We probably would have laughed if you had told us a year ago that the Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC would be a top contender for the best 2024 laptop. However, after getting our hands on this new Surface Laptop, we can confidently say it’s an imposing device. The main reason for this is the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip it houses. The performance, battery life, sleek and lightweight design, price, and sound quality are all top-notch.
Pros
- Awe-inspiring performance
- Excellent battery life
- Great display and keyboard
- Well-priced
Cons
- Limited ports
- No OLED display option
- Touchpad sensitivity could be better
Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC: Review at a Glance
We haven’t always been the biggest fans of the Microsoft Surface Laptop series. Even with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip and the Copilot+ AI features in the Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC, our expectations were low. However, we were pleasantly surprised. This quickly became one of the best Windows laptops and one of the top laptops of the year, thanks to its stylish design, excellent battery life, and outstanding performance.
Design
The Surface Laptop series consistently boasts a stylish and lightweight yet sturdy design. The new Copilot+ PC continues this tradition, offering attractive color options and a responsive keyboard. Improvements have been made where needed, without compromising the strengths of its predecessors.
Display
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC features a 13.8-inch (2304 x 1536) HDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Its lightweight design makes it highly portable, and ideal for students and professionals on the go. While an OLED variant would have been nice, the absence keeps the price more affordable.
Keyboard and Touchpad
The keyboard is as responsive as expected, though the touchpad has minor sensitivity issues that can be adjusted in settings. The webcam is a standard 1080p model, but it lacks a physical privacy shutter, which is expected in this price range.
Ports
The port selection isn’t the worst but could be better balanced. It includes two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a combined headphone/microphone jack. Missing ports like Ethernet, an SD card reader, and HDMI are notable omissions. The continued use of the Surface Connect charging port is also a downside, as USB-C charging is available.
Sound Quality
The laptop offers excellent sound quality. Music sounds clear with distinct instrument separation and surprisingly good bass for such a compact device.
AI Features
A standout feature is the AI Copilot+ integration, including a dedicated Copilot button on the keyboard. Currently, this button is non-functional and cannot be reassigned, which is disappointing. However, the Copilot feature itself works well, providing thoughtful responses and accurate information across various tasks.
Benchmark Performance
Here are the benchmark results for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC:
- 3DMark: Steel Nomad Light: 2,018; Fire Strike: 5,792; Time Spy: 1,893; Wild Life Unlimited: 25,590
- Cinebench R23 Multi-core: 8,275 points
- GeekBench 6.3: 2,809 (single-core); 14,426 (multi-core)
- PCMark 10 (Home Test): 5,495 points
- 25GB File Copy: 24.05
- HandBrake: 5:02
- CrossMark: Overall: 1,406; Productivity: 1,323; Creativity: 1,534; Responsiveness: 1,297
- Web browsing (battery test): 15:44:32
- Battery life: 10 hours and 10 minutes
Additional Features
We also tested Microsoft Paint’s Cocreator and Image Creator, both supported by the DALL-E AI model. Cocreator transforms drawings into AI-generated images with customizable styles and creativity levels. Image Creator, however, operates on a credit system, limiting free use.
AI Recall Controversy
We couldn’t test the Windows 11 AI Recall feature due to its delayed release and security concerns. This feature captures frequent screenshots to create a searchable library, posing privacy risks due to data storage in a text-based SQLite database.
Performance and Battery Life
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC, equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite CPU, delivers exceptional performance without the issues seen in previous models. The laptop boots quickly runs smoothly, and handles tasks efficiently. We experienced no performance problems or crashes during our testing.
The battery life is also impressive, lasting about 15 hours with average use and over 10 hours. This is exceptional for a Windows laptop, rivaling Apple’s MacBooks.
Conclusion
Overall, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC offers excellent performance, a stylish design, and impressive battery life. Despite some minor drawbacks, it stands out as one of the best laptops of 2024.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC: Price and Availability
- Starting Price: €1,199
- Available: Now at all major retailers and directly from Microsoft
The 13.8-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC starts at €1,199, featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. The 15-inch model is priced at €1,549, equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage.
This pricing is more affordable than the base model of the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air, and the 15-inch model is slightly cheaper than the starting price of the 15-inch M3 MacBook Air. The highest configuration is also priced lower than the top-tier MacBook Air.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC: Specifications
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Specs
| Feature | 13.8-inch Model | 15-inch Model |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From €1,199 | From €1,549 |
| Display | 13.8-inch, 2304 x 1536p, 3:2 120Hz HDR Touchscreen | 15-inch, 2496 x 1664p, 3:2 120Hz HDR Touchscreen |
| Processor | Up to Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| NPU | Qualcomm Hexagon, 45 TOPS | Qualcomm Hexagon, 45 TOPS |
| RAM | Up to 64GB LPDDR5x | Up to 64GB LPDDR5x |
| Storage | Up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD | Up to 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Ports | 2x USB-4 (USB-C), 1x USB-A Gen 3.1, 1x 3.5mm combo port, 1x Surface Connect port | 2x USB-4 (USB-C), 1x USB-A Gen 3.1, 1x 3.5mm combo port, 1x Surface Connect port, 1x MicroSDXC reader |
| Connectivity | WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 | WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Battery | 54WHr | 66WHr |
| Weight | 1.34 kg | 1.66 kg |
| Dimensions | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm | 329 x 239.3 x 18.3 mm |
Should You Buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC?
Buy If…
- You Need Excellent Productivity Performance: Ideal for video calls, document editing, and web browsing without compromising performance.
- You Have a Tight Budget: Offers outstanding value for its price, outperforming many similarly priced or even more expensive laptops.
- You Want a Thin, Lightweight Laptop: Weighing just over 1.5 kg, it’s perfect for on-the-go use.
Don’t Buy If…
- You Need More Ports: Limited to one USB-A port, two USB-C ports, a combined headphone/microphone port, and a Surface Connect charging port.
- You Want a Gaming Laptop: Lacks a discrete GPU, making it unsuitable for AAA gaming titles.