Microsoft announced two new Copilot+ PC laptops, the Surface Pro 11th edition and Surface 7th edition, on Monday. The two PCs are the first in a new generation of laptops Microsoft is calling Copilot Plus PCs.
The Surface Pro 11th edition starts at $1499, and the Surface 7th edition starts at $999. Both the devices are powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X processors.
Microsoft Surface Pro, now on ARM
The Surface Pro 11th Edition is a 2-in-1 laptop hybrid with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus processor. Its battery life provides up to 14 hours of video playback, which falls short of the new Surface Laptop’s battery (20 hours of video playback). It has a new, optional OLED, a new attachable keyboard called the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard, Wi-Fi 7 support, and an optional 5g.
The keyboard can be detached to use it as a tablet, which weighs under 900 grams. It comes in four colours and has two USB 4 ports. It has better-performing cameras: an ultrawide quad HD front camera and a 10-megapixel sensor on the back. As per the prerelease product, which is subject to change, it enhances lighting and clear sound for video calls.
The pricing for the Pro starts at $999 for one with an LCD display, Snapdragon X Plus processor, and 256GB of storage. To buy it with the OLED screen and X Elite processor, it will cost at least $1500. The maxed-out specs version of the new Pro (32GB RAM, 1TB storage, and platinum colour option) will cost around $2100. The Flex keyboard and Slim Pen must be bought separately for $450.
Microsoft Surface Laptop, now with Snapdragon X
The Surface 7th Edition is an arm-powered laptop available for preorder on Monday. It uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus or Elite chip to compete with Apple’s efficient and powerful laptops.
The laptop starts at a base of 16GB RAM with 256 GB SSD storage and the Snapdragon X Plus chip. Other configurations include more storage, up to 1TB SSD, and 32GB RAM (64GB storage option available as a preorder exclusive) on 13.8-inch and 15-inch editions with the Elite processor.
It also comes in four colours: black, dune, sapphire, and platinum (only available for 256GB models of both screen sizes). Both sizes have two USB-Type C ports and one USB-Type A 3.1 port. Depending on the size, it has a 39-watt or 65-watt power supply and a 1080p camera. The Surface laptop starts at $999.99 (13.8-inch) or $1,199.99 (15-inch).
Qualcomm claims the new Snapdragon X processor line is fast enough to compete with Apple, AMD, and Intel. Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s CEO, started the event on Monday by speaking about making computers that “not only understand us but anticipate what we want.” He said the new Copilot Plus PCs are “the fastest, most AI-ready PCs ever built.”
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