Analyst: Olivier Blanchard
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
Document #: MCNOB202409
What Is Covered in This Article:
- Overview of Microsoft’s latest business-focused Surface Copilot+ PC announcements
- Reasons why 5G integration into Copilot+ Surface laptops makes sense for professional users
- Why Microsoft’s play against Apple in the commercial segment is 100% a Snapdragon X strategy but Intel and x86 aren’t going anywhere yet.
The News: Timed to coincide with other Copilot+ ecosystem announcements by Intel and Qualcomm at IFA Berlin, Microsoft has announced new Surface devices for business customers including Surface Laptop 7th Edition, Surface Pro 11th Edition, Surface Pro 10 with 5G, and Surface Pro 11th Edition with 5G.
Microsoft Expands Commercial Copilot+ Roster with 5G-Capable Surface Laptops
Analyst Take: Microsoft is expanding its roster of Copilot+ Surface PCs aimed at professional users with a handful of releases, conveniently timed to coincide with parallel announcements by semiconductor partners Intel and Qualcomm at the IFA conference in Berlin. These new laptops and professional keyboards reflect the push to meet the demand for Copilot+ PCs growing in the commercial PC segment, which Microsoft’s Surface team is right to want to capitalize on.
Two observations immediately come to mind:
- Microsoft’s play against Apple, enabled by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform and Snapdragon X powered Copilot+ PCs, remains an integral part of the Surface team’s push into the commercial PC segment: Microsoft hopes that its best-of-both-worlds Arm-based Surface laptops will bring IT buyers lured by the long battery life and low TCO of M-series chip-powered Macbooks back to the Windows ecosystem.
- Despite Microsoft going all in with Snapdragon X for its Surface Copilot+ lineup in May, this release points to the resilience of Intel silicon and x86 within the Surface ecosystem, at least on the commercial side of the business.
New Surface Laptop Releases with Immediate Availability
Surface Laptop 7th Edition: Entirely revamped to boost team productivity, featuring stunningly brighter displays with ultra-thin bezels, an increased number of ports, enhanced Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, and up to 22 hours of battery life. Available in two sizes, the 13.8-inch display offers a larger viewing area than traditional 14-inch screens within a more compact frame, and the 15-inch version provides even more viewing space while still being easy to carry.
The keyboard offers an exceptional typing experience while the new haptic touchpad delivers realistic feedback when tapped or clicked, allowing users to adjust pressure sensitivity and use intuitive touch gestures for easier navigation. Microsoft positions it as the most accessible touchpad available, offering users greater control over their mouse pointers.
The full HD Surface Studio Camera integrates perfectly with AI-powered Windows Studio Effects such as Automatic Framing, Portrait Blur, Creative Filters, and Eye Contact so teams show up clearly on all video calls. Premium Omnisonic Speakers coupled with AI-enhanced Studio Mics with Voice Focus also amplify their voices and impact.
Surface Pro 11th Edition: A great choice for teams on the go, delivering lightning-fast performance, AI-accelerated power, and an optional OLED display in a thin, versatile package.
Both the Surface Laptop, 7th Edition and Surface Pro, 11th Edition Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs for business customers are powered by Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors. They are designed to deliver more performance and AI acceleration than the MacBook Air M3 while also providing all-day battery life. The Surface pro 11th edition can reportedly deliver up to 20% more AI processing power than the iPad Pro M4, with up to 14 hours of battery life. Interestingly, Microsoft emphasizes that these devices are easier to repair than their predecessors, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity in case of a mishap.
Both devices are also designed to simplify daily tasks, save precious time, and facilitate collaboration (AI-enabled Live Captions, powered by the Windows Copilot Runtime on powerful NPUs comes to mind). Organizations and ISVs can even take advantage of the 40+ pre-installed on-device AI models included in Windows Copilot Runtime, from higher level APIs that can be accessed via simple settings toggle to bringing in their own machine learning models.
This marks the start of the kind of innovation that Microsoft brings to Copilot+ PCs, with new features and experiences slated to roll out with every subsequent update.
Copilot + PCs make full use of Windows Studio Effects, which helps enhance video call presence. Additionally, the ultra-wide front-facing camera and AI-enabled automatic framing ensure a crystal-clear view that keeps everyone properly framed. Enhanced voice focus also leverages the NPU to eliminate background noise, ensuring maximum clarity on video or audio calls by letting the Studio Mics focus solely on a user’s voice.
When paired with Surface Slim Pen, the Surface Pro 11th edition delivers precise note-taking, sketching, and annotation, making it an essential tool for professionals who need to capture ideas on the fly.
These new Copilot+ PCs also continue to enhance security by protecting data by way of Microsoft Pluton security (built directly in the Snapdragon X processors). Microsoft Pluton security delivers next-generation security and is designed to be always up-to-date to help protect against current and emerging threats. For added security, Surface Pro also features an integrated NFC reader that can be used with NFC security keys such as the YubiKey 5C for secure password-free authentication, an additional and hassle-free additional layer of data protection.
5G-capable Surface Laptops Available Starting September 26
Surface Pro 11th Edition with 5G: The Surface Pro 11th Edition with 5G, available for consumer and commercial customers, includes the same versatile and portable features as the Surface Pro 11th Edition (see above), but with 5G connectivity added in.
Surface Pro 10 with 5G for Business: Now with optional 5G, Surface Pro 10 for Business is designed for teams that need a no-compromise device. Most notably, this device is powered by Intel’s new Ultra Core processor (not Snapdragon X), features anti-reflective displays, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and enhanced battery life.
Its Surface Pro Flex Keyboard enhances flexibility with a comfortable typing experience, backlit keys and a large haptic touchpad. It can be easily detached for a seamless transition between laptop and tablet modes, helping users work efficiently from anywhere.
Two advantages of being able to seamlessly connect to 5G:
- Security: Connecting securely to 5G networks instead of relying on often less-than-secure Wi-Fi networks in airports, hotel lobbies, and coffee shops means that users can keep their data protected while on the road or on the move.
- Productivity: Wi-Fi isn’t always available, and when it is, bandwidth can be limited. The ability to connect to 5G networks gives users the freedom to work, collaborate, and present from virtually anywhere.
5G devices keep mobile employees seamlessly connected, providing high-bandwidth, secure access to critical data and collaboration tools. They eliminate the need to keep track of Wi-Fi passwords or the hassle of tethering to a phone. Lastly, because 5G devices are always connected, they are less likely to miss out on the latest security updates, keeping them, their data, and their communications secure.
While 5G integration would also be a great feature for consumer Surface Copilot+ PCs, it makes perfect sense for Microsoft to aim that specific feature at the commercial segment, which is far more likely to see the ROI potential of its security and productivity value-add.
Also Available Soon:
The All-new Surface Keyboard: This full-size keyboard has been redesigned to include the Copilot key, crafted to complement Surface devices, and features an expanded keyset that puts commonly used Windows 11 productivity actions (such as Call Mute and Snip & Sketch) at the click of a button. Since 48% of Surface devices used by commercial customers are connected to additional monitors, it was important to address the segment of users who would prefer a larger keyboard than the one integrated with their Surface Pro or Surface Laptop.
More information on these releases can be found at the Microsoft Surface Blog.
Disclosure: The Futurum Group is a research and advisory firm that engages or has engaged in research, analysis, and advisory services with many technology companies, including those mentioned in this article. The author does not hold any equity positions with any company mentioned in this article.
Analysis and opinions expressed herein are specific to the analyst individually and data and other information that might have been provided for validation, not those of The Futurum Group as a whole.
Other insights from The Futurum Group:
The PC Segment’s AI Inflection Point: Copilot+ PC Cheat Sheet
The Copilot+ PC Disruption Is Here: What Happens Now?
Intel Sticks Lunar Lake Core Ultra Landing as AI PC Race Heats Up
Author Information
Olivier Blanchard has extensive experience managing product innovation, technology adoption, digital integration, and change management for industry leaders in the B2B, B2C, B2G sectors, and the IT channel. His passion is helping decision-makers and their organizations understand the many risks and opportunities of technology-driven disruption, and leverage innovation to build stronger, better, more competitive companies.
