Microsoft Surface Laptop review

As we've mentioned, the Surface Laptop will come in a number of configurations – but even the base model comes with some pretty impressive components, including a seventh-generation Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 2.50Ghz. 

This is a much more accomplished processor than the sixth-generation Intel Core m5-6Y54 that powers the 2016 version of the MacBook, while the base model of 2017’s MacBook uses the newer Intel Core m3-7Y32 CPU, which is still a step down from the Surface Laptop’s Core i5.

While the i5 CPU is a great addition, the 4GB of RAM in the base version of the Surface Laptop feels a little tight, especially when its competitors are offering two or four times as much RAM. The version we reviewed came with 8GB of RAM, and one we recommend if you're looking to buy the Surface Laptop.

Unless you're looking to upgrade to Widows 10 Pro, the cheapest Surface Laptop configuration should be absolutely fine. One of the ideas behind Windows 10 S and its restriction to Windows Store apps is that those apps are less resource-hungry than traditional Windows applications, which means they'll run well on lower-power machines, and should drain the battery slower too. 

However, if you're planning on upgrading to Windows 10 Pro and run more demanding apps, you should look at getting the 8GB or 16GB version of Surface Laptop.Chose wisely, because the design of the Surface Laptop means components are soldered to the motherboard. You won’t be able to open up your device and install additional RAM like some other Windows laptops.

To keep the components cool while ensuring that the Surface Laptop runs silently, Microsoft has included a brand-new proprietary vapor chamber cooling system. This works by changing the physical state of the heat as it's taken in through the center of a fan vent in the rear of the laptop base and spitting it out of the sides of that same vent.

Performance

Microsoft sent us the Surface Laptop with Windows 10 Pro installed which made it easy for us to download and benchmark it. Most of these benchmarks are not available in Windows Store so if you're running Windows 10 S on the Surface Laptop, you might not be able to reproduce these results.

The Surface Laptop does well in benchmarks- as well as you would expect a machine based on the seventh generation Intel Core i5 dual core CPU. Microsoft has done a good job with thermals on the Surface Laptop- the laptop neither got very warm, nor did the CPU start throttling as we can observe from the benchmarks.

Do keep in mind that the Surface Laptop isn't meant to be a machine meant for serious gaming. While you'll be able to play a quick game or Overwatch, it's integrated GPU isn't designed to push frames on the latest games or 3D benchmarks.

If you're looking to Purchase the Windows 10 S model, it’s also worth noting that Windows 10 S has been designed so that a device feels as fast and smooth to use on its one thousandth day of use as on its first day of use. 

This is because Windows Store apps are installed in a sandboxed environment, which means they can’t make changes to the registry or other important Windows settings, in the way normal Windows applications sometimes do. It also means they can easily be installed and uninstalled without leaving any traces behind.

Windows 10 S or Pro?

Although we received the Windows 10 Pro version of the Surface Laptop, the consumer version of it runs Windows 10 S which is limited to running Windows Store apps. That may annoy some people, as you may find that some of the programs you rely on don't have Windows Store versions yet.

While Microsoft is committed to bringing popular applications to the Windows Store, the process is long, and there's a good chance that there will be some tools you want to run that you just can’t. In these cases, the locked-down nature of Windows 10 S will become frustrating – and you may ask yourself why you spent a few thousand Dirhams on a computer that doesn’t let you run your favorite programs.

Of course, there is the option to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro. However, by upgrading to Windows 10 Pro you miss out on the performance and security benefits of Windows 10 S. Microsoft had also said the upgrade was a one-way process, but it has thankfully back-tracked and you will be able to revert to Windows 10 S – though it will mean wiping your machine and losing all your installed programs and files. 

Battery Life

The TechRadar battery benchmark loops a high-definition video until the battery runs out. The Surface Laptop did very well, lasting 8 hours 47 minutes – making it an excellent choice for watching movies on long journeys.

We also used the Surface Laptop for moderately intensive work, including browsing the web, streaming music and using the included Office apps. The Surface Pro made it through the whole work day (9am to 5pm) with 20% of its battery left, which means you can safely use it for work without having to worry about charging.

Overall we were very impressed with the battery life and performance of the Surface Laptop, and thanks to the absence of the crapware (preinstalled software you never want to use) that usually comes on Windows laptops, the Surface Laptop competes with – and sometimes outperforms – laptops with higher specifications.

We liked

The Surface Laptop is an absolutely gorgeous device, and Microsoft’s attention to detail when it comes to making a desirable – and slim – machine has paid dividends. This feels and looks like a premium device, while also feeling like a strong and robust machine that you wouldn’t worry about carrying around with you.

The Surface Laptop also punches above its weight when it comes to performance, mainly thanks to the well-utilized components and controlled environment of Windows 10 S.

We disliked

Windows 10 S is going to prove divisive. Some people will embrace its simplicity and security, while others will find its restrictions frustrating. At least upgrading to Windows 10 Pro is an option, and, free for the moment.

The locked-down nature of the Surface Laptop doesn’t stop at the software, though, as the hardware is also glued and soldered together to prevent easy upgrades or fixes. If you want more control, freedom and flexibility over your laptop, then this is not the device for you.

The price is also on the expensive side compared to competing Windows devices.

Final verdict

Microsoft is gaining a reputation for making solid, attractive and overall desirable premium products to showcase its Windows software, and the Surface Laptop continues in this vein. The thin and light design makes it easy to carry around, while the careful component considerations, and high-quality build materials, make it a joy to use.

This is obviously a device that Microsoft’s designers and engineers have spent a lot of time working on, and for the most part it has paid off handsomely. It's one of the best-looking Windows devices on the market today, and, thanks to some nifty specs that power the carefully controlled Windows 10 S operating system, it's one of the smoothest Windows 10 experiences too.

If you use Microsoft’s core tools, and can find everything you need in the Windows Store, then you're going to love the Surface Laptop.

For those who worry that Windows 10 S is too restrictive, the ability to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro is a welcome one, and for many people this will instantly make the device more useful and flexible.

It’s not quite perfect, however, and there are a few design choices that prevent it from achieving true greatness. The lack of USB-C is disappointing for such a forward-thinking device, and the lack of ports means you may have to resort to a USB adaptor hub to plug in various devices.

You’re also paying a price premium for this product, especially considering that competing laptops are now equipped with newer, faster, eighth-generation Core processors. But then again, the lack of bloatware and Windows 10 S makes the Surface Laptop run much smoother. You really can't go wrong with this one.