Microsoft Surface Laptop 13 - Good for everyday use, but currently too expensive compared with the Surface Laptop 13.8
In our recent review, we took a closer look at the new 2026 Microsoft Surface Laptop 13. Thanks to Qualcomm's efficient Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, the device delivers a good combination of performance and battery life. The IPS touchscreen is also even brighter now, at more than 500 nits, although its refresh rate remains at 60 Hz.
Overall, this compact laptop is a good device for everyday use. The real problem, however, is the competition from Microsoft's own lineup: the slightly larger Surface Laptop 13.8 has been on the market for several months and is superior to the Surface Laptop 13 in almost every respect.
Its base configuration offers a faster Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, more modern ports, a haptic touchpad and, most importantly, an even brighter IPS touchscreen that covers the wider P3 color gamut. It also offers a higher refresh rate of 120 Hz, making motion noticeably smoother and the screen simply better overall.
The base model with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD is already available from some retailers for less than €1,300, while the current Surface Laptop 13 with the same memory and storage configuration still costs more than €1,400. We expect discounts to arrive relatively soon for this model too, but right now it simply makes no sense to buy the inferior Surface Laptop 13 at a higher price.
Further information on both devices is available in our detailed reviews:
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