The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) builds on the success of its predecessors, offering a beautifully sleek design, top-tier performance, and the seamless integration of Windows 11. Known for its lightweight form factor and premium finish, the Surface Laptop remains a favorite among professionals, students, and creatives who need a versatile and stylish device. With new Intel and AMD processors and a stunning PixelSense touchscreen, the 2024 model promises to be a strong contender in the ultrabook market. This review will cover design, performance, display quality, and overall usability to help you determine if the Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) is the right choice for you.
Design and Build
Design and Build Quality: Thin, Light, and Premium
The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) continues the line’s tradition of offering a minimalist and ultra-premium design. The aluminum chassis is sleek, durable, and incredibly lightweight, weighing just 2.79 pounds (1.27kg) for the 13.5-inch model, making it perfect for on-the-go use. Available in four beautiful finishes—Platinum, Matte Black, Sandstone, and Cobalt Blue—the Surface Laptop exudes style and sophistication.
Its thin profile, measuring just 14.5mm at its thickest point, allows it to fit easily into any backpack or briefcase, and the smooth edges and refined look make it a professional choice for meetings, classrooms, or any workspace. The **keyboard deck** is lined with Microsoft’s signature Alcantara fabric in select models, providing a soft and comfortable typing experience. The large glass **trackpad** is smooth and responsive, supporting all of Windows 11’s gestures with ease.
Microsoft has maintained its focus on quality with the hinge mechanism, which opens effortlessly yet remains sturdy enough to avoid wobbling during use. The device can be opened with one hand, adding to its premium feel. Despite its thinness, the Surface Laptop feels solid and durable, with a premium build that stands up to everyday wear and tear.
Display Quality
Display: PixelSense Brilliance
The **PixelSense touchscreen** remains a key highlight of the Surface Laptop (2024 Edition). Available in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch models, the display offers stunning clarity and vibrant colors, making it ideal for everything from content creation to media consumption. With a resolution of **2256 x 1504** (201 PPI) for the 13.5-inch model and **2496 x 1664** (201 PPI) for the 15-inch version, the screen delivers sharp text and vivid images, perfect for working on detailed projects or watching high-definition content.
The 3:2 aspect ratio is a signature feature of Surface devices, providing more vertical space for productivity, reducing the need to scroll through documents, spreadsheets, or websites. This makes it a fantastic tool for professionals, students, and creators who need more screen real estate for their tasks.
The touchscreen is responsive and accurate, making it easy to navigate through Windows 11 using touch gestures. It also supports the **Surface Pen** (sold separately), making it a great choice for artists, designers, and note-takers who want to use their laptop as a canvas for sketching or a digital notebook. The screen’s brightness levels and color accuracy are excellent, ensuring a vibrant and crisp viewing experience even in bright environments.
Performance
Performance: Powerful Yet Efficient
Under the hood, the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) offers a choice between the latest **Intel 14th Gen Core i5/i7** processors or **AMD Ryzen 7000-series** chips, giving users the flexibility to choose the performance level that best suits their needs. The Intel-powered versions are geared more toward general performance, with excellent multitasking abilities, fast load times, and great energy efficiency. The **AMD Ryzen 7** models, however, are tailored for users who need more GPU power for light gaming or more demanding creative tasks like video editing or 3D modeling.
With up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and **up to 1TB SSD storage**, the Surface Laptop is more than capable of handling heavy workloads, from multiple browser tabs and apps running simultaneously to more resource-intensive tasks like coding and design work. The **PCIe 4.0 SSD** ensures fast boot times and quick file transfers, making the laptop feel responsive and snappy during everyday use.
For those looking for a bit more graphics power, the AMD Ryzen models come with **integrated Radeon graphics**, which can handle light gaming and creative workloads like photo editing and design. While the Surface Laptop isn’t designed to replace a high-end gaming laptop or workstation, it can handle most productivity tasks with ease and efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery Life: All-Day Power
Battery life is one of the Surface Laptop’s strongest features, with Microsoft claiming up to **18 hours** of usage on the Intel models and up to **19 hours** on the AMD versions. In real-world use, the laptop easily lasts a full day of work or school, with enough juice left for streaming, web browsing, or working on projects in the evening.
For professionals who need to travel frequently or work away from their desk, the Surface Laptop’s battery life ensures that you won’t be tied to a power outlet throughout the day. The device also supports **fast charging**, allowing you to top up the battery to 80% in under an hour, which is especially useful for those with busy schedules or when traveling.
User Experience
Keyboard, Trackpad, and Audio: Comfortable and Immersive
The **keyboard** on the Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) offers one of the most comfortable typing experiences in its class. The keys are well-spaced and offer a good amount of travel, making it easy to type for extended periods without fatigue. The backlit keys are ideal for working in low-light environments, while the Alcantara fabric on certain models adds a soft and premium feel.
The **trackpad** is large, smooth, and incredibly responsive, supporting all Windows 11 gestures with precision. Whether you’re scrolling, zooming, or navigating through apps, the trackpad feels fluid and intuitive, further enhancing the user experience.
The audio quality is also impressive, with **Omnisonic speakers** hidden beneath the keyboard deck. These speakers, paired with **Dolby Atmos** support, offer rich, immersive sound that fills the room. Whether you’re watching movies, listening to music, or participating in video calls, the sound is crisp, clear, and surprisingly powerful for such a slim laptop. The **studio-quality microphones** ensure clear audio during calls, while the 1080p **front-facing webcam** delivers excellent video quality for remote meetings or online classes.
Key Takeaways
Pros and Cons
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024 Edition):
Conclusion
Conclusion: A Balanced Laptop for Productivity and Creativity
The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) is a fantastic option for users who prioritize design, portability, and all-day battery life without sacrificing performance. Its sleek, lightweight build, combined with the powerful Intel and AMD processor options, makes it a great choice for professionals, students, and creatives who need a versatile device that can handle a variety of tasks.
While it may not be the best choice for heavy-duty gaming or 3D rendering due to the lack of a discrete GPU, the Surface Laptop excels at productivity, media consumption, and light creative work. If you’re looking for a stylish, powerful, and long-lasting ultrabook, the Surface Laptop (2024 Edition) is an excellent investment that strikes the perfect balance between form and function.
