Photographer: Mark Kauzlarich/Bloomberg
Microsoft has finally taken the veils off its Surface Laptop which would be running the company’s new cloud-optimized version of Windows 10 named Windows 10 S. With such a working principle, the new Surface Laptop is being seen as Microsoft’s answer to the Google Chromebook that has been a hit with the students.
Microsoft has also ticked all the right boxes with its new Surface variant, which comes across as a sleek and stylish device with oodles of power and refinement under its hood. It features a 13.3-inch full HD ‘PixelSense’ display that is also compatible with the Surface Pen.
The latter bit again makes a lot of sense given its intended clientele; the student community often needs to jot down quick notes. And with the Surface Laptop, you can do it right on the display itself. The display otherwise has an aspect ratio of 3:2.
On offer will be two variants of the device, powered by either a seventh generation Core i5 chip or the more powerful Core i7. Microsoft has also thrown in several customization options as well so that you can always choose to have what you actually need and pay accordingly.
As such, the range starts with the variant with Core i5 chip along with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of SSD storage that costs $999. There is also another Core i5 variant which offers 8 GB of RAM along with 256 GB of SSD memory priced at $1,299.
Thereafter, the Core i7 version is clearly for those who need intensive jobs done. Here again, the options include the variant with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD priced at $1,599 and the same with range-topping 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage which costs $2,199.
The keyboard features the same Alcantara layer as can be seen on the keypad cover of the Surface Pro 4. The keys are backlit too and allow for sufficient travel – 1.5 mm to be precise – to allow for a comfortable typing experience.
You aren’t done with the keyboard yet as those also hide ‘Omnisonic Speakers’ which, according to Microsoft, belts out ‘Dolby Audio Premium sound’.
In fact, a key design element of the Surface Laptop is that it lacks any holes or grills. Even the heat emanated from the processor is taken care of by built-in vapor chambers that ensure the device remains cool.
As for connectivity options, there is the USB 3.0 port, headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, along with Surface Connect port. There is not USB Type-C port though.
Battery life claimed is an equally commendable 14.5 hours. Then there are some truly enchanting color options as well, which includes platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue, and graphite gold.
Overall, the new Surface Laptop comes across as a whole new segment that Microsoft has set its foot on. The device is pricey and is in the same category as the MacBook Pro. However, the strategy is similar as with other Surface variants. Towards that, the Surface Laptop is designed to showcase the capabilities of the Windows 10 S operating system and will serve as the flagship device of its class.
It will next be on to the other manufacturers to come up with more competitively priced Surface Laptop variants that can take on the Chromebooks effectively.