One Month With Microsoft’s New AI-Driven Surface Laptop 7

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As a long-time gamer and tech enthusiast, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the latest developments in the world of laptops, and Microsoft’s recent launch of the Surface Laptop 7 truly piqued my interest. With its bold claims of being “58% faster” than Apple’s MacBook Air and being part of the new Copilot+ PC category, I was eager to put this device through its paces for a month.

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop 7 about a month ago, boasting that its latest release is “nearly 60% faster” than Apple’s current MacBook Air. At the same time, Microsoft introduced a new category of PCs, Copilot+, which they described as “the quickest and most intelligent Windows PCs ever made.” With such daring statements coming from major corporations, one can’t help but wonder how the Surface Laptop 7 truly compares. In this article, we have been testing the Surface Laptop 7 extensively for a month, evaluating its performance in various tasks ranging from photo and video editing to daily use. Read on for our comprehensive review.

Microsoft’s new Surface computers signify a swift transition to a fresh era, marking the first time since the 1990s that Microsoft hasn’t relied on Intel processors. Instead, they have teamed up exclusively with Qualcomm to introduce two new, blazingly fast CPUs – Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus – specifically engineered for the Copilot+ PC segment. This move signifies an end to (or a significant break in) the long-standing “Wintel” partnership, which has been synonymous with modern computing, promising high performance and extended battery life without sacrificing one for the other.

To begin with, the latest chips have significantly extended the battery life of the new Surface devices, including the Surface Laptop 7, by more than doubling it compared to their Intel-based predecessors. This translates to 15-20 hours of usage on a single charge. Consequently, users can work or create on the go for extended periods without sacrificing performance. Microsoft has skillfully optimized its Windows 11 operating system for the new Snapdragon X Elite processor, ensuring that the enhanced battery life doesn’t come at the cost of reduced performance. From a performance standpoint, most applications we’ve tested have run smoothly and efficiently, with the chip’s 12 cores enabling seamless multitasking and handling of CPU-intensive apps like editing software without any issues. Video rendering and exporting on this device has been an effortless experience, markedly quicker than on previous Surface devices, eliminating the lag previously encountered.

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7 is plug and play with the Apple Studio Display. [Photo: Felix Young/TopMob]

Although an important point to mention is that some applications may not run smoothly on the new Surface Laptop 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, as they were designed for Intel’s x86 architecture. This is because Microsoft’s latest devices use ARM-based processors, which require these apps to be emulated. Major software developers are currently in the process of releasing or updating ARM versions for Windows, so it’s a choice between waiting for this and enjoying the advantages of ARM architecture, such as improved battery life and performance efficiency.

The new Surface Laptop 7 offers two display sizes: a 13.8-inch and a 15-inch. Although it doesn’t use OLED technology, it boasts excellent contrast and color accuracy. Both sizes support HDR and feature a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Microsoft has successfully increased the screen size without expanding the laptop itself by significantly reducing the borders (bezels) on both displays – by over 50% for each side on the 13.8-inch and 15-inch models. As with all Surface devices, this laptop comes with a responsive touchscreen, which we found incredibly useful in various photo editing tasks, such as pointing and tapping to remove blemishes. The screen is also reinforced with Corning’s Gorilla Glass for added durability and longevity. Unfortunately for Apple users longing for a similar feature on their devices, an Apple executive recently stated that the company has no plans to incorporate touchscreens into its Mac computers.

The Surface Laptop 7 offers a long-lasting battery of 15 hours and is surprisingly lightweight, with the 13.8-inch version we tested tipping the scales at only 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg). Its dimensions are compact as well, measuring just 0.69-inches at its thickest point and 11.85-inches by 8.67-inches in length and width. Given its size and weight, the Surface Laptop 7 delivers impressive processing power, making it an excellent choice for creatives who need to work on the go – a new portable powerhouse from Microsoft.

Similar to other laptops of its size, the Surface Laptop 7’s 13.8-inch model comes with a limited number of ports. Unlike the larger 15-inch version which includes a MicroSDXC card slot, the smaller model only has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. The USB-C ports support USB4 technology, enabling high-bandwidth activities like external displays or fast external SSDs. However, including a USB-A port instead of an HDMI port seems unusual, as the latter would have been more useful for connecting to external monitors.

Microsoft’s initial foray into Intel-free computers with the Snapdragon X Elite laptop is off to a strong start, showcasing impressive capabilities and catering to a diverse audience. Creative professionals, among others, might find this device particularly appealing as it offers more flexibility than its predecessors that were limited by Intel processors.

The Surface Laptop 7 is available now with prices starting at $999.99 USD / £1,049.99 GBP.

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2024-07-24 22:27