Microsoft has finally revealed the Surface Laptop 5 and it is looking fantastic. As we predicted, this is more of an internal hardware update than a significant redesign; after all, the excellent Surface Laptop 4 already gave the product line a major overhaul in 2021.
There''s still a lot to be excited about here. From 12th-generation Intel processors to Windows 11 preloaded straight out of the box, the Surface Laptop 5 is looking to be a substantial contender for our best laptops guide. Let''s take a look at the contents.
Cut to the chase
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 release date
Following its announcement on October 12, the Surface Laptop 5 will be available for purchase starting October 25!
Pre-orders are now available on the Microsoft website!
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 price
The Surface Laptop 5 will cost $999.99 in the United States and 999 in the United Kingdom. Australia''s pricing has yet been confirmed, but it should be in the range of $11,700.
The most expensive model, the 15-inch i7 with a 1TB SSD and a 32GB of RAM, will cost $2,399.99. The cheapest 15-inch model starts at $1,299.99/1,299.
For comparison, the Surface Laptop 4 was priced at $899 for the 13.5-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model, with exact pricing fluctuating based on the laptop''s specifications (processor, RAM, and storage).
What we want to see about Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
According to speculation, the Surface Laptop 5 will be compatible with Intel''s 12th-gen Core processors, namely the i5-1235U and the i7-1255U, depending on the model. This means up to 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM thanks to Intel''s new CPUs.
Beyond that core component, we''ve got a choice of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD for storage - which are user-friendly, which is nice to see. The Surface Laptop 5 will run on the Intel CPU''s integrated graphics, as well as previous models.
Both PixelSense displays have full touchscreen capabilities, with a lesser-powerful 3-task ratio. Only the 13.5-inch model will be available with the less powerful Intel Core i5 processor.
Both versions are equipped with a USB-A port, a Thunderbolt 4-enabled USB-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port (which we wish Microsoft would just ditch already). Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 are all identical in nature at this point.
There are a variety of colors (including the new Sage Green) and you may get a wrist rest in either sleek metal or Microsoft''s iconic Alcantara fabric.
There''s still a very pedestrian 720p affair, which is a shame. There''s an IR camera for signing in with Windows Hello, and a set of Dolby Atmos speakers. The power supply is a simple 60W unit, and battery life is supposedly 17-18 hours at most, but we''ll keep judgement on that until we can run it ourselves.