2024 Surface Laptop 7th Gen: Features, and Hands-On Review
In a world where technology is continuously evolving, Microsoft has once again stepped up its game with the release of the 2024 Surface Laptop 7th Gen. This highly anticipated device promises to deliver cutting-edge performance, exceptional build quality, and innovative features that cater to both productivity and entertainment. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into the unboxing experience, setup process, and our first impressions of this new addition to the Surface family. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a professional seeking a reliable laptop, this review will provide you with all the insights you need.

Unboxing the Surface Laptop 7th Gen
Packaging and Contents
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen comes in a sleek, minimalist box that highlights the device’s premium nature. Here’s a detailed look at what’s inside:
- Surface Laptop 7th Gen (13.8-inch Edition)
- AC Adapter with Surface Connector (39-watt adapter)
- AC to Wall Adapter
- Quick Start Guide and Warranty Card
The unboxing experience is straightforward, with everything neatly arranged. The pull tab on the box makes it easy to access the laptop and its accessories, ensuring a hassle-free setup from the get-go.

Initial Impressions
Upon lifting the laptop out of the box, the first thing that strikes you is its stunning anodized aluminum finish. Our review unit is in the new Sapphire color, which looks absolutely gorgeous. Other color options include Dune, Platinum, and Black. The laptop feels solid and well-built, weighing in at just 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg), making it both portable and robust.
Design and Build Quality
Physical Attributes
- Material: 100% recycled aluminum
- Thickness: Slim wedge shape
- Weight: 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg)
- Keyboard: Full-size, backlit, no Alcantara
- Trackpad: Large and responsive
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen maintains the iconic wedge shape that Surface devices are known for, providing a sleek and modern aesthetic. The absence of Alcantara might disappoint some, but the clean anodized aluminum surface offers a premium feel.
Ports and Connectivity
- 3.5mm Headphone Jack
- USB-A Port
- 2 x USB-C Ports (USB 4, Thunderbolt support)
- Surface Connect Port
Notably absent is an SD card slot, which might be a drawback for photographers and videographers. However, the inclusion of two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support is a significant upgrade, enabling fast data transfer and the ability to connect up to three 4K displays simultaneously.





Display: A Visual Delight
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen features a 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow display with a resolution of 2340 x 1536, translating to 201 pixels per inch. This display also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ, and Gorilla Glass 5, ensuring vibrant visuals and durability.
Display Specifications
- Size: 13.8 inches
- Resolution: 2340 x 1536
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Type: PixelSense Flow
- Aspect Ratio: 3:2
- Protection: Gorilla Glass 5
The display offers excellent color accuracy and sharpness, making it ideal for creative professionals and multimedia consumption. The 3:2 aspect ratio provides more vertical screen real estate, which is particularly beneficial for productivity tasks.

Performance: Snapdragon X Elite Powerhouse
At the heart of the Surface Laptop 7th Gen is the Snapdragon X Elite processor, featuring a 12-core CPU and 16GB of RAM. This combination promises exceptional performance and energy efficiency.
Key Specifications
- Processor: Snapdragon X Elite (12-core CPU)
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD (replaceable)
- Battery: 54Wh (up to 20 hours of video playback, 13 hours of active web usage)
Benchmark Results
- Geekbench 6 Single-Core: 2,222
- Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: 13,553
These benchmarks reveal that the Surface Laptop 7th Gen holds its own against formidable competitors like the MacBook Air M3. The multi-core performance, in particular, is impressive, showcasing the efficiency and power of the Snapdragon X Elite chip.
Real-World Performance
During our initial testing, the Surface Laptop 7th Gen handled everyday tasks with ease. Web browsing, document editing, and media playback were smooth and responsive. The laptop boots up instantly when you open the lid, thanks to the always-on nature of the Snapdragon processor.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting Power
One of the standout features of the Surface Laptop 7th Gen is its impressive battery life. Microsoft claims up to 20 hours of video playback, and our real-world tests indicated around 13 hours of active web usage.
Battery Performance
- Video Playback: Up to 20 hours
- Active Web Usage: Up to 13 hours
This extended battery life makes the Surface Laptop 7th Gen an excellent choice for professionals on the go, ensuring you can work throughout the day without needing to recharge.
AI Capabilities: CoPilot+ Integration
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen is among the first to feature Microsoft’s CoPilot+ AI capabilities. This integration brings a host of AI-driven enhancements to the user experience, including:
- CoPilot+ Key: Dedicated button for quick AI access
- AI-Powered Photo and Video Editing: Local AI processing for efficient media tasks
- Windows Studio Effects: Enhanced camera and audio effects for video calls
- Real-Time Translations and Captions: Supports 40 languages
- Recall Feature: Quickly find things you’ve seen on your PC (coming soon)
These AI features are designed to boost productivity and creativity, making the Surface Laptop 7th Gen a powerful tool for both work and play.
Connectivity: Latest Standards
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen supports the latest connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. This ensures fast and reliable wireless connections, making it easier to stay connected and productive.
Connectivity Options
- Wi-Fi 7: Faster and more reliable internet connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.4: Improved wireless peripheral support
Audio and Camera
Audio Quality
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen is equipped with omnisonic speakers that support Dolby Atmos. While the speakers provide clear audio, they do lack some bass depth. For the best audio experience, especially in noisy environments, consider using headphones.
Camera Specifications
- Resolution: Full HD (1080p) front-facing camera
- Features: Automatic framing, eye contact, standard blur, portrait blur
- Microphones: Dual Studio Mics with voice focus
The upgraded camera and microphone setup make the Surface Laptop 7th Gen perfect for video conferencing, ensuring clear video and audio quality.
Keyboard and Trackpad
The keyboard on the Surface Laptop 7th Gen offers a comfortable typing experience, with good key travel and feedback. The backlit keyboard ensures you can type efficiently even in low-light conditions. The large trackpad is smooth and responsive, supporting multi-touch gestures seamlessly.
Typing Experience
- Key Travel: Good
- Feedback: Responsive
- Backlighting: Adjustable levels for low-light usage
Trackpad
- Size: Large
- Responsiveness: Smooth and precise
- Gestures: Supports multi-touch gestures
Software and Usability
Setup Process
Setting up the Surface Laptop 7th Gen is a breeze. The setup wizard guides you through the process, from connecting to Wi-Fi to signing in with your Microsoft account. The CoPilot+ key offers a new way to interact with the device, providing instant access to AI-driven features.
Software Optimization
Running on Windows 11, the Surface Laptop 7th Gen benefits from the latest updates and features. The Snapdragon X Elite processor ensures smooth performance across a variety of applications. However, as with any ARM-based device, some software might require optimization for peak performance.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning Design: Sleek anodized aluminum finish in multiple colors
- Excellent Display: 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful Performance: Snapdragon X Elite processor with 16GB of RAM
- Impressive Battery Life: Up to 20 hours of video playback
- Innovative AI Features: CoPilot+ integration
- Latest Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
Cons
- No SD Card Slot: Limited for photographers and videographers
- Limited Software Optimization: Some applications might not be fully optimized for ARM architecture
- Audio Quality: Speakers lack bass depth
Conclusion: A Leap Forward
The 2024 Surface Laptop 7th Gen represents a significant step forward in laptop technology. With its powerful Snapdragon X Elite processor, stunning display, and innovative AI features, it is designed to cater to a wide range of users, from professionals to creatives. While it has a few limitations, such as the absence of an SD card slot and some software optimization issues, the overall package is compelling.
Final Verdict
The Surface Laptop 7th Gen is a versatile and powerful device that showcases Microsoft’s commitment to innovation. Whether you need a reliable workhorse for productivity tasks or a stylish laptop for multimedia consumption, the Surface Laptop 7th Gen is worth considering. If you’re looking for a laptop that combines cutting-edge performance, exceptional design, and forward-thinking features, the Surface Laptop 7th Gen should be at the top of your list.