Review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024)
The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) represents a significant leap forward in the realm of portable computing. With its powerful Snapdragon X Plus processor, stunning 13.8-inch touchscreen display, and innovative Windows 11 Copilot+ features, this device is set to redefine productivity, creativity, and overall user experience. In this review, we will explore various aspects of the device, including performance, design, display quality, battery life, and AI capabilities, culminating in an overall rating.
Performance
Exceptional Speed and Efficiency
With the Snapdragon X Plus (10 core) processor, the Surface Laptop (2024) offers exceptional performance, outperforming competitors like the MacBook Air M3. This efficiency is coupled with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage, ensuring rapid data access and seamless multitasking. Users have reported that this laptop is significantly faster than its predecessors, allowing them to run demanding applications and multitask effortlessly without any noticeable lag.
Real-World Usability
The optimization for Windows 11, combined with the new Copilot+ features, enhances productivity. Users have noted that the retrieval of documents, emails, and web pages is streamlined through an explorable timeline of the PC’s history, simplifying the workflow. Video call enhancements, such as improved lighting and background noise cancellation, are additional perks that make this device well-suited for remote work and virtual meetings.
In terms of performance, we would rate the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) a solid 4.8/5.
Design
Aesthetics and Build Quality
The Surface Laptop (2024) boasts a sleek and modern design, characterized by its aluminum chassis and ultra-thin profile. Available in four colors, including the elegant Platinum, the laptop exudes sophistication and professionalism. The magnesium-aluminum alloy casing provides durability while maintaining a lightweight form factor, making it easily portable.
Keyboard and Touchpad Experience
The keyboard of the Surface Laptop is excellent, featuring a solid build and great tactile feedback. Users appreciate the feel of the keys, which contribute to a comfortable typing experience. The integrated touchpad is responsive and smooth, complementing the overall user experience.
In terms of design, we would assign a rating of 4.7/5.
Display Quality
Touchscreen Capabilities
The 13.8-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 2304 x 1536 pixels provides vibrant colors and sharp images. While some users have expressed that the display can appear slightly “milky,” it remains a strong contender in its class. The aspect ratio of 3:2 is particularly favored for productivity, offering more vertical space than traditional 16:9 displays.
Potential Improvements
One area where users hope to see advancements is in anti-reflective coatings, as some glare can detract from the viewing experience in bright environments. Overall, the display is satisfactory, though it could benefit from enhancements.
For display quality, we would rate the Surface Laptop (2024) a 4.4/5.
Battery Life
All-Day Longevity
One of the standout features of the Surface Laptop (2024) is its impressive battery life, offering up to 20 hours on a single charge. Users have noted that even with heavy usage, the battery drains minimally overnight, often maintaining a charge of around 1%. This capability allows for uninterrupted work and play throughout the day, making it an ideal companion for professionals and students alike.
Charging Experience
The new battery charging management system has received mixed feedback, with some users initially confused by its behavior. Nevertheless, once accustomed to the charging system, the overall satisfaction with battery performance remains high.
For battery life, we would rate the Surface Laptop (2024) a 4.6/5.
AI Capabilities
Windows 11 Copilot+ Features
The introduction of Windows 11 Copilot+ is a game-changer for this device. It enhances user experience with features like real-time translation in video calls and the ability to generate art from text prompts. Users have expressed excitement about the potential for more advanced AI capabilities in future updates.
Limitations and Future Potential
Despite the impressive AI features, some users have pointed out that the AI capabilities may not be as advanced as initially expected. As Microsoft continues to develop these features, there is hope for enhancements that will truly leverage the power of AI on this platform.
In terms of AI capabilities, we would rate the Surface Laptop (2024) a 4.3/5.
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Final Thoughts
The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) successfully combines power, elegance, and innovative technology in a single package. While there are areas for improvement, particularly in display quality and AI functionality, the overall performance, design, and battery life make it a top contender in the laptop market. This device is well-suited for anyone looking for a premium, versatile laptop experience.
Taking all factors into account, we would assign the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) an Overall Rating of 4.5/5. This laptop stands out as an exceptional choice for professionals, students, and creative individuals alike, setting a high standard for what a modern laptop should be.
Yves Bouchard –
I was pleasantly surprised to find that it runs cooler than my previous Surface. The new battery charging management system works well, although I was initially puzzled by its decision to maintain a maximum charge of 74%.
TryNotToPanic –
I’ve had my fair share of devices over the years, and this one is definitely among the top contenders. The hardware is outstanding—exceptional quality all around. If I had to be critical, I would prefer a slightly improved display. Surface devices often appear a bit “milky” to me, but that’s just my personal taste. An anti-reflective coating would really enhance the display by minimizing glare.
The speakers are good, though they don’t quite match the quality of the MacBook’s, which is understandable given the price difference. My work primarily revolves around Microsoft applications, and so far, I haven’t encountered any software compatibility issues. All my peripherals, including two printers and a scanner, connect effortlessly with the default drivers.
I haven’t used it long enough to thoroughly evaluate the battery life, but it has been impressive so far. The device powers on instantly, and there’s hardly any overnight battery drain—perhaps 1% at most. I’ve easily gotten through an entire workday without worrying about recharging.
In summary, this is an excellent machine. I’m eager to see how Snapdragon continues to challenge Intel and look forward to the upcoming innovations in the years to come.
JG319 –
I currently own a MacBook, but I’ve always had a preference for the Windows operating system, and the Surface Laptop executes it beautifully. Its dimensions are ideal, featuring a 3:2 screen aspect ratio—just as wide as most 13.5-inch laptops, yet with a taller display. This ratio strikes the perfect balance for me. The chassis is crafted from a solid magnesium-aluminum alloy, exhibiting no flex. The keyboard feels robust, providing a satisfying typing experience. This model includes the new Windows AI key, which simply replaces an unnecessary key, allowing older Surface Laptop keyboard covers to fit seamlessly. In terms of design, the Surface Laptop has the most elegant casing I’ve encountered; the air ventilation and speaker sound slots are cleverly concealed, resulting in an exceptionally clean aesthetic. The new Snapdragon X Plus processor is incredibly fast and power-efficient, enabling it to stay on indefinitely like an iPad or MacBook with minimal battery drain. I just let it sleep, and when I return, the Windows Hello IR camera allows for instant access. I appreciate the Microsoft magnetic charging system, which detaches effortlessly if the cable is pulled. While some may criticize proprietary charging connectors, they often overlook that this Surface Laptop can also be charged using any USB-C charger.
Brad –
I was initially unsure about switching to an ARM-based processor. However, after conducting some research, watching reviews, and evaluating my necessary applications, I decided to go for it. Everything has been performing excellently. I also bought a 1TB micro SSD for storing movies since I plan to travel frequently. The battery life is impressive and doesn’t compromise on performance.
Danielle David –
Stunning computer!
Maurice B. –
It’s a new model, so we’ll see how it performs over time, but as a 2024 version, it’s definitely fast and exhilarating.
SanjeevP –
If the MacBook Air and Lenovo ThinkPad had a child, it would look like this! This laptop is incredibly sleek, possibly even surpassing the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. It’s lightweight and exceptionally fast.
However, despite being labeled as an ‘AI computer,’ its AI features are somewhat limited. For example, while you can create drawings in Microsoft Paint, the Co-pilot functionality here is comparable to that on any other laptop. I’m hopeful that Microsoft will enhance these AI capabilities in the future. Additionally, keep in mind that many legacy Windows programs may not be compatible with this laptop’s ARM processor.
Despite these drawbacks, it’s a delightful laptop that I really enjoy using.
Micah Cameron –
Years ago, I owned the original Surface Laptop and absolutely loved it; it remains one of my all-time favorite laptops. Before I decided to buy the Surface Laptop 7, I had a 14″ 2021 MacBook Pro, which was honestly more laptop than I needed. The MacBook Airs were off the table due to their limited port selection. While my MacBook Pro outperformed the Surface Laptop 7 in several areas—such as the mini-LED display, which is arguably the best on the market, and its superior speakers—the Surface Laptop 7 has its own strengths that I appreciate.
I see the Surface as a direct competitor to the MacBook Air, where it truly excels. After comparing the Surface and a 13″ MacBook Air side by side, here are my thoughts:
Screen: I don’t engage in serious photo editing or graphic design, so for my needs, the Surface screen is slightly better. It gets much brighter than the Air, and colors appear more accurate, though the Air has better black levels. The Surface is a touchscreen, which I don’t utilize much due to my dislike of fingerprints on screens. However, if you want a touchscreen, the Surface is the clear winner. Plus, the Surface features a 120Hz display, making scrolling and gesture use significantly smoother compared to the Air’s 60Hz.
Speakers: I honestly can’t differentiate between the two. Both the Surface and MacBook Air have excellent speakers for their class.
Ports: I had hoped USB-A would be nearly obsolete by 2024, but it’s still around. It was annoying to carry dongles for USB-A devices on my MacBook Pro, which I no longer have to do with the Surface. Additionally, the MacBook Air has only two USB-C ports, giving the edge to the Surface. While the MacBook Pro has HDMI, I simply bought a USB-C to HDMI cable, so that’s no longer an issue for me.
Keyboard: I appreciate the multiple brightness levels on the MacBook Air, but I slightly prefer the key feel of the Surface.
Trackpad: The Surface’s trackpad outperforms the MacBook’s. I’m thrilled that Microsoft has finally introduced a haptic trackpad in the Surface lineup; it feels more delicate with a stronger tactile feedback. While MacBook trackpads are among the best, there’s finally a Windows laptop that can compete.
Login: Windows Hello is hands down superior to the fingerprint reader. It’s so fast that my Surface often logs me in as if it were left unlocked. The MacBook’s fingerprint scanner is good but not as quick or convenient. Unlocking my MacBook Pro with my Apple Watch often took longer than simply using my finger.
Build Quality: The Surface Laptop 7 maintains the high standards of Surface devices. It can be opened easily with one hand, and the build quality is impeccable, similar to that of the MacBook Air. I can’t claim one is better than the other; however, the Surface is designed for easier servicing, allowing for SSD replacement. Additionally, the black finish on my Surface is less prone to showing fingerprints compared to the dark blue MacBook Air, which tends to attract them.
Performance: After using an Apple Silicon laptop, I find it hard to revert to an x86/x64 processor. I ran Windows 11 on ARM virtualized via Parallels on my MacBook for two years, so I knew what to expect. All the applications I need run beautifully on the Surface, which is impressively fast. While there are more powerful processors available, I’ve never used a Windows laptop that feels so responsive for everyday tasks. Office apps open in 1-2 seconds, and browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Edge load in under a second. The high refresh rate screen makes transitioning between apps feel remarkably smooth—this is the kind of responsiveness I’ve come to expect from my Apple Silicon MacBook, and it’s fantastic to see it in the Windows environment.
In summary, the Surface feels like an upgrade from my MacBook Pro, and I’m fully satisfied with the trade-offs of a thinner, smaller, and lighter laptop compared to the more powerful MacBook Pro. It’s an exceptional laptop that, in my opinion, currently stands as the best thin-and-light option available.