Microsoft is now selling the Surface Laptop with an Intel Core m3 processor for $799

By Zac Bowden
last updated

Microsoft is now selling a new entry-level Surface Laptop SKU for $799 with an Intel Core m3 processor.

Microsoft is now selling an Intel Core m3 SKU (opens in new tab) of the Surface Laptop with Windows 10 S that's priced at $799, a whole $200 cheaper than the original cheapest SKU with an Intel Core i5. The Intel Core m3 model appears to only be available in Platinum for now, and is US only at this time.

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This is Microsoft's new entry-level SKU for the Surface Laptop, which is available a much more affordable price for many. The Intel Core m3 spec is paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB Storage. This is definitely not a high-end model of the Surface Laptop, but it's still a premium one, with the same Alcantara fabric and high-quality display found on other Surface Laptop SKUs.

Specifications for the Intel Core m3 Surface Laptop are as follows:

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CategorySpecification
Display13.5-inch Pixel Sense display
10 point multi-touch
Display Resolution2256 x 1504, at 201ppi
Aspect Ratio: 3:2
SoftwareWindows 10 S
ProcessorIntel Core m3-7Y30 Processor
Storage128GB
Memory4GB
GraphicsIntel HD graphics 615
Rear CameraNone
Front Camera720p
Windows Hello face-authentication
SpeakersOmnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio Premium
PortsOne full-size USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Headset jack, Surface Connect
SensorsAmbient light sensor
SecurityTPM chip for enterprise security
Weight2.76 lbs
Dimensions12.13 inches x 8.78 inches x 0.57 inches

Microsoft offers an Intel Core m3 model of the Surface Pro priced at $799 (opens in new tab) also, however that SKU doesn't come bundled with a keyboard or pen. At least with the Surface Laptop, you're getting a keyboard and trackpad in the box, so perhaps the Intel Core m3 Laptop is going to be the better choice for many. If you're looking for a straight laptop by Microsoft, that is.

The Intel Core m3 model is a SKU that's aimed more at college students or those that only do a bit of web browsing and email checking. It's not a powerhouse by any means, and you may find that 4GB RAM to be quite limiting after a while. Still, if you've been holding out for a cheaper Surface Laptop, $799 is definitely a step in the right direction.

See at Microsoft Store (opens in new tab)

Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows 10 on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.

33 Comments
  • Not my cup of tea but great for some.
  • I'm holding out for pentium 4
  • Made my day
  • Yeah this is ridiculous. As if Windows doesn't already run poorly enough, but now you are going to run it on a core m3 and 4 GB of RAM? Entry level model of high end laptops should be an i5 at least.
  • I have a laptop with a Core m3 and 4GB of RAM. I have no complaints. It does what I expect it to very well.
  • Windows doesn't run poorly at all though?
  • Not really. I don't push it too hard.
  • I have a dell inspiron 11 with this chip and 4g of ram. i got an open box model from micro center for 275 and put an 80 dollar ssd in it an the thing is awesome.   it plays a lot of games. fortnite runs well enough to get kills.  for general desktop stuff it has ZERO problems keeping up.
  • @codyeohl. Any o/s running on mechanical hard drives will have performance loss over time (depending on usage - I.e if you're constantly storing large files /+ many files) due to data fragmentation. That is the key cause of windows slow down for many people. Furthermore, many do not set a custom page file and leave it on the default setting - which is automatic. In that state the page file is usually 25 percent (sometimes 10 or less) of the useable ram. For best performance, it should be set at the same amount as the total useable amount of ram or the very least affixed 50% of it (min and max custom size set at 50% of useable ram).
  • my dell suffered a lot with a 5400rpm drive in it. put in a western digital blue 250g and shes a little beast now.
  • You do realize not everyone needs an i5 and 8GB of RAM. This is for the super casual person who wants a premium laptop but doesn't need the power. Still have touch and pen input and it just looks and feels great. The $200 off actually brings the device into the budgets of many people that come into Best Buy. So I am glad to see a cheaper SKU for this as people have turned to other devices due to budget. You and I are obviously not the target demographic. Some people actually understand that they sacrifice performance for cost and are fine with that.
  • You do realize not everyone needs an i5 and 8GB of RAM. This is for the super casual person who wants a premium laptop but doesn't need the power. Still have touch and pen input and it just looks and feels great. The $200 off actually brings the device into the budgets of many people that come into Best Buy. So I am glad to see a cheaper SKU for this as people have turned to other devices due to budget. You and I are obviously not the target demographic. Some people actually understand that they sacrifice performance for cost and are fine with that.
  • You do realize not everyone needs an i5 and 8GB of RAM. This is for the super casual person who wants a premium laptop but doesn't need the power. Still have touch and pen input and it just looks and feels great. The $200 off actually brings the device into the budgets of many people that come into Best Buy. So I am glad to see a cheaper SKU for this as people have turned to other devices due to budget. You and I are obviously not the target demographic. Some people actually understand that they sacrifice performance for cost and are fine with that.
  • Do you know enough about hardware to realize that a smaller amount of RAM memory is divided in smaller pages? And that you fill only a fraction of the size of these pages, even when working with 4GB? So when you are using 8GB or 16GB this memory is for a large part empty, no matter how impressive your tasks will be? Ridiculous he, al that people runnig around with devices carrying 16GB memory that is hardly in use? And about the processor, sometimes a core M3 does not respond quickly enough, but then I talk about 3% of my user experience with a 128GB/4GB Core M3 device. At the pro side I get a very light device that runs 10+ hours on its accu. So a perfect mobile device tailored for a mobile experience. So try to think a bit less in black and whites and more in shades of grey.
  • Spot on!
  • The Surface Laptop is something of an anomaly in the surface line of computers. The Surface Line started as aspirational device meant to show OEM manufacturers how to make good Windows computers rather than race to the bottom. The aspirational element of the Surface Laptop it's not make it better laptop, but to make a laptop that compared favorably to Apple products. It is sleek. It is even furry. It is an Apple competitor, It is intended to Be a luxury device, not necessarily a high end device. It is marketed for college students. The pen would be great for note taking, but the form factor really does not promote that usage. The Surface Laptop is marketed as a computer that will last you through 4 years of college. It may or may not be that durable, but many college students. Do not really know what kind of computer they require. Reparability and upgradability are very limited. This is probably not an issue when you are competing on being as sexy an Apple product, rather than competing on usability. The core M3 and 4GB of Ram is provably a very good fit for some of the projected users.  I'm concerned that much of the target audience of the Surface Laptop are technically sophisticated and do not really know what they need. If a user chooses an underpowered Surface Laptop it will reflect badly on Microsoft and the Surface line. (the world perspective seems to be problems with an Apple device are user error, but problems with a Windows device are due to a bug infested piece of ___.) The Surface Laptop with core M3 and 4GB of Ram is a risk to Microsoft. Maybe they should stick to i5 and leave the low end and price conscious customers tot eh OEMs. Codyoehl, I think that I agree with your conclusion, but for totally different reasons.
  • My Core M3 powered Surface Pro 4 runs quite well for what I use it for.
  • At that price just get the novago. I can't wait to see MS's always on lineup.
  • Indeed Novago adds LTE, always on, longer battery duration, a pen and 8Gbyte RAM for the same price.
  • I might pick this up as a companion to my Pro 3. My Dell is due for an upgrade soon. If only they could work on the availability of this model outside of the US
  • Yes that is a point of attention for me as well. Not available in The Netherlands, I checked just now. Only i5 or i7 options right now.
  • Nice to have more options. I would like arm processor someday in this.
  • My daughter uses a Surface Pro 4 with an m class processor. She has no complaints, really. For what she does -- I think it is fine (Word Processing, Browsing, Schoolwork, OneNote, Slack - one team). She does some drawing and some light game playing (Minecraft). For a lot of college students who just sit in class and take notes and are debating "Macbook Air" or "Premium Windows Laptop" I can see this making the choice a bit harder for them. On a side note -- I love my Surface Laptop. Not as much as my SB2, but when I just want to sit down and write (and not code) it is my go-to device.
  • A little more student friendly, I guess, but there are better options.
  • Many users with basic need may get this. MS trying to increase their sales of Surface after a luke warm quarter.
  • There will only be more Consumer Report complaints.  Sorry, but there shouldn't be any computer sold today with 4GB RAM!  This is 2018.  The minimum standard should be 8GB RAM. 
  • Maybe learn about the concept of the right tool for the job, before making such pronouncements. 
  • For what job?!  Learn what?!  What I know this is 2018 and only having 4GB RAM in any computer is beyond stupid.  I owned my first computer in 1984.  I've seen the progress.  And it's way beyond time that the standard move to a minimum of 8GB.   
  • Are you willing to pay $100 more for 4 more gig of RAM in an M Powered laptop?  I certainly don't need more than 4GB of ram to check my emails, surf web pages on Edge, listen to music, watch movies and connect and adjust the parameters in my audio processor.  How do I know this?  Because I've been using a Surface Pro 4 with the same specs for over a year without any issues. 
  • IF they pay enough money to CR,  their complaints go away however.  Look at apple and the ****** battery life that they,  plus numerous consumers got with the touchbar MBP's.   CR reported that and never gave Apple a passing grade,  then MAGICALLY it was all better!  CR is a load of **** just like every other review site / source.   They are ALL PAID OFF!
  • Yep. http://fortune.com/2017/12/10/tripadvisor-london-shed-fake-restaurant/  
  • surface book in general is overpriced. you can get 2 similar specced computers from any large manufacturer for this amount.   it may have "gasp" plastic on it though.
  • Agreed Rod,  I own one.  Dell 13 5000 2 in 1.   However,  I am not a fool to think that my dell is as nice as the surface product.   The surface laptop I used was down right awesome.  In feel and speed,  it was SOOOOO NICE!   I am having real issues with it not being a 2 in 1 device,  but that surface book is.