Business Surface PCs with Intel: Shockingly Expensive

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Today, Microsoft is unveiling refreshed versions of its Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7. These new models are equipped with Intel’s Lunar Lake processors and represent the first Copilot+ PCs from Microsoft that cater specifically to business customers seeking the latest Surface hardware, but with an x86 processor.

As a tech enthusiast, I’m excited to share that the upcoming Surface PCs powered by Intel will coexist with the ones powered by Snapdragon. However, unlike their counterparts, these Intel-powered devices will only be accessible through Microsoft’s business storefront and commercial channels. So, if you’re a commercial customer, keep an eye out for these high-performance machines, but don’t expect to find them on retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.

Inside, both the Intel Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 offer customizable options such as Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 series processors from the 2nd generation, coupled with 16GB or 32GB of RAM, and storage choices ranging from 256GB, 512GB, to 1TB. Additionally, they are equipped with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). The Intel Core Ultra 5 delivers 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS), while the Intel Core Ultra 7 offers 48 TOPS. Both models support Copilot+ functionality.

On the outside, Intel and Snapdragon devices share many similarities, but Intel models come with a few extra features. Both the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 equipped with Intel processors have an anti-reflective screen that minimizes glare and reflections. Additionally, the Surface Laptop 7 now comes in a card-reader version, while the Surface Pro 11 includes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

Moreover, there will be a 5G version of the Surface Laptop 7 introduced later this year. Previously, only the Surface Pro had been available with a 5G setup. Microsoft has mentioned that they will reveal more details about the 5G-enabled Surface Laptop in the upcoming months.

The Intel versions of these models come in only Platinum and Black, whereas the vibrant color choices are exclusive to the Snapdragon editions. Additionally, there’s a noticeable price disparity between the Snapdragon and Intel models. The entry-level business Snapdragon variants cost as low as $1,099, while the Intel models start at a considerably higher $1,499.

In simpler terms, there’s a $400 difference in price between the basic versions of the Surface Pro with Snapdragon and the Surface Laptop with Snapdragon, on one hand, and the basic versions of the Surface Pro with Intel, on the other. For an extra $400, you get anti-reflective screens and native x86 compatibility in the latter options.

These latest Surface gadgets represent the second instance where Microsoft has launched professional-oriented hardware tailored for its corporate clientele. The initial products were the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, boasting Intel Core Ultra series 1 processors in their older body designs.

These recent updates in business models offer the latest chassis designs from Snapdragon models to business clients who prefer Intel processors. If you admired the design of the Surface Laptop 7 but were not keen on its Snapdragon processor, these new “business-oriented” models cater specifically to your preference.

Microsoft is introducing a fresh version of their Surface Dock, called the “Surface USB-C Dock.” This should not be mixed up with last year’s Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock. Unlike its predecessor, the new USB-C Dock is more compact and has fewer ports but comes at an affordable price tag of $199. This makes it $100 cheaper than the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock.

Currently, you can pre-order both the Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7 with Intel processors. They will start shipping on February 18, and their prices begin at $1,499.

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2025-01-30 18:09