Microsoft announces Surface Laptop 4 with AMD Ryzen 4000 and Intel 11th Gen processors
Microsoft is giving its Surface Laptop line a refresh with new processors, an Ice Blue color, and more configurations. They go on sale starting today.
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Microsoft is giving the Surface Laptop a mild refresh with new processors from AMD and Intel. As always, this generation promises longer battery life and improved performance, but this time it looks to be significant thanks to those newer processors.
While the Surface Laptop’s overall look remains the same, save for the new Ice Blue with Alcantara for the 13.5-inch, there are numerous new configuration options available. There is also now wider availability of the previous ‘business-only’ Intel models for consumers. Conversely, businesses can now buy AMD Surface Laptops.
The laptops are now available to order in the US, Canada, and Japan with other markets in the coming weeks.
Surface Laptop 4 (2021): What’s new
Let’s cut to the chase and go over what is new. Microsoft is sticking with the existing formula for the 13.5 and 15-inch models while making minor adjustments:
Interestingly, while the AMD models ofSurface Laptop 3were readily available for consumers, those who wanted Intel for security or performance reasons had to go through Microsoft’s business channels to acquire one. That’s changed as now consumers and commercial channels have access to both AMD and Intel models.
The same goes for commercial channels as they can now go with either processor brand and get Windows 10 Pro (instead of Windows 10 Home), which is why they run $100 more.
Microsoft is still not budging on Thunderbolt 3 or 4 and instead is sticking with its Surface Connect for docking or Type-C. There are also no options for 4G or 5G or any other changes to the display, size, bezels, or ports.
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But at least the AMD models get Wi-Fi 6 and LPDDR4x RAM this time.
Surface Laptop 4: Specs, pricing, and availability
The specifications are mostly the same compared toSurface Laptop 3save for the new processor options, of which they are plenty, especially when you consider both consumer and commercial channels.
Pricing gets exceptionally complicated due to the sheer number of models and variants available. It’s a good sign, though, for Surface Laptop as Microsoft must be selling enough to warrant offering so many versions.
First up are the consumer SKUs, which will be available wherever Surface Laptops are sold, including online and in physical stores:
Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Consumer
Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Consumer
*Note, the 13.5-inch $1,199 Ryzen 5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is not available until ~8 weeks after launch.
Next up are the commercial SKUs, which are available through Microsoft Business channels. The only differences are even more configuration options (e.g., Ryzen 7 in 13.5"), and these ship with Windows 10 Pro:
Surface Laptop 4 (13.5-inch) Commercial
Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch) Commercial
*Note, the 13.5-inch $1,199 Ryzen 5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is not available until ~8 weeks after launch.
Surface Laptop 4 is now available starting today and begins shipping Thursday,April 15in the US, Canada, and Japan, with additional market availability in the coming weeks.
Bonus: Free Surface Earbuds (Thru 4/15)
As a special bonus for Surface fans in the US who purchase Surface Laptop 4 online through Microsoft or Best Buy before April 15 will receive Surface Earbuds for free from Microsoft.
Related to the Surface Laptop 4 announcement, Microsoft announced an array of new connected-office accessories (headphones, speakers, webcam),Surface Headphones 2+, and a widerSurface Duo availability.
Stay tuned for our full review to see if Surface Laptop 4 makes ourbest Windows laptopslist.
The choice is now yours
Surface Laptop 4 brings options for Intel 11th Gen or AMD Ryzen 4000 Mobile processors in both 13.5 and 15-inch models. With Dolby Atmos, Iris Xe, or Radeon Graphics, much longer battery life, the new Surface Laptop 4 should deliver an excellent experience.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer,podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.
