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Surface Pro and Laptop launch at a $500‑$600 premium

Engadget •
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Microsoft has rolled out a new generation of Surface tablets and laptops that keep the same chassis but swap in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2. The 13‑inch Pro now starts at $1,499, a $500 jump, while the 13.8‑inch model climbs to $1,599, a $600 increase from the previous edition. Prices reflect higher RAM and storage costs tied to the firm’s AI push.

The new chips promise 53 percent faster graphics and up to 15.5 hours of battery on the Pro, compared to 10 hours on older units. The Surface Laptop 13.8‑inch now offers 20 hours, while the 15‑inch model reaches 19 hours and a sharper 262 ppi display. OLED remains an option for those who demand the best screen tech.

Microsoft still omits the Surface Pro Keyboard from the bundle, offering it free through June 30 on Microsoft.com, then charging $170 or $400 for the wireless Flex model. The company cites “choice” as the rationale, noting that some users prefer a 13‑inch Windows tablet without a keyboard. Haptic feedback on the touchpad and Slim Pen adds a subtle confidence cue.

With Copilot+ enforced specs—16GB RAM, 256GB storage, 40 TOPS NPU—Microsoft pushes AI‑powered features like semantic search, but skips selling major AI tools. The steep price hike may deter casual buyers; used or refurbished last‑gen models still offer solid performance. The upcoming Surface Laptop Ultra could appeal to developers needing higher compute, though it likely carries a premium.