Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Microsoft is giving its Surface Laptop line a refresh with new processors, an Ice Blue color, and more configurations. They go on sale starting today.
Microsoft is giving the Surface Laptop a mild refresh with new processors from AMD and Intel. As always, this generation promises longer battery life and improved performance, but this time it looks to be significant thanks to those newer processors.
While the Surface Laptop's overall look remains the same, save for the new Ice Blue with Alcantara for the 13.5-inch, there are numerous new configuration options available. There is also now wider availability of the previous 'business-only Intel models for consumers. Conversely, businesses can now buy AMD Surface Laptops.
The laptops are now available to order in the US, Canada, and Japan with other markets in the coming weeks.
Surface Laptop 4 (2021): What's new
Let's cut to the chase and go over what is new. Microsoft is sticking with the existing formula for the 13.5 and 15-inch models while making minor adjustments:
- Intel 11th Gen Core processors with Iris Xe Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 4000 and Radeon Graphics Surface Edition
- Up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage (Intel only)
- No more 128GB option (256GB or higher)
- Dolby Atmos spatial-audio
- Ice Blue with Alcantara (13.5-inch Intel only)
- Consumer availability of AMD and Intel models
- Commercial availability of AMD and Intel models
- Up to 70% performance improvement
- Battery jumps from 11.5 hours to 17 to 19 hours
- Slightly faster Windows Hello login
- 15-inch models are only Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
- Same $999 starting price (AMD Ryzen 5, 256GB, 8GB)
- AMD models now have Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x
Interestingly, while the AMD models of Surface Laptop 3 were readily available for consumers, those who wanted Intel for security or performance reasons had to go through Microsoft's business channels to acquire one. That's changed as now consumers and commercial channels have access to both AMD and Intel models.
The same goes for commercial channels as they can now go with either processor brand and get Windows 10 Pro (instead of Windows 10 Home), which is why they run $100 more.
Microsoft is still not budging on Thunderbolt 3 or 4 and instead is sticking with its Surface Connect for docking or Type-C. There are also no options for 4G or 5G or any other changes to the display, size, bezels, or ports.
But at least the AMD models get Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x RAM this time.
Surface Laptop 4: Specs, pricing, and availability
The specifications are mostly the same compared to Surface Laptop 3 save for the new processor options, of which they are plenty, especially when you consider both consumer and commercial channels.
| Category | Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) | Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home or Pro | Windows 10 Home or Pro |
| Display | 13.5-inch PixelSense 3:2 aspect ratio 2256 x 1504 (201 PPI) |
15-inch PixelSense 3:2 aspect ratio 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) |
| Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 Intel i5-1145G7 (Commercial only) Intel i7-1185G7 AMD Ryzen 5 4680U AMD Ryzen 7 4980U |
Intel i7-1185G7 AMD Ryzen 7 4980U |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Radeon RX Graphics |
Intel Iris Xe Radeon RX Graphics |
| Memory | 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (Intel) LPDDR4x (3733MHz) |
8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (Intel) LPDDR4x (3733MHz) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (Intel) Removable |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (Intel) Removable |
| Front Camera | 720p | 720p |
| Security | Windows Hello face authentication camera, Firmware TPM 2.0 | Windows Hello face authentication camera, Firmware TPM 2.0 |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Bluetooth 5.0 |
Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Battery | Ryzen 5: Up to 19 hours Core i5: Up to 17 hours |
Ryzen 7: Up to 17.5 hours Core i7: Up to 16.5 hours |
| Weight | Up to 2.84 lbs (1,288 g) | Up to 3.4 lbs (1,542 g) |
| Colors | Alcantara: Platinum or Ice Blue Metal: Matte Black or Sandstone |
Platinum metal, Matte Black metal |
Pricing gets exceptionally complicated due to the sheer number of models and variants available. It's a good sign, though, for Surface Laptop as Microsoft must be selling enough to warrant offering so many versions.
First up are the consumer SKUs, which will be available wherever Surface Laptops are sold, including online and in physical stores:
Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Consumer
| Features | Colors | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $999 |
| Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,199* |
| Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone | $1,299 |
| Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone | $1,499 |
| Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone | $1,699 |
| Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB | Black | $2,299 |
Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Consumer
| Features | Colors | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,299 |
| Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Black | $1,499 |
| Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 256GB | Black | $1,699 |
| Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Black | $1,799 |
| Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB | Black | $2,399 |
*Note, the 13.5-inch $1,199 Ryzen 5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is not available until ~8 weeks after launch.
Next up are the commercial SKUs, which are available through Microsoft Business channels. The only differences are even more configuration options (e.g., Ryzen 7 in 13.5"), and these ship with Windows 10 Pro:
Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Commercial
| Features | Colors | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5, 8GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,099 |
| Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,299 |
| Ryzen 7, 16GB, 512GB | Black | $1,699 |
| Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,199 |
| Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone | $1,399 |
| Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone | $1,599 |
| Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB | Black | $1,599 |
| Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Blue, Black, Sandstone | $1,799 |
| Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB | Black | $2,399 |
Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Commercial
| Features | Colors | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 7, 8GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,399 |
| Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Black | $1,799 |
| Core i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum | $1,499 |
| Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Black | $1,699 |
| Core i7, 16GB RAM, 256GB | Platinum, Black | $1,699 |
| Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB | Platinum, Black | $1,899 |
| Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB | Black | $2,499 |
*Note, the 13.5-inch $1,199 Ryzen 5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is not available until ~8 weeks after launch.
Surface Laptop 4 is now available starting today and begins shipping Thursday, April 15 in the US, Canada, and Japan, with additional market availability in the coming weeks.
Bonus: Free Surface Earbuds (Thru 4/15)
As a special bonus for Surface fans in the US who purchase Surface Laptop 4 online through Microsoft or Best Buy before April 15 will receive Surface Earbuds for free from Microsoft.
Stay tuned for our full review to see if Surface Laptop 4 makes our best Windows laptops list.
AMD or Intel
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (2021)
The choice is now yours
Surface Laptop 4 brings options for Intel 11th Gen or AMD Ryzen 4000 Mobile processors in both 13.5 and 15-inch models. With Dolby Atmos, Iris Xe, or Radeon Graphics, much longer battery life, the new Surface Laptop 4 should deliver an excellent experience.
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