Microsoft's Surface Laptop Mixes Core i7 Power With Windows 10 S Efficiency

As we mentioned last night, the Surface Laptop has a 13.5-inch PixelSense display (which actually has the thinnest LCD touch module on a laptop), and it is available in four colors (Platinum, Burgundy, Cobalt Blue and Graphite Gold). What we didn’t know at the time was what was powering the device. Now, we’re learning the Surface Laptop is motivated by Intel Kaby Lake Core i5 and Core i7 processors and features a PCIe SSD that is available in up to 1TB capacities.

Microsoft has also worked hard on efficiency, and it has paid off with the Surface Laptop. Panay says that the device can last up to 14.5 hours per charge, which puts it in elite company for a 13- or 14-inch class laptop. The company claims that the Surface Laptop is thinner than any MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, and is faster in Core i7 form, and offers better battery life across the board.

The 2.76-pound device is made out of premium aluminum and has Alcantara around the keyboard. You won’t notice any speaker grills on the device since the speakers are integrated beneath the keyboard deck and sound permeates through the backlit keys. We should also mention that Microsoft’s Surface Pen and Surface Dial are supported by the Surface Laptop.

So, who is Microsoft aiming this new device at? According to Panay, it’s targeted at college-age students that need a fast and lightweight device as they are trying to chart their course in early adulthood. With that in mind, the Surface Laptop runs Windows 10 S, which means that you’re limited to apps that are available in the Windows Store.

You can preorder the Surface Laptop now, with the Core i5 version starting at $999 with 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD. Shipments will commence in mid-June.