Surface Laptop 4 Review: Performance, Battery, Key Comparisons

Surface Laptop 4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

If you're comparing premium thin-and-light laptops, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 4 demands attention. After testing both 13.5" and 15" models with Intel and AMD chips, I'll cut through the marketing claims. The core question: Does this spec-bump refresh hold up against rivals like the MacBook Air M1? Let's analyze real-world performance, battery life, and hidden compromises. Spoiler: It excels in keyboard quality and battery, but faces tough competition.

Design and Key Upgrades

Visually identical to 2019's Surface Laptop 3 (except the unavailable Ice Blue), the Laptop 4 prioritizes refinement over revolution. You still get that iconic aluminum chassis or Alcantara fabric option (13" only). The Alcantara resists fingerprints better than metal and stays temperature-neutral—a subtle win for comfort. However, its front edge can dig into wrists during long typing sessions.

The real upgrades are internal:

New 11th Gen Intel CPUs and custom AMD Ryzen 4000 chips, claimed by Microsoft to be 70% faster.
User-replaceable M.2 SSD—a first for Surface Laptops.
Dolby Atmos speakers with upward-firing drivers.
19-hour battery (AMD) or 17-hour (Intel) official ratings.

Disappointingly, bezels remain thick versus Dell's XPS 13, and the 720p webcam feels outdated in 2021. No Thunderbolt or USB-C charging either. As I noted during testing, plugging in the magnetic Surface Connector often dislodges accidentally—a frustrating quirk.

Performance: Intel vs AMD Deep Dive

Microsoft now lets you mix chip brands across sizes, complicating choices. I tested an Intel Core i5 (13.5", 8GB RAM) against an AMD Ryzen 7 (15", 16GB RAM). Results defied expectations:

Multi-core workloads: AMD's 8-core Ryzen 7 dominated, scoring 45% higher in Cinebench R23. Ideal for heavy multitasking.
Graphics and gaming: Intel's Iris Xe integrated GPU surprised me. It delivered 27-34% higher FPS in Rainbow Six Siege and Fortnite versus AMD.
Real-world creativity: Despite AMD's core advantage, the Intel model exported a 4-minute 4K video 24% faster in Premiere Pro.

Why this reversal? Intel's Tiger Lake architecture leverages newer manufacturing and AI-driven optimizations. For most users—streaming, office tasks, light editing—the quad-core i5 is sufficient. But if you run virtual machines or compile code, AMD's extra cores shine.

Battery, Display, and Daily Use

Battery life impressed me. Both models lasted 11 hours in my real-world test (Chrome, 50% brightness, YouTube playback). Microsoft achieves this with efficient 46Wh batteries—half the capacity of a MacBook Pro 16! Standout features:

3:2 PixelSense touchscreens with 201 PPI. Colors are accurate (98% sRGB), though HDR is absent.
Best-in-class keyboard—1.3mm travel, perfect spacing. Paired with a glass touchpad, it’s my favorite Windows typing experience.
Dolby Atmos speakers provide clear, room-filling sound for a laptop.

Yet fan noise under load reminded me of the silent MacBook Air M1. And while Windows Hello facial login works flawlessly, the webcam’s 720p resolution struggles in low light.

Surface Laptop 4 vs Competitors

Priced from $1,000 (13.5") or $1,300 (15"), value diminishes in high-end configs. Here’s how it stacks up:

MacBook Air M1 ($999): Blazes through tasks silently with 18-hour battery. Lacks touchscreen but outperforms both Surface chips.
Dell XPS 13 ($1,249+): Thinner bezels, optional OLED display, and USB-C charging. More "modern" but keyboard feels inferior.
Key takeaway: Choose Surface for its touchscreen, keyboard, and Windows integration. Opt for MacBook Air for raw power or XPS 13 for cutting-edge design.

Should You Buy? Action Checklist

Before deciding, ask:

Is touchscreen/pen support essential? If yes, Surface leads.
Need maximum portability? The 13.5" Alcantara model (2.79 lbs) is ideal.
Prioritize gaming/creative work? Intel’s Iris Xe graphics edge out AMD.
Budget-conscious? Base 13.5” ($1,000) offers best value. Avoid 32GB/top-tier configs—they’re overpriced.

Recommended resources:

NotebookCheck for technical benchmarks (trusted for lab-grade data).
RTINGS.com for display/speaker analyses (their color accuracy tests are industry gold).

Final Verdict

The Surface Laptop 4 delivers excellent battery life and incremental upgrades, but its design feels dated next to rivals. For most, the base Intel model strikes the best balance of price and performance. Yet if touchscreens aren’t critical, the MacBook Air M1 or XPS 13 offer stronger innovation.

Which factor matters most to you—keyboard comfort, raw speed, or screen tech? Share your dealbreaker below!