Recently, Microsoft unveiled two new ultra-portable Surface models, marking a notable shift from their previous iterations. The recently introduced Surface Laptop, now at 13 inches, has been trimmed from its earlier 13.8-inch version. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro has transitioned from a 13-inch frame to a more compact 12-inch design. Both devices aim to sit comfortably alongside Apple’s MacBook Air series, which features 13-inch and 15-inch options, as well as the iPad Pro, both vying for attention within a similar pricing tier. A noteworthy aspect of this new release is that, in addition to their reduced size, these models come at a lower price point.

What Has Been Compromised?

With the reduction in size and cost, Microsoft has also adjusted some specifications accordingly. The 13-inch Surface Laptop, available in hues like metallic ocean blue, violet, and platinum, now offers a resolution that has been decreased from 2304 x 1536 to 1920 x 1280 to suit the smaller screen. It’s worth noting that this display lacks HDR support, and the refresh rate has been decreased from 120Hz to 60Hz.

The 12-inch Surface Pro also comes without a keyboard included in the package—this reflects a typical trait among Surface Pro models. The enhanced keyboard has seen a redesign, now lying flat instead of angled while still maintaining its magnetic connection. Furthermore, the slot for the Surface Pen has been removed; instead, it can now magnetically attach to the rear of the device for charging. On the display front, the Pro has also seen a drop in refresh rate, falling to 90Hz from the previously offered 120Hz, although it retains a resolution of 2196 x 1464.

The new Surface devices have traded the convenient Surface Connect ports for standard USB-C 3.2 ports. This shift means fewer proprietary cables to manage; however, it also introduces a risk, as tripping over a cord could pull an entire device down rather than allowing for an easy disconnect.

As for the internal components, these new models utilize Qualcomm’s 8-Core Snapdragon X Plus chip, which has less processing power than previous models, downgrading from the previous standard. Both models feature 16GB of RAM, but offer a base storage of just 256GB, though an upgrade to 512GB is available for an additional cost.

Can These Affordable Surface Options Compete with Apple?

When examining raw specifications, Apple’s offerings generally outshine the new Surface models, with some exceptions. Starting off with display features, Apple’s products exhibit superior capabilities, sporting the Liquid Retina panel on the MacBook with HDR and a resolution of 2560 x 1664, although it stays at a 60Hz refresh rate. The iPad Pro’s 11-inch model, while smaller than the Surface Pro, boasts a high resolution of 2420 x 1668—with the 13-inch variant reaching up to 2752 x 2064—and features OLED technology alongside a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz.

Performance-wise, while the Snapdragon chip in the new Surface offerings demonstrates efficiency, it falls short in comparison to Apple’s M4 chip, utilized in the latest iPad Pro and MacBook Air. The Snapdragon chip lags in both single-core and multi-core performance, thereby giving Apple a notable edge for users prioritizing power.

However, one advantage for the new Surface devices is their cooling system, which shows progression from earlier Surface versions. The smaller 12-inch Surface Pro is completely fanless, resembling the design attributes of the MacBook Air and iPad Pro. The improved thermal efficiency of the chipset has also eliminated the need for vents seen in previous models. Conversely, the 13-inch Surface Laptop retains its fans.

A Focus on Affordability

The primary objective behind these new devices appears to be affordability, as the trade-offs yield financial benefits. In this arena, the Surface lineup finds itself posing a challenge to Apple’s pricing structure.

The entry prices are set under $1,000, notably lower than Apple’s MacBook Air and iPad Pro models. The 13-inch Surface Laptop begins at $899, while the 12-inch Surface Pro starts at $799; in contrast, the base MacBook Air is priced at $999, and the 11-inch iPad Pro at $999, with the 13-inch variant reaching $1,299. Although the Surface offerings present a value proposition, there remains only a $100 difference between the base Surface Laptop and the MacBook Air.

Upgrades, however, can drive costs up quickly on both sides. For instance, adding a keyboard to the Surface Pro’s configuration will add $150, alongside another $100 for the storage upgrade to 512GB, pushing the total to $1,049. The 13-inch laptop also increases by $100 for the storage upgrade, totaling $999. On Apple’s side, enhancing the storage on the MacBook Air by just 256GB to 512GB also results in an additional charge of $200.

Ultimately, as is common in discussions comparing PC and Mac, the choice reduces to price versus performance. The Surface lineup has become more budget-friendly than ever, but prospective buyers should weigh the associated compromises carefully. Fortunately, Microsoft’s Surface range continues to offer alternatives that cater to those seeking high-performance options.

Preorders for the 13-inch Surface Laptop are currently available at Amazon, Microsoft, and other outlets, with the Surface Pro 12-inch also available for preorder from Best Buy. Shipments for both models are set to commence on May 20th.