January 29, 2026
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A laptop buying guide: Key specs to compare
Choosing the right laptop can be exciting and might feel overwhelming with countless brands, configurations, and pricing tiers available. Comparing laptops and understanding the specs that matter can help you make a confident choice.
Microsoft Surface Copilot+ PCs combine speed, AI-powered features, and long battery life1 in a sleek, portable design—giving you a laptop that meets your needs today and keeps pace as your work and creativity evolve.
No matter which device you choose, the key is matching specs to your workflow and future plans. This laptop buying guide explains why.
Processor: The core of performance
One of the first details to consider when buying a new laptop is the processor (CPU). The processor determines how well a laptop handles multitasking, productivity apps, creative workloads, and AI-powered features. Core count and processor family influence both speed and efficiency.
Modern chips—such as Qualcomm Snapdragon® X Series—deliver strong performance for everyday work and advanced AI tasks.
Surface Copilot+ PCs are the fastest, most intelligent Windows PCs ever, with industry-leading AI right out of the box2. Surface Copilot+ PCs are powered by Snapdragon X Series Elite or Plus processors paired with a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This combination delivers:
- Instant responsiveness for apps and multitasking
- Seamless AI experiences2 like Copilot, Recall, and Live Captions with translations3
- Efficient battery use so your laptop lasts all day1
You can choose the following configurations:
- Surface Laptop, 13-inch: Snapdragon X Plus (8-core)
- Surface Laptop, 13.8-inch: Snapdragon X Plus (10-core)
- Surface Laptop, 15-inch: Snapdragon X Elite (12-core)
- Surface Pro, 12-inch: Snapdragon X Plus (8-core)
- Surface Pro, 13-inch: Snapdragon X Plus (10-core) or Snapdragon X Elite (12-core)
RAM: Smooth multitasking
Another important factor to consider when choosing a laptop is random access memory (RAM). RAM affects how easily your laptop can run multiple apps and stay responsive.
- 8GB RAM handles everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and light productivity.
- 16GB or more is ideal for AI-enhanced workflows, creative projects, and heavy multitasking.
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro include fast LPDDR5x (low-power double data rate 5x) RAM. With built-in AI capabilities and powerful hardware, Surface devices are designed to handle memory-intensive tasks today and well into the future.
NPU: AI acceleration
When shopping for a laptop, it’s important to know whether it can keep up with you, especially as AI features become central to the apps you use every day. NPUs handle AI computations independently of the CPU and GPU, boosting performance while helping to extend battery life.
Thanks to the Snapdragon X Series processor and NPU pairing, Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deliver fast, fluid AI performance without draining battery life—something traditional laptops cannot match.
Storage: Speed and capacity
Waiting for a laptop to boot, apps to load, or files to transfer is a drag. Fast storage keeps your laptop moving as quickly as you do. SSDs (solid-state drives) are the standard for speed and reliability.
- 256GB SSD: Good for light use like web browsing and streaming
- 512GB and more SSD: Recommended for creative work, large files, and AI assets
Surface Laptops and Surface Pro include high-speed SSDs designed for fast load times, smooth file handling, and seamless AI-powered tasks.
Graphics: Visual power for creative work
Creative work should be inspiring—and a fast, AI-enhanced graphics processing unit (GPU) helps make it so. Smooth, detailed visuals make a noticeable difference when gaming, photo and video editing, or using creative design tools.
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro feature powerful onboard GPUs enhanced by AI acceleration, which help:
- Speed up image editing and rendering
- Provide real-time previews for creative work
- Keep your laptop portable without compromise
Display: Comfort and clarity
See clearly, work comfortably, and enjoy the details with a high-quality laptop display. Screen quality affects productivity, eye comfort, color accuracy, and precision.
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro feature PixelSense™ touchscreens with:
- High resolution
- Thin bezels
- Pen support (Surface Pro)
- Rich color accuracy
Surface’s PixelSense touchscreens offer clarity and precision for all-day use, helping to make text, colors, and details easier to see and work with.
AI art created via Copilot
Battery life: Real-world endurance
From morning meetings to late-night streaming, long-lasting battery1 means your laptop keeps up with you and your daily adventures. Manufacturer battery claims vary, so it’s best to look for real-world performance when comparing battery life for laptops.
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deliver:
- 14–23 hours of local video playback1
- 10–16 hours of active web browsing1, even while running AI features
Ports and connectivity: Stay connected on the go
Being able to connect to what you need—without hunting for adapters—helps make your laptop experience smooth and hassle-free.
Modern laptops balance slim design with practical connectivity, and the right ports make it easy to connect accessories, displays, and drives. At a minimum, look for:
- USB-C and USB-A
- Headphone jack
- Wi-Fi 6/6E
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro include a combination of USB-C, USB-A, and the latest wireless standards, helping you stay connected wherever you go—without extra adapters.
Build quality and portability
The right laptop fits your lifestyle—light enough to carry all day, sturdy enough to last for years.
Surface Laptop and Surface Pro combine durable construction with designs that move with you:
- Sleek, ultra-thin design
- Integrated keyboard and precision touchpad
- Starting at 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg)
- Lightweight 2-in-1 design
- Detachable flex keyboard4
- Integrated kickstand
- Starting at just 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg)
How to compare laptops effectively
Beyond checking specs, it’s helpful to compare devices and make an informed decision:
- Use online comparison tools. Tools like Compare Surface provide a side-by-side comparison of Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models. Compare specs, AI features, and more.
- Check benchmarks and real-world reviews. Benchmarks reveal how laptops handle:
- Multitasking
- Battery life under load
- Creative workloads
- AI features and performance
Real-world reviews show what performance looks like for everyday users.
- Consider future proofing. Choose laptops with:
- AI-ready processors
- Dedicated NPUs
- Sufficient RAM (16GB recommended)
- Modern connectivity
- Fast storage
As Copilot+ PCs, Surface Laptop and Surface Pro excel in all these areas, ensuring long-term value.
Common mistakes to avoid
Some buying choices lead to frustration, wasted money, or unnecessary limitations. Avoid these common mistakes when shopping:
- Focusing only on price: Cheaper devices may compromise longevity, performance, or workflow compatibility.
- Ignoring port and accessory needs: Missing ports or outdated wireless standards can slow you down.
- Overlooking warranty and support: Reliable after-sales support can save you headaches and help keep your laptop in top condition.
Compare laptops and choose the one that meets your needs
Understanding how specs impact performance—and how they align with your personal workflow—makes shopping for a laptop easier. Evaluate specs, read reviews, and use comparison tools to find the right balance of cost, performance, and portability. Then choose a laptop that works and plays as hard as you do now and for years to come.
Check out Surface Laptops and Surface Pro 2-in-1s today.
- DISCLAIMER: Features and functionality subject to change. Articles are written specifically for the United States market; features, functionality, and availability may vary by region.
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[1]
Battery life varies significantly based on device configuration, usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings, and other factors. See Surface battery performance for details.
Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors.
For Local Video Playback- Surface Laptop 13” - up to 23 hours
- Surface Laptop 13.8” - up to 20 hours
- Surface Laptop 15” - up to 22 hours
- Surface Pro 12-inch - up to 16 hours
- Surface Pro 13-inch - up to 14 hours
For Active Web Browsing- Surface Laptop 13” - up to 16 hours
- Surface Laptop 13.8” - up to 13 hours
- Surface Pro 12-inch - up to 12 hours
- Surface Pro 13-inch - up to 10 hours
- [2] Available Copilot+ PC experiences vary by device and market. Some Copilot+ PCs require updates continuing to roll out into 2025. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.
- [3] Currently supports translation for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs.
- [4] Sold separately.
Mentioned in this article
Compare Surface Copilot+ PCs
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