While the upcoming laptops are similar in design to their predecessors, the new Surface devices come with improved processors, better battery life, and other minor specs. We have yet to fully test both laptops, but if you want to pre-order them ahead of the official release, you can already do so through various retailers. Here’s what you need to know.
The new Surface Laptop Studio 2 looks similar to the previous model, with the same kind of 14.4-inch screen that you can pull forward or lay flat like a tablet. However, there are a few changes under the hood. Microsoft says it’s twice as fast as its predecessor, with new Intel 13th Gen i7 processors and Nvidia’s RTX 4050 and 4060 GPUs. It’s also the first Windows computer to come with the Intel neural processing unit, which should enable faster, more powerful AI capabilities.
In addition to new chips and GPUs, Microsoft’s premium convertible comes with two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, a microSD card reader, and the Surface Slim Pen 2. The laptop also features a customizable haptic touchpad that Microsoft says is “the most advanced”. including touchpad on every laptop.”
You can pre-order the Surface Laptop Studio 2 from the Microsoft Store for $1,999 in its base configuration with 512 GB of storage, 16 GB of RAM, an Intel 13th Gen processor, and Intel Iris Xe graphics (or with an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU for $2,399 at Amazon and Best Buy). You can equip it with as much as 2TB of storage, 64GB of RAM and an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU – although, as expected, the more expensive models will set you back more than $3,000. The laptop will be available on October 3.
The Laptop Studio 2 wasn’t the only Windows machine Microsoft introduced at its Surface event this week either. The company also unveiled the new Surface Laptop Go 3, which offers the same 12.4-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a 3:2 aspect ratio as last year’s Surface Laptop Go 2. The new laptop weighs less than 2.5 kilos – making it the lightest Surface device – and is believed to be 88 percent faster than its predecessor with all-day battery life.
The Surface Laptop Go 3 will be available from October 3 in four colors: gray, blue, pink and green. You can pre-order it from the Microsoft Store, Amazon, and Best Buy for $799.99 with 256 GB of storage, 8 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 processor. You can also configure it with up to 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an Intel Core i5 processor for $200 more.
Update September 22, 6:30 PM ET: We’ve updated this post with additional pre-order details for Amazon and Best Buy.