Take an inside look at Microsoft's new Surface Laptop 4

Sirface Laptop 4 Microsoft Mechanics
Sirface Laptop 4 Microsoft Mechanics (Image credit: Microsoft)

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.

CATEGORIES
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_. 

Read more
Surface Laptop 7
The Surface Laptop 7 makes the new MacBook Air M4 seem like a bad deal
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite
3 reasons you should not buy the Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7 with Intel (and 1 reason you should)
The new Surface Pro and Laptop with Intel
Microsoft launches its first Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs with new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, and they're shockingly expensive
Surface USB4 Dock
Microsoft unveils new 'Surface USB4 Dock' that's smaller and $100 cheaper
Surface Laptop 7
Surface Laptop 7 sale: Save big on "the clamshell form factor perfected"
Surface Laptop 7
Surface Laptop 7 with Snapdragon now almost half the price of the Surface Laptop 7 with Intel (Update)
Latest in Surface
Surface Pro 11
Microsoft’s smaller Surface Pro appears in certification database ahead of rumored launch this spring
Surface Laptop 7
Amazon flags Surface Laptop 7 as a frequently returned item — warns buyers to check reviews first
Giant Surface Laptop
Is this Microsoft's largest Surface or the world's smallest executive?
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite
Surface repairs just got easier with Microsoft’s uBreakiFix partnership
Surface Laptop 7
The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft's Windows hardware enters a new era
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite
3 reasons you should not buy the Surface Pro 11 or Surface Laptop 7 with Intel (and 1 reason you should)
Latest in News
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies mode screenshots for Shattered Veil map.
The next Call of Duty Zombies map, "Shattered Veil", is dropping earlier than expected
Helldivers 2
The new Helldivers 2 Illuminate Major Order is so important that we got a new stratagem for it
Hogwarts Legacy troll hero image
Hogwarts Legacy DLC reportedly canceled by WB Games
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
Rumored Ubisoft and Tencent agreement comes to fruition with 25% stake and new division for the Assassin's Creed developer
In-game screenshot of the player consuming an enemy in Shadow Labyrinth
This isn't your grandpa's Pac-Man — Bandai Namco's iconic character gets a gritty new action game this Summer
Key art for Dragon Quest 1 and 2 HD-2D remake
Every PC and Xbox game shown off during Nintendo Direct March 2025