5 Things To Know About Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 4
The notebook will include a choice between AMD or Intel processors for the first time, along with two different display sizes.
As demand for notebooks continues to surge, Microsoft on Tuesday unveiled the next-generation model in its Surface Laptop series.
The new clamshell, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4, will again be offered in two sizes but will include one major update compared to the Surface Laptop 3—with the ability to choose between either AMD or Intel processors this time around.
[Related: Apple iPad Pro Vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 7+: Head-To-Head]
The Surface Laptop is targeted as Microsoft’s mainstream notebook series, offered alongside the company’s Surface Book detachable notebook and Surface Pro 2-in-1 tablet offerings that are more focused on professionals.
What follows are five key things to know about Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 4.
Display
Like with the Surface Laptop 3, Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop 4 will be offered with 13.5-inch or 15-inch displays.
Both come as touch screens, and feature resolution of 201 pixels per inch along with Microsoft’s vibrant PixelSense display technology and a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Processors
As mentioned, the biggest difference from past Surface Laptop models is that the Surface Laptop 4 can be configured with processors from AMD in addition to Intel CPUs.
Notably, however, the AMD processor options are not from AMD’s latest Ryzen CPU lineup, the Ryzen 5000. Instead, the Surface Laptop 4 will offer a choice of AMD Ryzen 4000 processors—the Ryzen 7 4980U will be offered on both the 13.5-inch and 15-inch models, while the 13.5-inch model can also be configured with the Ryzen 5 4680U. The AMD-powered models also feature AMD Radeon graphics.
For the Intel-powered Surface Laptop 4 models, the processors will come from Intel’s 11th generation of Core i chips. Choices will include the Intel Core i7-1185G7 for either size, with two additional options—the Core i5-1135G7 or the Core i5-1145G7—for the 13.5-inch model.
Ultimately, Microsoft is claiming performance gains of up to 70 percent for the Surface Laptop 4 compared to the Surface Laptop 3.
Design
The form factor on the Surface Laptop 4 will remain the same as on the third-gen model, though there is a new “ice blue” color being offered for the 13.5-inch model. Two keyboard finishes are also available on the 13.5-inch model-- Alcantara fabric or metal.
For the Alcantara model, the color options are platinum or ice blue, while the model with the metal keyboard finish is available in matte black or sandstone colors. The 15-inch model only offers platinum or matte black, and does not have an option for Alcantara fabric around the keyboard.
The Surface Laptop 4 has a starting weight of 2.79 pounds and thickness of 0.57 of an inch for the 13.5-inch model, while the 15-inch model weighs 3.4 pounds and measures 0.58 of an inch thick.
Other Specs
On battery life, Microsoft is promising up to 19 hours of usage for the Surface Laptop 4—for the 13.5-inch, AMD-powered model. The 15-inch model with AMD processors will offer up to 17.5 hours of battery life, while the Intel-powered models will fare a bit worse—up to 17 hours for the 13.5-inch model and up to 16.5 hours of battery life for the 15-inch model, according to Microsoft.
In terms of collaboration features, the Surface Laptop 4 will offer an front-facing HD webcam, dual mics and a speaker system that uses Dolby Atmos technology.
RAM options for the Surface Laptop 4 will range from 8 GB up to 32 GB for either model, while storage options will range from 256 GB to 1 TB.
Price And Availability
Microsoft said that the Surface Laptop 4 will begin shipping on Thursday (April 15), with orders open today.
In terms of pricing, Microsoft is offering the base level AMD-powered model at a significantly lower price than the base Intel model. The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 4 with the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has a starting price of $999.99 – whereas the 13.5-inch model with the 11th-gen Intel Core i5 chip starts at $1,299.99.