Microsoft launched the Surface Laptop 8th Edition and Surface Pro 12th Edition featuring Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus and X2 Elite processors on June 16 in the US [1, 2, 3]. The Surface Laptop 8 comes in 13.8-inch and 15-inch models, while the Surface Pro 12 is a 13-inch convertible tablet [1, 3].
Starting prices increased significantly compared to prior generations. The Surface Laptop 8 starts at $1,599, marking a roughly $600 jump, while the Surface Pro 12 begins at $1,499, rising by about $500 [1, 2, 3]. Microsoft cited rising component costs and supply shortages affecting Windows laptops generally [2, 3].
Configurations begin with 16 GB of RAM. The Surface Pro 12 comes with 256 GB of storage, but sources differ on the Surface Laptop 8’s starting storage: one says 512 GB, another 256 GB [1, 2]. Surface Laptop 8 uses LCD screens with 3:2 aspect ratio and retains the Surface Connect magnetic charging port; Surface Pro 12 offers an optional OLED display [1, 3].
The new generation claims up to 53% faster graphics and battery life spanning 15.5 hours for the Surface Pro 12 up to 20 hours for the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8, and 19 hours for the 15-inch version [1, 2, 3]. Microsoft introduced new colors such as jade and dune for the Surface Laptop 8, with the Surface Pro 12 also offered in dune [1].
The Surface Pro 12 no longer includes a keyboard as standard, but buyers can get a free keyboard if purchased directly from Microsoft.com by June 30; afterward, the keyboard will be sold separately [3]. New subtle haptic feedback features are integrated into the Surface Laptop’s touchpad and the Surface Pro Slim Pen to improve user confidence. Brett Ostrum, CVP of Surface, said, "The confidence that you get by feeling that haptics feedback when you get your cursor to the right spot, it is subtle and yet it is powerful from a confidence and a trust perspective" [3].
Microsoft plans to launch commercial Surface for Business X2 models on July 14, with prices starting at $1,649.99 [1].
