In the quest to match Apple's transition to in-house M-series chips, Windows users have eagerly awaited a similar evolution. Microsoft has made repeated attempts since 2012, starting with the Arm-based Surface RT, which faced challenges like a limited app ecosystem and sluggish performance. The 2017 launch of Windows on Snapdragon, seen in devices like the Surface Pro X, also encountered issues with processing power and software compatibility.
Despite setbacks, Microsoft persisted. Combining Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus chips with the Prism emulator, Microsoft has finally achieved success after more than a decade of trials. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 and its counterpart, the Surface Pro 11, now stand as highly efficient tools for productivity, marking a significant stride in Microsoft's journey towards optimal performance and usability of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review.
In the realm of Arm-based Windows laptops, the Surface Laptop 7 and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chip have joined forces to create an almost perfect platform for daily productivity.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review Shown (or 7th Edition, per Microsoft's naming) boasts advanced silicon inside, while its external design remains largely unchanged—a sleek, all-aluminum chassis with minimalist lines that distinguish it from the MacBook. Microsoft has subtly enhanced the design with rounded display corners, a new haptic touchpad akin to the Surface Laptop Studio 2, and a dedicated Copilot key (details on this later).
As before, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is offered in two sizes: the smaller model now features a slightly larger 13.8-inch display (up from 13.5 inches), while the larger 15-inch model remains unchanged. Connectivity includes two USB 4 Type-C slots, a USB-A 3.1 jack, a microSD card reader, and Microsoft’s magnetic Surface Connect port—sufficient for most scenarios. Weighing just under three pounds for the 13-inch model and 3.6 pounds for the 15-inch model, both versions are lightweight and easy to carry.
The 15-inch PixelSense LCD display on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review unit stands out with its 120Hz refresh rate and precise color calibration, delivering accurate hues and impressive brightness (over 600 nits on a full white screen). It supports 10-point touch and is shielded by Gorilla Glass 5 to resist scratches and abrasions. While the display excels, some users may lament the absence of an OLED panel upgrade option available on the Surface Pro 11.
The standout feature of the Surface Laptop 7 is its seamless integration and exceptional responsiveness. It wakes instantly and operates with remarkable speed, whether running native Arm software or leveraging Microsoft’s Prism emulator in the background to smoothly translate x86 apps. The experience is remarkably smooth and indistinguishable in performance.
In performance benchmarks, the Snapdragon X Elite chip on the Surface Laptop 7 exceeds expectations set by Qualcomm. For instance, in Geekbench 6 tests, the laptop achieved multicore scores of 14,400, surpassing similarly equipped competitors like the Dell XPS 14 with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H chip (11,920). It even outperformed the Core Ultra 9 CPU found in the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16, which maxed out at 12,798.
However, performance on the Surface Laptop 7 varies based on power allocation. The 15-inch model can allocate up to 30 watts to the Snapdragon X Elite chip, while the smaller 13-inch version caps at 20 watts. This configuration ensures solid performance on both models, though the larger variant offers enhanced capabilities.
Despite its impressive performance, the Surface Laptop 7 maintains quiet operation even under heavy workload, unlike the fanless MacBook Air.
While most applications seamlessly function regardless of their native architecture, the transition to Arm-based systems for Windows PCs is still in its early stages. Some major apps, such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, will not be fully compatible with Copilot+ PCs until July. Updates for After Effects and Premier Pro may extend into late 2024, highlighting ongoing software adaptation challenges.
Microsoft has never marketed the Surface Laptop 7 as a gaming powerhouse. However, given that 65 percent of Americans engage in some form of video gaming weekly, it’s worth noting its gaming capabilities. Despite the Snapdragon X Elite chip's solid benchmarks, several titles suitable for the Laptop 7 simply do not run. This includes competitive games like Fortnite and League of Legends, which have anti-cheat protocols incompatible with Arm-based chips.
The situation can be frustrating, especially with games like League of Legends appearing to install normally without warnings, yet failing to launch due to compatibility issues with Riot’s Vanguard system.
However, there are viable alternatives. Casual 2D games such as Into the Breach and Vampire Survivor run smoothly on the Surface Laptop 7. For those interested in more demanding titles, streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now offer options unaffected by hardware architecture or operating system limitations. These services provide avenues to enjoy a broader range of games despite the current compatibility challenges with native installations.
One of the anticipated highlights of the latest Copilot+ PCs, including the Surface Laptop 7, was Microsoft’s integrated AI capabilities. However, these features often serve more as occasional perks than essential tools. Among them, Recall stands out with its potential; it captures desktop screenshots to aid in later retrieval, although initial access will be limited to Windows Insiders due to security concerns.
Other AI functionalities within Copilot+ exhibit more limited utility. For instance, the Image Creator button in the Photos app generates images based on word prompts, though the results may not match the detail or realism of more robust cloud-based services like Midjourney. Nevertheless, it remains a complimentary feature.
Adding to the complexity, Paint also includes an Image Creator button, albeit offering a different set of functionalities with somewhat inferior results compared to its counterpart in Photos.
In practical terms, the most valuable AI tools include Live Captions and the Restyle Image tool within Photos. Live Captions creatively edit or transform images, allowing users to alter photographic styles into anime or impressionistic renditions. Meanwhile, the Restyle Image tool provides real-time translation during video playback and podcasts, despite Microsoft’s captions occasionally needing slight improvement for accuracy. Overall, these features sufficiently convey the essence of multimedia content to users.
The Surface Laptop 7 impresses with its exceptional battery longevity, proving more than capable for all-day usage even while emulating x86 processor apps. Although specific tests for Arm-based chips are pending, streaming a 1080p video over Wi-Fi showcased its endurance, lasting 17 hours and 38 minutes—several hours longer than typical rivals with Intel or AMD setups. In everyday scenarios, the Laptop 7 often retained around 50 percent charge by day’s end, highlighting its robust performance.
Notably, Snapdragon X chips ensure minimal battery drain during sleep mode, a benefit derived from Qualcomm’s expertise in efficient smartphone processors. Overnight, the Surface Laptop 7 lost only one or two percent of its battery, offering users the convenience of leaving it unplugged for extended periods confidently.
For charging options, users can utilize the magnetic Surface Connect port with the provided power brick. Moreover, the Laptop 7 supports USB-C charging, enabling travelers to lighten their load by using a universal adapter to power multiple devices alongside it.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review shows that the laptop emerges as a formidable contender after navigating through obstacles. Positioned not just as a competitor to the MacBook Air but as a trailblazer for Windows PCs, it offers speed, quiet operation, impressive battery life, and robust compatibility with most applications. While there are still gaps in support for some major programs and occasional challenges with gaming and niche software installations, it excels in general productivity.
Admittedly, configuring higher specifications can drive up costs. Starting at US$1,300 for the 15-inch model, our review unit featuring a Snapdragon X Elite chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is priced at US$2,100. Despite the expense, the Surface Laptop 7 with its Snapdragon X Elite chip represents a revolutionary leap forward for Windows, setting a new standard for performance and innovation.
The Surface Laptop 7 integrates Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip, promising enhanced performance and efficiency for everyday tasks.
The Surface Laptop 7 retains its sleek, minimalist design with an all-aluminum chassis, distinguishing itself from competitors like the MacBook.
The Surface Laptop 7 features a high-quality PixelSense LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, vibrant colors, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Microsoft's Prism emulator enhances compatibility, seamlessly translating x86 apps for a smooth user experience on Arm-based systems.
The Surface Laptop 7 boasts impressive battery longevity, capable of lasting up to 17 hours and 38 minutes during video streaming over Wi-Fi.