Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review

Trade in Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

(Image credit: Future)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (starting at $999) is the inaugural Surface Laptop to feature a Qualcomm CPU, marking a significant milestone for both Microsoft and its hardware enthusiasts. This model positions Microsoft as a true contender against the MacBook Air.

Whether referred to as the Surface Laptop 7 or the more formally, Surface Laptop 7th Generation, this device offers impressive specifications, particularly when upgraded to the Snapdragon X Elite chip. As one of the pioneer Microsoft Copilot+ PCs, it benefits from the swift NPU in Qualcomm’s latest processor, unlocking various AI functionalities previously unavailable on Windows machines. These chips also ensure on-device AI, enhancing security and privacy.

Despite the allure, I approached with skepticism regarding the practical use of Copilot+’s AI features in everyday activities. Is this the optimal focus for Microsoft’s processing power, or should the company prioritize more conventional computing experiences?

In this Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review, I will demonstrate why, after a week of usage, I believe it stands out as one of the finest Windows laptops and among the best laptops of the year (so far).

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 7 REVIEW: CHEAT SHEET

What is it? The latest Microsoft Surface Laptop is the first to feature Snapdragon X Plus or Snapdragon X Elite chips under the hood, opening a world of AI features.
Who is it for? Those looking for a Windows 11 laptop for work who want to take advantage of Microsoft’s new Copilot+ AI features.
What does it cost? The base model of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 starts at $999 on Microsoft’s online store. Higher-end models cost significantly more.
What do we like? The speedy Snapdragon X Elite performance, on-device AI processing, and excellent battery life.
What don’t we like? You can’t play many games on it, and some of the AI features still feel half-baked.

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 7 REVIEW: SPECS

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 7 REVIEW: THE UPS

Snapdragon X performance

(Image credit: Future)

The primary appeal of the new Surface devices from a hardware standpoint is the inclusion of the Snapdragon X chips. Whether opting for the more affordable model with the Snapdragon X Plus chip or the pricier variant with the Snapdragon X Elite (the version we tested), you’re assured exceptional performance for both conventional computing needs and AI capabilities.

We subjected the laptop to a variety of benchmarks to evaluate its performance, and the results were undeniably impressive. In the popular Geekbench 6 single-core test, our test Surface Laptop achieved a score of 2,809, just slightly below the MacBook Air M3’s 3,082.

Nevertheless, it surpasses the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H found in the Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra, which scored 2,421 in the same test. In terms of multi-core performance, the Snapdragon X Elite in the Surface Laptop 7 scored 14,426, closely matching the MacBook Air M3’s 14,432, essentially resulting in a tie. Samsung’s laptop scored 13,124, allowing Microsoft’s latest to take the lead.

Beautiful design

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft hasn’t altered the look and feel of the Surface Laptop 7 much compared to previous versions, but there are some smart tweaks that enhance an already attractive laptop.

At first glance, it appears similar, but a closer inspection reveals the differences. The most notable change is the thinner bezels around the display that seamlessly transition into the rounded corners. The larger haptic trackpad, which feels fantastic to use, also offers both a visual and functional improvement. It has a slightly textured surface that allows your finger to glide smoothly while providing tactile feedback on your position on the pad. Additionally, Microsoft has modified the bottom to create an angled underside, making the laptop more comfortable to carry. This shape allows your fingers to wrap around the laptop nicely, without feeling like it’s digging into your fingers.

The laptop is available in four different colors, though configurations vary by color. We tested the Sapphire (a lovely light blue), but it is also available in Dune (tan), Platinum, and Black. I particularly like the Sapphire, as it’s tasteful yet stands out more than simple colors like black or silver.

Impressive battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The Surface Laptop 7 boasts impressive battery life on a single charge. Microsoft claims it can handle around 20 hours of continuous video playback on the 13-inch model and 22 hours on the 15-inch model.

In our battery test, however, which involved continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi with the display set to 150 nits of brightness, the laptop lasted 15 hours and 44 minutes. This slightly surpasses the 15 hours and 10 minutes achieved by the 13-inch MacBook Air M3, placing both devices in a similar range under the same test conditions.

This is significant because top Windows laptops have traditionally struggled to achieve the 12-15 hours of (tested) battery life that is common with any MacBook equipped with an M-series chip. Now, Microsoft finally has a flagship laptop that can (almost) match the endurance of a modern MacBook, marking a notable win for Windows fans.

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 7 REVIEW: THE DOWNS

The Surface Laptop 7 is well-constructed, though not without its flaws. If you can overlook these, it stands as a strong competitor to the MacBook. However, don’t expect its AI features to revolutionize your experience, and definitely don’t consider it for gaming, as it lacks the graphical power for anything beyond basic tasks.

Gimmicky AI features

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft is promoting Copilot+ as the next major advancement for its Surface laptops, and it might eventually reach that status. For now, however, most of its features feel like gimmicks. Many tasks it performs could be easily achieved by simply visiting ChatGPT’s website and entering a prompt. Perhaps I haven’t yet found a way to integrate AI into my daily workflow, or maybe AI isn’t essential for a laptop. Either way, unless you’re particularly interested in using an AI chat app locally, you can likely do without most of the Copilot+ features for now.

In our Surface Pro 11 review, my colleague Tony Polanco described the AI features as “half-baked,” and I concur. With Microsoft pulling back on the security debacle that Recall turned out to be (a feature initially meant to launch with these laptops but now delayed for further testing), and the fact that nothing Copilot+ offers feels necessary, it seems like Microsoft was eager to release new Surface devices and wanted a flashy new feature to capture attention. Given the current focus on AI, it made sense for Microsoft to emphasize this technology, even if it still has room for improvement.

Apps and games

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft’s transition from Intel to Arm for its Surface devices has been relatively smooth, but some apps still don’t run perfectly. ARM chips differ from traditional x86 Intel processors, so not all Windows apps will work seamlessly. If an app isn’t designed for ARM, it may not work at all or run poorly. Fortunately, you can emulate an x86 environment to run incompatible apps on the Arm-based Snapdragon X CPUs, but this is far from an ideal experience.

Additionally, gaming on the Surface Laptop 7 is not viable. The onboard Qualcomm Adreno graphics struggle to deliver more than basic gaming experiences.

We tested the laptop with Civilization VI to assess its performance, and the results were acceptable but not impressive. Running at 1080p, the Surface Laptop 7 averaged 20.63 fps. In comparison, the MacBook Air M3 achieved 41 fps at a higher 1200p resolution, highlighting the difference in overall gaming performance between the two devices.

Where are the ports?

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft included two USB4 Type-C ports, a single USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the laptop’s left side. The magnetic proprietary Surface Connect charging port is located on the right side, providing enough connectivity for most daily applications. However, an additional USB-C port would have been beneficial for connecting multiple devices during a workday.

In comparison, the MacBook Air, its closest competitor, has even fewer ports, with just two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm jack, and Apple’s MagSafe charging port. At least Microsoft included a USB-A port for connecting older devices.

MICROSOFT SURFACE LAPTOP 7 REVIEW: VERDICT

(Image credit: Future)

Overall, Microsoft nailed it with the latest version of the Surface Laptop 7. While I don’t find the AI features particularly useful in their current state, you can easily overlook them and still have one of the best-performing laptops on the market. The battery life comfortably lasts through a full day of work and play.

Add in the sleek design and attractive color choices, and you have a device you’ll be proud to carry everywhere.

Of course, those who prefer macOS are unlikely to be swayed by what the Surface Laptop 7 offers and will probably stick with their MacBooks. However, for those who like Windows 11, I have no hesitation in recommending this laptop, whether you opt for the base model or choose to invest in a larger screen, more performance, or both.

Source: Tom’s Guide