Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days are almost over, but arguably the best laptop deal of the month is still here. A $200 discount on the XPS 13 drops the XPS 13 to $799.99. There's even a version of the XPS 13 discounted to $599.99 if you only need 8GB of RAM.
Of course, it isn't actually a Prime Big Deal Day deal. The discount is through Best Buy, making it a "Techtober" deal. But do you really care why you're saving $200 on what our expert calls "the perfect starter PC"?
"Dell's new XPS 13 is the new best deal in laptops, surpassing the MacBook Neo with a better display, ports, build quality, and performance for the same price." — Zac Bowden, Senior Editor, Windows CentralView Deal
This version of the XPS 13 is incredibly affordable, especially when discounted. It does, however, come with just 8GB of RAM. That's fine for some users, but make sure it will meet your demands before placing an order.View Deal
Laptops this good are rarely in this price range due to the ongoing RAM crisis and other component shortages. Dell created this version of the XPS 13 to be more affordable, but premium laptops with this feature set and design now normally cost $1,000.
The XPS 13 that came out this year earned a 4.5 out of 5 from both Tom's Hardware and Tom's Guide. Our colleagues complimented the laptop's 2.5K screen, incredible battery life, and excellent speakers.
Matt Safford from Tom's Hardware called the new XPS 13 "an excellent Windows-based answer to the MacBook Neo." I agree with his take, though I question how many people genuinely debate between a Windows laptop and a MacBook.
The XPS 13 is a thin-and-light laptop with a refined design. It has several features that "discount" laptops lack (I'm looking at you, MacBook Neo). For example, the XPS 13 has backlit keys, an IR sensor for facial recognition, and support for Wi-Fi 7. Toss in a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports and a 120Hz display and it's easy to see why our Zac Bowden said he was "shocked" at the value of the laptop when he went hands-on with the XPS 13.
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A lot is happening this week in the world of Windows and Surface. Today is the fifth anniversary of Windows 11, a milestone that snuck up on me and plenty of other users. Perhaps it's because I dragged my feet while making the move permanently from Windows 10.
On October 7, Microsoft is hosting a Surface event where it's expected that NVIDIA's RTX Spark chip and the Surface Laptop Ultra lineup will be further discussed (and hopefully better explained).
This collision of Microsoft-related software and hardware news got me thinking about a quote from the original architect of Microsoft's Surface lineup, Panos Panay:
To make a great product, you can't have great software without the hardware; you can't have great hardware without the software.
Panos Panay
The quote comes from an interview with TechCentral circa 2020, well before Panay departed Microsoft in 2023 to join Amazon's Devices and Services segment. The quote does a great job capturing the original reason why Surface exists at all.
Microsoft originally wanted hardware that showcased the best of Windows software, and it believed its goal could only be achieved with in-house development. Surface became the bridge between software and hardware that Panay alludes to with his quote, and it's had a (mostly) great run.
Where is Surface headed in 2026?
What has me most confused about the upcoming Surface event is that Microsoft already revealed its new Surface Pro 12-inch (Gen 2) and Surface Laptop 13-inch (Gen 2) devices.
My colleague Sean Endicott attempted to answer this question at the time of the Surface/Qualcomm reveal last month. As he stated, "we can now cross two more items off the list of potential things we will see at the Windows and Surface event," noting that the October 7 Surface event also "falls after many improvements have shipped to Windows 11 or entered testing with Windows Insiders."
Barring the surprise reveal of more new Surface hardware — the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 with Snapdragon X2 chips launched this summer, so I'm not expecting anything new there — the October 7 Surface event is shaping up to be a tad lopsided.
Is Surface drifting without Panay's anchoring presence?
Panos Panay holding a Surface Laptop at the 2018 Surface event. Good times.
It's been six years since Panay dropped his famous Surface quote. It's been three years since he left Microsoft for Amazon. And since then, Surface really hasn't felt the same.
Rather than pushing OEMs to improve their own devices by providing a quality benchmark, Surface seems to be fairly stagnant, fragmented, and largely riding on its reputation.
For me, someone who agrees with Panay's sentiment, a successful Surface event should include software that really only makes sense on the Surface Laptop Ultra with RTX Spark. If it's just another laptop with the chip inside, well, I won't be very excited.
On that note, it'd be great to see some tuning choices that directly benefit Surface with RTX Spark. The hardware-software relationship often shows its cracks in this area, so some assurance will go a long way.
Ultimately, the upcoming Surface event should be a defining moment. Will Panay's original vision carry forward as partnerships become more complicated? Will the quote remain relevant?
Or will Surface become just another laptop brand alongside OEMs like Dell, HP, and Lenovo? Either way, you can tune in to the livestream on October 7 at 1 PM ET to check it out with the rest of us.
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Panasonic's TOUGHBOOK lineup turns 30 this year (see my earlier coverage of the new TOUGHBOOK 55), and after attending the company's product briefing in a very rainy New York City, I'm convinced the future of rugged computing isn't just about surviving drops, rain, and extreme temperatures.
It's about becoming the intelligent edge computer that sits at the center of everything.
That might sound like marketing fluff until you see the demos. One station showed a military drone feeding reconnaissance data back to a TOUGHBOOK for local analysis. Another demonstrated how police fleets can connect vehicle diagnostics directly into a TOUGHBOOK-based management system, allowing departments to track everything from VINs and odometer readings to fuel levels, fault codes, and maintenance schedules.
In other words, Panasonic's new TOUGHBOOK 34 and TOUGHBOOK G3 are increasingly becoming mission-critical data hubs for the people who protect, rescue, repair, and support the rest of us.
And yes, they're still absurdly rugged.
Thirty years later, the mission remains the same
Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 34 laptop on a table playing video footage of drone operators. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
One theme came up repeatedly throughout Panasonic's presentation: purpose-built computing.
As Panasonic executives noted, their customers aren't buying laptops to answer email from a coffee shop. These systems are deployed in police cruisers, ambulances, utility trucks, military vehicles, warehouses, disaster zones, and industrial sites where failure is not an option.
As Panasonic put it during the briefing, "our devices are purpose-built," adding that workers are often operating in "extreme heat, extreme cold, vibration, water, dust" and environments where "lives are on the line."
A soldier in tactical gear and gloves holding the back of the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 34 tablet. (Image credit: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK)
That philosophy has helped TOUGHBOOK carve out a niche that practically nobody else occupies.
While consumer laptops compete over OLED displays and thinness, Panasonic spends its time figuring out how to keep a device communicating over private 5G networks during storm response operations.
Meet the TOUGHBOOK 34 and TOUGHBOOK G3
Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ-34 Windows 11 tablet, showing its black screen and front control buttons. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
This launch introduces two new fully rugged 2-in-1 systems.
According to Mike Smola, Senior Director of Product Management at Panasonic Connect North America:
"No two workers, no two vehicles, and no two workflows are exactly alike. Some jobs call for a larger product with more workspace and more versatility."
That's really the story here.
The smaller TOUGHBOOK G3 with keyboard attachment has the familar built in handle for easy carrying. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
The TOUGHBOOK 34 features a larger 12.4-inch display and is designed for users who spend significant time in vehicles, command centers, or managing information-dense workflows. The G3 uses a more compact 10.1-inch form factor that's easier to carry into the field.
As one Panasonic executive explained during the public safety discussion:
"Fire and EMS leverage both sizes: the larger TOUGHBOOK 34 for in-vehicle CAD and command control, and the compact G3 in the back of ambulances for patient care."
The biggest upgrade is AI
The latest TOUGHBOOKs feature Intel's 3rd-gen Core Ultra series processors with built-in NPUs for local AI processing. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
The headline feature across both devices is the move to Intel's latest Core Ultra platform.
Both systems now offer Intel Core Ultra 5 335H and Ultra X7 368H processors complete with onboard NPUs and AI acceleration capabilities. Panasonic is increasingly positioning these devices as AI-ready edge computers capable of processing information locally without relying on cloud connectivity.
Panasonic had a punch-test demo set up where you could punch a TOUGHBOOK as hard as you could, which was quite entertaining. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
That matters more than you might think.
During the federal customer panel, Panasonic highlighted a scenario that's becoming increasingly common in military and government environments.
As Panasonic's federal team explained:
"Deployed military personnel aboard ships or in tactical environments often operate without network connectivity due to operational security." AI-capable processing on TOUGHBOOK devices allows personnel to perform tactical, medical, and technical searches without depending on a remote connection."
Close-up of the upper rugged chassis of a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 34 showing an attached coiled stylus tether with a built-in pen. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
For most consumers, AI means generating images or summarizing documents. But for military users, it can mean analyzing information locally while disconnected from networks entirely.
That's a very different use case.
From military drones to local AI analysis
The Teledyne FLIR ION-series tactical reconnaissance drones are often used by military with the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK range. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
The most interesting demonstration I saw involved a tactical drone setup.
Panasonic demonstrated how rugged computing platforms can work alongside systems such as the Teledyne FLIR ION-series tactical reconnaissance drones that are commonly used by military, government, and emergency-response organizations.
While separate physical controls handle flight operations, the TOUGHBOOK effectively becomes the intelligence terminal. Drone imagery and reconnaissance data can be brought onto the device, recorded, analyzed, and processed locally using onboard computing resources.
I didn't watch the drone take flight during the event, but seeing Panasonic position the TOUGHBOOK as the AI-capable analysis point for tactical aerial systems offered a very real glimpse into how these machines are used beyond traditional laptop duties.
That use case also aligns with Panasonic's announcement that both devices support unmanned systems control and UAV ground-control applications in federal environments
TOUGHBOOKs are becoming smarter police tools, too
(Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
The police vehicle demonstration may have been even more compelling.
Rather than focusing on dispatch software alone, Panasonic showed how TOUGHBOOK systems can act as fleet intelligence platforms.
Through Panasonic's TOUGHCommand ecosystem, agencies can connect vehicle systems and pull operational data directly into the computer. Information such as vehicle identification, odometer readings, fuel levels, speed data, maintenance information, and diagnostic information can all be surfaced through a centralized dashboard.
Close-up of a Panasonic FZ-55 display running fleet intelligence software, showing map tracking data for a Ford F-250. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
The really interesting layer sits on top of that data.
Panasonic's new Command Intelligence features allow IT teams and fleet managers to query those systems using AI and natural-language questions rather than digging through massive databases manually.
That turns the TOUGHBOOK into something closer to a command-and-control platform, instead of just a rugged laptop.
For organizations managing hundreds or thousands of vehicles, that could be a substantial value-add beyond the hardware itself.
The modularity advantage nobody else offers
An electric screwdriver tightening a screw into a modular expansion panel on the back of a black Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G3 tablet. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
Having reviewed the G2 and covered Panasonic's rugged lineup for years, the thing that continues to impress me isn't the drop testing or waterproofing.
It's the modularity.
The TOUGHBOOK 34 and G3 both feature Panasonic's xPAK ecosystem, allowing users to swap hardware modules as needs change. Options include barcode scanners, additional USB ports, serial ports, smart card readers, fingerprint readers, networking hardware, and more.
Panasonic's goal is simple: one device should adapt to many jobs.
Close-up of the rear panel of a rugged Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G3, displaying opened xPAK expansion port, cooling vents, an Intel Core Ultra sticker, and serial tag. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
A warehouse worker can add scanning capabilities. A utility technician can prioritize GPS and connectivity. An automotive technician can add legacy ports for vehicle diagnostics.
Instead of replacing the entire computer when requirements evolve, customers can reconfigure it. More importantly, this can be done locally without sending out the TOUGHBOOK back to Panasonic to be reconfigured. Not only is that time-consuming, but if the PC is used by the government and it has sensitive data on the drives, it limits who can even touch that laptop.
That's a surprisingly rare concept in modern computing.
Better displays, stronger connectivity, longer life
Close-up of the lower bezel on a Panasonic TOUGHBOOK FZ-34 tablet, featuring hardware function buttons (P1-P4) and speaker. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
The hardware itself receives meaningful updates, too.
For the TOUGHBOOK 34, Panasonic increased the screen size from 12 inches to 12.4 inches while moving to a 3:2 aspect ratio that's better suited to productivity work. Executives noted that the revised resolution and scaling choices allow users to view more information with less scrolling.
(Image credit: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK)
The G3 retains its 10.1-inch format but benefits from updated display tuning, 2-to-1000-nit brightness control, and improved readability for outdoor work.
Panasonic also highlighted a new glove and rain touch experience on the TOUGHBOOK 34.
As the company explained:
"You don't want the end user to take off gloves to touch the screen." Users can switch between glove and standard touch modes using programmable controls.
I actually tried this myself, and while it's still a bit clunky to operate a touchscreen with heavy gloves on, it can be done through this technology.
A Panasonic TOUGHBOOK G3 rugged tablet docked to a keyboard base, standing open on a white desk like a laptop. (Image credit: Daniel Rubino)
Connectivity receives substantial improvements as well.
Compared to the older G2 generation, the G3 moves from 4G LTE options to modern 5G support, upgrades Wi‑Fi 6 to Wi‑Fi 7, and advances Bluetooth 5.1 to Bluetooth 5.4 while adding broader support for private cellular deployments.
For the people actually relying on these systems, those upgrades matter far more than benchmark scores.
A reminder that some PCs have jobs to do
Many outdoor professions require the ruggedness that TOUGHBOOK brings to the Windows PC space. (Image credit: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK)
The most fascinating thing about Panasonic's new TOUGHBOOKs isn't that they're rugged. We already knew that, but what's changing is their role.
Thirty years after the first TOUGHBOOK arrived, Panasonic increasingly views these systems as secure, connected, AI-capable edge computers that happen to survive conditions most laptops would never tolerate.
Whether they're helping analyze drone feeds, supporting first responders through FirstNet and private 5G networks, managing vehicle fleets, or keeping utility workers connected during outages, the TOUGHBOOK 34 and G3 demonstrate that laptops can still be specialized tools built for serious missions.
And after an afternoon spent getting hands-on with Panasonic's latest hardware, that may be the most interesting thing about them. Panasonic is building the computers that many of the people protecting, rescuing, and serving the rest of us depend on every day, and I still find that inspiring.
Henry Cavill is famous for quite a few reasons. He's played iconic characters such as Superman and Geralt from the Witcher. He wowed Tom Cruise by "reloading" his fists in a Mission Impossible film. But around these parts and among many gamers, Cavill is best known for his genuine nerdiness.
Cavill famously built a gaming PC and shared a video of it on social media, proving that you can be considered both a conventionally handsome man and a PC gamer. But the star has found a new computing passion: Googlebooks.
Android is officially partnering with Cavill by having him test a Googlebook. The actor is shown using an HP Googlebook in a promotional post on X.
A Google blog post details Cavill's plans to use a Googlebook. "After being hands on and spending some time with their team, I believe this has the potential to be the start of something rather special," said Cavill.
There's always a chance that Cavill still loves gaming on a desktop PC and that he uses a Googlebook when he's on the go or doing light work. Of course, there's also a chance Cavill doesn't use a Googlebook at all.
Cavill would not be the first Justice League star accused of endorsing a product while using a competing device. Gal Gadot infamously posted on social media how much she loves Huawei from an iPhone. Gadot denied doing so, but her post clearly indicated that it was made from an iPhone.
Marques Brownlee was the first to notice Gadot's gaffe. That post was later deleted and reposted from an Android phone. I believe Brownlee is still blocked on X by Gadot.
The tactic of hiring a person well-known for advertising or endorsing a competing device is not new. Paul Marcarelli, also known as "Verizon's 'Can you hear me now' guy, was hired to advertise for Sprint. Marcarelli has since joined Buzz Aldrin in an ad for Verizon. Justin Long, the "I'm a Mac" guy, did an ad campaign for Intel.
Comedian Dave Chapelle once joked that he's done ads for both Coca-Cola and Pepsi and that he just hypes whichever company paid him most recently.
Google alluded to Cavill's "maker" fame it its announcement:
"To kick off our partnership, we couldn’t resist the chance to tap Henry's inner maker. This November, Henry is teaming up with Google to build a video game using Googlebook."
We'll have to wait to see what type of game Cavill creates on his Googlebook. I'd love to see a tie-in to Warhammer 40,000, but I doubt that will happen.
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Amazon Prime's Big Deal Days event is just a week away, starting on October 7, 2026. However, Amazon's competition isn't waiting to host enticing counter deals for it by then, as some early competitor deals are already cropping up.
One such deal is this 44% discount for the Dell 14S laptop, which has taken its steep $1,599.99 listing price down to a more affordable $899.99 at Best Buy.
"The Dell 14S is a compelling choice for a variety of users thanks to its long-lasting battery life (and) relatively affordable price." ~ Sean Riley, Freelance Writer, Tom's Guide
The Dell 14S laptop boasts a wide variety of tech that makes it a more-than-competent productivity companion for students and desk jockeys alike.
This configuration of the Dell 14S laptop features an Intel Core Ultra 7 355 CPU with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. These enable it to run web browsers with multiple tabs open, edit photos in Photoshop, and even play 4K YouTube videos in the background, all at once without a significant drop in performance.
Additionally, it features a 14-inch 2K LED screen to display images and videos with sharp details and vibrant color gamuts, a premium-quality build to protect its vital components, a comfortable-to-use keyboard with a trackpad, and a powerful battery life that will last you over 20 hours before needing to recharge.
Finally, the Dell 14S is a Copilot+ PC (a name that's starting to disappear) with an NPU capable of 49 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This means that it can operate AI-empowered programs like Cocreator or Recall with ease, and use AI search engines to help you research information more quickly online.
So, if you're looking for a straightforward laptop that's purely focused on powering through light workflow tasks at school or work all day without a break, you can't go wrong with the Dell 14S.
Dell 14S's discounted $899.99 price tag at Best Buy is certainly cheaper right now than its more powerful yet more expensive Dell XPS 14 counterpart, which usually runs for a retail price of $2,249.99 at Dell.
Is it good for gaming?
The Dell 14S is capable of running light 2D games, but it is not designed for intensive 3D AAA video due to having a limited integrated Intel graphics, instead of a dedicated gaming GPU.
Can I replace its RAM or SSD?
You can't replace the Dell 14S's 16GB (LPDDR5X) RAM, as it's soldered in place. You can replace its 512GB SSD with a larger one (like a 1TB or 2TB SSD) via its M.2 solid-state drive slot.
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Affordable laptops often make you choose between a nice screen and a machine you’d want to carry. HP’s $699.99 OmniBook 5 14 makes a different pitch against Apple’s MacBook Neo: an OLED touchscreen wrapped in a slim, colorful aluminum body. It’s an appealing combination for someone moving between classes, work, and a movie, though the price doesn’t buy every specification HP advertises for the series.
HP treats color as part of the laptop, rather than something to add with a sticker. Starlit Blue, Peony Pink, Soft Honeydew, and Smoke Silver give the aluminum chassis some character, with a tone-on-tone keyboard to keep the look together. At 2.6 pounds and 0.46 inches thick, it could slip into a bag without looking like an anonymous office machine when it comes back out.
Open the lid and the 14-inch OLED touchscreen becomes the reason to look twice. Its 16:10 proportions leave more vertical room for a document or editing tools, while touch makes a quick tap feel natural. But the $699.99 model has a 1920×1200 resolution and a 300-nit brightness rating, not the up-to-2.5K, 620-nit display mentioned in HP’s broader launch announcement.
The 180-degree hinge is a smaller detail, but it might be the one you appreciate when sharing a draft across a cafe table. Lay the laptop flat, turn it toward a friend, and neither of you has to hunch over the keyboard. The backlit keys make a difference when that conversation stretches into the evening, although this isn’t a tablet you can fold backward.
HP also makes room for an HDMI 2.1 port, two USB-C connections, and a headphone jack. If you need to show a presentation on a meeting room display or connect a monitor at work, you might not need to hunt for an adapter. The catch is that there’s no USB-A port listed, so an older mouse or flash drive could still send you looking.
Underneath the colorful shell, this configuration has an Intel Core 5 320 processor, 8GB of onboard memory, and a 256GB SSD. Those numbers should keep expectations in check if you juggle large creative files and a dozen browser tabs. There’s a 512GB storage option, but it shouldn’t be confused with what the starting price includes.
Battery life deserves careful reading. HP touts up to 42 hours for the series, but that figure comes from local video playback, not a day of calls, spreadsheets, and multitasking. The listed 60Wh battery and a claimed 50% charge in about 30 minutes are useful details when you’re planning a day out. Neither tells you when you’ll need an outlet.
The HP OmniBook 5’s challenge to the MacBook Neo isn’t about winning every specification. It offers a different set of priorities: a touchscreen, OLED contrast, cheerful colors, and ports that could save you from carrying an adapter. The modest memory and storage are harder to overlook. Still, it’s good to see an affordable laptop make its strongest argument the moment you open it.
Premium laptops rarely cost under $1,000 these days. But a $310.99 discount on the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x drops the price of the PC to $989.99. The Yoga Slim 7x already delivered excellent value for its price, so it's even more attractive after a discount.
"The Slim 7x (Gen 11) is a laptop I can see fitting in perfectly with students, home business pros, and casual users who simply want a laptop for around $1,199 (even less when it's on sale) that feels like it should cost a lot more." — Cale Hunt, Windows CentralView Deal
(Image credit: Future)
The model that's on sale has a Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, 16GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. Those specs are more than enough for everyday computing and getting work done.
Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) has the best battery life of any laptop I've personally tested
Cale Hunt, Windows Central
The Yoga Slim 7x is a thin laptop. Its bottom half is barely thicker than a USB-C port. Even when closed, the entire laptop is 0.55 inches thick and weighs just 2.73 lbs. But despite its thin body, the laptop is rigid, resisting any reasonable bends and not creaking when pressured.
Along the top of the Yoga Slim 7x's screen sits a notch housing a 9.2MP camera that beats many webcams seen in similar laptops. As you'd expect from a premium laptop, the Yoga Slim 7x supports Windows Hello facial recognition.
Unlike some laptops in the same price range, the Yoga Slim 7x supports Human Presence Detection (HPD), which can unlock or lock your PC automatically when you leave or approach the computer.
The keyboard of the Yoga Slim 7x is well-spaced and comfortable. I share Hunt's wish for the PC to have a haptic trackpad, but the standard trackpad on the laptop is fine.
You can upgrade to a Yoga Slim 7x with higher specs if you'd like. The laptop is available with up to a Snapdragon X2 Elite. But you have to spend significantly more to get that chip (at least $1,549 from what I've found).
If you want an excellent laptop that lasts all day and is more than enough for everyday computing, the Yoga Slim 7x with a Snapdragon X2 Plus is an excellent choice.
Is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x a gaming laptop?
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x is a great laptop, but it is not a gaming PC. (Image credit: Future)
The Yoga Slim 7x is an excellent laptop that's easy to recommend, especially with the Snapdragon X2 Plus inside. But it is not a gaming laptop. Don't get me wrong, it can play some games. But I wouldn't recommend buying the Yoga Slim 7x (or any PC running a Snapdragon X processor) to a gamer.
Snapdragon X-powered PCs used to struggle with just about any game. They are now capable of running some games thanks to improvements by Microsoft and Qualcomm.
If you do get a Yoga Slim 7x, gaming can be a fun experiment to see how far Windows 11 on Arm has come, but it shouldn't be a driving force behind the purchase.
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In 2026, you can find new Surface PCs from Microsoft for sale powered by almost all major chip makers. There are Surface PCs with Intel, Snapdragon, and very soon, even NVIDIA. But one chipmaker you won't see in a Surface PC today is AMD.
This wasn't always the case however. In 2019, Microsoft released the Surface Laptop 3 with both Intel and AMD chip offerings, a first for the Surface line that lasted just two generations before being dropped entirely with the launch of Surface Laptop 5.
Microsoft has never explained why it decided to drop AMD from the lineup, until now that is. In an interview with Windows Central, I asked Surface CVP Brett Ostrum why we don't see AMD in the Surface lineup in 2026.
"We love working with AMD. We have a limited portfolio, and so we have to make our choices pretty wisely in terms of what we're doing and where we're doing," Ostrum told me, before proclaiming "I love working with AMD."
So in short, it seems Microsoft doesn't sell any Surface PCs with an AMD chip right now because the portfolio is limited in size and the company has other partners and customers they need to appease first.
The only Surface PCs that have ever been available with AMD are the Surface Laptop 3 and 4. (Image credit: Microsoft)
I'm not sure I buy this explanation as Microsoft was clearly able to offer the same device with Intel or AMD in the past. Why can't Microsoft just do that today with the Surface Laptop 8 series, for example?
Microsoft has a close working relationship with AMD in the gaming space. AMD will power the next-gen Xbox, and is what you'll find in the currently manufactured Xbox consoles too. But for whatever reason, you just don't find it in a Surface.
If that chip ever does ship, we don't know where that might fit into Microsoft's limited portfolio as we have no real idea if the Sound Wave APU is a high-end one or not.
Either way, for now, Microsoft's official on-the-record stance as to why we don't see AMD in Surface PCs is because the portfolio is limited and they don't have the room for it right now.
Hopefully that rumored Surface powered by AMD's Sound Wave chip hasn't been totally canceled.
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ASUS, Apple, Samsung, and Lenovo offer five credible Surface Pro alternatives with different strengths in performance, portability, software, and price.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 12-inch and Laptop 13-inch add Snapdragon X2 Plus chips. Compare pricing, battery life, AI features, and key checks for IT buyers.
At this year's annual Snapdragon Summit, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Microsoft Surface CVP Brett Ostrum about all things Surface and Windows. One question I was eager to ask was about MacBook Neo, and whether or not Microsoft was interested in competing in that space.
"Let me start this way: we have never shipped a gaming PC," Ostrum opened with. "The reason we've never shipped a gaming PC is because OEMs do just fine in that space. They've done fine; they meet the customer needs; there's not a benefit for Surface to go into that space ... We knew Neo was coming long before it showed up. And so part of the question is, does Surface need to play a role relative to Neo? It wasn't a surprise. We chose to let the OEMs play in that space to deliver lower-priced devices."
His response confirms that Microsoft doesn't think it's necessary to use Surface to compete with MacBook Neo, because Windows OEMs have already stepped up to deliver truly good alternatives. The Dell XPS 13 and ASUS ZenBook 14 are two prime examples of Windows PCs that cost the same as a MacBook Neo, while beating it in a number of key ways.
The Dell XPS 13 at $799 is an incredible deal. (Image credit: Zac Bowden / Windows Central)
With that said, Microsoft is aware that customers are wondering why Surface isn't competing in this space. Ostrum tells me, "I've heard the feedback from press, I've heard the feedback from retailers, I've heard the feedback from partners to say Surface should be here. We will take that into consideration; we will certainly consider some options. But I would start with the gaming point. We do not have to play in every field."
That sounds like the door is open for the company to revisit this segment in the future, but for now it's clear that Microsoft isn't interested in building a low-cost Surface PC to compete head-to-head with MacBook Neo. Right now, Surface is more interested in competing at the very high end with devices like the Surface Laptop Ultra, which I tried earlier this year.
In fact, I've heard from sources that Microsoft now identifies its lineup of Surface PCs as three distinct categories of premium: Entry Premium, Premium, and Ultra Premium. Entry Premium are the most affordable Surface PCs, all of which start at above $1,000.
Of course, Surface used to build affordable PCs in the form of the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go, both of which started at well under $600. But that was back before the component shortage forced price hikes, and under entirely different Surface leadership.
Flagship laptops often pack high-end specs and maximize the wow factor. But Dell decided to take a different approach with the XPS 13 this year. Rather than shove every premium option into a PC regardless of price, Dell built a budget-friendly laptop with premium build quality and surprisingly strong specs without breaking the bank.
The result is a truly impressive laptop that punches well above its price. The XPS 13 has a 2.5K 120Hz panel, a solid keyboard and trackpad, and a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports packed into its thin aluminum body.
Dell's current discount on the XPS 13 is modest, but it keeps the laptop at an affordable price.
"Dell's new XPS 13 is the new best deal in laptops, surpassing the MacBook Neo with a better display, ports, build quality, and performance for the same price." — Zac Bowden, Senior Editor, Windows CentralView Deal
This headset is an excellent companion to the Dell XPS 13 if you want to listen to meetings or seminars in public or have clear audio when chatting on Microsoft Teams or Zoom.View Deal
Laptop deals in 2026
The unfortunate reality in 2026 is that it's increasingly difficult to find a great deal on anything, let alone a quality PC. The ongoing RAM crisis hurts PC shoppers, but the truth is that money doesn't go as far as it used to.
That means that sometimes you need to grab a PC when it's worth it rather than holding out hope for a killer sale.
It's no longer a given that electronics will become cheaper over time. In some cases, prices have increased after launch. Apple raised the price of the MacBook Neo by $100, and Dell did the same with the XPS 13. Both those laptops were once $699 for everyday shoppers and $599 for students.
Still, the Dell XPS 13 is a bargain at its current price, and it delivers the features you'd expect from a modern laptop. That may not sound like much, but a lot of laptops in this price range are missing key features that should be commonplace in even budget-friendly computers.
Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Neo
(Image credit: Zac Bowden / Windows Central)
Compare the Dell XPS 13 and MacBook Neo and you'll see that only Dell's budget-friendly laptop has backlit keys. The XPS 13 also has an IR sensor for facial recognition, better speakers, and support for Wi-Fi 7 rather than the older Wi-Fi 6E.
The XPS 13 also has Thunderbolt 4 ports that make it the obvious choice for anyone who needs to use more than one external display. And speaking of displays, the 120Hz screen of the XPS 13 also beats out Apple's offering (60Hz).
Dell delivers more value than Apple, making the XPS 13 easy to recommend.
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I've been a Manchester United fan for as long as I can remember (going on 37 years now), coming from a family of Manchester United fans. Watching games with my grandad as a young child remains some of my fondest memories.
Sure it's been tough in recent years, but the passion never dies. Imagine my absolute delight when my club crosses over with my job. It's been happening for a couple of years already, since Snapdragon took over shirt sponsorship, and it's gone up another notch this season.
Alongside Microsoft Surface replacing Copilot+ PC (which it seems is now dead) as the rear shirt sponsor, Qualcomm and Microsoft have collaborated on the greatest laptop ever made: The Manchester United limited edition Surface Laptop.
The only downside is that it's not just going on general sale, because I would probably be first in line to buy one. Just because it's red and it has the Manchester United badge on it.
But here it is in all its glory, thanks to our man Zac Bowden, who's on the ground in Hawaii (this job is really tough at times) at the 2026 edition of the Snapdragon Summit.
GloryZac Bowden | Windows CentralGloryZac Bowden | Windows CentralMan UnitedZac Bowden | Windows CentralAnd the RedsZac Bowden | Windows CentralGo marchingZac Bowden | Windows CentralOn on on!Zac Bowden | Windows Central
I don't see an Arsenal laptop out there, do I? Manchester City? Liverpool? Chelsea? Spurs wouldn't even get a calculator these days.
If I had to criticize it at all, beyond the fact it's not going on general sale, it'd be that I don't think it goes far enough into the Manchester United branding. The badge being there is great, but I think they could have done more.
How about ghosting an image of Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams, onto the lid like the 1994-1996 home shirt? 30 years on that would have been incredible.
These are extremely limited, and Manchester United and Snapdragon are currently running a giveaway for fans to get their hands on one. You can find out how to enter here and get yourself in the pot to win something that is, frankly, priceless.
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Microsoft just refreshed the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch with Snapdragon X2 processors. The company also announced the return of the Surface Mouse. In a couple of weeks, we'll get a closer look at the Surface Laptop Ultra during Microsoft's Windows and Surface event.
The Surface family has undergone a lot of changes over the last year. Microsoft officially pulled the plug on the Surface Hub back in April. The Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go have also been cut from the portfolio. With the Surface Studio, Surface Laptop Studio, Surface Duo, Surface Book, Surface Headphones, and Surface Earbuds already discontinued, the remaining Surface lineup is rather streamlined.
But despite the relatively low number of Surface devices being made in 2026, Microsoft announced 12 Surface devices this year. To get to that number, you have to count some devices with similar chassis separately. I consider the consumer and business versions of the Surface PCs separate enough to stand on their own.
Microsoft even introduced a new type of Surface in the Surface Laptop Ultra and brought back the Surface Mouse.
It's a strange contrast. Microsoft has discontinued several Surface product lines and has one of the smallest Surface portfolios in the brand's history, yet the company has announced more Surface hardware in 2026 than in many years when the lineup was much larger.
I've voiced concerns about how Microsoft has unveiled its hardware this year. I think the company has spread things out so much that the Surface brand has been diluted. Case in point, Microsoft just announced new Surface devices two weeks before the company's Windows and Surface event.
Surface was never going to command the attention of an Apple hardware event or even Samsung presenting on stage, but trickling out announcements in press releases or at other companies' events is a bad way to draw interest in Surface.
While I would have preferred a couple of major Surface events that could create hype, Microsoft has unveiled a lot of hardware this year. I'm curious if there is one device that stands out to you.
As much as I am excited about some individual Surface devices, I still feel like the brand is fragmented and lost. What is Microsoft Surface in 2026?https://t.co/5QNvm1Uts6September 23, 2026
With 12 devices announced or launched, there's a good chance you're interested in more than one. Please hop into the comments and share your thoughts in addition to voting in the poll.
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Even local AI will run better thanks to the NPUs in the PCs. You may assume that improved local AI performance, being a highlight of the new Surface devices, would align them perfectly with the upcoming event. Microsoft's invite says that event will focus on "how local AI will shape the next chapter of the PC."
Why did Microsoft just announce a new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop?
Microsoft's unveiling of the refreshed Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch is not an accident. The announcement happened at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit. Perhaps there's an agreement in place to feature Surface on stage in Hawaii. Or maybe Microsoft wanted to piggyback on any attention pointed at Snapdragon this week. But I still think it's a strange strategy.
It's not as if the Snapdragon X2 Plus was announced this week. We've known about the chip for ages. It is already available in other laptops, including the Surface Laptop 13.8-inch and Surface Pro 13-inch.
If Qualcomm first announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus this week, it would make sense to announce new Surface PCs powered by it. Alternatively, Microsoft could tease that it has more to share about the chips at the Windows and Surface event.
But instead, we can now cross two more items off the list of potential things we will see at the Windows and Surface event next month.
The Windows and Surface event also falls after many improvements have shipped to Windows 11 or entered testing with Windows Insiders. It seems unlikely that we'll see much new information on stage, but Microsoft could always surprise us.
Surface continues to be a lost brand with no clear identity. Worse, it's a fragmented one. Earlier this year, Microsoft launched Intel and Snapdragon versions of the same PCs separately (see our review of the Intel-based Surface Laptop for Business 8). It announced the Surface Laptop Ultra at one event and saved the details for another. Now it has refreshed two of the few remaining Surface lines just weeks before a Surface event in October. Rather than rebuilding momentum around Surface, Microsoft seems intent on making the brand even harder to follow.
Do you agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments.
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Ink Canvas is a pen-first workspace that combines handwriting, sketches, annotations, and AI features on a single canvas. Microsoft says those inputs provide Copilot with additional context that can be used to generate documents and other content.
"Ink Canvas lets customers use Slim Pen to express intent visually, spatially, and in their own handwriting — giving Copilot richer context and helping rough thoughts become useful creations faster," explained Microsoft.
Ink Canvas will be pre-installed on new Surface Pro 12-inch devices and will be added to the Microsoft Store on October 13, 2026.
Inking, now with AI
Microsoft is no stranger to inking apps and experiences. Surface PCs have supported a pen since the very beginning of the brand. Over the years, Microsoft has tested a variety of ways to integrate inking with Windows.
Back in the days of Windows 10, Microsoft introduced an Ink Workspace that was connected to Microsoft Whiteboard and the Snipping Tool. A major update to Ink Workspace shipped to Windows 11 in 2021.
The improved Ink Workspace lets you pin different apps, making it easier to open inking experiences, such as Sticky Notes or even Microsoft Paint.
I prefer the third-party app Ink Workspace (not related to Microsoft's Ink Workspace) because it has more features. Inking has been at the heart of Surface for years through both first-party and third-party experiences.
Microsoft's new Ink Canvas is the latest attempt by the company to integrate AI into a general user experience. We've seen smartphones and tablets connect inking to AI already. Googlebooks have some tricks in the same area. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft's AI ink experience stands out from the competition.
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Microsoft has announced a brand new version of the Surface Mouse, 10 years after the first one debuted alongside the Surface Studio in 2016 (and not be confused with the refreshed 2025 Microsoft Surface Arc Mouse or the 2018 Surface Precision Mouse). Many had likely assumed the peripheral was dead, as Microsoft hasn’t released any standalone Surface accessories in the last few years as the company refocused its efforts on Surface Pro and Surface Laptop.
Well, today, the Redmond giant has a wonderful surprise for Surface Mouse diehards. Alongside the refreshed Gen 2 Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch announced today at Snapdragon Summit, Microsoft announced a new Surface Mouse with an updated design, a new black color, built-in haptics, and a new customizable action button.
I got a chance to briefly play with the new mouse, and I was taken aback by how premium it feels. It features a lovely soft-touch material that coats the part of the mouse you grab, which feels amazing. The left and right click buttons are also super satisfying, offering tactility while remaining near-silent.
The new Surface Mouse in black looks sleek. (Image credit: Zac Bowden / Windows Central)
The star of the show, however, is the built-in haptics, which makes this the second mouse to support such a feature after the Logitech MX Master 4. Inside the mouse is a small vibration motor that buzzes when you interact with certain parts of Windows, such as snapping an app to the sides of your screen or dragging files between two windows.
It's a small but meaningful improvement that makes using Windows feel more responsive, and it's baked right in on the new Surface Mouse. Additionally, the new mouse now features an extra action button, which can be used to launch an app or shortcut of your choice, configured in the Microsoft Surface app.
Surface Mouse is available to buy on October 13 for $79.99, which is a great deal when you consider the only other mouse with haptics on the market is $120.
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If you’re a fan of Microsoft’s smaller and lighter Surface PCs, we’ve got some good news! During Qualcomm’s annual Snapdragon Summit event in Hawaii, Microsoft announced new versions of the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, now powered by the Snapdragon X2 Plus and featuring brighter screens, longer battery life, and even 5G on select models.
Both come in a new Black colorway (in addition to Platinum and Violet; Ocean Blue has sadly been retired) and feature screens that can now reach up to 500 nits of peak brightness, making them easier to view outdoors in direct sunlight.
Both Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Pro 12-inch 2nd Editions come in the Violet colorway with the optional new Surface Mouse. (Image credit: Microsoft)
Category
Surface Pro 12" (Gen2)
Surface Laptop 13" (Gen2)
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus (6 Core)
Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Plus (6 Core)
NPU
Qualcomm Hexagon with 80 TOPS
Qualcomm Hexagon with 80 TOPS
Graphics
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Qualcomm Adreno GPU
Memory
16GB and 24GB LPDDR5x RAM
16GB and 24GB LPDDR5x RAM
Storage
256GB, 512GB (UFS)
Removable 256GB, 512GB (UFS)
Display
12" PixelSense LCD 2196 x 1464 (220 PPI) Up to 90Hz (60Hz default) Adaptive Color/Contrast Up to 500 nits
13" PIxelSense 1920 x 1280 (178 PPI) Up to 60Hz Adaptive Color/Contrast Up to 500 nits
Weight
1.5 lbs. (0.69kg)
2.7 lbs. (1.23 kg)
Battery life
Up to 15.5 hours of local video playback Up to 13 hours of active web usage
Up to 22.5 hours of local video playback Up to 18 hours of active web usage
Price
Starts $1,149
Starts $1,199
Release date
October 13 (Wi-Fi)
October 13
Surface Pro 12" (2nd Edition): $1149.00 Surface Pro 12‑inch is built for ideas on the move. At just 1.5 pounds, it delivers tablet flexibility with full Windows laptop power so you can sketch, create, stream, and work from almost anywhere. With fast performance and up to 15.5 hours of battery life, it stays productive from morning through night.View Deal
Surface Laptop 13" 2nd Edition: $1199.99 Surface Laptop 13‑inch is Microsoft's most portable model at just 2.7 pounds, built for people who work wherever life takes them. It combines a precision keyboard, premium design, a 13‑inch touchscreen, and up to 22.5 hours of battery life to stay productive on the go.View Deal
Both devices feature the same designs as last year, but with more power and battery life. Indeed, Microsoft claims the Surface Laptop 13-inch gets up to 22.5 hours of battery life, while Surface Pro 12-inch up to 15.5 hours.
Surface Pro 12-inch comes in violet, black, and platinum. Zac Bowden / Windows CentralSurface Laptop 13-inch comes in a new black color.Zac Bowden / Windows Central
Under the hood is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus SoC in a 6-core configuration, paired with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage in the baseline configuration. If you need more RAM or storage, you can customize memory up to 24GB RAM and 512GB storage for a higher price.
Notably, it seems Microsoft has removed the 8GB RAM option that was available on the last-gen Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, which allowed the company to price those models below $1,000. The new devices start at 16GB RAM, which explains why their starting prices are so high.
The new Surface Pro 12-inch will also be available with 5G as an optional configuration for commercial customers. No pricing or configuration details have been revealed as yet, but the company has confirmed that it’s coming soon.
The Surface Pro 12-inch also comes pre-loaded with a new Windows app called Microsoft Ink Canvas, which Microsoft describes as an “AI-powered, pen-first experience for sketching, annotating, generating images and summarizing text directly on the canvas.” The new app will be made available to download via the Microsoft Store on October 13.
The new Surface Mouse looks great.Zac Bowden / Windows CentralIt features a soft-touch material that feels great.Zac Bowden / Windows Central
Alongside the new PCs, Microsoft also unveiled a new Surface mouse, available in black or platinum colors, and featuring built-in haptics and a new action button that can be configured by the user. It’s the first update to the Surface mouse we’ve seen since it was first introduced 10 years ago.
All three new devices are expected to be made available starting October 13 at the Microsoft Store and third-party retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, though you can now preorder the Surface Pro 12" at Best Buy, as well as the new Surface Laptop 13".
Let us know in the comments your thoughts on the refreshed Surface lineup!
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