Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" 2025, Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Black

A stunning, fast, featherweight laptop that's perfect for everyday work, but the ARM processor will break your heart if you need Adobe or niche software. Buy it for the battery life and build quality, skip it if you're a creative.

The Snapdragon X Elite 12-core sits in the 99th percentile for CPU performance in our database. That's not a typo. This thing crushes everyday tasks, boots in seconds, and handles 32GB of RAM like it's nothing. The integrated Adreno GPU is a different story, landing in the 29th percentile. Don't expect to game on this beyond light indie titles. The real surprise is how well the ARM chip handles native ARM apps while still running most x86 software through emulation without making you want to throw the laptop out a window. Most of the time, anyway.

The obvious comparison is the MacBook Pro M4 Max, which costs more but delivers better GPU performance and zero software compatibility headaches. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i are gaming laptops that'll run circles around this thing graphically, but they're heavier and have worse battery life. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 is a closer match in portability, but again, it's x86 so it runs everything. If you want a thin, light, long-lasting Windows laptop and don't need specialized software, the Surface Laptop is the best of the bunch. If you need compatibility above all else, look elsewhere.

At $1,999 USD, this is a premium laptop with a premium price tag. The build quality and performance justify it for the right user, but the ARM compatibility issues mean you're paying MacBook money for a machine that can't run everything a MacBook can. If your workflow is browser-based, Office 365, and streaming, it's worth every penny. If you need Adobe apps or any specialized Windows software, save your money and get an x86 laptop instead.

The Surface Laptop 13.8" is Microsoft's best shot at making Windows on ARM feel like a first-class citizen, and for the right person, it absolutely nails it. The Snapdragon X Elite chip is a monster for everyday work, the build quality is MacBook-level good, and the battery just keeps going. But that ARM processor is also the thing that'll bite you if you run specialized software. This is a fantastic laptop for students, writers, and office workers. It's a frustrating one for photographers, video editors, or anyone who needs niche Windows apps.

If you're a photographer, video editor, or anyone who relies on Adobe Creative Cloud, printer drivers, or specialized Windows software, this isn't your laptop. The ARM processor will frustrate you daily. Go get an x86 machine like the HP OMEN Transcend 14 or a MacBook Pro instead. If you need to game, this is also a hard pass.

The Surface Laptop 13.8" is a brilliant machine for a specific type of user: someone who lives in a browser, uses Office apps, and wants a premium, portable Windows experience with all-day battery. For that person, this is one of the best laptops on the market right now. For everyone else, especially creatives and anyone who needs specialized Windows software, the ARM processor is a dealbreaker. Know what you're getting into before you buy.