Note: Microsoft just unveiled a newSurface Laptop 5andSurface Pro 92-in-1 alongside a newSurface Studio 2+all-in-one desktop. Keep that in mind when you shop, because new hardware makes it possible to receive last year''s models at a discounted price. Keep an eye on the full reviews for the latest developments!
Microsoft unveiled the long-rumored Surface Laptop 4 this week, and as expected, it packs a bunch of new components into a svelte chassis that is quite similar to the Surface Laptop 3.
While there are no key modifications when compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 and Surface Laptop 3, the new Surface Laptop offers enhanced performance, improved battery life, and even more configuration options.
This last bit is particularly attractive because as you may remember, the Surface Laptop 3 might be configured to sport either an AMD or an Intel processor, with one key limitation: customers could only opt for AMD in the 15-inch model, meaning if you wanted the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 3, you were limited to Intel chips.
Depending on your proclivity for AMD over Intel, this might not have been an issue. If you look back at our Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch, AMD) review and compare it to our Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch, Intel) review, youll see that we lauded the Intel model for its speedier performance.
Microsoft now allows customers to use AMD or Intel chips in all versions of the Surface Laptop 4. Regardless, AMD fans are glad to see that Microsoft now provides them with AMD or Intel chips.
What else is new? Read on to get everything you need to know!
Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Laptop 3: Specs
| Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) | Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) | Surface Laptop 3 (13.5-inch) | Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch) | |
| Starting price | $999 | $1299 | $769 | $899 |
| Display (resolution) | 13.5-inch (2256 x 1504) | 15-inch (2496 x 1664) | 13.5-inch (2256 x 1504) | 15-inch (2496 x 1664) |
| CPU | 11th Gen Intel Core i5, Core i7, AMD Ryzen 5 4680U, AMD Ryzen 7 4980U | 11th Gen Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 7 4980U | 10th Gen Intel Core i5, Core i7 | AMD Ryzen 5 3580U, Ryzen 7 3780U | Business: 10th Gen Intel Core i5, Core i7 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Memory | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR4X @ 3733MHz | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR4X @ 3733MHz (Intel) or DDR4 @ 2400MHz (AMD) | 8GB, 16GB | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB |
| Webcam | Windows Hello face authentication camera, 720p HD camera (f/2.0) | Windows Hello face authentication camera, 720p HD camera (f/2.0) | Windows Hello face authentication camera, 720p HD camera (f/2.0) | Windows Hello face authentication camera, 720p HD camera (f/2.0) |
| Battery life | Up to 19 hours on AMD Ryzen 5, Up to 17 hours on Intel Core i5 | Up to 17.5 hours on AMD Ryzen 7, Up to 16.5 hours on Intel Core i7 | 9:17 (tested) 11.5 hours (claimed) | 9:32 (Intel, tested), 8:00 (AMD, tested), 11.5 hours (claimed) |
| Size | 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches | 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.58 inches | 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches | 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.6 inches |
| Weight | Platinum and Ice Blue Alcantara 2.79 lbs, Matte Black and Sandstone metal 2.84 lbs | Platinum and Matte Black metal 3.4 lbs | 2.8 pounds | 3.4 pounds |
| Colors | Platinum, Ice Blue (Alcantara version only), Matte Black, Sandstone (metal version only) | Matte Black, Platinum | Cobalt Blue, Matte Black, Platinum, Sandstone | Matte Black, Platinum |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x Surface Connect Port | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 3.5mm headphone jack, 1x Surface Connect Port | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, headphone jack, Surface Connect port | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, headphone jack, Surface Connect port |
Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Laptop 3: Price and Value
The new Surface Laptop 4 will cost you at least a bit more than the original, with an MSRP of $999.99 for the first entry level 13.5-inch model.
This is the starting price of the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 3 (though it is currently on sale to $769), making this a fairly straightforward comparison. If you are considering saving money and value the Surface Laptops design more than it is inside, consider hunting around for a deal on the last years model.
Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Laptop 3: Design
While some minor cosmetic differences may be seen, the new Surface Laptop looks quite like the previous Surface Laptop. That''s not a bad thing; in our reviews, we consistently praised the Surface Laptop 3 for its slim, ergonomic chassis and comfortable keyboard. We''d certainly prefer to see a more radical hardware redesign, but it''s like we must keep waiting.
Microsoft added a new Ice Blue finish option to the Surface Laptops existing line of exterior options (Cobalt Blue, Matte Black, Platinum, and Sandstone), and in our Surface Laptop Go review, we discovered that the chill and metallic blue hue gave the device an extra touch of character and sophistication.
We''d like to see Microsoft figure out how to achieve significantly smaller bezels on the Surface Laptop 4 as compared to its predecessor, but unfortunately that does not appear to be true. We were thrilled to see that the company incorporated some Dolby Atmos Omnisonic speakers into its latest Surface Laptop design, and we were very happy to hear their effects in person.
Processors for Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Laptop 3
According to your processor proclivities, the new Surface Laptop 4 may be configured with an Intel 11th Gen (Core i5 and i7) or an AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processor (4000 series).
That''s an improvement on previous AMD models, but it''s somewhat disappointing to see that Microsoft couldnt find a way to incorporate the latest AMD Ryzen Mobile 5000 series chips.
The Ryzen 5000 chips for laptops have just sold this year, and Microsoft likely had to lock in early version options so that the Ryzen 4000 mobile chips made sense.
Battery life on Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Laptop 3
Microsoft claims the new Surface Laptop 4 has the longest battery life compared to previous versions.
The official claim is that a new Surface Laptop 4 can last up to 19 hours on a single battery charge, although you will benefit from nothing less than that right off the bat if you are playing games or doing other high-intensity computing.
The 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 models we examined were sold with a promise battery life of up to 11.5 hours; however, in our testing we found the AMD variant lasted about 8.5 hours, and the Intel unit recovered 9.5 hours when we web-based battery tests.
Surface Laptop 4 vs Surface Laptop 3: Outlook
The Surface Laptop 4 is a powerful and refined version of the Surface Laptop line, and that''s good news for anyone who''s been contemplating purchasing one of these light and elegant notebooks.
Despite that, we wanted to see more of a revolution in terms of design, and the absence of the modern and greatest in components (specifically, the absence of an AMD 5000 series CPU and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity) is a little disheartening.
We''re preparing to spend a lot of time testing the new Surface Laptop 4, so stay tuned for our hands-on shots and full review.