Microsoft’s new Intel-powered Surface Laptop 5G lands in August

Each new generation of Surface devices typically includes a Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, as well as a later variant that includes 5G technology. That shoe has finally dropped, as Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop 5G on Tuesday.

Here, Microsoft had a choice: Add 5G to the consumer version of the Surface Laptop, and its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite; or add 5G to the business version of the Surface Laptop instead with an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) chip inside. Microsoft chose the latter, and it will be available on Aug. 26.

The fact that Microsoft chose Intel over Qualcomm is a little surprising, if only because Qualcomm manufactures 5G radios as well as PC chipsets. Intel sells what it calls the Intel 5G Solution 5000, which was co-developed with Mediatek and is based on its modem. On the other hand, Intel has typically worked closely with laptop makers as part of its Evo program, co-engineering solutions that combine its own silicon with the engineering talents of its customers.

Microsoft said that it had redesigned both the laminate used on the laptop as well as the antenna design of the laptop itself. It moved the antennas higher on the laptop for better connectivity, and field-tested the design in over 50 countries with more than 100 mobile operators. The device is designed to switch seamlessly between 5G and Wi-Fi, Microsoft said.

Visually, it appears that the top of the Laptop’s keyboard tray might be colored differently than the rest of the chassis, based upon a small photo of the Surface Laptop 5G Microsoft published. With the Surface Laptop 5G, customers can either use a nanoSIM for connectivity, or use an eSIM instead.

Technically, the Surface Laptop 5G won’t be its own device; 5G will only be available on “different SKUs [models] of the Surface Laptop for Business,” Microsoft says, and specifically the 13.8-inch model.

Still, that gives customers several options to choose from: Surface Laptops with 13.8-inch and 15-inch displays, and a 13-inch Surface Pro; plus a smaller 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro. Business customers can buy the larger Surface Laptop and Pro devices with the Core Ultra chips inside. Microsoft does make a 12-inch Surface Pro for Business, but with the same Snapdragon X Plus used by the consumer version.

Author: Mark Hachman, Senior Editor, PCWorld