Microsoft has announced the latest in its Windows 10 PC notebook series, the Surface Laptop 4, with a choice of AMD and Intel processors across all sizes for the first time.
The Surface Laptop 4 comes with either a 13.5in or 15in touchscreen display and, like its predecessors, is a mainstream premium laptop offering a smoother experience with hardware and software made by the same firm, similar to the scheme employed by Apple with its Mac computers.
Both sizes of laptop feature a minimum of 256GB removable SSD storage and 8GB of RAM, and are up to 70% faster than the outgoing Surface Laptop 3. They feature large glass trackpads and Microsoft’s class-leading keyboard, plus traditional USB-A and the newer USB-C ports. The 15in Laptop 4 is available only in aluminium, but the 13.5in version comes in a choice of aluminium or Alcantara fabric finishes in multiple colours.
They have face recognition for unlocking the laptop, Dolby Atmos speakers, the latest wifi 6, Bluetooth 5, up to 19 hours of battery life and fast charging. They also have a new HD webcam with improved low-light performance and dual studio mics for better video calls as Microsoft attempts to embrace the new hybrid home office working pattern.
The Laptop 4 continues Microsoft’s push to diversify its computers away from the previously dominant Intel chips, also providing custom options from rival AMD. The move follows Apple’s switch from Intel processors to chips of its own design, as computer manufacturers look for a way to differentiate their products from the sea of similar machines.
But unlike Apple, Microsoft has stopped short of offering mainstream laptops with its custom ARM-based chip, as it does in the more experimental Surface Pro X tablet.
The Surface Laptop 4 will cost from $999 in the US, Canada and Japan shipping from 15 April, and from £999 in the UK shipping from 27 April.
