Surface Laptop 7th Edition review: Microsoft’s best MacBook Air competitor yet

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition Review: The Windows on Arm Laptop That Finally Delivers

For years, Microsoft has grappled with the challenge of bringing Windows on Arm to the mainstream, aiming to replicate the success of Apple’s M-series chips in their Macs. Earlier attempts faltered, plagued by app compatibility issues and sluggish performance. But with the all-new Surface Laptop 7th Edition, Microsoft finally seems to have cracked the code.

This isn’t just a refresh; it represents Microsoft’s most serious effort yet in transitioning Windows to Arm. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus processors, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition boasts phenomenal all-day battery life, solid performance for most tasks, and a stunning display.

But before delving into the details, let’s address the elephant in the room: AI. The Surface Laptop 7th Edition is one of the first Copilot Plus PCs, featuring AI-focused chips to usher in a new era of artificial intelligence features within Windows.

Recall, Microsoft’s flagship AI feature, aims to revolutionize the way you interact with your PC by capturing and recalling memories and moments via near-constant screenshots. This ambitious project, however, has faced serious security concerns and has been temporarily delayed while Microsoft reworks its security protocols. The future of Microsoft’s AI ambitions for Windows remains uncertain, leaving a lingering question mark about the long-term impact of these new features.

Hardware: Subtle Refinements, Big Gains

The Surface Laptop 7th Edition retains the familiar sleek design of its predecessors, but with subtle, impactful upgrades. The most noticeable change is the slightly larger 13.8-inch LCD display, sporting smaller bezels on all sides and rounded corners. It boasts HDR with Dolby Vision support and a 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother, more immersive visual experience.

The display itself is a joy to use, but I do wish it had an anti-reflective coating, as glare can be an issue under bright lighting. While cranking up the brightness helps, a coating would have been a welcome addition.

Microsoft has also managed to integrate an upgraded 1080p front-facing camera without needing a notch, delivering impressive video quality for laptop cameras. The camera is even Windows Hello-compatible, allowing for convenient and secure facial login.

The precision haptic trackpad, another major upgrade, provides consistent click feedback across its surface. This is a drastic improvement over previous models and feels incredibly responsive. While the trackpad on the 13-inch model is slightly smaller than its 15-inch counterpart, both offer a comfortable and spacious area for navigation.

The keyboard remains largely unchanged, except for the addition of a dedicated Copilot key. While this marks the first significant change to Windows keyboards in 30 years, it’s a bit of a letdown. The key simply launches a PWA version of Copilot, less functional than the existing integration within Windows 11. It raises the question of why Microsoft chose to reduce Copilot’s functionality on Copilot Plus PCs, given the dedicated button.

Despite these minor criticisms, the overall hardware upgrades make the Surface Laptop 7th Edition a more refined and appealing machine.

Windows on Arm: A New Era of Performance

The Surface Laptop 7th Edition marks a significant leap forward for Windows on Arm. The inclusion of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon X Plus and Elite processors has dramatically improved performance compared to earlier attempts.

Native ARM64 apps like Chrome run beautifully, delivering the expected responsiveness and fluidity of a modern laptop. The Surface Laptop 7th Edition doesn’t feel like it’s struggling to keep up, a marked improvement over the underpowered Surface Pro X.

Emulated apps still lag behind native apps in performance, but Microsoft’s updated Prism emulator has shown tremendous growth. While Discord continues to exhibit occasional stuttering and lag, it’s a vast improvement over previous experiences.

However, demanding emulated apps can impact battery life. While Photoshop runs flawlessly due to its ARM64 support, Premiere Pro (currently only available emulated) struggles with heavy video editing tasks. The performance disparity between native and emulated applications is stark, highlighting the continued importance of native ARM64 support for optimal performance.

Battery Life: A True Game Changer

One of the most impressive aspects of the Surface Laptop 7th Edition is its astounding battery life. Even with heavy usage – including video calls, demanding productivity tasks, and gaming – the laptop consistently delivered an impressive 7-8 hours of battery life.

The standby performance is equally impressive. After leaving the laptop idle overnight at 72 percent battery, it woke up instantly with 70 percent still remaining. This is a remarkable feat that sets a new standard for Windows laptops.

For the best battery life, native ARM64 apps are essential. While emulated apps can drain the battery faster, the overall experience is a significant improvement over previous Windows on Arm devices.

This remarkable battery performance effectively eliminates the need for a charger for most users, a true game changer in the world of laptops.

Windows AI: A Mixed Bag of Features

The Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a Copilot Plus PC, featuring AI-focused chips (NPUs) and new AI-powered features within Windows 11. However, the rollout has been marred by the temporary delay of Recall, an ambitious feature that has sparked significant security concerns.

The remaining AI features, while not as controversial, aren’t particularly compelling. Cocreator, designed to create images in Paint through text prompts and drawing, feels less useful than on the new Surface Pro due to the lack of Surface Slim Pen support for the Surface Laptop.

Live Captions with translation, however, is a genuinely impressive addition. It automatically translates live video captions into English, removing the need for manual clicking and buttons. While not perfect, it’s a helpful tool for understanding videos in foreign languages.

Other AI features, like the image creator within the Photos app utilizing a local Stable Diffusion model, feel gimmicky and offer less robust results compared to existing cloud-based options like DALL-E.

Conclusion: A Milestone Achieved for Windows on Arm

The Surface Laptop 7th Edition represents a monumental step forward for Windows on Arm. For users seeking a powerful yet portable laptop with unparalleled battery life, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a strong contender.

While app compatibility remains a hurdle, progress has been made, with more and more top applications receiving native ARM64 support. For users who primarily rely on native ARM64 apps, the experience is seamless and fast.

The inclusion of AI-powered features is a promising direction, but the delay of Recall and the underwhelming performance of other AI features leave a mixed impression. The future of AI on Windows remains uncertain, but the underlying potential is significant.

The Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a compelling alternative to Apple’s MacBook Air, offering comparable performance and a more affordable price point. However, users should be aware of the app compatibility limitations and the potential battery impact of emulated applications.

Overall, the Surface Laptop 7th Edition is a triumph for Windows on Arm, delivering a fantastic combination of performance, battery life, and sleek design. It’s a compelling option for users who seek a sophisticated Windows laptop with long-lasting power.

Microsoft has finally delivered on the promise of Windows on Arm, and the future for the technology looks bright. However, the ongoing challenges of app compatibility and the lingering questions surrounding AI features require further development to truly unlock the platform’s full potential.

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