Since becoming a tech reviewer, I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate over 59 laptops. These range from disappointing models to outstanding machines that offer excellent value, along with a few mid-range options that, while decent, face stiff competition in their price brackets.
I might come off as overly confident, but let’s just say I have a knack for assessing laptops.
When reviewing a device, I pay close attention to several key aspects, including the durability of the chassis, the responsiveness of the keyboard, the visual quality of the display, the heat generated during intensive tasks, and how well it handles multiple open tabs in Google Chrome. Additionally, I rely on industry-standard benchmarks like PCMark 10 and Geekbench to gain deeper insights into how the review unit performs compared to its competitors.
Before I start evaluating a laptop, I always ask myself a vital question: “Would I spend my hard-earned money on this?” “If the answer is no, I wouldn’t recommend it—unless it’s a dependable laptop tailored for a different user demographic.”
Out of all the laptops I’ve reviewed, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 stands out as the best Windows laptop of 2024.
Why the Surface Laptop 7 Stands Out as the Best Windows Laptop of 2024
To understand why the Surface Laptop 7 deserves this title, we need some context. The Surface lineup has been around for a while, and while it has had its moments, it hasn’t always hit the mark.
A few years back, I gave the Surface Laptop 5 a less-than-favorable review. I genuinely wanted to like it and had high hopes for Microsoft, but it didn’t meet my expectations.
Historically, Microsoft has excelled in software, even if its hardware has been hit or miss. The Surface laptops, while not bad, often fell short when stacked against more affordable and superior alternatives, making it difficult for me to endorse them.
If someone had told me that in 2024 I would be recommending a Surface laptop, I would have laughed. Yet, as a laptop authority, I now find myself advocating for Microsoft devices. And here’s why:
1. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Outperforms Its Rivals, Including the MacBook
I won’t delve too deeply into the technical details, but it’s crucial to highlight the chipset to understand why reviewers are increasingly praising the Microsoft Surface line after a stretch of unfavorable feedback.
Simply put, the Microsoft Surface series and other mobile Windows devices weren’t cutting it with Intel chipsets, the most recognized manufacturer of Windows processors. Even Apple moved away from Intel a few years ago, introducing their own in-house ARM chips in 2020 with the M-series processors. Apple has since thrived with the M1 MacBook Air and M1 MacBook Pro, which do not rely on Intel. The company is reportedly working on an M4 processor, but for now, their current generation uses M3 chips.
Additionally, Qualcomm has joined the movement away from Intel, unveiling its Snapdragon X Elite processing chipset, which is now outperforming all MacBooks with M3 processors. I was initially skeptical, but the new Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, released this year, is powered by the Snapdragon X Elite processor and truly excels against the competition.
In “Best performance mode,” the Surface Laptop 7 impresses with a multi-core Geekbench 6 score of 14,548.In comparison, the M3 MacBook Pro achieves a score of 11,998, while the M3 MacBook Air reaches 12,057. Even the HP OmniBook XI, equipped with a Snapdragon X Elite chip, achieves a respectable multi-core score of 13,888.
2. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Offers Unmatched Battery Life
My mantra during battery life tests for the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 was simple: “Just don’t die.”
Qualcomm’s claims about the efficiency of the Snapdragon X Elite chip hold true. The Surface Laptop 7 boasts an astounding battery life of 22 hours and 50 minutes on a single charge—an exceptional feat for a modern Windows laptop.
This is the longest battery life we’ve documented at Mashable. For context, the Lenovo Yoga 9 2-in-1, powered by an Intel chip, only managed around seven hours.
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 Uses AI to Revitalize Windows
Remember when using Windows was a joy? I fondly recall playing Microsoft 3D Pinball and watching visualizers dance to music on Windows Media Player.
Microsoft has introduced a variety of new AI features that have rekindled excitement around the platform. From the new Copilot—an alternative to ChatGPT—to AI tools like Cocreator that entice you back to Paint, the company is clearly making strides to draw users away from Apple.
The integrated NPU, an AI accelerator within the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, powers the AI capabilities of the Surface Laptop 7.
You can even create AI-generated images based on prompts with the new feature in the Photos app.
However, as a laptop expert, I acknowledge that no device is without its flaws. I encountered some issues with app compatibility on the Surface Laptop 7, especially when attempting to install the Apple Music app. While this typically works seamlessly on other Windows systems, it appears some developers have yet to optimize their apps for the Snapdragon X Elite.
Although the Surface Laptop 7 lacks a dedicated GPU, making it unsuitable for gaming, it remains highly functional for various other tasks. Keep in mind that some games may not perform optimally on this device.
Overall, the Surface Laptop 7 combines a sturdy, fingerprint-resistant design with impressive speed, exceptional battery life, and a host of features.
