Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) 13" specifications and in-depth review

Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) 13"

Manufacturer: Microsoft

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) 13″ is a sleek, compact laptop designed for portability and performance. It features a 13″ touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920 x 1280 px, and it weighs just 1220 g, making it easy to carry around. The laptop also offers a battery life of up to 23 hours for extended usage.

In terms of performance, the Surface Laptop comes with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD for fast storage. Its CPU runs at a total clock speed of 8 x 3.2 GHz, with turbo speeds reaching up to 3.4GHz. It also supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, while offering connectivity through two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a USB Type-C port. For multimedia, the laptop includes stereo speakers and a front camera.

Pros
  • Supports 5G connectivity for faster mobile internet speeds.
  • Equipped with integrated LTE for seamless mobile data access.
  • Offers high upload and download speeds of 3500 MBits/s and 10000 MBits/s respectively.
  • Has integrated Adreno X1 graphics for decent graphical performance.
  • Includes a fingerprint scanner for added security and convenience.
Cons
  • Lacks support for advanced ray tracing and DLSS features.
  • Does not have HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA connectivity options.
  • No big.LITTLE technology for improved power efficiency and multitasking.
  • Absence of Dolby Atmos audio support may limit immersive sound quality.
  • No support for 3D facial recognition or voice commands.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who need reliable, high-speed mobile connectivity, as it supports 5G and integrated LTE, making it well-suited for on-the-go data access. Additionally, its decent graphical performance with the Adreno X1 GPU and good upload and download speeds (3500 MBits/s and 10000 MBits/s, respectively) make it a strong choice for basic media streaming and light gaming. It's also practical for those who prioritize security, as it features a fingerprint scanner for easy authentication.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users seeking high-end gaming or advanced multimedia features, as it lacks support for ray tracing, DLSS, and Dolby Atmos, limiting its graphical and audio capabilities. Additionally, it is not suitable for users who require extensive display connectivity options, as it does not include HDMI, DisplayPort, or VGA ports. Its absence of big.LITTLE technology may also make it less efficient for those needing optimal power management for multitasking or prolonged use.

Design:

weight 1220 g
Uses a fanless design
Has a backlit keyboard
volume 914.85 cm³
width 285 mm
height 214 mm
thickness 15 mm
is weather-sealed (splashproof)
has a rugged build

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) 13″ is designed with a sleek and portable form factor, weighing just 1220 g and with a slim profile of 15 mm in thickness. Its dimensions include a width of 285 mm and a height of 214 mm, providing a compact and lightweight experience. While the laptop does not feature a fanless design or a backlit keyboard, it offers a volume of 914.85 cm³. Additionally, the device is not weather-sealed or rugged, indicating it is intended for everyday use rather than extreme conditions.

Display:

screen size 13"
resolution 1920 x 1280 px
pixel density 177 ppi
has a touch screen
brightness (typical) 400 nits
refresh rate 60Hz
contrast ratio 1000:1
has anti-reflection coating
supported displays 3

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) 13″ features a 13″ touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920 x 1280 px, offering a pixel density of 177 ppi for sharp visuals. It provides a typical brightness of 400 nits and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, ensuring clear, vibrant images. The display supports up to three external monitors but does not include an anti-reflection coating, which may affect visibility in bright environments. Additionally, it offers a 60Hz refresh rate, suitable for everyday tasks and casual media consumption.

Performance:

RAM 16GB
Uses flash storage
internal storage 512GB
CPU speed 8 x 3.2 GHz
CPU threads 8 threads
Is an NVMe SSD
DirectX version DirectX 12
GPU clock speed 500 MHz
uses multithreading
maximum memory amount 64GB
DDR memory version 5
turbo clock speed 3.4GHz
GPU turbo 1107 MHz
PCI Express (PCIe) version 4
semiconductor size 4 nm
has XeSS (XMX)
Supports 64-bit

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) is equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD, providing fast and efficient performance for multitasking and storage. Its CPU features 8 threads with a base speed of 8 x 3.2 GHz, which can boost to 3.4GHz with turbo. The laptop also includes a DirectX 12-compatible GPU, operating at 500 MHz, with a GPU turbo speed of 1107 MHz. Additionally, it supports a maximum memory of 64GB and utilizes PCIe version 4 for high-speed data transfer.

Benchmarks:

Geekbench 6 result (multi) 11502
Geekbench 6 result (single) 2385

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) delivers impressive benchmark results with a Geekbench 6 score of 11502 in multi-core and 2385 in single-core, showcasing its solid overall performance and efficiency in handling demanding tasks.

Connectivity:

USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (USB-A) 0
USB 4 20Gbps ports 0
USB 4 40Gbps ports 2
Thunderbolt 4 ports 2
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-C) 0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (USB-A) 0
Thunderbolt 3 ports 0
has an HDMI output
Has USB Type-C
supports Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
has an external memory slot
Bluetooth version 5.4
RJ45 ports 0
HDMI ports 0
DisplayPort outputs 0
USB 2.0 ports 0
has AirPlay
mini DisplayPort outputs 0
has a VGA connector

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) offers a variety of connectivity options, including two Thunderbolt 4 ports and two USB 4 40Gbps ports, ensuring fast data transfer. It also supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless wireless connections. While it includes USB Type-C support, the device does not feature HDMI, RJ45, or external memory slots.

Battery:

Battery life 23 hours
Has sleep-and-charge USB ports
Has a MagSafe power adapter

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) offers a solid battery life of up to 23 hours, making it suitable for extended use without frequent recharging. It also features sleep-and-charge USB ports, allowing you to charge devices even when the laptop is in sleep mode. However, it does not include a MagSafe power adapter for charging.

Features:

release date May 2025
has stereo speakers
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
supports ray tracing
supports DLSS
has Dolby Atmos
Stylus included
Has a fingerprint scanner
number of microphones 1
Uses 3D facial recognition
has voice commands
has a front camera
Has S/PDIF Out port
has a gyroscope
has GPS
has an accelerometer
has a compass
Has an optical disc drive

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) includes several key features designed to enhance user experience, such as stereo speakers for better audio quality, a 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones, and a front camera for video calls. It also comes with a stylus for precise input and a fingerprint scanner for added security. The laptop includes one microphone for basic audio capture, but does not support advanced features like ray tracing, Dolby Atmos, or 3D facial recognition.

Miscellaneous:

clock multiplier 32
upload speed 3500 MBits/s
download speed 10000 MBits/s
GPU name Adreno X1
has 5G support
Has TrustZone
Has NX bit
Has integrated LTE
maximum memory bandwidth 135 GB/s
memory channels 8
Uses big.LITTLE technology
render output units (ROPs) 6
shading units 1536
Has integrated graphics

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2025) is equipped with impressive connectivity and performance features, including 5G support, integrated LTE, and a maximum memory bandwidth of 135 GB/s across 8 memory channels. It also features Adreno X1 integrated graphics and a high upload speed of 3500 Mbit/s with a download speed of 10000 Mbit/s. Additionally, it includes TrustZone and NX bit for enhanced security, while lacking big.LITTLE technology.

Final Verdict

The product offers a solid balance of performance and connectivity features, making it well-suited for users who prioritize 5G support and strong mobile data performance, along with practical security features like a fingerprint scanner. Its Adreno X1 GPU provides adequate graphical capabilities for everyday tasks, though it may not be ideal for demanding gaming or multimedia tasks. While it excels in connectivity and security, its lack of advanced graphical features and limited display output options may limit its appeal to power users. Overall, this device is a good fit for those seeking reliable, secure connectivity on the go, but may not be the best choice for intensive gaming or multimedia usage.