Surface Laptop: Microsoft breaks with its own memory requirement
The eighth generation Surface Laptop comes with Intel's Core Ultra 300. An upcoming 8GB version is not enough for Copilot+.
(Image: Microsoft)
Microsoft is introducing new business devices from the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro series. They all come with Intel's Core Ultra 300 processors, also known as Panther Lake, some with a darkening privacy screen and open-source UEFI BIOS (Project Mu). The aluminum cases and the rest of the equipment remain the same.
However, the effects of the memory crisis are particularly interesting, manifesting on the one hand in higher prices and on the other in new configuration options in some countries. At least in the USA, Microsoft is now also offering a 13-inch version of its Surface Laptop for Business with the eight-core Core Ultra 5 325; in Germany, the 13-inch models are only available as normal client versions with ARM processors from Qualcomm.
Expensive even with 8 GB of RAM
According to its blog, Microsoft plans to offer this 13-inch version later in the year with 8 GB instead of 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD. This brings the manufacturer below the self-imposed minimum requirement for Copilot+. Consequently, Microsoft's AI functions will not run without restrictions.
Even after slimming down, the price remains steep: Microsoft quotes an estimated retail price of 1300 US dollars. Converted including VAT (not included in US prices), this is almost 1340 euros. Other manufacturers sell better-equipped laptops for less. For example, HP's Omnibook X 14 with Core Ultra 5 325, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and also a metal case costs 1050 Euros.
Microsoft's Surface for Business family. The 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business is not available in Germany.
(Image:Â Microsoft)
Over 2000 Euros in Germany
In Germany, the current business generation of the Surface Laptop for Business starts at 2119 Euros. This includes a 13.8-inch device with the eight-core Core Ultra 5 325, 16 GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. The predecessor with the Core Ultra 5 236V and otherwise the same equipment costs 1839 euros after a price increase.
The most expensive configuration is the Surface Laptop for Business 15-inch with the 16-core Core Ultra X7 368H and a powerful integrated GPU. With 64 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD, the model costs 5179 Euros.
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Tablet PC also costs more than 2000 Euros
The 12th edition of the Surface Pro for Business costs at least 2119 euros. This includes the eight-core Core Ultra 5 335, 16 GB RAM, and a 256 GB SSD. Microsoft does not currently offer stronger CPU options in Germany. The configuration with 5G mobile connectivity costs an additional 360 euros. A keyboard cover costs at least 160 euros.
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