Surface Laptop 5 review (13-inch): As elegant as ever, but Microsoft can do better

This year's Surface Laptop 5 is Microsoft's latest and greatest notebook. It's the 13 model and it's the first to feature the Intel 12th configs CPU. The 12th configs is the first CPU to be built by Microsoft for the Surface Laptop and it's a nice addition to the notebook's already impressive lineup of hardware.

Pros
Updated Intel 12th-gen CPU, Elegant design, bright 3:2 display, Now supports Thunderbolt 4

Cons
720p webcam, no AMD configs, somewhat chunky bezels, could use one more port

Engadget score: 83

[gamrx]

as a parent, I pray they keep the surface port as an option at least. My fiancé's device has been saved countless times from my hyper kiddo running by thanks to the quick disconnect nature of the surface charging port.

[tipoomaster]

This was the year it really needed AMD options, 3 hours more battery life from LAST year's SL4 with AMD than this, and still just trying to meet last years multicore performance, meanwhile AMD just moved to 5nm and brought RDNA2 to IGPs so it should have an advantage on just about every front except TB4. And then launching so late into 12th gen with even just Intel's schedule to worry about. Well, I hope the 6 is the big redesign and gets 13th gen quicker.

[fightnight]

It's odd that their smaller Surface Laptop Go series have slimmer bezels and the first one was released like 3 years ago yet Microsoft didn't make an effort to refresh the SL5

[MikeKabaWike]

Needs: (i) thinner bezels, (ii) haptic touchpad (launch a year ago on Studio and has been on Macs for years), nad (iii) 1080p camera.

[williamcopeland]

Funny how these reviewers keep complaining about that 720 camera, though it has you looking better than plenty of 1080p cameras on a number of other PC's. LOL.... Software at the end of the day can do wonders, so please point that out.

[LalosSaw]

These last days all I see are videos complaining about Microsofts design and how every product looks the same as last years and few moments later I watch videos about ipads and how it's the same since 2018 but Noone is complaining about that. They give a pass to aplle for doing the same design product over and over again (not only on ipads) but when someone else does that it's wrong. I love the review, this is not a complain about this video in particular.

[mukkaar]

That large bezel is just unforgiveable for device this new and of this price. And I totally agree in my opinion optimal modern port setup is 2x USB-C 1x regular usb and headphone jack, other usbc being used for power.
Unlike with phones, I think headpohone jacks is absolutely necessary, many people use wired heaphones at work or at home. And it's not just that people use them, I mean many people used wired headphones with phones, but you can't justify it being better, since laptop is mostly used when you are stationary and at sepcific place.

[bradavon]

Microsoft did exactly the same with the Surface Pro 4-7. Wonder if we'll have to wait as long before Microsoft updates the Surface Laptop.

[naifalqhtani]

How’s the reliability and build quality compared to similar Windows laptops? I’m upgrading from a 2014 MacBook air and that was a perfect laptop.
My friend has a lenovo laptop and he praises it but personally i’m more interested in the new surface 5

[josepheden]

I think a lot of people forget that you can charge these devices via USB C since the SL3

[matthiasausfrankfurt]

Unfortunately you don't say a single word about the sound, which was the USP of former Surface Laptops. So how is the sound of this one? It would be the only reason for buying such a heavy device.

[svenkat]

I want to see something like iMac that has 24 inch screen size, and it looks amazing as we use Youtube more for entertainment and gain knowledge.

[Palazzinappa]

how does this one compare to the Dell 13inch XSP?

[zk]

Which Windows laptops are better than Surface 5? I need to buy one this month

[Sergio]

Thinner bezels and a haptic touchpad would have really been great....

[TheOne_]

But the laptop is in 3:2!!! It's so annoying, it just throws me off - anyway, cool explanation

[pieceofshitzu]

Surface laptops absolutely need some upgrades.
1080p camera, additional usc c, thinner bezels, and an SD card reader!

[AvengeTheTECH]

They cannot change the charger port connection until the give us surface dock 3 with all thunderblot 4 connection. I use my surface laptop 5 15" with the surface Dock 2 plugged into the charger power and CallDigi thunder bolt 3 to 10G external Nic which is perfect.

All they need to do is have a better dock with 10G Nic and thunder bolt connects to power monitors and a few USB A port. I'm thinking of getting the CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock and the plugging my 10G thunder bolt 3 as the Dock Nic is only 2.5G if microsoft upgrade the Surface Dock then I'm done however for now I'm loving the SD2 and CD 10G solution.

[Mr.Nabil.Belhaj]

You clearly don't fix laptops for a living to suggest that Microsoft should ditch it proprietary charging port for a USB-C the most common failure on moder laptops because it's very fragile and can't handle high wattage

[javiej]

Is the nvme upgradeable? and the RAM? please include those aspects in all the reviews. If you the reviewers don't even care then the manufactures will continue adding propietary garbage. I am a surface book owner that is now obsolete because artificially stuck to 8GB ram / 256GB disk, just because these monsters welded thaoe parts to the PCB. Programmed obsolescence for no other reason than corporate greed. This behaviour creates unnecessary eWaste for the planet and it is a crime against humanity.