When those 2024 Surface models launched, they were among my favorite devices of the year. Over the past couple of years, those models have held up, making them great buys—especially when on sale. But now, with the new Surface Laptop 8th Edition and Surface Pro 12th Edition (not to be confused with the Surface Pro 12), we finally have some next-gen silicon to pair with them.
Just bear in mind that the new Snapdragon X2 chips come at much higher prices, bringing the devices’ value into question. I weighed these details, among others, in outlining which Microsoft Surface device is best for every need. Be sure to read our other buying guides for more, including the Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best 2-in-1 Laptops, Best MacBooks, and our tips for choosing a laptop.
Updated October 2026: I've rewritten this guide with notes from my testing of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Ultra and updated pricing for other models. Recommending a laptop from 2024 as my top choice feels embarrassing. Not for me—but for Microsoft.
I adore this laptop, and I actually still find myself returning to it over newer, flashier options. The 3:2 aspect ratio screen is my favorite feature, and it can't be found almost anywhere else right now. The taller shape of the display is preferred if you spend most of your time on a laptop looking at documents, spreadsheets, or websites.
Beyond that, it gets great battery life, performs well (in just about anything other than games), and has a gorgeous, high-resolution display. But I hear you say, why not the 2026 model (also known as the 8th Edition)? Microsoft launched a refresh this year with new chips inside (the Snapdragon X2 lineup, if you care to know).
I've tested these chips in other laptops, such as the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x, and they speed things up in meaningful ways—especially on the graphics front. Unfortunately, Microsoft made the poor decision not to send these out to reviewers for independent testing, so I've never had one to try myself. The real problem, though, is the pricing.
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