Microsoft today introduced two additions to its Surface line, targeting business and education users with smaller form factors and ARM-based processing. The new 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business and 12-inch Surface Pro for Business both utilize Qualcomm’s 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor, featuring a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) delivering 45 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) to handle on-device AI tasks.
This meets the 40+ TOPS requirement Microsoft established when it broadened the Copilot+ PC definition beyond initial Snapdragon exclusivity. Pre-orders begin today, May 6th, via Microsoft and Best Buy, with consumer shipments starting May 20th and business/education availability following on July 22nd, as detailed in the official announcement. Pricing starts at $799 for the Surface Pro and $899 for the Surface Laptop.
Smaller Surfaces, Specific Choices
These new models represent a downscaling of existing Surface lines, offering increased portability. The 13-inch Surface Laptop, available in Violet, Ocean, and Platinum, presents a more compact alternative to the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7.
However, this size reduction involves specific display adjustments: the 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen has a 1920 x 1280 resolution (178 ppi) and operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate, lacking the higher 2304 x 1536 resolution (201 ppi), 120Hz capability, and HDR support found on its larger siblings.
Microsoft claims the Snapdragon X Plus chip, designed to lower laptop price points, delivers a 50 percent performance increase over the Surface Laptop 5. A notable design shift is the removal of the proprietary Surface Connect port; charging and peripheral connectivity rely on two USB-C 3.2 ports (supporting DisplayPort 1.4a and charging), one USB-A 3.1 port, and a headphone jack.
Biometric login on the laptop is handled by a fingerprint reader in the power button, as Windows Hello facial recognition has been omitted, though a 1080p front camera with AI-enhanced Windows Studio Effects remains. Unlike the new Pro model, this laptop includes a cooling fan.
The 12-inch Surface Pro adopts a fanless 2-in-1 design. It features a 12-inch anti-reflective PixelSense display, retains Windows Hello facial recognition, and adds an NFC reader for sign-in. It includes two USB-C/USB 3.2 ports and supports the Surface Slim Pen, which can attach magnetically.
Microsoft also launched a new Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard accessory, featuring what the company describes as a “dynamic hinge that flexes 360 degrees,” a microphone mute key, lock key, and the dedicated Copilot key.
Both new devices support Wi-Fi 7 – whose Multi-Link Operation (MLO) capability allows simultaneous connection across frequency bands for potentially improved throughput and reliability – and Bluetooth 5.4. Battery life estimates from Microsoft suggest up to 16.5 hours of active web use for the Laptop and 12 hours for the Pro, though real-world usage will vary based on configuration and workload. A new compact Surface 45W USB-C Wall Charger was also announced.
The Snapdragon X Plus AI Engine
Central to these devices is the Snapdragon X Plus processor and its 45 TOPS NPU. TOPS, or Trillion Operations Per Second, is a metric used to quantify the processing power of hardware specifically designed for artificial intelligence tasks.
This NPU meets the 40+ TOPS threshold Microsoft established for its Copilot+ PC designation, enabling several AI features to run locally on the device. This on-device processing can offer speed and privacy advantages over cloud-dependent AI.
Kedar Kondap, SVP & GM of Compute and Gaming at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., stated in the official Microsoft announcement, “Both devices are powered by Snapdragon X Plus (8-core) and a 45 TOPS NPU, delivering the performance, speed, and battery life customers expect, alongside exclusive AI experiences designed to streamline workflows and help users focus on what matters most.”
These experiences include features like Live Captions for real-time translation and transcription, and the new “Click to Do” function (activated by Win + Q or Win + mouse click), which analyzes on-screen content to suggest actions.
Windows Search is also enhanced with semantic indexing for more natural language queries of local and cloud files, a capability first seen in Insider builds around January 2025. Microsoft also indicated that commercial customers using Entra ID will gain access to AI features in Paint (Cocreator, Generative Fill) and eventually Photos via upcoming Windows Insider builds, accessible through the Microsoft AI Dev Gallery for developers.
Recall Returns Amidst Privacy Questions
The Recall feature, launching in preview, also leverages the NPU. It functions by taking periodic, encrypted snapshots of user activity stored locally on the PC’s hard drive, creating a searchable timeline of past actions using natural language.
Microsoft emphasizes that Recall runs entirely locally, is “shielded by layers of Secured-core PC protection and the Microsoft Pluton security processor,” requires Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security for access, is disabled by default, and offers management controls for IT administrators.
However, this rollout follows significant privacy concerns raised during earlier testing phases. Reports from December 2024 highlighted instances where Recall captured and stored sensitive data like passwords shown in plain text applications, despite security protocols. While Microsoft aims to refine the feature, these past privacy challenges form an important context for its re-introduction.
Business Focus and Market Context
Targeting business and education, these devices run Windows 11 Pro and incorporate Secured-core PC protections alongside the Microsoft Pluton security processor acting as the TPM 2.0 module.
Microsoft also highlighted easier serviceability with internal wayfinding icons and QR codes linked to repair guides, continuing a trend towards improved repairability that drew praise from iFixit for previous Surface models. “Overall, we were extremely pleased with Microsoft’s continued commitment to repairability,” iFixit commented regarding earlier Surface Laptop 7 models. The option for removable internal storage is also available.
The launch of these Snapdragon X Plus devices follows Microsoft’s introduction of Intel Lunar Lake-powered Surface Pro 11 and Laptop 7 variants for business in February and the initial Copilot+ PC announcement centered on the higher-end Snapdragon X Elite chip in May 2024.
The diversification to include Snapdragon X Plus, alongside the earlier inclusion of select Intel and AMD chips meeting the 40+ TOPS NPU requirement, reflects an evolving hardware strategy, potentially influenced by initial reports of performance limitations, such as inconsistent 4K/120Hz external display output, on the first wave of Snapdragon X Elite devices. More details for business customers are available on the Surface for Business website and in Microsoft’s blog post.
