Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 8 launched this summer, a new sport Snapdragon X2 chips. The flagship laptops promise a premium experience, better battery life than the previous generation and improved graphics performance.
Given that the Surface Laptop 8 has an all-new chip inside, performance is expected to increase, so a distinct improvement is more notable. Surface Laptop 8 is one of the only devices to support Windows 11’s new advanced haptic feature. This only laptop to support the function.
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Advanced haptics send gentle strokes through your touchpad, mouse, or stylus to give you a feel for Windows 11. For example, rearranging the windows on your screen with Snap Layouts makes it clear when you’ve switched over a different layout.
Our Editor-in-Chief Zac Bowden said:Windows 11’s new ‘Haptic Signals’ feature is a quality-of-life upgrade (he) didn’t realize the OS needed until he tried it.” Now that the Surface Laptop 8 is available for purchase, you can experience the same.
Why should I care about advanced haptics?
As a quick point of clarification, the Surface Laptop 8 with Snapdragon X2 is something that’s only recently available. Microsoft introduced the Surface Laptop 8 for Business earlier this year. The business model runs on an Intel processor and it comes with features you don’t need as a general user.
Both the consumer and business versions of the Surface Laptop 8 support advanced haptics, but I recommend the consumer model for most people.
Advanced haptics are one of the little touches that make Windows 11 feel polished. I appreciate the UI changes and other Windows 11 improvementsbut I’m more interested in features like advanced haptics because it changes the hands-on experience with a PC – literally.
“The new advanced haptic touchpad is a pleasure to use. It provides subtle touch signals that confirm your actions,” said our editor-in-chief Daniel Rubino in our magazine. Surface Laptop 8 review.
Our friends Tom’s Guide I was similarly impressed when I reviewed the Surface Laptop 8:
“I also like the touchpad, which gives satisfying tactile feedback when pressed. With some apps, you’ll even feel the touch when hovering over the X button in the window, which is quite fun and intuitive.”
Currently, Windows 11 is the primary way to experience advanced haptics. But there is an API for the feature, so third-party developers can use it. Filmora, Affinity, and other third-party apps either already support this feature or will soon.
The only other way to use Windows 11’s advanced haptic feature is a Logitech MX Master 4 or a supported stylus like the Surface Slim Pen 2. More devices should support this feature over time, but the Surface Laptop 8 tops it all.
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