Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Review: A Hands-On Test

The Evolution of Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Design

Currently, many laptop manufacturers are adopting design cues directly inspired by the MacBook. Numerous instances of this trend have been observed over the years. However, Microsoft has consistently pursued a distinct design philosophy across its product lines.

Innovation and Iteration

Microsoft’s products are generally recognized for being both interesting and innovative – a characteristic not universally found among hardware manufacturers today. While the company doesn’t always achieve immediate success, it’s willing to take risks.

The Surface Duo, for example, represented a bold attempt at innovation. Despite its unique features, it fell short in several key areas, making it difficult to recommend. Conversely, the Surface Laptop has consistently been a strong performer, effectively combining a Windows touchscreen experience with a traditional notebook form factor.

Incremental Updates and Enhanced Performance

Recent Surface Laptop models have been well-received, and this year’s iteration continues that trend without introducing radical changes. The primary enhancements include new processor options – either AMD Ryzen or Intel Core i5/i7 – and significantly improved battery life, offering an additional 8.5 hours of use.

These updates align with expectations for a standard system refresh, providing users with increased power and longevity.

Distinctive Design and Material Choices

The Surface Laptop maintains its unique aesthetic, characterized by tapered sides and palm rests covered in a felt-like material. This material offers a pleasant tactile experience, often preferable to cold metal, though some wear is noticeable even with minimal use.

The keyboard provides a soft typing experience with a noticeable amount of travel. While not the best keyboard available, it’s certainly adequate and becomes comfortable with familiarization.

Display Considerations

The display’s reflectivity is a notable concern. While glossy screens are common, the Surface Laptop’s screen is particularly prone to glare. Using the laptop outdoors, even at maximum brightness, can be challenging due to reflections.

When visible, the display delivers excellent image quality. The 13.5-inch model boasts a resolution of 2256 x 1504 at 201 ppi, matching the pixel density of the 15-inch version.

Our review unit featured the new Ice Blue color, which appears more as a silver/gray. The integrated speakers provide good sound quality, and the webcam is sufficient, though an upgrade to 1080p would be beneficial for modern video conferencing.

Performance and Configuration Options

The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop starts at $1,000, including 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, paired with an AMD Ryzen 5 4680U processor. Our configured system costs $1,700, doubling the RAM and storage and upgrading to an Intel Core i7 processor.

Further upgrades, costing an additional $600, double the RAM and storage again while retaining the same processor. Geekbench scores revealed a single-core performance of 1378 and a multi-core score of 4876. Overall performance is solid, though Apple’s M1 chips demonstrate a clear performance advantage.

Connectivity and Port Selection

Microsoft continues to utilize its proprietary magnetic charging port. While some users appreciate this feature, a more universal solution, such as an additional USB-C port, would be preferable. However, this could impact compatibility with existing Surface accessories.

The laptop also includes USB-A, USB-C, and a headphone jack, offering a versatile selection of ports. Expanding the port selection would further enhance usability.

Value Proposition and Conclusion

The Surface Laptop Go represented some compromises in build quality. The entry-level 13.5-inch Laptop carries a $300 premium over the 12-inch Laptop Go. However, for users requiring more than basic functionality, this investment is likely worthwhile.

The Surface Laptop remains a compelling option, offering a unique design, solid performance, and improved battery life.