Laptop & Tablet: Microsoft presents its most affordable ARM Surfaces

Microsoft launches the Surface Pro 12-inch and the Surface Laptop 13-inch. The prices are falling – at the expense of the features.

(Image: Microsoft)

May 6, 2025 at 9:50 pm CEST

3 min. read

By

Mark Mantel

Microsoft's Surface family is growing by two devices: a new Surface Pro with a 12-inch display and a Surface Laptop with a 13-inch display. Both models are smaller compared to the previous models, while at the same time the equipment is weaker. This is accompanied by lower prices.

For the first time, Microsoft is using the eight-core ARM processors from Qualcomm's Snapdragon X family in combination with Windows on ARM. The more expensive versions have 10 and 12 cores. The manufacturer does not specify which of the two available eight-core processors are used in the newcomers. The focus is once again on the integrated AI unit, which manages 45 trillion calculations per second (45 TOPS) for all CPU variants. The devices therefore bear the Copilot+ seal. On the memory side, 16 GB of RAM is always soldered in.

Full HD resolution on 13 inches

The Surface Laptop 13-inch is 0.8 inches smaller than the previous smallest version. This reduces the weight from 1.34 to 1.22 kg. The resolution of the IPS display is reduced from 2304 × 1536 pixels to 1920 × 1280 pixels. Microsoft has retained the 3:2 format. However, the refresh rate is halved to 60 Hertz.

Interested parties will have to do without fast USB4. The two Type-C sockets only transfer 10 Gbit/s (USB 3.2 Gen 2). The Type-A port achieves 5 Gbit/s (USB 3.2 Gen 1, formerly known as USB 3.0). The battery is charged via USB-C.

The Surface Pro 12-inch displays 2196 × 1464 pixels. The refresh rate here is not quite as high as on the laptop – 90 Hertz. Here, too, the two USB-C ports only transfer 10 Gbit/s. According to the data sheet, the device weighs 686 grams.

Surface Pro 12 inch with keyboard and pen — The Surface Pro 12-inch also comes with the typical amenities such as a kickstand, keyboard and pen. However, users have to buy the keyboard and pen separately.

(Image: Microsoft)

Expensive storage space

Microsoft charges 1099 euros for the basic version of the Surface Laptop 13-inch with 256 GB SSD. The manufacturer charges a lot for more storage space: with a 512 GB SSD, the model costs 1219 euros. Other manufacturers offer laptops with the Snapdragon X Plus from 700 euros.

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The Surface Pro 12-inch starts at 979 euros with a 256 GB SSD. The configuration with 512 GB SSD costs 1099 euros. If you want a Surface keyboard and pen, you have to pay extra.

Microsoft plans to start shipping the Surface Laptop 13-inch and the Surface Pro 12-inch on June 10. The manufacturer is already accepting pre-orders via its own store.

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