Microsoft launching cheaper version of new Surface Laptop later this year

Microsoft released three new Surface PCs today. All based around Intel's Panther Lake platform, the Surface Laptop 8 is the most powerful of the three thanks to its optional Core Ultra X7 368H processor and its Arc B390 graphics. Next up is the Surface Pro 12, which Microsoft offers with up to the Core Ultra 7 366H.

Additionally, Microsoft has updated the smaller Surface Laptop 13-inch with the Core Ultra 5 325. For the time being, the new Surface Laptop 13-inch starts at $1,499 with 16 GB of RAM. Considerably more expensive than its predecessor, the new Surface Laptop also distinguishes itself from its Snapdragon-based sibling with a 25% brighter display and up to 24 GB of RAM.

In a blog post, Microsoft clarifies that a cheaper Surface Laptop is coming too. However, this will not be a dedicated device like the Surface Laptop SE before it. Instead, Microsoft will be updating the Surface Laptop 13-inch with a cheaper variant.

Specifically, the company plans to start selling a configuration with a mere 8 GB of RAM. While this follows in the footsteps of the MacBook Neo, its pricing does not. Inexplicably, Microsoft will sell this 8 GB model for $1,299, making it over 100% more expensive than the MacBook Neo (curr. $589 on Amazon). Microsoft will begin selling the Surface Laptop 13-inch 'later this year' with 8 GB of RAM. Please see our launch article for more details.