Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop 3 at the company’s hardware event today, and the biggest news on this front is the addition of an AMD-powered version and of a 15-inch model.
Basically, with the third-generation Surface Laptop, Microsoft steps away from exclusively using Intel chips on Surface models, paving the way for possibly using AMD process on more future-generation Surface devices.
The 15-inch Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 running on an AMD chipset is powered by what is called AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition and is based, as its name suggests, on the Ryzen 7.
Unsurprisingly, Microsoft says that it worked together with AMD to make it a super-powerful chip, so it’s the best processor for a laptop of this size that AMD ever produced. Surface Laptop 3 configurations coming with this chipset are also equipped with AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics.
Going on sale this month
The 13-inch Surface Laptop 3 comes with 10th Generation Ice Lake processors, and it can be ordered in new colors, including Sandstone and Alcantara.
Microsoft has also added more refinements here and there, including an improved keyboard, as well as USB-C and Fast charging. The company explains the following:
“Surface Laptop 3 offers a more comfortable typing experience with a full 1.33mm key travel, now with a 20% larger glass trackpad, both USB-A and USB-C and Fast Charging, taking your Surface device to an 80% charge in about an hour. Improved front-facing cameras, OmniSonic speakers and dual far-field Studio Mics deliver crystal clear sound and audio whether you’re on a conference call, listening to music or watching a movie.”
The new Surface Laptop 3 will begin shipping on October 22, but customers can pre-order both models today from the Microsoft Store. The 13-inch version starts at $999, while the larger sibling with a 15-inch display is available from $1,199.