Surface Laptop 4 13.5: Features, Comparison, and More!
Surface Laptop 4 Price and Configurations
Let’s directly dive right into the cost of owning a Surface Laptop 4 13.5. You are wondering how much it will cost you before your investment. The starting price of a Surface laptop is only $999. This features an 8GB of RAM, an AMD Ryzen 4680U CPU and 256GB SSD storage. But wait. You might not know there’s a catch! This model only comes in Platinum. Wondering about other colours? Hang on, you’ll get to know.
AMD Version:
- Starts at $999
- AMD Ryzen 4680U CPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Only available in Platinum.
You may want to set things up with some different colours. Then, you will need to switch lanes to this. Then, you might end up choosing an Intel CPU. That opens the door to Platinum, Sandstone, Ice Blue, and Matte Black colour options. Intrigued?
Intel Versions:
- $1,299: Core i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- $1,499: Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- Available in multiple colours.
But what if you’re looking for the ultimate power? Hold your breath! You can snag a Surface Laptop 4 13.5. It has a 16GB of RAM, a Core i7 CPU, and a 512GB SSD. This just costs you $1,699.
- High-end Version:
- $1,699: Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- $2,299: Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
How does this stack up against its competitors? It should be compared to the Surface Laptop 5 or not be decided here. You’ll find out more about that soon! You might open your eyes and think whether it is worth the price. Keep reading to explore further.
Surface Laptop 4 13.5 Design
What is the initial thing you realise when you look at a laptop? Isn’t it the design? The Surface Laptop 4 13.5 will not let you down. Consider this if you’re wondering how it compares to a MacBook Air. It’s almost as sleek as the MacBook Air. But wait, there’s more to this story.
- Colour and Material Choices:
- Ice Blue: Metallic sheen with arctic tint.
- Material: Aluminum top and soft-touch Alcantara fabric deck.
How about the colours? Our Ice Blue model comes with a metallic glow and a subtle arctic tint. And don’t forget the reflective Microsoft logo stamped right on the lid! What’s more, it offers an alternative to traditional laptop materials. The deck is coated in soft-touch Alcantara fabric that resists stains. But if fabric isn’t your thing, here’s the twist: you can opt for the Matte Black or stunning Sandstone options. These trade fabric for an all-aluminum chassis.
Size and Weight:
- Weighs 2.8 pounds.
- 0.6 inches thin.
You might be wondering, “What’s the catch?” Despite its elegance, Surface Laptop 4 13.5 lacks some modern perks. The bezels around the 13.5-inch display could be slimmer. Just think about its rivals like the Dell XPS 13 or HP Spectre x360. Now, would a trim make a difference? You’ll find out as you read on.
Smart Design Choices:
- Lid overlaps for easier opening.
- The deck stays in place when opening.
- Colour-matched keys.
Here’s where Microsoft shines. The design choices may seem subtle, but they offer convenience. For example, the lid slightly overlaps the deck to help you open it easily. And once you lift the lid, the deck stays right where it is—no second-hand required. Want another surprise? The colour-matched keys offer a refined look unlike any other.
- Storage Limitation:
- Non-replaceable storage in the 13-inch model.
The 13-inch Surface Laptop 4 doesn’t let you easily replace its storage slot. This is not like the 15-inch model. But here’s the kicker that you might not think. Replacing storage on the 15-inch model voids the warranty. As a result, it is a deal breaker for you. Continue reading to learn more about these legal problems.
Surface Laptop 4 13.5 Security
Ah, security—the unsung hero of any laptop experience. You probably know that Microsoft leans away from old-school passwords. So, what’s the big deal with Surface Laptop 4 13.5’s security features? Brace yourself; some elements may surprise you.
- Facial Recognition with IR Camera:
- Uses Windows Hello.
- Quick and reliable—most of the time.
Here’s the kicker: Microsoft equipped the Surface Laptop 4 13.5 with an IR camera. That’s right! You can sign in using your face, thanks to Windows Hello. It’s quick and often reliable. But wait, there’s a catch.
- The Downsides:
- No fingerprint sensor as a backup.
- The feature fails with Scotch tape.
- No webcam cover for privacy.
Despite its speed, the feature isn’t flawless. Imagine being unable to log in because you forgot your backup password. Why? The IR camera didn’t work. I bet you’re thinking a fingerprint sensor would be a great backup, right? Unfortunately, Microsoft didn’t include one. And if you’re the security-conscious type, you’ll miss a webcam cover too.
- TPM 2.0 Chip:
- Encrypts incoming and outgoing data.
Wait, there’s more! Hidden under the hood is a TPM 2.0 chip. It encrypts all data coming to and from the Surface Laptop 4 13.5 in layman’s terms. So, is this the game-changer we’re waiting for you? Let’s just say you’ll find out soon how this laptop stands against Surface Laptop 5 when we dive into performance.
Surface Laptop 4 Ports
When it comes to ports, the Surface Laptop 4 13.5 offers a USB-A, USB-C, Surface Connect port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Does it cover your needs? And more importantly, does the Surface Laptop 5 offer more variety? You’ll find out soon.
Surface Laptop 4 Display
Let’s talk about the visual feast that is the Surface Laptop 4 13.5’s display. Microsoft brings its A-game here, but how does it stack up against others? Prepare to dive into the highs and lows.
- Quality and Resolution:
- 13.5-inch screen
- 2256 x 1504-pixel IPS touchscreen
The Surface Laptop 4 13.5 boasts a 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504-pixel IPS touchscreen display. The colors? Oh, they pop! Imagine watching a thriller like “Spiral” where red and blue tones come alive. The word “Play Me” written on a filthy USB looks so real, it’s eerie. Now, here’s where it gets more interesting.
- Touchscreen, But Not 2-in-1:
- Great for quick tasks
- Don’t expect it to convert into a tablet.
The Surface Laptop 4 13.5 offers touchscreen features, though it’s not a 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro 7. What might be the catch here, as you think? You can read on to find out. This might reveal to you how it performs in terms of key metrics.
- Color Gamut & Brightness:
- 77% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut
- Peaks at 349 nits
It covers 77% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, outperforming the XPS 13 and Spectre x360 14 but falling behind the MacBook Air. Curious about brightness? It peaks at 349 nits—less than the category average. So, is this a deal-breaker for you? Let’s explore that soon.
Surface Laptop 4 Keyboard and Touchpad
The Surface Laptop 4 13.5 keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience thanks to well-spaced keys and 1.3mm key travel. The glass touchpad is responsive and supports multi-touch gestures. Are there any differences in the Surface Laptop 5? Hang in there; we’re getting to it.
Surface Laptop 4 Audio
For those of you who love a good audio experience, this laptop doesn’t disappoint. With Omnisonic speakers hidden beneath the keyboard, your listening experience will be immersive. But how does this stand against the Surface Laptop 5? Your answer is coming right up.
Surface Laptop 4 Performance
Alright, let’s delve into the muscle of the Surface Laptop 4 13.5. Could this be the powerhouse laptop? You might have been waiting for this all the time. Let’s unpack it.
- General Performance:
- Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU
- 16GB of RAM
This device has an Intel Core i7-1185G7 CPU and 16GB of RAM. It might not beat the MacBook Air with M1, but this model is no slouch. It performed without a hiccup in day-to-day tasks, like juggling multiple browser tabs and YouTube Music. But how does it fare in benchmarks?
- Benchmark Scores:
- Geekbench 5.4 score: 4,829
- Compared with category average: 4,368
It scored 4,829 on Geekbench 5.4, just below rivals like the XPS 13 and Spectre x360 14. Yet, it surpassed the category average. Intrigued? Hang tight because we’re just getting to the juicier parts.
- Video Conversion Speed:
- 17 minutes and 1 second for 4K to 1080p
- Handbrake app used for the test
When tested with video conversion using Handbrake, it took 17 minutes and 1 second to convert a 4K video to 1080p. It outpaced the XPS 13 and Spectre but lagged behind the MacBook Air. Isn’t this a big deal for you? We will dive into this matter a bit more.
- Storage Speed:
- 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
- Data duplication speed: 562.7 MB/s
The 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD in the Surface Laptop 4 13.5 was faster than its predecessors. However, it came last in data duplication speed tests, trailing behind the category average. What does this mean for your daily tasks?
Surface Laptop 4 Graphics
When it comes to graphics, the Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon Graphics are solid but not meant for high-end gaming. So, what’s the Surface Laptop 5’s game plan? We’re almost there!
Surface Laptop 4 Battery Life
The most remarkable feature is its battery life. A single charge can run up to 15 hours in the Surface Laptop 4 13.5. But how does that fare against the Surface Laptop 5? Your curiosity will soon be quenched.
Surface Laptop 4 Webcam
It offers a 720p HD webcam, which is serviceable for your typical Zoom or Skype calls. But could the Surface Laptop 5 offer a more significant upgrade? You’re about to find out.
Surface Laptop 4 Heat
Generally cool under light usage, the device may heat up during demanding tasks. So, what thermal improvements can you expect in the Surface Laptop 5? The revelation is just around the corner!
Bottom Line
The Surface Laptop 4 13.5 is a compelling package of performance, design, and more. But how does it fare against the Surface Laptop 5? For that, you’ll need to stick around for our upcoming deep dive.