Surface Laptop 3 vs Surface Laptop 4: is it worth the upgrade?

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Updated onApril 9, 2021

updated onApril 9, 2021

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Key notes

Yes, it’s already confirmed – the Surface Laptop 4 is a reality and it could be launched as early as next week.WinFuturewas first to discover an officialsupport pageon Microsoft’s sites where you can allegedly already download AMD and Intel drivers for the upcoming device.

However, we went ahead and tried to download the actual drivers, but in the end got only an empty Notepad file. So yes, somebody in the Redmond building made a small mistake and confirmed what was already pretty much known.

Surface Laptop 4 comes with AMD and Intel versions

As it was previously rumored, the new Laptop from the Surface family will be released in two versions: sporting either AMD or Intel versions. The same WinFuture hints that the device could feature the following specs:

How does it fare against the Surface Laptop 3?

Naturally, the first ones to think of buying the Surface Laptop 4 will probably include also current owners of the Surface Laptop 3.

According toWinfuture, here’s a complete table featuring all of the Surface Laptop 4’s specs:

AMD version or custom chips?

As you probably know, the Surface Laptop 3 features the 3000-series chips; and you’d think that the next logical step is the 4000 series. However, of course you want the latest and greatest – and that’s AMD’s brand new Ryzen 5000 mobile processors.

Still, there’s hearsay thatMicrosoft could be getting custom chips directly from AMD ( referred to achip as a Ryzen 7 Microsoft Surface Edition). If that happens, then the laptop’s CPU could be a mix of the 4000-series and the 5000-series. And in that situation, yes, the upgrade makes more sense.

Same looks, same storage choices

If you are looking to make the jump hoping for better looks, you’ll be disappointed: the specs and form-factor of the Surface Laptop 4 seem to be in line with previous models. Thus, if you were hoping fornarrower bezels or perhaps a larger trackpad, then this isn’t the laptop you’re looking for.

You’ll be able to choose between 13.5- and 15-inch models available, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The same 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage will be present in the newest model, as well.

Thunderbolt 4 connectivity is apparently also missing, but we’ll be able to know for sure once the product is officially presented.

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

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Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

Surface Laptop 3 vs Surface Laptop 4: is it worth the upgrade?#

How does it fare against the Surface Laptop 3?#

AMD version or custom chips?#

Same looks, same storage choices#

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier

Surface Laptop 3 vs Surface Laptop 4: is it worth the upgrade?

How does it fare against the Surface Laptop 3?

AMD version or custom chips?

Same looks, same storage choices