Compact Surface Laptop to join May 6 lineup with Snapdragon chip and cost-friendly specs
Microsoft appears ready to unveil a smaller addition to its Surface Laptop family. Leaked details suggest that a new Surface Laptop 13″ model — powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series processor — will debut alongside the previously confirmed Surface Laptop 7 refresh at the company’s May 6 launch event.
A smaller sibling with key trade-offs
While Microsoft already offers the Surface Laptop 7 in 13.8-inch and 15-inch sizes, this new model is expected to feature a more compact 13-inch display. However, it’s not a successor to the affordable Surface Laptop Go series, nor does it match the higher-end specifications of the Surface Laptop 7.
According to reliable leaker Roland Quandt, the Surface Laptop 13″ will make some notable compromises to hit a lower price point. These include the absence of an IR camera for Windows Hello, no Surface Connect port, and the use of a 60 Hz LCD instead of a higher refresh rate screen.
Snapdragon-powered with limited storage options
Leaked promotional material indicates that Microsoft has equipped the Surface Laptop 13″ with the Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42-100) chipset—a slight downgrade from the X1P-64-100 variant found in the base Surface Laptop 7, currently priced at $940 on Amazon. The device is also said to ship with 16 GB of RAM and offer 256 GB or 512 GB of UFS flash storage, signaling a likely lack of upgradeable internal storage.
In terms of connectivity, the device will include two USB 3.2 Type-C ports and a built-in fingerprint reader, offering basic biometric security without facial recognition. The absence of the Surface Connect port may indicate a shift towards full USB-C charging and docking.
Surface Pro 12 also expected
The Surface Laptop 13″ isn’t the only device set to make an appearance. While the full details have been reported separately, leaks also suggest that Microsoft is preparing a refreshed Surface Pro 12, hinting at a broader push to update its Surface lineup with ARM-powered chips.
Price still under wraps
While official pricing has yet to leak, the lower-spec hardware suggests that the Surface Laptop 13″ will come in below the Surface Laptop 7, targeting budget-conscious buyers who still want a modern design and Qualcomm’s AI-ready chipsets.
Microsoft is expected to officially unveil the new Surface devices during its May 6 event, where full specifications, pricing, and availability will likely be confirmed.
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