What you need to know
- Microsoft announced the refreshed Surface Laptop 3 at its October Surface event.
- The 13-inch model feels largely the same, but Microsoft has added USB-C, a new 15-inch model, and an all-metal option that ditches Alcantara fabric..
- For the first time, Microsoft is also offering an option with custom AMD Ryzen 7 processors on the 15-inch model.
- Both Surface Laptop 3 models are available to preorder today starting at $999 and will launch on October 22.
Microsoft took the wraps off of the new Surface Laptop 3 at its October 2 event in New York City today. While leaks ahead of the event may have taken some of the surprise away, we now have a much better look at how Microsoft has evolved the laptop for 2019.
The largest change here is that there's now a 15-inch version of the Surface Laptop, in addition to the upgraded 13-inch model. Both models now include a USB-C port, which is something of a trend this year, as Microsoft also brought USB-C to the Surface Pro 7.
However, what's more interesting is that you'll be able to get the Surface Pro 3 without its signature Alcantara fabric covering around the keyboard with the 15-inch model. Instead, you'll get a full-metal chassis, making the Surface Laptop 3 look more like other premium laptops in this segment. That'll come as good news for those who had been looking to pick up a Surface Laptop, but were hesitant because of potential wear on the fabric.
In addition to the two new sizes, Microsoft has debuted a ne color option as well. Now, you'll be able to pick up the Surface Laptop 3 in a new sandstone finish. There's also fast charging (up to 80 percent in under an hour), a 20 percent larger trackpad, and "all-day battery life."
As for specs, the 15-inch model looks to be the workhorse of the two. You'll be able to select, for the first time, AMD Ryzen 7 custom processors that Microsoft developed with AMD on the larger Laptop 3. The 15-inch model can also be equipped with up to 32GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. What's more, the Surface Laptop 3 now includes a replaceable SSD, so you can upgrade the storage at any time.
For the 13-inch model, you'll get a selection of Intel's latest 10th Gen Core CPUs, ranging up to a Core i7 chip. You're more limited on RAM options here, with a cap of 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM. You'll also be able to get up to 1TB of SSD storage, but, like the 15-inch model, you can also upgrade the drive yourself if needed.
Here's everything Microsoft announced at its Surface 2019 event
Small size, big value
Though it isn't as powerful as it's larger cousin can be, the 13-inch version of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 will make it an excellent travel laptop.
Perfect for home use
With a bigger screen and some slightly better hardware, the 15-inch version of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is an excellent laptop to choose for home or office use.
