Take an inside look at Microsoft's new Surface Laptop 4
A Microsoft Mechanics video takes a deep dive into the new Surface Laptop 4.
What you need to know
- A Microsoft Mechanics video takes a deeper look at the Surface Laptop 4.
- The video breaks down the laptop's battery improvements, internals, and options.
- The Surface Laptop 4 is available for order now and starts shipping on April 14, 2021.
Every time Microsoft announces a new Surface device, we keep our eyes peeled for the ensuing Microsoft Mechanics video. These videos by the official Microsoft Mechanics YouTube channel take a deeper look at devices and often share bits of insight not shared in the shorter marketing videos. The Surface Laptop 4 is no exception, as it received a Microsoft Mechanics video shortly after its official announcement.
We'll have to get our hands on the device before we can determine if its one of the best Windows laptops, but this video gives us a better idea of what's inside.
The Surface Laptop 4 is all about options. You can get it in either 13.5-inch or 15-inch variants and have options for Intel or AMD internals regardless of if you are a general consumer or a business customer. The video breaks down details about both models, including how improvements to efficiency across power states bring the battery life up to 19 hours on certain models.
An odd tidbit appears at the 2:13 mark of the video. The video states that the AMD Ryzen 5 version of the Surface Laptop 4 has seven cores and that the extra core "is used for GPU." It's unclear if this is a mistake in the video as Microsoft's website states that the Ryzen 5 variant has six cores.
The video also talks about the improved cooling system of the laptop. The Surface Laptop 4 measures temperature at several points on the device to help manage cooling. You can also manually configure cooling options.
All about options
Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 has options for Intel 11th Gen or AMD Ryzen 4000 Mobile processors. You can also choose between 13.5-inch and 15-inch models. It also brings Dolby Atmos, Iris Xe or Radeon graphics, and dramatically improved battery life over its predecessor.
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Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.
Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.
