Best Microsoft Surface Laptop (2026): Which Model to Buy or Avoid

However greater than something, the polish of the laptop computer’s design and the standard of its parts are what make it really feel on par with Apple. You may get it with both a 13.8- or 15-inch display screen dimension. The smaller mannequin has a barely bigger show than its predecessor (up from 13.5 inches) with thinner bezels and rounder corners. It is brighter, too, and contains a 120-Hz screen refresh rate, giving it an edge over the MacBook Air. Content material appears vivid and sharp, even outdoor in broad daylight (however you may must crank it as much as about full brightness below direct daylight).

My favourite factor in regards to the display screen is the side ratio. As a result of it is 3:2 quite than 16:10, the laptop computer has a taller display screen that is nearer to sq.. This offers extra vertical area for webpages, spreadsheets, and apps. When selecting between the 2, I am going to at all times gravitate towards the three:2 display screen of the Floor Laptop computer, which is likely one of the few laptops that use this side ratio. The 1080p webcam, customizable haptic suggestions trackpad, and snappy keyboard all really feel each bit as sturdy because the MacBook Air, too.

None of that will matter if the efficiency and battery weren’t aggressive although. Happily, the Floor Laptop computer 13.8 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, with choices for the X Elite or X Plus. It was one of many first laptops to embrace these chips and has benefited from their distinctive battery life and environment friendly efficiency. We examined the Elite, and efficiency has been completely easy, regardless of what number of home windows, tabs, and apps are open. This isn’t a machine for graphics-intensive duties, like video enhancing or gaming, but it surely’s completely able to powering all the standard duties most individuals do on a laptop computer.

The Floor Laptop computer 13.8-inch used to start out with an choice with solely 256 GB of storage, which is how Microsoft was in a position to promote it at such a low beginning worth. However now that begins at 512 GB, no matter for those who select the 13.8-inch mannequin or the bigger 15-inch. The 13.8-inch mannequin now begins at $1,099, although you’ll be able to typically discover it for much less at Greatest Purchase or Amazon. As well as, Microsoft has a more moderen (and extra budget-oriented) choice within the lineup referred to as the Surface Laptop 13, which launched in 2025 and begins with 256 GB of storage. Though we have not examined this machine but, it comes with a number of downgrades, together with a lower-resolution display screen (that is not 3:2 side ratio), no Floor Join magnetic charging port, and no Home windows Whats up IR digicam. With all of the reductions accessible on the bigger fashions, I do not discover the worth distinction with the Floor Laptop computer 13 price all of the compromises.

Greatest 2-in-1 Laptop computer

The Floor Professional 13 is the perfect Floor pill Microsoft has ever made. It makes use of the unique Floor design, pairing a 13-inch pill with a built-in kickstand to a removable keyboard. You get the identical two USB-C connectors as earlier than, together with Microsoft’s Floor Join port. It is nonetheless awkward to make use of on a lap, however on a desk, the brand new Flex Keyboard is a superb (and dear) improve—you need to use the keyboard and Floor individually, so you’ll be able to area your setup out just a little.