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The Ultimate Laptop of 2024: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
What is the top laptop for this year? After evaluating over 59 different models throughout my career as a technology reviewer, I have encountered everything from subpar devices to remarkable machines that justify their price tags.
I take pride in my thorough examination process when it comes to laptops. My testing regimen is rigorous and comprehensive.
I assess battery longevity (if it doesn’t endure at least 15 hours, it’s off my list); I challenge the device with numerous memory-intensive Google Chrome tabs to evaluate its performance; I examine the sturdiness of its build; I test audio quality to ensure it’s not too faint; and I even take it outdoors to check for screen brightness issues.
Additionally, I utilize industry-standard benchmarks such as Geekbench and PCMark to provide hard data on how these laptops stack up against similarly priced alternatives.
My Evaluation Criteria
In every review, one pivotal question guides me: “Would I invest my own money in this product?” If the answer is negative, then there’s no way I’d recommend it—unless it’s an excellent choice for a specific audience or use case.
The Standout Choice for This Year
Among all the laptops I’ve assessed so far this year, there’s one model that stands out above the rest—the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
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$1599.00
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It boasts the longest battery life we’ve ever recorded.
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> Learn More About This Model
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Review: Is 23 Hours of Battery Life a Game Changer for MacBooks?
Why the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 is the Top Choice for 2024: Three Key Reasons
To grasp why the Surface Laptop 7 stands out as the premier laptop of 2024, it’s essential to consider its evolution. The Surface lineup hasn’t always been held in high regard—until now.
A few years back, I was quite critical of the Surface Laptop 5 in my review for another outlet. (For clarity, the Surface Laptop 5 is essentially what led to the development of the Surface Laptop 7. There exists a model called Surface Laptop 6, but it’s exclusively for business use and not available in retail.) My hope was that Microsoft’s laptops would excel; however, they consistently fell short against more affordable and superior alternatives.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
The issue wasn’t that Microsoft’s laptops were fundamentally flawed; rather, they were consistently outclassed by less expensive options with better performance metrics. Thus, I found it difficult to recommend them wholeheartedly.
If someone had told me that by 2024 I would be endorsing a Microsoft laptop, I would have thought they were joking! Yet here I am as an expert in laptops genuinely recommending this device to my audience. And you know what? I’ve got solid evidence supporting my claim that it’s indeed this year’s best laptop. Here are three compelling reasons why.
1. Unmatched Battery Life
I put the battery life of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 through rigorous testing and recorded an impressive22 hours and 50 minutes.
Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable
This nearly reaches an astounding full day! Such longevity is virtually unheard of among Windows laptops today.
This representsthe longest battery life we’ve documented at Mashable thus far. For comparison’s sake, here are some other notable runtimes from our recent tests:
- M3 MacBook Air (15-inch):10 hours and52 minutes
- HP OmniBook X:16 hours and47 minutes
- < strong >Lenovo Yoga9(2-in -1):< strong >:< strong >7hoursand21minutes< / strong >
< / ul >The secret behind this remarkable battery performance lies within its new Qualcomm processor—Intel simply isn’t meeting today’s demands anymore!
You might wonder which chip powered Lenovo’s Yoga9( which only managed a paltryseven hours?) Spoiler alert: It was indeed an Intel chip!
< strong >2.MicrosoftSurfaceLaptopperformanceoutshinesitscompetitorsincludingtheMacBook
I won’t delve too deeply into chipset specifics since it can get tedious; however , understanding these components helps clarify why Microsoft’s latest offering has finally garnered positive feedback after several challenging years .
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Credit : JoeMaldonado/Mashable
< p > In summary , Intel , oneof th e most prominent chipset manufacturersforWindows devices , has hindered Microsoft’s progress towards achieving excellencein theirSurface series . Even Apple madea strategic shift awayfromIntel processorsseveralyearsago.
“““htmlApple’s ARM Revolution and the Rise of Qualcomm
In 2020, Apple made a significant leap by launching its proprietary ARM-based processors, known as M-series chips. The introduction of the M1 chip in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro marked a turning point for Apple, leading to remarkable success characterized by exceptional battery life and performance. Fast forward to today, Apple’s latest MacBooks are equipped with M3 series chips, with rumors swirling about an upcoming M4 release.
Meanwhile, other manufacturers are beginning to follow suit. Qualcomm has emerged as a formidable competitor to Intel with its new Snapdragon X Elite processor. This chipset is reportedly so powerful that it outperforms all current M3-based MacBooks. Initially skeptical of these claims, I was convinced after testing the new Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 featuring this processor—it truly surpassed expectations.
When set to “Best performance mode,” the Surface Laptop 7 achieved an impressive multi-core score of 14,548 on Geekbench 6. For comparison’s sake, here are some multi-core scores from other laptops I’ve evaluated this year:
- 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro – 11,998
- 15-inch M3 MacBook Air – 12,057
This comparison highlights Qualcomm’s achievement; it’s not merely coincidental that their Snapdragon X Elite chip is performing at such high levels. Additionally, another device I reviewed this year—the HP OmniBook X—also features the Snapdragon X Elite and scored just slightly lower at 13,888.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7: Reviving Windows Fun with AI Integration
Nostalgia for earlier versions of Windows often brings back memories of playful experiences like using Paint or enjoying games like Microsoft 3D Pinball during childhood (as a Millennial adult now). Fortunately for users today, Microsoft has infused new life into Windows through innovative AI features.
Using Cocreator in Paint allows users to create stunning artwork based on their sketches.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe introduction of tools like Copilot—a competitor to ChatGPT—and enhancements that draw users back into applications like Paint have rekindled excitement around Windows systems.
The Photos app now includes an AI-powered Image Creator feature that generates images based on user prompts.
Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / MashableThe advanced AI functionalities found in the Surface Laptop 7 stem from its Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which acts as an accelerator within the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chipset.
A Minor Drawback Noted During Testing
No laptop is without flaws; one issue I encountered while reviewing the Surface Laptop 7 was app compatibility challenges. Specifically, when attempting to install Apple Music—a task typically seamless on other Windows devices—I discovered some developers had yet to optimize their applications for support with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite architecture.
This laptop isn’t designed for gaming enthusiasts due to its lack of a dedicated GPU capable of handling demanding titles; however, it can manage light gaming experiences reasonably well. Be aware though that certain games may not function optimally according to various compatibility lists available online.
Overall though—considering its outstanding battery longevity combined with engaging AI capabilities and robust performance—the Surface Laptop 7 stands out as one of the top contenders in laptops for 2024!
The Price Tag for Microsoft’s Latest Offering?
The model I tested comes highly recommended at a price point starting around $1,599 available through Amazon listings.
Lucky buyers might find occasional discounts; currently—as noted—there’s a promotion offering $200 off this impressive device!
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Image Credit: Joe Maldonado / MashableMicrosoft Surface Laptop 7
$1,599.00
at AmazonSource
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