Microsoft has announced that the new Surface Laptop 4 is available for pre-order at the Microsoft Store and available at Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, and other major retailers from 27 April 2021.
Now, most of you are familiar with the Surface series – Pro, Book, Go, Hub and Laptop – of course, you are as this is Surface Laptop 4 – the fourth iteration of its stylish clamshell notebook.
As usual, it is available in 13.5 and 15” 3:2 screen, but this time, depending on the model configuration, you have a choice of Intel 11th Gen Core (i5-1135G7 and i7-1185G7) or AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition (5-4680U or 7-4980U). That also means Intel Iris Xe Graphics or Radeon Graphics. For the most part, the devices are the same.
GadgetGuy has no preference for Intel over AMD.
The AMDs are special Microsoft Surface Editions. GeekBench 5 scores give a basic indication of power (results may vary slightly)
| Single Core | Multi-Core | |
|---|---|---|
| Intel i5-1135G7 | 1270 | 4270 |
| Intel i7-1185G7 | 1391 | 4863 |
| AMD Ryzen 5-4680U | 951 | 4887 |
| AMD Ryzen 7-4980U | Unknown at this time |
The Intel processors are in Project EVO notebooks (Surface 4 Laptop is not certified) like Dynabook, LG Gram and Acer Swift 5 that also offer Thunderbolt 3 or 4 and more. While Surface quality is superb and the 3:2 screen ratio is best for productivity, Microsoft’s refusal to embrace Thunderbolt in any Surface product is an issue.
New Accessories
- Surface Headphones 2+, with on-ear Teams controls and improved remote calling $479.95
- USB & Wireless Headsets, certified for Microsoft Teams $85.95 and $151.95
- USB-C Speaker, dual microphones, and intuitive controls $151.95
- Modern Webcam, a Microsoft Teams, approved webcam $119.95
Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 specifications
Note Microsoft operates a multi-brand and device trade-in program and student, parent, and teachers program
| Surface Laptop 4 13.5” | Surface Laptop 4 15” |
|---|---|
| From $1599 | From $2199 |
| Dimensions: 308 mm × 223 mm × 14.5 mm x 1.265kg | 339.5 mm × 244 mm × 14.7 mm x 1.542kg |
| Display: Screen: 13.5” PixelSense 3:2 Resolution: 2256 × 1504 (201 PPI) Surface Pen enabled Touch: 10-point multi-touch | Screen: 15” Resolution: 2496 × 1664 (201 PPI) Same |
| Memory: 8GB, 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM | Same |
| Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor Iris Xe Graphics i7-1185G7 processor AMD Ryzen 5 4680U Mobile Processor 6 cores) AMD Radeon graphics | Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor only AMD Ryzen 7 4980U Mobile Processor (8 cores) |
| Storage: 256GB, 512GB or 1TB | Same |
| Battery life AMD: Up to 19 hours of battery life Intel: Up to 17 hours of battery life | AMD: Up to 17.5 hours of battery life Intel: Up to 16.5 hours of battery life |
| Battery 47.4 Wh nominal | Same |
| Connections: 1 x USB-C (presume USB-C 3.2 Gen 2) 1 x USB-A 3.5 mm headphone jack 1 x Surface Connect port | Same |
| Security TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise security and BitLocker support Enterprise-grade protection with Windows Hello face sign-in | Same |
| Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing) 720p HD f2.0 camera (front-facing) Dual far-field Studio Mics Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos | Same |
| Windows 10 Home | Same |
| Wi-Fi 6: AX Bluetooth: 5.0 | Same |
| Casing: Aluminium Power and Volume buttons on a backlit keyboard Colours: Platinum with Alcantara material palm rest Ice Blue with Alcantara Matte Black with metal palm rest Sandstone with metal | Same Colours: Platinum with metal palm rest Matte Black with metal |
| Warranty: 1-year limited hardware | Same |
