Surface Laptop 7 Full Review! Windows is Back!

Hey guys, how's it going? Today, I’ll be reviewing the brand-new Microsoft Surface Laptop, 7th Edition, for 2024. This laptop is equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite chip, which marks a significant shift as Windows seems to be making a move towards ARM architecture. The future of x86 architecture is uncertain, with speculation about whether it might be completely replaced by ARM. We’ll have more clarity once Intel releases their Lunar Lake processors and AMD releases their Ryzen 9 370HX chips, which are expected to launch in a week or two—I’ve already pre-ordered a few and can’t wait to test them out. This change represents a huge shift for Windows laptops, similar to what Mac users have experienced for some time now. I’ve always been a dedicated Windows user, despite trying to switch to Macs. While I prefer Windows, I can’t deny that the efficiency and performance Macs offer in terms of battery life are areas where Windows laptops have struggled—unless they’re plugged in. So, we’ll see where Windows is heading, but at least, for now, we have an outstanding laptop. This might be the best non-gaming laptop I’ve ever used, though it does have a couple of small quirks, which I’ll get into shortly.

Starting with the build and design, the first thing that struck me was how not all aluminum is created equal. Many laptops boast an aluminum build, but few feel as premium as this one. There’s absolutely no flex in the chassis—the quality of the aluminum here feels a notch above any other Windows laptop I’ve used. I love how it tapers towards the back, making it more ergonomic to hold and easier to slip into a backpack. Microsoft has added several small design touches that make a difference. One thing I particularly like is the lack of ventilation at the back, meaning you can use this laptop on surfaces like a carpet or bed without worrying about blocking airflow. The minimal ventilation is located at the back, which is very discreet. However, the cooling system and thicker metal build make this laptop a bit heavier than others in its size and weight class. But if you’re okay with that, you’re looking at one of the best-built Windows laptops ever. Its understated aesthetics give it a professional look, and when you open it up, you’ll notice there are no visible speaker grills—the speakers are actually integrated into the keyboard, which is quite unique. The speakers themselves sound decent—not the best, but certainly not the worst. Let’s compare the sound with the Surface Pro 11.

[Music Test Comparison]

Interestingly, the Surface Pro 11 sounds better, which is a bit ironic since it’s more of a tablet than a fully-fledged laptop. However, the Surface Laptop's speakers are good enough for watching movies, TV shows, and casual music listening. On the audio front, the Snapdragon Elite supports aptX Adaptive, so if you have compatible headphones, you’re in for a treat—this is something no other Windows laptop offers due to the lower-quality codecs found in others.

Now, let’s talk about the ports. I appreciate that there’s still a USB Type-A port—I’m not ready to let go of that just yet—and a headphone jack, though the quality of the headphone jack is disappointing. The amp isn’t great, so I have to crank up the volume, and the overall quality isn’t up to par, especially for high-quality headphones. At this price point, we deserve better, especially if this laptop is competing with MacBooks. There are also two USB Type-C ports that support USB 4 and DisplayPort, but Snapdragon doesn’t fully support my 57-inch 4K monitor or 4K at 240Hz on my Samsung G9. While it’s nice to have these ports, there’s still room for improvement. On the other side, you’ll find the Surface Connector—this might be controversial as some users would prefer another USB Type-C or Thunderbolt port, but unfortunately, we’re unlikely to see Thunderbolt on Qualcomm chips since that technology is owned by Intel and Apple. They probably don’t want to share it with competitors, and I can’t blame them.

Opening up the lid reveals one of my favorite aspects of the Surface Laptop series—the incredibly fast Windows Hello. It’s faster and better than any other I’ve used, probably due to the combination of IR sensors and high-quality cameras. Since Snapdragon has a lot of experience processing video and photos on Android phones, the webcam quality on this laptop is the best I’ve seen. The processing is top-notch, allowing for cool background effects and filters. I don’t usually talk about webcams, but it’s worth mentioning here, as it ties into how well Windows Hello works.

Moving on to the keyboard—it’s a pleasure to type on. The keys have a nice amount of travel, they’re quiet, and they don’t wobble. The keyboard deck can get slightly warm during intensive tasks, but it’s not gaming laptop hot—just something to note. Now, let’s talk about the trackpad. It’s smooth, precise, and works well with software like Lightroom. However, it’s just too small. There’s plenty of space on the deck for a larger trackpad, and it’s frustrating that they didn’t use it. The haptic feedback also isn’t as convincing as it is on some other devices—it feels more like a vibration than a click. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it’s something they could improve in future versions.

The display is another area where this laptop shines. It’s a traditional IPS panel with great color accuracy and contrast, although it’s not OLED. I initially thought I didn’t need an OLED display until I used the Surface Pro and Samsung Galaxy Book with OLED screens. The difference in HDR content is noticeable—OLED or mini-LED displays simply have more pop. However, for everyday tasks and color-critical work, this IPS display is incredibly accurate. The 3:2 aspect ratio is perfect for most tasks, providing a great balance between screen real estate and portability. The lack of PWM flicker also makes it easy on the eyes for extended use.

Battery life is another strong point. This is the best battery I’ve seen on a Microsoft Co-Pilot Plus PC, likely due to the non-OLED display, which consumes less power. I can get 8 to 10 hours of heavy use at 75% brightness with Dynamic Refresh Rate enabled, sometimes even more. The laptop remains zippy on battery power, which isn’t always the case with x86 laptops—they tend to slow down significantly. The Snapdragon Elite processor handles tasks in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop with ease, making this laptop a great companion for non-gaming tasks.

In conclusion, this is the perfect companion laptop—it won’t replace your video editing rig or gaming device, but it’s ideal for those times when you need a real computer. It’s compact, lightweight, and powerful, with excellent battery life and build quality. If you’re a student, this would have been a dream device for me during my college years. As the Snapdragon Elite matures with future updates, I expect this laptop to get even better. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments, and I’ll see you in the next one.