There is no shortage of Windows 10 laptops, and many high-end choices, designs led there too, but Microsoft 4 surface laptops are still prominent. For the fourth generation there is clearly evolution where it is needed, rather than a revolution for its own interests, and while the results are not a full-clean sweep, still make an interesting alternative for what Apple does with the M1-powered Macbooks.
There are two size laptop surface 4, 13.5 inches that you see here and the 15-inch version, each with a different finish. You also get a choice of AMD Ryzen 4000 or Intel Core Gen Processor 11. At the lowest you see $ 999.99 with Ryzen 5 4680U, 8GB, and 256GB storage. The Core i7 model with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage is $ 1,699.99.
Display 2256 x 1504 pixelsense remains a fun aspect ratio of 3: 2, and has the support of surface pen – even though you have to buy that separately – along with multi-touch 10 points. This is a great IPS panel, with very good color and contrast. However, I hope it will be brighter, but: outside, and with a very glossy end result, this is a nightmare for reflection.
You will hate the chunky bezel around it, or – like me – note them at first and then immediately ignore it forever. Above there is a fine webcam 720p, nothing special, with the support of the fast Windows Face recognition of Halo to see you.
I remain a fan of Microsoft’s laptop aesthetics, who managed to see premium without falling into the “Macbook-Derivative” trap so that many Windows notebooks seem to struggle to be avoided. Instead of surface laptops 2.79 pound 4 choose the metal brushed and palm silk machines and around the silky alcantara keyboard.
Does it tend to be an oil magnet for years? Maybe, but then the metal palm-rests finally can change color and scratch too – especially if you are wearing a watch with a metal buckle – so I don’t think it’s a breakwater. If you are mainly worried (or especially oily) the Matte Black version and Sandstone Swap Alcantara for more metals.
There are pretty different typing nuances with the 4 surface laptop keyboard too. Not enough to click – or as hard, in this case – as the MacBook Pro keyboard recently, but it must be comfortable to settle old. There is a slight flexible on everything that makes the trip feel longer than that. I remain a fan of Microsoft’s great trackpad too.
So, Microsoft gets credit because it doesn’t change what doesn’t need to be changed, but then loses points on the port. As with the last-gene laptop, surface laptop 4 is not enough powerhouse connectivity that I expected.
On the one hand there is a microsoft magnetic surface connected, for power. On the other hand, you get a USB 3.1 type-C, type USB 3.1-A, and 3.5mm combo audio jack. 15 inch surface laptop 4 buyers get an SD card slot too, but the smaller version doesn’t.
Whether the port selection is quite dependent on several factors. If you are from MacOS Camp, then the fact that you are left behind with a faster speed than Thunderbolt 4 might be annoying. However, the ability to plug in a USB-peripheral type without a good adapter. For an external display you will use USB-C DisplayPort support or cough for Microsoft Dock if you want a 4k 6K 6K 6K screen.
The reluctance to add Thunderbolt 4 seems to have been done by maintaining the port parity between the Intel and AMD versions in mind. However, considering the surface book model supported by Intel 4 is a higher configuration of specifications, I don’t think it’s outside the line to expect a better port there too.