Which Microsoft Surface Is Best for You?
Microsoft’s Surface Line has a product to fit a variety of needs and budgets, including flexible 2-in-1 tablet-laptops. The company also recently announced new versions of its Surface Laptop and Surface Pro as follow-ups to its 2024 models, making it even trickier to pick the best model that matches your priorities.
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.
Best for Most People
-Front-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Brenda-Stolyar.png)
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. Like many laptop manufacturers this year, Microsoft has dramatically increased the price of its products. You can thank the ongoing memory shortage for that. Right now, you can still buy the 2024 Surface Laptop with 512 GB of storage for $999 on Amazon. It’s only for the Dune color right now, whereas the Black and Silver models are $50 more. These are not quite as cheap as they were in 2025, but it’s a great deal. It’s especially affordable compared with the 2026 version. It’s over $400 more for an otherwise identical configuration, and sometimes it jumps to the retail price of $1,600. That’s just too much for what you’re getting. I just don’t think the performance difference is worth that much. It’d be a different story if the 2024 model were unavailable, but I have a hard time suggesting someone buy the newer one at the moment.
The Surface Laptop comes in two main variants: 13.8-inch and 15-inch screen sizes. Both are great, but I think the 13.8-inch model offers plenty of screen real estate for the average person, especially with this aspect ratio.
| Specs |
|---|
| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite or Plus |
| Memory: 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB |
| Storage: 512 GB or 1 TB |
| Display: 13.8-inch at 2304 x 1536 at 120Hz (IPS) or 15-inch at 2496 x 1664 at 120 Hz (IPS) |
The Most Powerful Surface
The Surface Laptop Ultra might bear some resemblance to the standard Surface Laptop, but it’s a completely different animal under the hood. It’s no thicker than the 15-inch Surface Laptop, despite offering far more performance. That’s thanks to the Nvidia RTX Spark N1X chip inside, which delivers GPU performance typically found only in discrete graphics cards, like those in gaming laptops. In many ways, this is Microsoft’s answer to the MacBook Pro—a laptop designed for content creators, media pros, and a burgeoning new demographic: AI enthusiasts. It can be configured with up to 128 GB of unified RAM, allowing you to feed that GPU tons of memory to access larger AI models—all running entirely on-device. I tested the 32-GB version of the Surface Laptop Ultra, which limits you from running larger AI models (such as 70-billion parameters and above). In reality, you need something with a more powerful GPU to handle foundation-tier models that really compete with the cloud-based services people are used to. I don’t know if the case for running local AI models is fully made yet, but the Surface Laptop Ultra lets you dip your toe in.
It can play games, too, but don’t be fooled by the “Nvidia” brand into thinking it will perform anywhere near a proper discrete graphics card in a gaming laptop. Some very popular multiplayer games still aren’t compatible at all (such as PUBG and League of Legends), though Nvidia says it’s working on it. The Surface Laptop Ultra is for someone who wants to dabble in content creation, gaming, and AI on their work laptop. And yes, if that sounds like the M5 Pro MacBook Pro, that’s the point.
| Specs |
|---|
| Processor: Nvidia RTX Spark (18-core with 5,120 GPU cores or 20-core with 6,144 GPU cores) |
| Memory: 24 GB up to 128 GB |
| Storage: 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB |
| Display: 15-inch at 3270 x 2180 at 120 Hz (Mini-LED) |
The Best Surface Pro 2-in-1
I’ve always liked the idea of a smaller Surface Pro, and in theory, the Surface Pro 12 (6/10, WIRED Recommends) checks the right boxes. It keeps the premium look and feel of the Surface Pro line, retaining the Snapdragon X Plus chip (with two fewer cores) while making slight changes to lower the price and make the tablet even thinner. I can live with the incremental downgrades in the webcam and display. My problem at launch, when I first reviewed the Surface Pro 12, was the pricing. Microsoft tried to slot this cheaper, smaller Surface below the Surface Pro 13.8, then immediately stopped selling the lower-tier configurations of that larger device to make room. But these days, the Surface Pro 13.8 has gotten so expensive that I no longer think it’s worth buying. If you really want a 2-in-1 Windows tablet, the Surface Pro 12 is your best option.
Microsoft has even started selling a version of the Surface Pro 12 with only 8 GB of memory. That could work if your needs are fairly light. You wouldn’t want to use that configuration as your primary work device, though. The Surface Pro 12 also doesn’t include a bundled power supply, so you’ll need to pay an additional $70 to add one. Like every Surface tablet, you also have to pay extra for the corresponding keyboard or Surface Pen.
| Specs |
|---|
| Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus |
| Memory: 8 GB or 16 GB |
| Storage: 256 GB or 512 GB |
| Display: 12-inch, 2196 x 1464 (IPS) |
Surface Devices That Are Hard to Justify
I’ve already mentioned that both the new Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are priced high for a standard, generational chip refresh. That already makes me doubt whether these devices are worth buying, but I only make official recommendations on products I’ve tested myself.
Another wrinkle: Microsoft isn’t running a typical media review program for these new devices. Unlike nearly every high-end laptop a major company releases, Microsoft isn’t sending review units to independent media for testing, according to a Microsoft spokesperson. That doesn’t necessarily make these devices inherently bad, but it’s a very uncommon choice and, frankly, not a good sign.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2026): Be careful with this one. It’s named dangerously similar to the 13.8-inch model, but it’s actually a midrange-type laptop. It has a more basic display, and frustratingly, it’s not even in a 3:2 aspect ratio. And $950 for a laptop with only 8 GB of RAM is absurd. If you really want something cheap with only 8 GB of RAM, the Dell XPS 13 only costs $700 and is a far better laptop.
-Front-Reviewer-Photo-(no-border)-SOURCE-Christopher-Null.jpg)
Microsoft Surface Pro 13 (2026): $1,500 for a tablet is really hard to justify. This is for the model with an IPS display, putting the upgraded OLED model at over $2,000. And don’t forget: It doesn’t come with a keyboard either. When the iPad Pro is cheaper, you know this is overpriced. This does tend to drop down in price on Prime Day or Black Friday, though you’ll really need to do some price checks to make sure this is worth the money—even on sale.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 (2025): I haven’t tested this model yet, but it’s hard to recommend given the price alone. The 256-GB base configuration is sold out on Amazon, while Microsoft sells it for a whopping $950. That’s way too expensive to even consider.
Microsoft Surface Go 3: These days, there isn’t a good reason to pick up any Surface device older than the 2024 models. Shockingly, though, you can still buy the Surface Go 3 new. It costs $700, and it comes with only 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Even in 2026, that’s insanely overpriced for the specs.
Microsoft Surface Laptop for Business: I haven’t tested this model yet, either, but it’s currently the only way to get an Intel-powered Surface Laptop. It’s also the only way to get a Surface Laptop with 5G connectivity. This is primarily for commercial use, though anyone can currently buy one directly from Microsoft.
Should You Wait to Buy?
It’s been two years since the Snapdragon X platform launched alongside the Surface Laptop 7th Edition and Surface Pro 11th Edition. While I still wholeheartedly recommend these devices, I don’t know how much longer they will be available. Even so, now’s a great time to buy these, especially while they’re still on discount.
Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon X2 chips last fall, and you can buy the Surface Laptop 8th Edition and Surface Pro 12th Edition with those new chips inside. But they’re very expensive and weren’t sent out for review. In most cases, they’re still too expensive for me to recommend buying over the 2024 model.
The Surface Laptop Ultra just started selling, and it’s among the first devices to use Nvidia’s new RTX Spark platform.
Things That May Annoy You
There are a few things about Surface devices that may annoy you. With the Surface Pro, the keyboard is not included—and you’ll definitely want to buy one. While the tablet works fine detached for occasional use, Windows just isn’t as cut out for touch-only functionality as Apple’s iPadOS is on iPads. So, when you buy a Surface Pro, don’t expect Windows to help you navigate much without a mouse or touchpad.
Ports are a bit of a mixed bag for Surface devices. You’ll find USB-C ports throughout the Surface line, and the high-end models support Thunderbolt 4. Some models, like the Surface Pro 11th Edition and Surface Laptop 7th Edition, also use the magnetic Surface Connect charger, despite having USB-C ports available. The new 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro ditch the Surface Connect port. The real kicker on the Surface Pro lineup, however, is that it doesn’t have a headphone jack. It also lacks USB-A and other legacy ports, while the Surface Laptop includes USB-A, which I find handy to keep around.
Lastly, all modern Surface devices (outside of the commercial models) use ARM-powered Qualcomm processors rather than x86. While Microsoft and Qualcomm have done a lot of work to get nearly all major applications to run natively, you’ll still run into niche software that won’t run, or will run slowly, through emulation. This has become much less of a problem recently, but if you rely on a specific application, make sure it has a native ARM version before moving forward with a Surface device.
Laptop vs. Tablet
Microsoft Surface devices currently come in two forms: clamshell laptop and detachable 2-in-1 tablet. The laptop is simple enough and targets the MacBook Air audience. The major difference is that all Surface Laptop models have always included a touchscreen. This is what most people interested in a Surface device should choose, primarily because it’s the most versatile and comfortable form factor.
The detachable 2-in-1, meanwhile, is a tablet you can attach to a keyboard cover. It has a sturdy kickstand built into the back, which allows you to prop it up to use with the keyboard. It’s a lot like the iPad Pro when paired with a Magic Keyboard. But the idea is that it can function as a tablet alone, handy for one-handed use, or as a laptop when attached to a keyboard. The problem is that Windows doesn’t have an interface as touch-friendly as iPadOS. It also doesn’t have an expansive touch-friendly mobile app ecosystem. That means you’ll primarily be using the Surface Pro as a highly portable laptop replacement.
Do You Need Microsoft Complete?
If you’re rough on your gadgets, the Microsoft Complete extended warranty might be a good idea. Starting at $99, it gives you additional warranty coverage, plus two accidental damage claims with a $49 deductible. Microsoft will provide up to four years of coverage for Surface devices specifically and will cover things like cracked screens, drops, and spills.
You can get Microsoft Complete in a few different ways. You can buy it with your Surface device. But if you’re not sure whether you need it, you can either book an appointment with a Microsoft product expert, add it directly through the Surface App, or contact Microsoft Store Support after you’ve already purchased your device. You have up to 45 days after buying your Surface product to add a protection plan.
Great Surface Accessories
You’ll have to purchase these accessories separately (unless they’re available as a bundle), on top of shelling out money for the device itself. I’ve got a few first- and third-party recommendations.
Surface Pro Flex Keyboard for $330: Microsoft redesigned its signature keyboard cover for the new Surface Pro 13 (11th Edition). It’s detachable, so you can position it anywhere you’d like while using the tablet. The touchpad is also larger this time around. There’s also a bold key option to assist people with low vision and reduce eyestrain. I like that it allows you to space out the tablet and keyboard on your desk for a more comfortable experience.
Surface Pro Type Cover for $158: This Type Cover is one of my favorite accessories. The cover is easy to attach, the clicky keys feel satisfying, and it’s the least expensive option in the Surface Pro lineup. It’s compatible with the Surface Pro 8 and earlier.
Surface Slim Pen 2 for $136: With the second-generation Slim Pen, Microsoft added haptic feedback and lower latency (sketching and writing should feel more responsive). I liked using it with the Surface Pro 11th Edition, but it’s also compatible with some older Surface devices, like the Surface Pro 8, and it pops into the storage slot right above the keyboard. It’s an ideal accessory if you rely on your tablet for taking notes or drawing.
Microsoft Arc Mouse ($90): This hyper-portable wireless mouse is great if you need something compact to travel with, especially when paired with the Surface Pro. For storage in your bag, the ergonomic shape can snap to being flat, while providing a comfortable angle when you need it. Battery life is also fantastic, which is important when you’re on the road. I wouldn’t choose this as my daily mouse due to the limited buttons, but it’s a great mobile mouse and matches the graceful Surface aesthetic perfectly.
Microsoft Adaptive Accessories ($15 to $99): Microsoft offers a range of PC hardware for people who have limited mobility, including a programmable button, an adaptive mouse, and a hub to connect them to a PC wirelessly.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that’s too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.