Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Platinum

Love this copilot laptop. Fast, and lovely color! One consideration is that certain older devices will not have compatible drivers for a copilot PC (even though they have Windows 11 drivers for non-Copilot PCs). My Canon wi-fi laser printer that is a few years old does not have compatible drivers for Copilot PCs.

I ordered this laptop for my daughter to use for school. The trackpad only worked intermittently so we had it replaced with a new device. We received a replacement laptop within 24 hours but the trackpad on the replacement laptop did not work at all. We ended up getting a refund and purchased a completely different brand of laptop. If you're considering purchasing this laptop I would advise you go look at something else and save yourself the headache.

Beautiful computer

Needed a new laptop because my first‑generation Surface Laptop wasn’t compatible with Windows 11. I’ve had this one for over a year now, and it’s held up really well. The battery life is great, performance is solid, and the keyboard feels fantastic to use. I love the color and the overall design. It’s the perfect size and weight for everyday use.

Before making your purchase, consider what you're getting into. Most computers use an x86-64 CPU (a Complex Instruction Set Computer). However, this device uses ARM architecture (a Reduced Instruction Set Computer), not x86. Unlike macOS, which brute-forced compatibility by compelling developers to support ARM on their platform, Windows has not made such a choice but instead intends to support both ecosystems. Developers must now choose to create native ARM versions of their software for compatibility. Some have even blocked ARM support, as evidenced by reports of certain online exam programs restricting ARM-based Windows machines. My primary motivation for purchasing this laptop was its battery life, which is excellent depending on how you use it. My job primarily runs off web applications, so I have no issues there. While performance isn’t top-tier—hence why I rely on my desktop—it’s still snappy enough for everyday tasks. However, those involved in heavy development might find it underwhelming. I get an average of 10 hours of real usage, which is absolutely stellar for me. I never worry about running out of battery. However, screen brightness impacts battery life. My 10-hour estimate assumes a 60% setting since the display is quite bright. Turning it down doesn’t make it difficult to read. The screen size is ideal for me. Previously, I used a 13-inch device but found my workplace-issued 16-inch model too bulky for travel despite its larger display. The Surface Laptop 7 is very portable. The touchscreen seems more like a novelty. While scrolling is occasionally handy, the lack of foldability or 180-degree opening makes its utility limited. Still, it doesn’t detract from the overall experience. If gaming is your priority, consider a used desktop for affordability or a Steam Deck for portability. Reflecting on my own experience, I deeply regret not saving up for a proper desktop after high school. Gaming on a laptop simply doesn’t compare. Not to mention the gaming compatibility issues that will arise as most games that support ARM are mobile games and they're trash. The price of this laptop is fantastic (When it is on sale.) I bought a used one for $600, I would still be completely happy paying the just under $800 currently. A base model with 256GB of storage is a bit of a crime, however. I'm fairly technically inclined and have my own homelab so I just have a vpn network drive that I use for large files.

The device heats up extremely fast and gets uncomfortably hot. Even with just two Excel files and Chrome open at the same time, it starts making a loud noise. This level of noise and overheating shouldn’t happen with such a light workload. Very disappointing performance.