Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 15" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Elite (12 core), 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD Storage, Black

This incredible, beautiful, elegant and productive laptop showcases what Microsoft is truly capable of, and I'm a Linux guy. I bought the big one - 15" screen, 32 gig RAM, elite CPU. It is a powerhouse of a laptop.Now - there is one con, but as time progresses the problem becomes less and less of a problem and that is the ARM architecture vs standard Intel x86/64. Basically, this laptop uses a newer, different CPU architecture, which means that many applications don't work yet (YET!!). Almost everything I threw at this laptop worked out of the box and worked beautifully. There were some older applications that didn't work (SimCity Deluxe for example). But and this is a huge BUT - as time passes more applications are supported (or emulated effectively) and it becomes less and less an issue.With the 1 CON out of the way, let's talk about how amazing this laptop is:Premium feel (shell and keyboard). As good as or even better than a MacBook. Yes, for real.Speakers sound delightful.The 15"-inch sounds like a big laptop but fits perfectly in my backpack and it is still light and small. I mean, unless you are a 5'2" petite tiny person I don't see how this 15" laptop is too big for someone.It is plenty fast for doing all sorts of productivity like writing papers, excel spreadsheeting, music, internet, YouTube etc. Understand this isn't a fancy Chromebook. Operating System / Applications are exceptionally fast. This laptop WILL make you more productive just by opening it. It makes you want to work it's so nice.Battery life is OUTSTANDING. If you aren't glued to this laptop for hours at a time the battery will last DAYS. Literally days.Touchpad is also legit. No problems with cursor moving around (palm detection) and typing. Just legit good.Even when watching movies it doesn't get hot. Temperature is steady and cool. I love ARM.In closing, get this laptop. It's nice. Really nice. Like honestly, the nicest laptop I've ever owned (I've had the ASUS ROG 2024, two Dell XPS 15's, Razer Blades, etc.,)For my fellow nerds in the crowd:VMWare & Vbox do NOT work. Remember that ARM is a RISC architecture and neither products support ARM (yet). Docker Desktop for Windows DOES work on ARM. Also, WSL 2.0 also works just fine.Also, with the advent of cloud, lightweight servers (I run a small cloud on my home network) we don't need powerhouse laptops anymore if you have supporting infra. When I'm on travel I just VPN into my home network and I have all the resources I need. So keep something light and portable to work from :)

I recently purchased the Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), and overall, I’m incredibly impressed with its performance. The 13.8" touchscreen display is vibrant and crisp, and the Snapdragon X Elite (12-core) processor makes multitasking a breeze. With 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD storage, this laptop handles everything I throw at it—whether it’s video editing, running complex software, or just casual browsing. Windows 11 runs smoothly, and the device feels premium and well-built. Battery life is outstanding, and it’s surprisingly lightweight, making it great for both work and travel. The laptop is fast, responsive, and does exactly what I need without any hiccups. However, my one gripe is that after spending nearly $2,000 on this high-end machine, I still have to pay extra for Copilot+. Given the price of the laptop, I would have expected this feature to be included, especially since it’s one of Windows 11's flagship features. While Copilot+ is a helpful AI tool, it feels like it should be a standard part of the package. Overall, I’m still giving it 5 stars because the hardware is fantastic, and it excels at everything I use it for. I just wish Microsoft would rethink the pricing model for Copilot+.

Before making your purchase, consider what you're getting into. Most computers use an x86-64 CPU (a Complex Instruction Set Computer). However, this device uses ARM architecture (a Reduced Instruction Set Computer), not x86. Unlike macOS, which brute-forced compatibility by compelling developers to support ARM on their platform, Windows has not made such a choice but instead intends to support both ecosystems. Developers must now choose to create native ARM versions of their software for compatibility. Some have even blocked ARM support, as evidenced by reports of certain online exam programs restricting ARM-based Windows machines.My primary motivation for purchasing this laptop was its battery life, which is excellent depending on how you use it. My job primarily runs off web applications, so I have no issues there. While performance isn’t top-tier—hence why I rely on my desktop—it’s still snappy enough for everyday tasks. However, those involved in heavy development might find it underwhelming.I get an average of 10 hours of real usage, which is absolutely stellar for me. I never worry about running out of battery. However, screen brightness impacts battery life. My 10-hour estimate assumes a 60% setting since the display is quite bright. Turning it down doesn’t make it difficult to read.The screen size is ideal for me. Previously, I used a 13-inch device but found my workplace-issued 16-inch model too bulky for travel despite its larger display. The Surface Laptop 7 is very portable.The touchscreen seems more like a novelty. While scrolling is occasionally handy, the lack of foldability or 180-degree opening makes its utility limited. Still, it doesn’t detract from the overall experience.If gaming is your priority, consider a used desktop for affordability or a Steam Deck for portability. Reflecting on my own experience, I deeply regret not saving up for a proper desktop after high school. Gaming on a laptop simply doesn’t compare. Not to mention the gaming compatibility issues that will arise as most games that support ARM are mobile games and they're trash.The price of this laptop is fantastic (When it is on sale.) I bought a used one for $600, I would still be completely happy paying the just under $800 currently.A base model with 256GB of storage is a bit of a crime, however. I'm fairly technically inclined and have my own homelab so I just have a vpn network drive that I use for large files.