Microsoft Challenges the MacBook Air With New Surface Laptop

Microsoft's latest Surface Laptop aims to rival the MacBook Air, but with some notable compromises. The absence of a Surface Connect port marks a significant departure from previous models, reflecting the growing prevalence of Thunderbolt and USB docks. While owners of older Surface Docks can purchase Microsoft's $300 Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, the lack of native USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 support for third-party accessories is a drawback, despite the Snapdragon X Plus chipset's USB4 capabilities. The specifications only list USB 3.2 compatibility for the laptop itself.

Under the Hood: Snapdragon X Plus Chipset

The new Surface Laptop features an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus chipset – the less powerful variant of the Snapdragon X Elite. This includes an 8-core Oryon CPU and Adreno GPU, along with a 45 TOPS NPU for AI tasks. This is a step down from previous models offering 10-core Snapdragon X Plus or the more powerful Snapdragon X Elite options. While suitable for everyday productivity, the reduced CPU power will likely impact the emulation speed of x86 software, notably affecting Windows games. Microsoft hasn't confirmed if a Snapdragon X Elite version is planned.

The Surface for Business edition, launching July 22nd, will also utilize the same Snapdragon X Plus chipset, foregoing the traditional Intel or AMD x86 options.

Pricing and Availability: A Premium Price Tag

Starting at $899, the Surface Laptop commands a $100 premium over its predecessor, which boasted a superior 10-core Snapdragon X Plus. This price increase may be attributed to trade tariffs, but it remains a less appealing value proposition. The laptop will be available in select markets from May 20th and sold through Microsoft's online store, Best Buy, and Amazon. Consumers should also consider the newly released Surface Pro.

Source: Microsoft (1, 2)

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