Microsoft has introduced two new devices as part of its Copilot+ PC initiative: the 13-inch Surface Laptop and the 12-inch Surface Pro. These devices come with smaller screens and built-in AI tools that run locally. The Surface Laptop starts at $899, while the Surface Pro starts at $799.
One significant change with these new devices is that they now charge via USB-C and no longer include a power brick. This move aligns with the EU’s efforts to reduce electronic waste and marks a shift away from Microsoft’s proprietary connector.
Microsoft is banking on faster performance, longer battery life, and on-device AI to entice more users to upgrade, especially with the end of support for Windows 10 looming later this year. Alongside the new hardware, the company has introduced a Settings agent that allows users to adjust system preferences by simply describing what they want in plain language. This feature expands on Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC tools, which include the Recall feature that lets users search and scroll through past activity.
During a media briefing, Microsoft executives highlighted that the new Surface Laptop outperforms Apple’s MacBook Air M3 when handling tasks that involve multiple apps or processes. This move is part of Microsoft’s strategy to directly compete with Apple’s popular laptops.
In its recent quarterly earnings report, Microsoft noted a significant increase in commercial deployments of Windows 11, driven partly by the impending end-of-support for Windows 10. Windows device sales also saw a 3% increase from the previous year, although there were higher inventory levels due to uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
When asked about the impact of tariffs on the pricing of the Surface devices, Microsoft executives did not provide a clear answer, citing the tariff issue as a “moving target.”
The new Surface devices are now available for preorder and are set to ship on May 20.
