By A Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and a later model with 5G capabilities are usually included in every new generation of Surface devices. With Microsoft’s announcement of the Surface Laptop 5G on Tuesday, that shoe has finally dropped.
In this case, Microsoft has two options: either upgrade the business model of the Surface Laptop with an Intel Core Ultra Series 2 (Lunar Lake) chip, or upgrade the consumer model with 5G and its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite. The latter was selected by Microsoft and will be accessible on August 26.
Given that Qualcomm produces both PC chipsets and 5G radios, it is somewhat surprising that Microsoft selected Intel over Qualcomm. Based on its modem and co-developed with Mediatek, Intel markets what it calls the Intel 5G Solution 5000. However, as part of its Evo program, Intel has generally collaborated closely with laptop manufacturers, co-creating systems that integrate its silicon with its clients’ technical skills.
Microsoft claimed to have updated the laptop’s antenna design in addition to the lamination that was put on it. For improved connectivity, it raised the laptop’s antennas, and it field-tested the design with more than 100 mobile operators in more than 50 countries. According to Microsoft, the device is made to seamlessly transition between Wi-Fi and 5G.
Based on a tiny image of the Surface Laptop 5G that Microsoft released, it looks like the top of the keyboard tray may be colored differently from the rest of the chassis. Customers can choose to connect to the Surface Laptop 5G using an eSIM or a nanoSIM.
Technically speaking, the Surface Laptop 5G won’t be a stand-alone product; according to Microsoft, 5G will only be accessible on “different SKUs [models] of the Surface Laptop for Business,” particularly the 13.8-inch model.
Nevertheless, that offers clients some choices: Along with a 13-inch Surface Pro and a smaller 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro, there are Surface Laptops with 13.8-inch and 15-inch screens. The bigger Surface Laptop and Pro models with Core Ultra CPUs are available for purchase by business clients. The 12-inch Surface Pro for Business model from Microsoft uses the same Snapdragon X Plus as the consumer model.
