Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8" 7th Edition Black 2024

The Surface Laptop 11 is the MacBook Air killer Windows users have been waiting for. It's got the speed, the screen, and the stamina to be your one and only laptop, just don't expect to game on it.

What surprised us most was how this chip handles real work. We're not just talking about web browsing. The 10-core Snapdragon X Plus sits in the 95th percentile for CPU performance in our database, which is best-in-class territory. It chews through photo edits and dozens of browser tabs without the fan ever really kicking in. The integrated Adreno GPU is the weak spot, landing in the bottom quarter of our rankings, so don't expect to play anything beyond light indie games. But for everything else, this machine feels impossibly snappy, and the AI-powered Windows Studio Effects for video calls are genuinely useful, not just a gimmick.

The elephant in the room is the MacBook Air M3. The Surface Laptop 11 has a brighter, smoother 120Hz touchscreen and a more versatile port setup with USB-A, while the Air fights back with a fanless design and zero app compatibility questions. For a Windows user, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is the other big alternative. You'll sacrifice the Surface's all-day battery and lighter weight, but you'll get a dedicated GPU that can actually game. The Surface is the better pure laptop, but the G14 is the better all-in-one machine if you have a creative or gaming streak.

Pricing is a bit of a rollercoaster across vendors, with a $506 spread from $1,149 to $1,655. At the high end, it's a tough sell against a MacBook Pro. But if you can snag it closer to that $1,149 mark, it's an absolute steal. That's MacBook Air money for a laptop with a better, faster-refreshing screen and more RAM in the base model. Shop around and don't pay the sticker price.

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 11 is the Windows laptop that finally makes you forget about the MacBook Air. Seriously, this thing is a statement. It's got the build quality, the battery life, and the sheer speed to go head-to-head with Apple's best, and in a lot of ways, it wins. The one thing to know is that this isn't just another iterative Surface. The new Snapdragon X Plus chip is the real deal, delivering performance that's in the absolute top tier for a thin-and-light while sipping power so slowly you'll forget where you left the charger.

If you're looking for a machine to game on or do heavy 3D rendering, this isn't it. The integrated GPU is a real weak spot. Go get an ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 with a dedicated RTX card instead. You'll lose some battery life and portability, but you'll actually be able to run the software you need.

This is the new default recommendation for anyone who wants a premium Windows laptop. It's not perfect, the GPU and potential ARM quirks are real, but the combination of a stunning display, incredible speed, and true all-day battery life is unmatched in its class. If you're a student, a writer, or a business pro who lives in a web browser and Office apps, just buy it. You won't be disappointed.