Microsoft has launched the Surface Laptop 5 powered by Intel 12th-Gen Chips and Thunderbolt 4 support. The refreshed laptop will be available in 13.5-inch and 15-inch variants. Here’s everything you need to know about Microsoft Surface Laptop 5.
The tech giant didn’t change much in the laptop and only refreshed it. There are no AMD variants either. Microsoft didn’t explain why they scrapped AMD from the latest Surface Laptop 5 lineup despite the processor powering Surface Laptop 4.
Microsoft’s Surface Event took place on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. The company also unveiled the new Surface Pro 9 detachable 2-in-1 and a refreshed Surface Studio 2 Plus all-in-one desktop.
Surface Laptop 5: What’s New This Time?
Microsoft didn’t actually change much with Surface Laptop 5 except for adding the successor number in the name and refreshing the machine with 12th-Gen chips. The Surface Laptop 5 comes in two sizes- 13.5-inch and 15-inch.
The biggest change from last year’s Surface Laptop 4 is the transition to Intel’s 12th-gen Core processors. Buyers will have a choice of an i5-1245U or an i7-1265U. Microsoft claims the performance is 50% faster than the Surface Laptop 4 and the battery is also better.
There is also a faster DDR5 memory- 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB with a more powerful processor. There’s also a choice for storage- 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB removable solid-state drive for storage. But, there are no AMD processors this time.
Additionally, the Surface Laptop 5 features fewer ports this time. There’s only a single USB-C port, a USB-A 3.1 port, a combo headset jack, and a Surface Connect port. Another major upgrade is the USB-C port’s move to USB 4.0/ Thunderbolt 4.
Disappointingly, Microsoft didn’t do much with the built-in webcams and they are stuck with a 720p HD resolution in an era when other manufacturers are providing a 1080p full HD and much sharper options.
Surface Laptop 5 Full Specifications
Here’s an overview of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5’s specifications:
- Display:Â 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen with 2,256 x 1,504 resolution or 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen with 2,496 x 1,664 resolution
- CPU:Â Starts at 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U, upgradeable to 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1265U
- RAM:Â 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR5x RAM
- Storage:Â 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of removable SSD storage
- Battery:Â Up to 17 hours (15-inch version) or up to 18 hours (13.5-inch version)
- Ports:Â One USB-C port with Thunderbolt 4.0, one USB-A port, one 3.5mm headphone jack, one Surface Connect port
- Webcam:Â 720p HD front-facing camera
The specs are pretty similar to the Surface Laptop 4 except for the processor.
Surface Laptop 5 Price: How much does it cost?
Microsoft has priced the Surface Laptop 5 at a starting price of $1,000Â for the 13.5-inch model while the 15-inch variant costs $1,300. There are five shades available- Platinum (Alcantara), Platinum (Metal), Sage (Metal), Black (Metal), and Sandstone (Metal).
There will be special pricing for eligible students, parents, teachers, and the military. As usual, Microsoft is offering 60-day returns on Surface products along with free expert help when you buy from the Microsoft Store.
What is the Release Date of Surface Laptop 5?
The Surface Laptop 5 will start shipping and be available in the retail market starting October 25, 2022. There were major speculations around the release date for the Surface Laptop 5 and they turned out to be true as it’s going to be available before the end of this month.
What are your thoughts about Microsoft’s latest Surface Laptop? Use the comment box to share your thoughts.
