Microsoft’s Snapdragon X Elite-powered Surface Laptop and Surface Pro start at $999

Ben Schoon | May 20 2024 - 11:19 am PT

Microsoft just launched its new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, the first Surface devices powered by Snapdragon X Elite which start at $999.

In a soft reboot for the lineup, Microsoft is calling its new Windows machines simply the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro. They replace the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Pro 9.

Starting with the Surface Laptop, which starts at $999, Microsoft is delivering a laptop that comes in 13.8-inch and 15-inch options. The machine is powered by Snapdragon X Elite which enables support for new Windows 11 features such as “Recall” as well as performance and battery improvements.

Microsoft says that the new Surface Laptop is up to 80% faster and can run for 22 hours on a charge while playing videos.

The new laptop also supports up to 32GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 7, up to three 4K external monitors (alongside the laptop’s own display), and has a touchscreen. Another upgrade this year is a haptic touchpad that uses vibrations to mimic physical movement (similar to Apple’s MacBook and some other machines on the market).

The new Surface Pro, meanwhile, will keep the tablet form factor but with some big upgrades. Microsoft says this machine will have the “best” webcam in a Surface Pro to date with QHD resolution, and it will also have an OLED display too.

Microsoft says the new Surface Pro should by up to 90% faster and lasts up to 14 hours on video playback. The new keyboard also works both when attached and when detached and has a haptic touchpad as well as Surface Slim Pen storage with charging support. A variant with 5G is coming later in 2024.