Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 this week, but a mixed naming scheme and lack of event or flow, the new computers did not get the attention they deserved.
Those paying attention and seeing the announcements may experience sticker shock, as the new Surface devices cost at least $500 more than their predecessors. Includes Microsoft free keyboard to ease the pain, but still.
This week marked the third time this year that Microsoft announced new Surface PCs, and I feel cheated. Surface week doesn’t even feel like it.
Biggest News of the Week
Image credit: Microsoft
The real difference between consumer and business Surface PCs
Think the only difference between consumer and business Surface PCs is the chip? The real differences come to the characteristics of the enterprise.
Image credit: Future
The Xbox Series X, PS5 and Switch 2 are cheaper than MSI’s new handheld
MSI is new Claw 8 EX AI+ it’s the best-performing beauty we’ve ever seen on a gaming handheld, but at $1,799, gamers can get more value elsewhere. For example, three modern consoles.
Microsoft has announced something big six Terrestrial devices this year. But the information was spread in a number of press releases. There is no action on stage. No live streaming. No buzzing.
I understand that Microsoft skipped the Surface event with so little time left to announce. In the previous few years, there was little to talk about. But in the first half of 2026, Microsoft introduced:
These computers are not only specific defects. These include two new form-factor PCs for the Surface family (a true clamshell workstation and a mini PC) and Intel, NVIDIA and the latest components Qualcomm.
Surface Laptop 8 for Business has an innovative privacy screen that will make non-business users jealous. The new consumer Surface hardware runs on the Snapdragon X2 Elite. The Surface Laptop Ultra runs NVIDIA RTX Spark superchip and Arm on Windows.
Microsoft had partners, internals, form factors and unique features to fill the keynote. Instead, inboxes were flooded with technical spreadsheets and emails of background information.
Shopping with Sean
The new Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are nice machines, but I think it’s hard to justify their price. Instead, I suggest Dell XPS 13 with Snapdragon X Elite and 32 GB of RAM.
If you buy a Surface Pro, the discounted Surface Pro Flex Keyboard is worth it. It can be used wirelessly or when physically connected and is equipped with a large touch panel.
Join us Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your thoughts and discuss our latest news, reviews and more.
