This behavior is also valid on Surface Laptop 3 (AMD). During my testing, it became apparent there is a discrepancy in performance on Surface Laptop 4 (AMD) between using AC power or on battery (set to performance in both modes). Such features are now increasingly common, but Microsoft is still uninterested in adding those to Surface.īefore we begin, there is a caveat and a change to our benchmarks. It also does not support HDR for more vibrant contrast, nor wide color-gamut (WCG) for those who need precise colorwork for photography or video. Microsoft still does not include an anti-reflective treatment (not to be confused with anti-glare/matte) for reducing eye strain. Granted, neither of those also have a touch display like Surface Laptop 4, but it is evident Microsoft is not pushing the bar with screens lately.īrightness peaks at an average of 399 nits in the center, with just 6.3 nits of brightness when set to zero, making this laptop easy to use in the dark of night without being too bright. The LG Gram 17 and VAIO Z, by comparison, earn 100% sRGB, 87% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3. Likewise, the Surface Dial works with off-screen interaction.ĭisplay accuracy is typical, but unremarkable with 97% sRGB, 72% AdobeRGB, and 75% DCI-P3. However, in a pinch, the pen is great for signing a document or making a quick note. The Surface Laptop 4 supports inking with a Surface Pen (not included), but the display does not open to 180 degrees, nor is there a place to keep the pen in transit. Surface Laptop 4's display is good but falling behind the competition.
The 201 pixel per inch (PPI) is slightly lower than that of Surface Pro 7 (267 PPI) and Surface Book 3 (260 PPI), but that's not discernible. It is still the same LCD-based 15-inch PixelSense 2496 x 1664 display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Unfortunately, there are no new improvements to the screen for Surface Laptop 4.
Windows Hello face authentication camera, Firmware TPM 2.0ġx USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack Most 15-inch PCs add on at least a pound in weight, are significantly thicker, have worse battery life, but are also substantially more powerful thanks to a discrete NVIDIA GPU, which Surface Laptop 4 lacks. While the 13.5-inch is more reflective of many of the best 13-inch laptops available, there are very few thin and light 15-inch laptops. Specs-wise, Surface Laptop 4 falls into the traditional Ultrabook category – thin and light computing.
Up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB storage (Intel only).AMD Ryzen 4000 and Radeon Graphics Surface Edition.Intel 11th Gen Core processors with Iris Xe Graphics.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of smaller changes, including processors, configuration options, pricing, and software that do add up to a substantial refresh over its predecessors: Surface Laptop 4 looks a lot like all previous models because Microsoft has not modified the core design since version one.