Intel-Powered Surface Pro and Surface Laptop Officially Released

Microsoft has just announced the rollout of their refreshed Surface lineup, featuring the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, both now energized by the latest Intel Lunar Lake processors. Targeted at business users who demand top-notch hardware with x86 processing power, these devices are the first in the Surface series to integrate Intel’s Copilot+ capabilities.

Let’s dive into the details of the Surface Laptop 7. Priced from $1,499.99, it runs on Windows 11 Pro and offers two main configurations of Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 (Series 2) CPUs, complemented by an Intel Arc GPU. The memory options include 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, and you can opt for up to a 1TB SSD for storage. The display varies between a 13.8-inch 2304×1536 screen or a larger 15-inch 2496×1664 screen, both boasting 120Hz refresh rates and anti-reflective technology. The laptop’s battery life is differentiated by its size, providing 54Whr for the 13-inch version and 66Whr for the 15-inch. Connectivity is robust with Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and the promise of 5G support coming soon.

Unlike their Snapdragon counterparts, these Intel machines will not pop up at places like Amazon or Best Buy. Instead, they will be reserved for business transactions through Microsoft’s dedicated sales channels. The desktops come with Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 processors, configurable memory, and storage options to meet various professional needs. They’re also equipped with NPUs, boosting the Ultra 5 to 40 TOPS and the Ultra 7 to 48 TOPS.

While these new Intel units look quite similar to the Snapdragon versions on the outside, they have a few enhancements, such as anti-reflective screens that significantly cut down on glare. For instance, the Surface Pro 11 now features NFC and the Surface Laptop 7 has an optional card-reader. And a new 5G version of the Surface Laptop 7 is set for release later this year, building on the legacy of the Surface Pro’s 5G capability.

When it comes to colors, these Intel models stick to more subdued tones like Platinum and Black, keeping the vibrant shades exclusive to the Snapdragon editions. The pricing tells a story too—while the Intel models kick off at $1,499, their Snapdragon siblings start from a friendlier $1,099. This $400 difference gives you those anti-reflective screens and native x86 compatibility.

The launch of these devices marks Microsoft’s second venture into hardware tailored specifically for businesses. The new Surface models follow the path laid by previous versions, offering the modern design perks of their Snapdragon equivalents but with the robustness of Intel architecture.

Also unveiled is the “Surface USB4 Dock,” a more compact and affordable version of last year’s Thunderbolt 4 Dock, priced at $199. Both the Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7 with Intel are available for pre-order now and are set to start shipping on February 18. If you’re eyeing a solid business device that’s both sleek and powerful, this latest Surface line might be your next upgrade.