Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 Review: A MacBook Air Rival?

Microsoft is making a serious play for the ultraportable laptop market, directly challenging Apple’s MacBook Air with its new Surface Laptop lineup. The 2024 Surface Laptops mark a significant shift for Microsoft, trading traditional x86 processors for Arm-based silicon, specifically Qualcomm Snapdragon chips. This move isn’t just about adopting a new architecture; it’s about delivering a compelling combination of performance, battery life, and design that can genuinely compete with Apple’s established dominance.

The latest iteration, the Surface Laptop 7, has garnered attention for its sleek design and impressive battery life. Available in both 13.8- and 15-inch sizes, the Surface Laptop 7 boasts a beautifully durable design and a haptic touchpad that reviewers describe as “awesome and accurate.” The 13.8-inch model features a slightly larger display than its predecessor, moving from 13.5 inches to 13.8 inches, with thinner bezels and rounded corners. It also offers a brighter screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother visual experience compared to the MacBook Air’s 60Hz display.

One key design element setting the Surface Laptop apart is its 3:2 aspect ratio screen. This taller, more square display provides more vertical space for webpages, spreadsheets, and applications, a feature favored by many users. The Surface Laptop 7 also includes a 1080p webcam, a feature increasingly important for video conferencing and remote work.

Under the hood, the Surface Laptop 7 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, available in both X Elite and X Plus configurations. Early testing indicates strong overall performance, capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. While not designed for graphics-intensive workloads like video editing or gaming, the Snapdragon X chips deliver efficient performance and exceptional battery life, rivaling that of the MacBook Air. The tested configuration included the 12-core Snapdragon X Elite chip, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB solid-state drive.

Microsoft has addressed storage concerns with the latest models. The Surface Laptop 13.8-inch now starts with 512GB of storage, a significant upgrade from previous models that began at 256GB. The starting price for the 13.8-inch model is $1,099, though discounts are frequently available at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. It’s worth noting that Microsoft also offers a more budget-friendly Surface Laptop 13, launched in 2025, but this model comes with compromises, including a lower-resolution screen (and a 16:10 aspect ratio, unlike the 3:2 of the 13.8-inch model), the removal of the Surface Connect magnetic charging port, and the absence of a Windows Hello IR camera.

The shift to Arm-based processors has been a long-term project for Microsoft and Qualcomm, aiming to optimize Windows performance on Arm chips. Previous attempts faced challenges with app compatibility, but improvements have been made, allowing a wider range of x86 applications to run on the Arm-based Surface Laptops. However, compatibility isn’t universal, and users may encounter some limitations.

While the Surface Laptop 7 represents a significant step forward, it’s not without its drawbacks. Upgrades can be costly, and a dedicated GPU is not available. The lack of an OLED display option, present in some competing models like the Surface Pro 11, may also be a consideration for some users.

The competition between the Surface Laptop and the MacBook Air is fierce. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) remains a strong contender, offering top-notch performance thanks to the M4 chip and a well-established ecosystem. However, the Surface Laptop 7 presents a compelling alternative, particularly for Windows users seeking a premium ultraportable experience with long battery life and a distinctive design. The Surface Laptop 7 is positioned as a serious MacBook Air competitor, and early reviews suggest it’s a challenge Apple must take seriously.

As of February 3, 2026, the Surface Laptop 7 is available for purchase through Microsoft’s website, Amazon, and Best Buy, with pricing varying based on configuration and retailer.