Microsoft's October 2022 Surface event brought new hardware including the Surface Laptop 5, but how does it differ from the Surface Laptop 4? Unlike the Surface Laptop 3 which received a successor after two years, Microsoft has decided to launch a follow-up to the Surface Laptop 4 after a year. As a result, there aren't many changes this time around.
Alongside the Surface Laptop 5, Microsoft also announced the Surface Pro 9 which succeeds the Surface Pro 8 announced in September 2021. There's also the Surface Studio 2+, the all-in-one successor to the four-year-old Surface Studio 2. All three devices run Windows 11 out of the box and are powered by Intel processors.
Microsoft has carried over the design of the Surface Laptop 4 to the Surface Laptop 5. Both laptops have practically identical dimensions, come in the same 13.5 and 15-inch sizes, and are even available with the option of Alcantara or metal palm rests for the 13.5-inch version. The only difference is that the new laptop comes in new colorways. While the Surface Laptop 4 can be purchased in Platinum, Matte Black, Ice Blue, and Sandstone, the Surface Laptop 5 is available in Platinum, Sage, Matte Black, and Sandstone.
The Surface Laptop 5 Has Thunderbolt 4
The Surface Laptop 5 retains the Surface Laptop 4's 3:2 PixelSense touch display, and while the resolution hasn't changed, the new model now has for Dolby Vision IQ. The spec sheet also reveals that the Surface Laptop 5 has Gorilla Glass 3 protection for the 13.5-inch Alcantara while the models with a metal finish (both sizes) have Gorilla Glass 5. The most significant change is under the hood. The 11th-gen Intel processors have been replaced with the newer and more powerful 12th-gen Intel EVO chips. Because the Surface Laptop 5 has an EVO badge, it should work with Intel's Unison app that allows s to connect Android phones and iPhones to PCs. Unfortunately, the new laptop doesn't come in AMD Ryzen processor options.
The 13.5-inch model is available in Core i5-1235U and Core i7-1255U variants while the 15-inch model is available with a Core i7-1255U processor. Like the Surface Pro 4, it is available in 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB RAM variants with up to 512GB of removable SSD storage for the smaller model and 1TB storage for the 15-inch model. The new chips also bring slightly better battery life. The 13.5-inch model now offers up to 18 hours of battery life, up from 17 hours on the previous generation. On the other hand, the 15-inch version has an d battery life of 17 hours which is a minor upgrade over the 16.5 hours of the Surface Laptop 4.
The Surface Laptop 5 has the same port selection as the Surface Laptop 4 with one addition – Thunderbolt 4. The Type-C port is a USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 port. Bluetooth has also been bumped up from version 5.0 to 5.1. However, the new laptop retains Wi-Fi 6 instead of upgrading to Wi-Fi 6E. The Surface Laptop 5 starts at $999 for the 13.5-inch model with a Core i5 chip, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. The most expensive configuration costs a whopping $2,399, and for that price, buyers get the 15-inch model with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. In contrast, the Surface Laptop 4 which launched in 2021 for $999 now starts at $799. While it doesn't make sense for Surface Pro 4 buyers to upgrade this year, the Surface Laptop 5 is clearly the better choice for those looking for a powerful new Windows laptop.