Microsoft is taking a fresh step forward with the introduction of new Surface PCs today—meet the revamped Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, both now sporting Intel Lunar Lake processors. As the company’s initial foray into Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs, these devices are aimed at business clients eager for the latest Surface offerings equipped with x86 processors.
Let’s talk specifics. The Surface Laptop 7, powered by Intel, kicks off at $1,499.99. It runs on Windows 11 Pro and features Intel Core Ultra 5 or 7 (Series 2) CPUs, paired with Intel Arc GPUs. Notably, it’s equipped with Intel AI Boost NPU options offering 40 or 48 TOPS. With RAM choices of 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X and storage ranging from 256GB to 1TB, this device offers plenty of room for power and speed. The display comes in two sizes: a 13.8-inch 2304×1536 or 15-inch 2496×1664 IPS, both delivering a smooth 120Hz refresh rate with anti-reflective coating. Battery life varies with size but sits comfortably at 54Whr for the smaller model and 66Whr for the larger one, and it promises connectivity through Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and an upcoming 5G capability. Ports are ample too, with 2x USB4 Type-C, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1, a microSD slot, and an audio jack.
These Intel variants join the existing Snapdragon-powered devices but differ in that they’re only available via Microsoft’s business sales channels, specifically for enterprise users. So, don’t expect to spot them at your local retail giants like Amazon or Best Buy.
What’s under the hood? The new Intel-based Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 are configured with Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 Series 2 processors, offering memory choice between 16GB and 32GB, and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or a massive 1TB. Each comes with an NPU—40 TOPS in the Ultra 5 and 48 TOPS in the Ultra 7—ensuring both models are Copilot+ compatible.
From the outside, there isn’t much difference between the Intel and Snapdragon models, but there are a few tweaks in the Intel versions. Both devices have an anti-reflective screen to minimize glare, plus there’s a new card-reader variant for the Surface Laptop 7, while NFC capabilities are added to the Surface Pro 11.
Visual appeal aside, the Surface Laptop 7 will soon offer a 5G option for the first time, a feature previously exclusive to the Surface Pro. Keep an eye out as Microsoft promises more information on the 5G Surface Laptop in the near future.
If you’re eyeing the Surface Pro 11 with Intel, be prepared for a starting price of $1,499.99. It runs Windows 11 Pro and under the hood features Intel Core Ultra 5 / 7 (Series 2) CPUs, and the dependable Intel Arc GPU. Equipped with Intel AI Boost NPU, offering either 40 or 48 TOPS. RAM choices stand at either 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5x, backed by storage options from 256GB to 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. The 13-inch display boasts a resolution of 2880×1920 (2.8K), available in OLED or LCD formats, carrying a 3:2 aspect ratio at 120Hz refresh with touchscreen capabilities. Expect around 10 hours of battery life for web browsing, and connect through Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and eventual 5G support. Ports include two USB4, a Surface Connect, and Nano-SIM slot.
Two color choices, Platinum and Black, are available for these Intel models, in contrast to the variety of colors offered for the Snapdragon variants. Price-wise, there’s a significant difference. The Snapdragon versions open at $1,099, while the Intel ones start at that heftier $1,499 mark, presenting a $400 gap which pays for anti-reflective screens and native x86 compatibility.
This latest round of releases marks Microsoft’s second attempt at targeting commercial users with specialized hardware, following last year’s introduction of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6. Those models featured the older chassis design but also ran on Intel Core Ultra series 1 chips. Now, the newer chassis designs, originally with Snapdragon, are available to business users opting for Intel processors who might have shied away until now due to processor preference.
In addition to new laptops, Microsoft is also releasing a new Surface Dock, called the “Surface USB4 Dock.” This dock, priced at $199, is smaller with fewer ports compared to last year’s Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock but is more affordable by $100.
If you’re planning to snag a Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7 with Intel, pre-orders are open now starting at $1,499. Expect these devices to start shipping by February 18.
