starting in April and May 2021, Surface Laptop 4 is replacing Surface Laptop 3. The article was updated to reflect that info.

Surface Laptop 3 15 price and availability

As of April 2021, Surface Laptop 3 15 has been superseded by Surface Laptop 4. However, users can still find Surface Laptop 3 15 from various retailers, often discounted, making it a viable option for those who want a solid laptop but do not need the latest.

Amazon and Best Buy both still sell non-refurbished (new in box) Surface Laptop 3s with $400 savings as of May 2021. For example, a model with a Ryzen 5, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD costs $1,299 instead of its previous $1,699 price point.

The remaining stock of Surface Laptop 3 will likely last through 2021 before being phased out altogether.

The good stuff

What's new with Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3

Following in the steps of Surface Book 2, Microsoft is making a larger — and in theory — more powerful version of its 13.5-inch Surface Laptop. Compared to the Surface Laptop 3 13.5, which uses newer Intel processors, the 15-inch has gone AMD. The move is likely meant to save on some costs, as AMD regularly undercuts Intel on a per-chip basis. But some have speculated that the AMD Ryzen and Vega combo may outperform a similar Intel configuration.

For ports, Microsoft is following the rest of its refreshed Surface line by bringing USB Type-C 3.1 Gen 2 (10GB/s) to the Surface Laptop 3. That port is the most powerful Type-C you can do without bringing full Thunderbolt 3 to the mix. It features DisplayPort 1.4, for powering dual-4K displays at 60Hz. There is also Power Delivery (PD), so you can use a 65-watt Type-C charger, and it can be used with Type-C hubs or for data transfer.

There is a standard USB Type-A port and headphone jack, both of which are on the left side of the laptop. On the right is the Surface Connect+ port, which now supports a fast charge of 0 to 80 percent in about an hour. Microsoft includes a standard 65-watt Surface charger with the 15-inch model, and that should already give hints about the power draw of this device; it's the same charger that a Surface Pro or 13.5 Surface Laptop use.

The front-facing camera is very good, even at just 720P. This year it is now flanked by two microphones, or what Microsoft calls far-field Studio Mics. They work well and greatly enhance the Skype experience.

For Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Microsoft is leveraging the Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4 chip. That's an odd choice because that part has been around since 2015, and it does not support Wi-Fi 6, unlike the Intel-based Surface Laptop 3 13.5. Instead, it supports Wi-Fi 5 and is significantly slower. It's a direct result of going with AMD and not Intel for the chipsets.

Also new this year is serviceability. Surface Laptops were infamously unrepairable since it was all glued together. This year, the keyboard deck can be removed so that the SSD can be upgraded or replaced as well as the battery. However, this is not for the end-user to do, and you will need to take the Laptop 3 to an authorized service center to have the work done.

A giant gorgeous slab

Surface Laptop 3 15 design

The Surface Laptop 3 15 is unsurprisingly just like the 13.5 model but, well ... more substantial. The taller 3:2 aspect ratio gives this laptop a rather sizeable footprint, but comparatively speaking at 3.4 lbs (1.54kg), it is lighter than most 15-inch laptops. While the all-metal design feels very premium, you must baby this laptop. It is prone to dings, chips, and scratches from seemingly minor incidents. Carrying it in a well-protected bag with no foreign objects is a must.

For color choices, there are just two with the 15-inch model: platinum and matte black. Both are stunning. If you do not like fingerprints, the platinum is the better choice, and it will also hide dings and scratches better. If you scratch the matte black model, it leaves a noticeable silver mark.

There is no Alcantara fabric on the 15-inch model, although the 13.5-inch offers it in two color options. Alcantara is somewhat controversial with some loving the feel and others really disliking it or worrying about it getting dirty over time.

Some of the best things about the Surface Laptop are what's hidden. The speakers are under the keyboard with no visible grill, and there are no bottom intake vents for the cooling system. Instead, the vents are at the rear of the laptop. This design is brilliant as your knees never block the intake system. It looks clean and minimal — a common theme with Surface Laptop.

Every little detail of the Surface Laptop 3 15 is well thought out and signifies precision craftsmanship. Closing the lid is even a joy as it has just enough resistance not to slam shut, but instead, quietly close. You can also easily open it with one hand despite it lacking a physical notch like Apple MacBook Pros.

Saying the Surface Laptop 3 15 feels and looks like art is not an understatement.

Good (but not great) screen

Surface Laptop 2 display

Microsoft is used an LCD-based 15-inch PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio at 2496x1664 resolution for the Surface Laptop 3 15. The 201 pixel per inch (PPI) is lower than that of Surface Pro 7 (267 PPI) and Surface Book 2 (260 PPI), but that's not really discernible.

The bezels are relatively thin, and the glass is Gorilla Glass 3 with some oleophobic protection. That glass is edge to edge without any plastic for the bezels — another excellent design choice.

The Surface Laptop 3 supports inking with a Surface Pen, but the display does not open to 180 degrees, nor is there a place to keep the pen in transit. In a pinch, however, the pen is great for signing a document or making a quick note. Likewise, the Surface Dial is also supported with off-screen interaction.

For color accuracy, the screen delivers 96 percent sRGB, 72 percent AdobeRGB, and 75 percent DCI-P3. Those numbers are below that of the Surface Laptop 2 (99 percent sRGB and 81 percent AdobeRGB), which is unfortunate.

Peak brightness, when set to 100 percent, is just under 400 nits while turning the intensity to 0 percent results in 3.4 nits.

As I remarked in my Surface Pro 7 review, Microsoft seems to be slipping in the display race compared to Lenovo, HP, and Dell. Things like support for HDR400 (500+ nits) and Dolby Vision are now standard features for premium Ultrabooks. Likewise, for new anti-glare tech, which keeps the benefits of a glossy display but cuts down on reflectivity, making it better for long hours of work. The same applies to the rise of OLED displays and even faster refresh rates instead of 60Hz.

The Surface Laptop 3 15 (and new Surface Pro 7) lacks all of these new display features. The color accuracy and gamut are not as good as other premium Ultrabooks. Windows 10 now supports wide-color gamut apps, HDR apps, and games natively, but the Surface Laptop 3 does not. That's a shame.

best typing around

Surface Laptop 3 15 keyboard and trackpad

Microsoft has been killing it in the Surface line with its keyboards and trackpads. That's the case for the Surface Laptop 3 15, which highlights the best in this area. Microsoft has made the keyboard a bit quieter than the Surface Laptop 2, the key travel is still 1.5mm, and there is a three-stage backlight.

Part of that typing experience is amplified by the plentiful wrist area on the deck. Your hands will not hang off when typing, and instead, you can rest them comfortably. However, because Microsoft didn't use Alcantara, there is no padding, and the metal deck is prone to scratches if you wear a watch or bracelet. It seems almost complicated to avoid unless you remove anything from your wrist or type without resting your hands on the deck.

The Precision Trackpad is now 20 percent larger than the Surface Laptop 2's. It's tremendous — not Apple MacBook huge — but still ample. The click is soft, and the accuracy is excellent.

muddied sound

Surface Laptop 3 15 audio

Microsoft is one of the best at audio for laptops. The Surface Pro has amazing front-facing speakers that sound better than you would expect. Same for Surface Book 2.

Sound quality for last year's Surface Laptop 2 — even with the speakers hidden under the keyboard deck — is the best I have heard (putting aside MacBook Pros). It is rich, but clear, and it sounded fuller than Surface Pro or Surface Book due to the ability to resonate in the body of the laptop.

I was dissatisfied, however, with the sound profile for Surface Laptop 3 15. The audio can get loud, but go above 60 percent and you start to risk minor crackles or distortions. When playing the movie Interstellar (2014) on both the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Laptop 3 15, the former had clearer dialog with better highs, whereas the Laptop 3 sounded muddied.

It's not clear if this is just a software tuning issue (there are no manual controls to alter), or it is related to the lack of Alcantara. I presume Microsoft could adjust the sound curves to deliver similar audio to Surface Laptop 2, but as of this review, the Laptop 3 audio is disappointing.

It's OK

Surface Laptop 3 15 performance, battery, and heat

There are a lot of high hopes for the combo of AMD Ryzen and Vega chips in the Surface Laptop 3 15. Despite the hype around "customized" versions of the Vega GPU and the Ryzen 5 (tested here) and Ryzen 7, I am so far not seeing many advantages.

A more straightforward way of classifying all of this is to say that the Surface Laptop 3 15 is just a 13-inch Ultrabook with a slightly slower CPU and a slightly more powerful GPU. For those looking for a massive performance gain that places Surface Laptop 3 15 closer to Surface Book 2 rather than Surface Laptop 2, I don't have any good news.

Update: October 23 — We now have Intel Core i7-1065G7 benchmarks to compare to AMD as there is a "business" version of the Laptop 3 featuring Intel processors. Keep in mind, we are comparing a Core i7 to a Ryzen 5, which is not a fair comparison. AMD does offer a Ryzen 7 model, which would compete better against the Intel Core i7.

Geekbench 5

Geekbench 5.0 (CPU) (Higher is better)

Geekbench 4

Geekbench 4.0 (CPU) (higher is better)

PCMark

PCMark 10

GPU

Geekbench 5.0 OpenCL (higher is better)

SSD

CrystalDiskMark (Higher is better)

.

When it comes to raw CPU performance, the Ryzen 5-3580U often falls below that of the Intel 8th Gen Core i5-8250U on Geekbench 4 and Geekbench 5. Meanwhile, the Intel 10th Gen Core i5-1035G4 easily outpaces the AMD Ryzen 5 on both single and multi-core scores. AMD chips are a better match for Intel's 8th Gen series, but it will lose out against the 10th Gen.

The AMD Vega 9 is a bit improved where it wins over the Intel UHD 620. But it is only a smidge faster than the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 7390 with 10th Gen Iris Plus. Those Vega graphics did provide a boost over the Surface Laptop 2's overall score in PCMark 10, though.

While you can play games, you are mostly limited to side-scrollers and arcade style instead of first-person shooters. I was able to play Crackdown 3 with a decent framerate, but it was only after all the graphics were set to "low," reducing detail dramatically.

Battery life is a mixed bag. Microsoft claims 11.5 hours using a new test that relies on 10 browser tabs and Microsoft Office running for a productivity-focused benchmark. That's not too far from PCMark 10's "Modern Office" battery test that mixes Office use, browser, video conferencing, and some idle time. My results show that 10 hours of battery life is achievable, compared to just eight hours in the smaller Surface Pro 7.

However, my review unit did experience a persistent battery drain. If I leave the laptop with the lid closed overnight, it results in a 20 percent drop in the battery. By comparison, the Surface Pro 7 only dropped by four percent. I'll chalk that up to some early driver issues. But therein lies another rub: AMD laptops are woefully underrepresented in the market resulting in its drivers having possible problems. Those can be fixed, of course, but it highlights a small risk with Surface Laptop 3 until Microsoft can isolate the issue. (Intel chips have also had plenty of problems.)

SSD storage performance is in line with Surface devices. Read scores hit the 2,000 MB/s, an increase over Laptop 2's 1,500 MB/s, and Surface Laptop 1's abysmal 486 MB/s. Write speeds are still below the industry average, at just 800MB/s.

Finally, the Surface Laptop 3 15 stays cool under duress. Temperatures rarely went over 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees C), and the fans were always quiet.

sum of its parts

Bottom line on Microsoft's Surface Laptop 3 15-inch

The Surface Laptop 3 15 is quite disappointing.

While I recognize that some may prefer a 15-inch model, at least, in this case, the Surface Laptop 3 15 offers no clear advantage over the smaller 13.5-inch one besides a larger screen. That's not the case with Surface Book 2, where the 15-inch received a more powerful GPU and even had Xbox Wireless Controller support. Those were clear differentiators.

And therein is the core issue with Surface Laptop 3 15: identity. Microsoft claimed this was the fastest 15-inch in its class, but it is almost in a class of its own, and not in a good way. Most manufacturers, when they go to the 15-inch size, also bring more significant features, such as 45-watt CPUs and GTX graphics. You'll find none of that here.

Overall system performance is worse than the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. The new Razer Blade Stealth has a Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics. It's just a 13-inch Ultrabook. Couldn't Microsoft go with Intel and sneak in an NVIDIA MX150 like everyone else?

Some of the performance worries could be eased if I could point to extraordinary battery life. But I can't.

Then there are smaller matters. The sound profile and color gamut are worse than the 13.5-inch model. The display looks great and is excellent for most users, but other companies are adding value plays like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HDR400, anti-glare, and OLED. While I can excuse the lack of Thunderbolt 3 in smaller laptops, it seems 15-inch ones should have that feature. This one doesn't.

Even wireless is disappointing, with no Wi-Fi 6 with a chip. Wi-Fi 6 in a laptop this premium should be a given.

The Type-C port is at least welcome. With it, you can use external displays (even portable ones) and Type-C hubs to add more ports. You can also use portable Type-C battery packs, external drives, or a Type-C charger in a pinch. But it is a bit odd that Microsoft could not squeeze in another port like a full SD card reader — a common practice with larger laptops.

None of this is to say that a Surface Laptop 15-inch is a bad PC. But Microsoft overhyped the performance with Surface Laptop 3 15.

If money or performance is a priority and looks aren't a concern, there are better choices on the market. The XPS 15 (7590) is a bulkier laptop, but it has excellent battery life and exceptional performance all for $70 less. The HP Spectre x360 15, while dated with thicker bezels, is disproportionately much more potent than Laptop 3 and slightly cheaper.

An even better choice is to go with the slightly smaller Surface Laptop 3 13.5. I'd argue that size is better for everyday use and travel, more comfortable to type on, and it delivers Wi-Fi 6, optional Alcantara, and likely crispier sound. While I haven't benchmarked the 10th Gen Intel chips on that laptop, the Surface Pro 7, which uses a similar configuration, has been outstanding.

There is a version of this laptop with Intel 10th Gen Core processors, but Microsoft is only offering it as a direct sale in select markets. While I feel the Intel chipset with Wi-Fi 6 addresses some of my concerns here, I'm not convinced it addresses all of them.

I still like the idea of a 15-inch Surface Laptop, but for the price Microsoft is charging, I want more substance. The laptop design is exquisite, but in giving up Alcantara, the Surface Laptop lost one of the things that made it different. The partnership with AMD here is also odd, too. I can't understand at all what value it brings to the end-user over Intel — something I recently suggested. It's not faster. The GPU is a hair better but far below even an MX150. And if battery life is significantly better, Microsoft's estimates betray that fact.

The good news is Microsoft will likely bring this laptop back with significant refinements ... eventually. But for now, unless you're hooked on a 15-inch Ultrabook, it may be best to pass on this PC.

Microsoft's 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 is a beautiful laptop with a sleek design and large screen. Right now, you can save up to $550 on the Ryzen 7 version of the Surface Laptop 3 15. The biggest savings at the moment are on the version with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a Ryzen 7 processor inside. You can bump up the specs to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage with the Ryzen 7, but you'll get a smaller savings of $401.

The design of the Surface Laptop 3 15 instantly stands out. In his Surface Laptop 3 15 review our executive editor Daniel Rubino says, "Saying the Surface Laptop 3 15 looks like art is not an understatement." The thin bezels, large screen, and craftsmanship of the Surface Laptop 3 15 will turn heads and make it clear that you're on a premium device.

While the Surface Laptop 3 is beautiful, there are several excellent laptops that compete with it. The 15-inch laptop space is full of excellent devices, so it may be worth shopping around. In our piece HP Spectre x360 15 vs. Surface Laptop 15 piece, we explain why other devices might be a better choice.

If you love the Surface brand and want a gorgeous device, the Surface Laptop 3 15 is a good choice. Its current deal lets you get the most powerful variants for up to $550 off their normal price. If you're not set on the Surface Laptop 3, our best Windows laptops collection should help you find exactly what you need.

What you need to know

• WaterField Designs announced the Tech Folio 16-inch laptop bag.
• The bag can open to lay flat for easy access to your laptop, cables, and accessories.
• The Tech Folio 16-inch is available for preorder now for $179 and starts shipping on August 14, 2020.

WaterField Designs has a new ultra-slim laptop back for Surface Laptop 3 owners, the Tech Folio 16-inch. The padded laptop back opens from three sides and can lay flat for easy access to your laptop, cables, and accessories. The bag can fit devices up to 16 inches, such as the Surface Laptop 3. The Tech Folio 16-inch is available for preorder now for $179 and starts shipping on August 14, 2020.

The Tech Folio 16-inch features a padded laptop compartment, water-resistant zippers, and can open up like a book so you can view all of your tech at once. It has several pockets for cables, charging bricks, and accessories.

While laptop makers have trended toward more compact models over the years, many of the best Windows laptops are 15 or 16 inches. If you have a smaller laptop but want a similar case, WaterField Designs also has a Tech Folio Plus, which earned high marks in our review. There's also the Tech Folio, which is even smaller but very similar in design.

The Tech Folio 16-inch is available in either waxed canvas in a "chocolate leather" color or ballistic material in black.

What you need to know

• The Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7, and both sizes of the Surface Laptop 3 are now available in India.
• The Surface Pro 7 earned a 5/5 in our review and the Surface Laptop 3 13.5-inch earned a 4.5/5.
• The Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7, and Surface Laptop 3 start at INR 98,999, INR 72,999, and INR 98,999, respectively.

The Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro X, Surface Laptop 3 13.5-inch, and Surface Laptop 3 15-inch are now available in India. Microsoft announced the availability of the devices in a news post. The Surface Pro X, Surface Pro 7, and Surface Laptop 3 start at INR 98,999, INR 72,999, and INR 98,999 respectively. All of the newly available Surface devices can be purchased through authorized resellers as well as authorized retail and online partners of Microsoft.

The devices expand the Surface lineup in India, including multiple devices that earned high marks in our reviews. The Surface Pro 7 earned a 5/5 in our revew and our executive editor Daniel Rubino said the Surface Pro X is "A perfect PC but only in the right hands." The Surface Pro 7 kept to the more traditional Surface Pro look but added a USB-C port to improve connectivity. It also has a 10th Gen Intel processor and Intel Plus graphics to give it more power.

The Surface Pro X has a revamped and modern appearance, featuring minimal bezels and a thin body. The Surface Pro X is the first device from Microsoft to run on Windows 10 on ARM. It's aimed at mobile users and people who need to take their device on the go. It supports LTE SIM and eSIM and gets ten hours of battery life.

The Surface Pro 3 13.5 also earned high marks in our review. It bumps up its internals to 10th Gen Intel processors and includes quite a few upgrades over the previous generation, including a faster SSD, a USB-C 31 port, and a larger trackpad.

What you need to know

• A fresh firmware update is now available for the AMD variant of the Surface Laptop 3.
• The update brings improvements to both battery life and system stability.
• If you have a Surface Laptop 3 with an AMD processor, you can grab the update now via Windows Update.

Microsoft pushed out a fresh firmware update for Surface Laptop 3 devices with AMD processors this week. The update is a pretty small one, but it packs some solid improvements nonetheless. Specifically, this update targets its improvements on battery life and system stability.

Here's a look at the release notes from Microsoft's Surface Update History:

• Surface UEFI – Firmware: 1.2238.140.0 - improves system stability and battery life.

This update is now available via Windows Update for AMD-based Surface Laptop 3 devices. Microsoft notes that it's only available across those running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update and later.

This follows a fairly substantial set of updates both the Intel and AMD versions received in January, which brought performance improvements across the board.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 with Intel CPUs is on sale.
• Prices are cut by $200 on multiple configurations.
• The sale is available now through the Microsoft Store for Business.

The 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 with Intel CPUs is currently on sale at the Microsoft Store, with Microsoft shaving $200 off its price. The discoutn covers multiple configurations, with the cheapest model coming in at $1,400 (via Reddit).

This particular flavor of the Surface Laptop 3 is unique. At launch, Microsoft said the 15-inch model would only be available with AMD processors. However, it was discovered shortly thereafter that an Intel variant is available as the Surface Laptop 3 for Business.

Though the name says it's for business, the laptop isn't any different from the consumer model you can get, other than the Intel processors. Given some of the concerns we had with the AMD model in our review, snagging the Intel model may be preferable for anyone who has their sights set on the larger Surface Laptop 3.

Aside from the discounts on the 15-inch model, Microsoft has also discounted the 13-inch variants by $100 across the board. If you're curious, you can snag one now at the Microsoft Store.

What is Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi standard, and it has several advantages over previous ones. Wi-Fi 6 handles multiple simultaneous connections up to four times better than the previous Wi-Fi standard. It also increases internet speed and stability over previous standards. That means that you can have more devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network without speeds bogging down.

Additionally, Wi-Fi 6 reduces the strain on your device's battery life when your device is connected to a network. In short, Wi-Fi 6 helps your internet connection be faster and more stable, with less drain on your battery.

How do I use Wi-Fi 6 on my Surface Laptop 3?

In order to use Wi-Fi 6, you'll need a device that supports it, such as a phone, tablet, or PC. You'll also need a router that supports Wi-Fi 6.

Every Surface Laptop 3 that's powered by an Intel chip supports Wi-Fi 6. That includes the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 3, and the 13.5-inch and 15-inch business versions of the Surface Laptop 3. The 15-inch AMD-powered Surface Laptop 3 does not support Wi-Fi 6.

On the router side of things, you have several options, but we recommend the ASUS RT-AX88U. It has fantastic speeds and bandwidth management, though it is expensive. Routers that support Wi-Fi 6 are relatively new, so finding a good one might cost you more than you're expecting. As they become more common, prices will come down and cheaper options will become available.

What you need to know

• The folks at iFixit have torn down the Surface Laptop 3.
• The SSD is now removeable with one screw, and many components are modular.
• iFixit found the Surface Laptop 3 to be a "dramatic" improvement over its predecessors in terms of repairability.

Surface Laptop hasn't exactly had a great track record when it comes to "repairability," but iFixit's new teardown of the Surface Laptop 3 shows that times are changing.

Given Surface chief Panos Panay went out of his way to point out how easy the Surface Laptop 3's guts are to access at this year's Surface launch event, that's not a huge surprise. However, given iFixit previously rated the Surface Laptop as the least repairable laptop on the market, it's a big step forward.

As we saw this week with a post from an enterprising Redditor, the Surface Laptop 3's base is largely held together by four Torx screws that live underneath the laptop's feet. Once those are removed, you can detach the keyboard and upper case, which are held in place with magnets.

While you can't replace everything inside the Surface Laptop 3, it does feature several modular parts. Those include the speakers, as well as the headphone jack and SSD drive.

Summing things up, iFixit gave the Surface Laptop 3 a "repairability" score of five out of 10. Here's how they summed things up:

Some of the modular components are still pretty difficult to access, and the battery looks to be a nightmare to remove without any adhesive tabs. However, it appears the Surface Laptop 3 is miles ahead of its predecessors.

What you need to know

• A Reddit thread surface today claiming Surface Laptop 3 shipments have been delayed due to a "miscommunication."
• Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 preorders were scheduled to arrive today as the devices launched in stores.
• Has your preorder been delayed? Let us know in the comments.

Today marked the launch of Microsoft's new Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3. While that means the devices were set to start hitting store shelves today, it also meant they were scheduled to start arriving for people who had preordered.

For some preorder customers, however, shipments may be delayed, if a Reddit post is to be believed. The poster claims UPS cited a communication issue with Microsoft, allegedly leading to thousands of Surface preorders being "stuck in limbo." From the post:

We've reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update this post with more as it becomes available.

Launch days are sometimes messy affairs, and there are usually at least some buyers who report shipment issues with preorders. But we want to know: did your preorder arrive safe and sound today? Or are you still waiting on yours to arrive?

Let us know in the comments below.

What you need to know

• The first set of firmware updates for Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are now available.
• These updates bring battery life improvements and updates to the Cortana speech experience.
• The updates are available to download now via Windows Update.

The new Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are just hitting stores and shipping to customers today, and they've already received their first set of firmware updates. Rolling out now via Windows Update, the new firmware brings battery life improvements to both devices, updates to the Cortana speech experience for Surface Pro 7, and more.

Here's a rundown of all of what's new, as detailed with Microsoft's Surface Update history.

Surface Pro 7

• Surface System Aggregator– Firmware: 14.42.139.0 helps improve battery life.
• Surface Integration – System devices: 5.80.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Surface Integration Service Device – System devices: 21.25.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Realtek High Definition Audio(SST)– Sound, video and game controller: 6.0.8778.2 improves Cortana speech experience.
• Realtek Device Extension: 6.0.8778.2 improves Cortana speech experience.

Surface Laptop 3 (Intel)

• Surface System Aggregator– Firmware: 19.53.139.0 helps improve battery life.
• Surface Integration Service Device – System devices: 5.80.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Surface Integration – System devices: 14.39.139.0 improves integration between system services.
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics – Display adapters: 25.20.100.7101 helps improve battery life.

Surface Laptop 3 (AMD)

• Surface System Aggregator– Firmware: 16.16.139.0 helps improve battery life.
• Surface Integration – System devices: 18.47.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Surface Integration Service Device – System devices: 5.80.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Surface Hot Plug – System devices: 2.42.139.0 improves device reliability.
• Surface Hid Mini Driver – Human interface devices: 2.46.139.0 improves device reliability.

Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7 are available to buy starting today, with prices beginning at $750 and $999, respectively. These updates should be available to download via Windows Update now.

What you need to know

• The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are now available for purchase.
• Both devices have improved internals over their predecessors and include a USB-C port.
• The Surface Pro 7 is available from $749 and the Surface Laptop 3 is available from $999.

The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are now available through the Microsoft Store. Both devices bring improved internals over previous generations, and each also has a USB-C port. The Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7 have nearly identical designs to their predecessors, but internal improvements add up to a noticeably improved experience.

The Surface Pro 7 is the next iteration of the Surface Pro line. It has the familiar 2-in-1 form factor that allows you to use the device as a tablet or laptop-esque device. The Surface Pro 7's external design is similar to the Surface Pro 6, so much so that Type Covers from previous models will work with the device. The only major external difference is that the Surface Pro 7 features a USB-C port rather than a Mini DisplayPort. On the inside, however, there are several changes that improve the device, including Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax support, Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology, a change from Marvel to Intel wireless, DDR 4 RAM, and dual far-field studio microphones. The device also can turn on instantly by never hibernating. The Surface Pro 7 earned a 5/5 from our executive editor Daniel Rubino in his review.

The Surface Laptop 3 brings several of the same improvements seen in the Surface Pro line. The Surface Laptop 3 has a USB-C port, Bluetooth Wireless 5.0 technology, DDR4 RAM, and has dual far-field studio microphones. There are now two size options for the Surface Laptop 3, the 13.5-inch model and the 15-inch model. The 13-inch model is powered by Intel chips, while the 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 has AMD chips. The AMD model disappointed our executive editor Daniel Rubino in his review. If you prefer, you can purchase the business model of the 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 that has an Intel chip, though warranties may vary from the consumer model.

At the time of publication, the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are only available for purchase through the Microsoft Store. Retailers like Amazon have not updated their listings yet. This is expected to change soon.

Microsoft's new Surface Pro 7 and 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 are hitting stores this week, and the first reviews have hit the web. So what do the critics think? Largely, the Surface Pro 7 keeps its spot as the top 2-in-1 to get, but its design is getting a little long in the tooth, especially when compared to the forthcoming Surface Pro X. Meanwhile, the new AMD-powered Surface Laptop 3 seems to be a solid first attempt, but could use some work.

We've rounded up snippets from several reviews around the web to condense some of their most salient points. Here's a quick rundown.

Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch)

Brett Howse, writing for Anandtech:

Dan Seifert, writing for The Verge:

Phillip Tracy, writing for Laptop Mag:

Tom Brant, writing for PCMag:

Mark Hachman, writing for PC World:

Surface Pro 7

Tom Warren, writing for The Verge:

Cherlynn Low, writing for Engadget:

Joe Osborne, writing for TechRadar:

Frederic Lardinois, writing for TechCrunch:

For more on each Surface, it's definitely worth checking out each review in full. Also be sure to check out our reviews for the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3. Also chime in and let us know if you're picking up either device, or are waiting for the Surface Pro X to hit store shelves in the coming weeks.