Microsoft announces Surface Laptop 4 with AMD Ryzen 4000 and Intel 11th Gen processors

Surface Laptop 4 Press Crop
Surface Laptop 4 Press Crop (Image credit: Microsoft)

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

Surface Laptop 4 Family Crop Press

Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

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.

Swipe to scroll horizontally
CategorySurface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch)Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch)
Operating SystemWindows 10 Home or ProWindows 10 Home or Pro
Display13.5-inch PixelSense3:2 aspect ratio2256 x 1504 (201 PPI)15-inch PixelSense3:2 aspect ratio2496 x 1664 (201 PPI)
ProcessorIntel i5-1135G7Intel i5-1145G7 (Commercial only)Intel i7-1185G7AMD Ryzen 5 4680UAMD Ryzen 7 4980UIntel i7-1185G7AMD Ryzen 7 4980U
GPUIntel Iris XeRadeon RX GraphicsIntel Iris XeRadeon RX Graphics
Memory8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (Intel)LPDDR4x (3733MHz)8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (Intel)LPDDR4x (3733MHz)
Storage256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (Intel)Removable256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (Intel)Removable
Front Camera720p720p
SecurityWindows Hello face authentication camera, Firmware TPM 2.0Windows Hello face authentication camera, Firmware TPM 2.0
ConnectivityWi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatibleBluetooth 5.0Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatibleBluetooth 5.0
Ports1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack
BatteryRyzen 5: Up to 19 hoursCore i5: Up to 17 hoursRyzen 7: Up to 17.5 hoursCore i7: Up to 16.5 hours
WeightUp to 2.84 lbs (1,288 g)Up to 3.4 lbs (1,542 g)
ColorsAlcantara: Platinum or Ice BlueMetal: Matte Black or SandstonePlatinum metal, Matte Black metal

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

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FeaturesColorsPrice
Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$999
Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,199*
Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone$1,299
Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone$1,499
Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone$1,699
Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TBBlack$2,299

Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Consumer

Swipe to scroll horizontally
FeaturesColorsPrice
Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,299
Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Black$1,499
Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 512GBBlack$1,699
Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Black$1,799
Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TBBlack$2,399

*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

Swipe to scroll horizontally
FeaturesColorsPrice
Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,099
Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,299*
Ryzen 7, 16GB, 512GBBlack$1,699
Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,199
Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone$1,399
Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone$1,599
Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GBBlack$1,599
Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone$1,799
Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TBBlack$2,399

Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Commercial

Swipe to scroll horizontally
FeaturesColorsPrice
Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,399
Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 512GBBlack$1,799
Core i7, 8GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum$1,499
Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Black$1,699
Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GBPlatinum, Black$1,699
Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GBPlatinum, Black$1,899
Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TBBlack$2,499

*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)

Surface Laptop Family2 Crop

Source: Microsoft (Image credit: Source: Microsoft)

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.

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.