Intel-Powered Surface Pro and Surface Laptop Officially Unveiled

Today, Microsoft has unveiled its latest lineup of Surface PCs, introducing the refreshed Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7. Both of these models are now powered by Intel’s Lunar Lake processors, positioning them as the company’s initial Intel-driven Copilot+ PCs. These are specifically crafted for business clientele eager to leverage the new Surface hardware, while still favoring an x86 processor.

The Surface Laptop 7 equipped with Intel offers a variety of specs: starting from $1,499.99, it runs on Windows 11 Pro and features Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 (Series 2) CPUs, paired with Intel Arc GPUs. Users can choose between 16GB or 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and opt for storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB. Its display choices include a 13.8-inch or a 15-inch IPS screen with a 120Hz anti-reflective coating. Battery capacities are 54Whr for the smaller model and 66Whr for the larger one, accompanied by Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and an upcoming 5G feature. For connectivity, there are options like two USB4 Type-C ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, a microSD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

These Intel-powered Surface models are offered exclusively through Microsoft’s business storefronts and commercial avenues, distinctly separate from the consumer-oriented Snapdragon variants. They are crafted for commercial purchase, so you won’t be spotting them on shelves at major retailers such as Amazon or Best Buy.

Internally, both the Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7 can be tailored with Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 processors, alongside NPU units that deliver 40 TOPS and 48 TOPS respectively. Both come equipped with the capability of running Copilot+.

On the outside, there isn’t much to differentiate the Intel variants from their Snapdragon counterparts except for a few added features. The Intel versions of Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 boast anti-reflective screens to cut down glare and reflection. Additionally, the Surface Laptop 7 sees a new card-reader addition, while NFC is integrated into the Surface Pro 11.

Another significant enhancement on the horizon is the introduction of a 5G variant for the Surface Laptop 7 later in the year, a feature which, till now, was solely available with the Surface Pro.

In terms of price and customization, these Intel models kick off at $1,499.99 and can be found in the refined shades of Platinum and Black. This price point is notably above the Snapdragon models, which start at a more budget-friendly $1,099, but the extra cost does get you features like anti-reflective screens and x86 compatibility.

This marks Microsoft’s second endeavor in rolling out hardware specifically targeting its business users, following the earlier launch of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with Intel’s Ultra series 1 processors. The current releases carry forward the new design aesthetics seen in the Snapdragon models, catering to business users seeking Intel processors.

In tandem with these PCs, Microsoft is also rolling out a fresh accessory: the Surface USB4 Dock. Not to be confused with last year’s Thunderbolt 4 version, this new, compact USB4 Dock is priced at $199, presenting a more economical choice for peripheral connectivity.

Pre-orders for both the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 with Intel are already open, with the official shipping date set for February 18.