Microsoft Surface Laptop 6: everything we know so far about the rumored laptop

a person in a pink jacket holding a pink laptop
(Image credit: Microsoft)

The Microsoft Surface Event is over, and anyone hoping to see the Surface Laptop 6 will be disappointed - it's nowhere to be seen, with Microsoft instead revealing a slender lineup of two new devices, the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Surface Laptop Studio 2.

A great deal of the event was instead focused (a bit confusingly for a Surface-themed event) on Microsoft's machine learning efforts in Windows 11, most prominently the new Copilot AI assistant.

Earlier in 2023, there were some rumors about a reported two Surface Laptop 6 models as well as possible specs. The wellspring of information dried up after May, however, and we haven't heard a peep since. This is odd, considering that Microsoft usually has an annual release of the laptop, with the exception of 2020.

But there's still a chance that we could see the refresh before the end of 2023. And if that last report from May holds true, we could be looking at a laptop that could even challenge the 15-inch MacBook Air, which is a successor to what's considered one of the best MacBooks and even one of the best laptops on the market.

Now that it's over, you can see our blow-by-blow of the event by checking out our Microsoft Surface Event 2023 liveblog.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6: cut to the chase

  • What is it? The next Microsoft Surface Laptop device
  • When is it out? Possibly Q3 or Q4 2023
  • What will it cost? May sit at a higher price point than its predecessor

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6: Price and release date

Since the Surface Event will take place on September 21, 2023, we can expect the Surface Laptop 6 to make its debut later in 2023. The price is a bit easier to predict, as it's always been at the same $999 starting price point for every release, and there's no reason for Microsoft to deviate now.

The pricing for the higher-spec models is a bit more difficult to pin down. Last year, the 15-inch model was $1,399 with a jump to $2,499 for the 32GB RAM and 1TB of storage. A bit steep considering the GPU was the standard mobile Intel one and not a proper gaming GPU.

There haven't been any reports or rumors on the pricing so we'll see what Microsoft has cooked up for the event.

surface laptop closeup

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6: Design

We can't imagine Microsoft changing much of the design between the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop 6, especially since there has been barely any information on what the refresh could look like. We do have something to go by, thanks to the Wccftech report from May 2023.

There should be 13.5-inch and 15-inch models for the laptop, with the smaller model having four colors to choose from: Platinum with an Alcantara palm rest, Matte Black with a metal palm rest, Emerald Brown with a metal palm rest, and Sandstone with a metal palm rest. The 15-inch, however, only offers two: Platinum with a metal palm rest and Matte Black with a metal palm rest.

As for port selection, a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port, two USB-A 3.1 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and of course the Surface Connect port are expected.

It seems that those who may have wanted a shakeup will be disappointed, as Microsoft seems to have found a classic design it wants to stick with. Hopefully, the bezels will be a little thinner for this model at least, since Microsoft is clearly trying to compete with Apple's MacBook Air, which already ditched the thick bezels.

a lineup of laptops

(Image credit: Future)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6: Specs and performance

The report from Wccftech back in May 2023 revealed plenty of possible specs for the Surface Laptop 6. According to the website, there should be two models, one with a 13.5-inch display and 2256 x 1504 resolution and the other a 15-inch model with 2496 x 1664 resolution. 

The CPU options are rumored to be the Intel Core i5-1335U and the Core i7-1355U. The 13.5-inch can be configured with both options, while the 15-inch may only feature the more powerful i7 chip.

The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 6 is reported to last for an hour longer than the 15-inch model. If true, this means that the former could possibly run for a massive 21 hours at best, though that claim would have to be thoroughly tested first. 

Other specs revealed include 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB LPDDR5X RAM configurations, though unfortunately they cannot be user-upgraded. The SSD, however, which is offered in both 256GB and up to 512GB, can be upgraded.

Today's best Microsoft Surface Laptop deals

Allisa James
Computing Staff Writer

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.

Read more
Two MacBook Air M4 laptops on a light blue background next to a Mac Studio on a blue background
New MacBook Air M4 launch live updates – laptop officially lands alongside new Mac Studio
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro for business
Microsoft’s new Surface for Business PCs have AI firmly at the core
Person playing a game on new MacBook Air
What to expect from Apple Macs in 2025
A person holding the 15-inch MacBook Air at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023.
Apple MacBook Air M4 announcement due any day now, according to industry insider
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 8 with Type Cover keyboard on a red background
The best Surface Pro deals in December 2024
A Microsoft Surface Pro 11 on a desk
Microsoft in 2024: year in review
Latest in Laptops
apple macbook air against blue background
There's a huge MacBook Air sale right now – shop record-low prices from $629.99
Dell Inspiron, MacBook and Surface Pro laptop next to each other on a orange background
Best Buy has excellent laptop deals and I've picked the 9 best offers from $139
13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air M4 in Sky Blue
The new Apple MacBook Air M4 has a weird quirk with its performance cores - but it's nothing to worry about
MacBook Air 15-inch with M4 chip on a creative's desk with screen open
I've reviewed the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) - and it remains the best 15-inch laptop I'd recommend for most people
Apple MacBook Air M3 on yellow background with lowest price text overlay
Forget the MacBook Air M4: here are 9 older-model MacBook deals from $629.99
MacBook Air mute key
The new M4 MacBook Air finally fixes an Apple keyboard annoyance that's been around for decades
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough