I tested Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop 13-inch for a week and it could be a great choice, if you find it on sale

At long last, the brand-new 13-inch Surface Laptop and the previously assessed 12-inch Surface Pro from Microsoft are now being dispatched. These fresh gadgets represent the company’s latest line of Copilot+ PCs, featuring smaller displays and lighter frames, perfect for individuals seeking a cost-effective lightweight computer companion.

For more than a week now, I’ve been delighted by the new 13-inch Surface Laptop that I’ve had the pleasure to use. As a long-term Surface Laptop 7 user who has always appreciated its quality, I was prepared for a less satisfying experience with a newer model. However, with just a few exceptions, this compact powerhouse continues to deliver a premium Windows experience that I’ve grown accustomed to.

Instead of being a pricier counterpart like the Surface Laptop 7, the 13-inch model is crafted as a more budget-friendly option. To accomplish this affordability, it undergoes strategic cost reductions that lower its price to $899, which is $100 less than the starting price of the premium Surface Laptop 7. The question arises: Does the Surface Laptop 13-inch compromise too much in exchange for a savings of $100?

This is my review.

This review was prepared using a complimentary product sample supplied by Microsoft. It’s important to note that Microsoft played no role in the content creation or approval process before the review was published.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Cheat sheet

• What is it? The Surface Laptop 13-inch is a more affordable version of the Surface Laptop 7, making strategic cuts while maintaining a premium chassis.
• Who is it for? The Surface Laptop 13-inch is for people who are looking to spend less on a premium Windows laptop, and for those who want a travel-friendly device.
• How much does it cost? It starts at $899 for the entry-level configuration, with a storage-upgraded model available for $999.
• What did I like? I love the overall design and build quality of the Surface Laptop 13-inch, as well as the keyboard and trackpad. Typing feels so good!
• What did I not like? I’m not a huge fan of the display, which is noticeably lower resolution than other laptops in this price range. I’m also not a huge fan of the price itself, as I don’t believe it’s cheap enough for all the sacrifices it makes.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Pricing and specifications

The base model of the Surface Laptop, which features a 13-inch screen, retails at $899. For this price point, you receive an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB Universal Flash (UFS) solid-state storage. If you need more storage space, you can opt for a 512GB version at $999. However, all versions share the same display specification: a 1080p LCD touchscreen that measures 13 inches diagonally.

Additionally, Microsoft reduces the price for its store’s laptop by approximately $854 for students, teachers, and military personnel, offering them a 10% discount.

Inside the package, there’s just a USB-C cable included. In their latest Surface PCs, Microsoft has stopped providing charging bricks. This means you’ll either need to purchase one separately for approximately $60 or utilize an existing one. Any contemporary smartphone charger should be capable of charging the Surface Laptop 13-inch.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Display and design

Let’s get started by discussing the design on the Surface Laptop 13-inch model. This device exudes a high-end feel, and I must say, Microsoft has outdone themselves here. The design is quite distinct from the Surface Laptop 7, opting for a more rounded appearance as opposed to the angular edges and style of the Laptop 7.

The base and edges of the Surface Laptop 13-inch model have a more curved shape, providing a pleasant and comfortable grip when held. This subtle design modification also applies to the keyboard keys, which now boast slightly rounder corners as opposed to those on the Surface Laptop 7.

It seems that by design adjustments, the Surface Laptop 13-inch now bears a resemblance to a contemporary MacBook Air, albeit unintentionally. The distinctive wedge shape of the Surface Laptop 7 has been replaced with a flatter base, causing the Laptop 13-inch to appear slightly bulkier at the front.

The new all-metal body of this laptop significantly outshines the hybrid metal and polycarbonate structure in the Surface Laptop Go lineup. This design now aligns with the robust build quality of the Surface Laptop 7, which is a definite advantage for the Surface Laptop 13-inch model. The entire device, apart from the keys and screen hinge, is free of plastic materials.

On the Surface Laptop 7, the hinge is concealed beneath the metal keyboard for a sleeker look. In contrast, the hinges on both the Surface Laptop Go and the 13-inch Surface Laptop are covered by plastic strips. While these parts aren’t intended to be touched, they are visible to the naked eye. On the 13-inch Surface Laptop, the hinge seamlessly integrates with the overall design.

Regarding the screen, I find myself with a blend of opinions. It functions adequately, but I can’t provide much more than that. This screen is a 13-inch 1080p LCD panel, translating to approximately 178 pixels per inch (PPI). For clarity, this falls on the lower end of the spectrum, even though it outperforms the Surface Laptop Go’s display (150 PPI). However, it pales in comparison to the Surface Laptop 7’s screen (201 PPI).

In my observation, the display seems less crisp and vibrant compared to the Surface Laptop 7. Pixels are discernible upon close inspection, and the text and icons lack the sharpness I’m used to. Additionally, the color contrast isn’t as strong, with colors appearing flatter than expected. It’s not a significant issue, but if you plan on doing any color grading work on this device, it might be something worth considering due to the lower vibrancy of the display.

1. Similarly to the corners on Surface Laptop 7, this display also has rounded edges. While the border around the screen is slender overall, it’s a bit thicker at the top, presumably to house the webcam and microphones. Compared to Surface Laptop 7, the bezels are slightly thicker but still thinner than those on the Surface Laptop Go.

2. The display corners resemble those of Surface Laptop 7 in that they’re rounded. Despite being thin overall, the top border is a bit thicker due to accommodating the webcam and microphones. When compared to Surface Laptop 7, the bezels are slightly thicker on this model but thinner than those on the Surface Laptop Go.

3. The rounded corners of this display resemble those found on Surface Laptop 7. Although the border around the screen is generally thin, it’s a bit thicker at the top to allow for the webcam and microphones. When compared to Surface Laptop 7, the bezels are slightly thicker here but thinner than those on the Surface Laptop Go.

4. This display has rounded corners like those of Surface Laptop 7. The border around the screen is mostly thin, but it’s a bit thicker at the top to fit the webcam and microphones. In comparison to Surface Laptop 7, the bezels are slightly thicker on this model but thinner than those found on the Surface Laptop Go.

The 13-inch screen seems surprisingly spacious compared to my initial expectations. It’s not significantly smaller than the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 I’ve been using daily since May 2024, and in isolation, they feel virtually identical. However, when viewed side by side, the difference in size becomes more apparent.

In essence, the Surface Laptop with a 13-inch screen doesn’t give off a compact vibe like the Surface Laptop Go does due to its smaller 12.4-inch display. A 13-inch screen is standard, and I believe potential buyers won’t find it notably smaller than other similar-sized laptops (13 or 14 inches) available in the market.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Features and ports

On the Surface Laptop 13-inch, you’ll find a good variety of ports. Located on the right side, you’ve got two USB-C 3.2 ports that can manage data and power for charging. Over on the left, there’s a USB-A port and a 3.5mm audio jack. Unfortunately, this laptop doesn’t have any Thunderbolt ports.

It’s worth noting that unlike the Surface 3 and subsequent mainline Surfaces, the latest model does not come equipped with Microsoft’s exclusive Surface Connect charging port. As someone who appreciates the Surface Connect, I find this change disappointing. Surface Connect functions much like the impressive MagSafe feature on MacBooks, using magnets to provide a secure connection to your device.

With the omission of the Surface Connect port, you’ll need to charge your 13-inch Surface Laptop using a USB-C cable instead (please note that one isn’t provided in the package). I fondly remember the convenience that the magnets on Surface Connect offered. It was reassuring knowing that if my charging cable got tangled, it wouldn’t pull the Surface away from my desk. Unfortunately, this safety feature is not available with the 13-inch Surface Laptop.

It’s quite inconvenient that there are two charging ports only on the right side. I prefer to have a USB-C port available on both sides, so I can place the charging cable according to my needs. The Surface Laptop 7, for instance, offers a Surface Connect port on one side and USB-C ports on the other, providing that adaptability in placement.

The camera on the 13-inch Surface Laptop is quite decent, suitable for video chats and calls with loved ones. While it might not have the highest resolution among laptop cameras, it performs well under bright conditions. However, in dimly lit areas, it can become somewhat grainy, a characteristic shared by most webcams.

Unfortunately, unlike the Surface Laptop 7, the Surface Laptop 13-inch doesn’t use IR sensors for Windows Hello face recognition. Instead, it has a fingerprint scanner integrated into its power button, similar to the Surface Laptop Go 3. This fingerprint scanner works wonderfully; it’s quick, precise, and reliable. Although it functions perfectly fine, it offers a slightly less convenient experience compared to the face recognition feature on the Surface Laptop 7.

The built-in microphones are also very good, meaning your voice comes across clearly in calls.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Keyboard and trackpad

Microsoft consistently takes great care with keyboards and trackpads on their Surface PCs, and that continues with the Surface Laptop 13-inch model. I’m genuinely fond of typing on it because its keys are quiet yet tactile, offering a soft feel to touch while activating smoothly.

From my perspective, typing on these keys feels like a delight. Compared to the keys on the Surface Laptop 7 and Go 3, they have a slightly rounded shape that makes them appear friendlier and enhances their tactile sensation when you type.

Additionally, it’s noteworthy that this keyboard comes equipped with a three-level backlight, similar to the one on the Surface Laptop 7. This feature allows you to light up the keys even in a dark room, making them visible in low-lit spaces. This is significant because the Surface Laptop Go was criticized for not having a backlight, which many users found disappointing.

Experiencing this trackpad feels like sliding my fingers on a well-oiled dance floor. It’s not too big, not too small, just right, and its smooth glass surface glides effortlessly under my touch. The clicking sensation is delightful; it’s quiet yet firm, giving me that satisfying ‘click’ feedback I crave for when navigating through menus or scrolling content.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Performance and battery life

The 13-inch Surface Laptop is run by an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus system on a chip (SoC), which sits under its hood. This is the most affordable Snapdragon processor available in a Surface PC at present, but it’s not to be underestimated. In reality, the Snapdragon X Plus in this laptop performs exceptionally well when dealing with efficiency and everyday tasks.

The Surface Laptop 13-inch is ideal for individuals focusing on productivity work and media enjoyment. Activities like Microsoft Office usage, emailing, web surfing, music streaming, video watching, and a touch of photo and video editing are perfectly suited for this device. It truly shines when used for such tasks.

According to Geekbench 6 tests, the 13-inch Surface Laptop falls squarely between the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro and Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, with a multi-core score of 11,365 and a single-core score of 2447. Despite having a higher multi-core score, the Surface Laptop 7 exhibits comparable single-core performance to these models.

For clarity, let me share an insight: The Surface Laptop Go 3 performs about twice as slowly as the Surface Laptop 13-inch model in terms of multi-core efficiency. This is quite a significant gap in performance.

In addition, it achieved a CrossMark score of 1,332, which is a significant indicator of its performance under x86 emulation. For reference, the Surface Laptop 7 equipped with Snapdragon X Elite scored an impressive 1,568 points. To put it another way, the emulated performance of the Surface Laptop 13-inch is comparable to a Surface Laptop Go 3 running standard Intel applications natively.

The Surface Laptop 13-inch isn’t really designed for gamers. Its performance in graphic-intensive tests like Wild Life Extreme and Time Spy is relatively low, scoring 3,266 and 1,062 respectively. These scores are comparable to older Intel laptops with built-in graphics, suggesting that the GPU can handle only light graphics tasks.

Contrarily, the battery performance is quite impressive. Microsoft claims the 13-inch Surface Laptop as their longest-lasting Surface PC yet, managing up to 23 hours on a single charge. Although we didn’t reach that figure in our tests, we still achieved an admirable 16 hours and 40 minutes using the Procyon Office Productivity battery benchmark, which mimics typical workload conditions in Microsoft Office.

In practical terms, this laptop should handle your daily tasks smoothly, and there might be extra time left over in the mornings.

This laptop is designed to manage your everyday tasks effortlessly, leaving you with a bit of leeway in the mornings if needed.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: Also consider

If you’re considering purchasing a new laptop and the Surface Laptop 13-inch is one that catches your eye, it would be wise to wait for a sale or discount before making the purchase. At its original price of $899, I believe this laptop may not offer good value.

There are many superior laptops available within this price range, such as the ASUS ZenBook A14, which boasts a slightly more potent Snapdragon X Plus SoC, twice the storage at 512GB, and an outstanding OLED screen for just an additional $100.

The Surface Laptop 7 from Microsoft itself is sometimes available for under $899, offering an upgraded Snapdragon X Plus, a high-refresh rate 120Hz screen, a responsive haptic touchpad, and the convenience of Windows Hello facial recognition.

Surface Laptop 13-inch: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if …

• You can find it on sale at a discount.
• You need a lightweight laptop designed for travel and longevity.
• You don’t mind a basic 60Hz display.

❌You should not buy this if …

• It isn’t discounted during a sale event.
• You prefer Windows Hello face unlocks over fingerprint readers.
• You want a display with a high refresh rate.

The 13-inch Surface Laptop is somewhat challenging to evaluate, yet in isolation, it’s a solid piece of hardware. Its construction quality is impressive, the keyboard and touchpad perform well, and its lightweight design and compact form factor make it an ideal travel accessory. However, its display and potentially the processor (in terms of raw power) might be less satisfactory if you require something more powerful.

The main issue lies in the existence of other quality laptops, many of which can be purchased for $899 and provide a noticeably superior performance. Contrastingly, you might find a brand-new entry-level Surface Laptop 7 at a lower price than the Surface Laptop 13-inch model.

Given the price, the 13-inch Surface Laptop seems unreasonable due to the numerous compromises it requires. These include: a screen with lower resolution and slow refresh rate, a mechanical trackpad rather than haptic, biometric authentication through fingerprint instead of face recognition, and absence of the Surface Connect port.

Instead, I’d suggest you look for a great deal on the Surface Laptop 7. It offers an improved display and trackpad, facial recognition login, and a stronger System-on-Chip (SoC) compared to other models.

If a sale reduces the price of the Surface Laptop 13-inch, that’s when its value becomes clearer. However, given its recent release, such discounts aren’t available just yet. But keep looking, as it won’t be long before the first sales pop up.

It seems quite probable that the 13-inch Surface Laptop will be available for as low as $699 in the upcoming months, considering how frequently the Surface Laptop 7 was marked down by $200, making it $799 at many retailers. If you find the 13-inch Surface Laptop priced at $699 or less, that’s when buying this device becomes a sensible choice.

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2025-06-08 19:11