One of the most important thing online freelance workers need if they want to be real digital nomads is a laptop. Without a laptop, they will be forced to work in internet cafés or computer shops to complete their projects. So, it is important to make sure you get one that is suitable for the projects you are working on. If you are in the market for a new laptop and can wait a month before getting one, you may want to consider getting the Microsoft Surface Laptop, which was launched earlier this month.
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Microsoft Surface Laptop – image source: Microsoft.com
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A number of industry watchers have likened the new Microsoft Surface laptop with its biggest competitor in the market, the MacBook Air. I would to agree to this comparison since the new Microsoft laptop has some features comparable to the lightest laptop offering of Apple. Let’s take a look at the specs of the new Surface laptop.
Specs
The new Microsoft Surface Laptop adopts the clamshell design unlike the Surface Book, which is basically a tablet with a keyboard attachment. It features a 13.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio. Panos Panay, devices chief over at Microsoft, said it is the “thinnest thinnest LCD touch model ever created and put into a laptop.” The thickest point on the laptop is 14.47 mm and it only weighs 2.76 lbs. Its PixelSense display offers 3.4 million pixels and is protected Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3. The display also supports the Surface Pen, which means users can draw on the display itself similar to previous Surface device models.
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| Microsoft Surface Laptop – image source: Microsoft.com |
Performance and Battery Life
In terms of performance, the Surface laptop features the latest Core i5 and i7 processors of Intel and has a battery life of up to 14.5 hours. Panay said the battery life of the Microsoft device is longer compared to any MacBooks currently available in the market. It is supposedly also faster than the i7 MacBook Pro. The memory options for the Surface laptop start at 4GB and have a maximum memory of 16GB. On the other hand, the basic model has an SSD size of 128GB while the top-of-the-line model features an SSD of 1TB.
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| Microsoft Surface Laptop – image source: Microsoft.com |
To keep the Surface laptop cool, Microsoft integrated vapor chambers into the aluminum finish at the back. You will not see any speaker holes or grilles on the device. Instead, Microsoft integrated the speakers of the device underneath its keyboard, which means the sound travels through its base.
Ports
Color Options and Price
The new Microsoft Surface Laptop comes four colors, Platinum, Cobalt Blue, Burgundy, and Graphite Gold. Platinum is the heritage color of the Surface devices while Cobalt Blue is inspired by nature, giving it a bright yet neutral feel, according to Microsoft. On the other hand, Burgundy provides an elegant touch on the latest range of devices of the company while Graphite Gold provides a comforting glow through its shimmer. Pre-orders for the new Microsoft Surface Laptop are already being accepted in a number of countries. Prices start at $999 for the Intel Core i5 variant, which 4GB of RAM along with 128GB of SSD internal storage. Shipping will start on June 15.
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| Microsoft Surface Laptop – image source: Microsoft.com |
The Surface Laptop is powered by Windows 10 S. You have to think twice if you want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro since it will be a permanent upgrade. But you may not need to upgrade since the new device was designed for Windows 10 S. Microsoft is also offering a one-year subscription to MS Office 365 Personal as well as 1TB of free OneDrive online storage for a limited period of time.
Conclusion
The new Microsoft Surface Laptop has turned some heads in the industry. When it was launched it showed the company was taking Apple head on. The display of the device is noteworthy, especially for people who love large displays and a huge pixel count. The 3.4 million pixels is a head-turner for people who work on pictures and graphics. And if the performance holds true, it is definitely one device I will consider getting for myself. The long battery life is definitely a plus since you do not have to bring a charger with you all the time. It also allows you to work on a paper or project in school or at the office and watch videos before you feel the need to charge the device.
The 1TB storage option for its top-of-the-line model is also another plus for people looking for other laptop options in the market. While the lack of a USB-C port may be a letdown, the company does offer options for its users. The SD memory card port is something I appreciate since I am also a novice photographer.
The 1TB storage option for its top-of-the-line model is also another plus for people looking for other laptop options in the market. While the lack of a USB-C port may be a letdown, the company does offer options for its users. The SD memory card port is something I appreciate since I am also a novice photographer.
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| Microsoft Surface Laptop – image source: Microsoft.com |
When you compare the new Microsoft Surface vs laptops offered by its competitors, it shows the software giant is determined to make it big in its first foray in the laptop market. The high-end features of the laptop is already making me think twice about looking for the latest Alienware laptop since the specs of the new Microsoft laptop is comparable to a number of models offered by its competitors.
While the market for the Microsoft Surface Laptop appears to be college students, it is also suitable for online freelance workers who are not ready to switch to a different OS. If given the chance and money, I would definitely get a Microsoft Surface Laptop due to the features it offers for someone like me. What do you think?
Note: Pre-orders for the new Microsoft Surface Laptop has already started in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Availability in other markets will be announced at a later time.
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