Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 - A Comprehensive Review

Introduction

As a Microsoft MVP in the Windows and Devices category, I recently had the opportunity to test the new Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 through the Surface LOAN Program. Having used the Surface Book 3 for several years, I was eager to see how this new device compares. In this blog post, I’ll share my experiences and insights on the Surface Laptop 6, including its specifications and how it stacks up against the Surface Book 3.

Design and Build Quality

The Surface Laptop 6 continues Microsoft’s tradition of sleek and elegant design. It features a robust aluminum chassis, available in several colors, and a comfortable keyboard with excellent key travel. The device is lightweight and portable, making it ideal for both work and travel.

Display

The Surface Laptop 6 boasts a stunning PixelSense display available in two sizes: 13.5 inches with a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels, and 15 inches with a resolution of 2496 x 1664 pixels. Both screens are bright, vibrant, and offer excellent color accuracy, making them perfect for creative work and media consumption.

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 13.5 Inch:

• Touchscreen: 13.5 inch PixelSense™ Display
• Resolution: 2256 x 1504 (201 PPI)
• Aspect ratio: 3:2
• Contrast ratio: 1300:1
• Color profile: sRGB, and Enhanced
• Individually color-calibrated display
• Adaptive color
• Touch: 10-point multi-touch
• Dolby Vision IQ™ support
• Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5
• Anti-reflective, ISO 9241-307 certified
• Brightness: SDR 400 nits maximum (typical)

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 15 Inch:

• Touchscreen: 15 inch PixelSense™ Display
• Resolution: 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI)
• Aspect ratio: 3:2
• Contrast ratio: 1300:1
• Color profile: sRGB, and Enhanced
• Individually color-calibrated display
• Adaptive color
• Touch: 10-point multi-touch
• Dolby Vision IQ™ support
• Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5
• Anti-reflective, ISO 9241-307 certified
• Brightness: SDR 400 nits maximum (typical)

Performance

Under the hood, the Surface Laptop 6 is powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 processors, coupled with up to 64GB of LPDDR5x RAM and storage options up to 1TB SSD. This combination ensures smooth performance for multitasking, productivity, and even some light gaming. The inclusion of the Intel® AI Boost NPU (Neural Processing Unit) enhances AI-driven tasks, making applications like Microsoft Teams run more efficiently and smoothly.

Windows Studio Effects

One of the standout features enabled by the NPU is the Windows Studio Effects. These effects include automatic framing, eye contact correction, and background blur, which significantly enhance video calls and recordings. Whether you’re using Microsoft Teams or any other video conferencing tool, these effects ensure you always look your best and stay focused on your meeting.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Surface Laptop 6 is its impressive battery life. In my tests, it easily lasted a full workday with moderate use, including web browsing, video streaming, and document editing.

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 13.5 Inch:

• Up to 18.5 hours of typical device usage

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 15 Inch:

• Up to 19 hours of typical device usage

Comparison with Surface Book 3

Having used the Surface Book 3 for several years, I can confidently say that the Surface Laptop 6 offers a more refined experience. While the Surface Book 3’s detachable screen and dedicated GPU were great for certain tasks, the Surface Laptop 6’s improved portability, battery life, and overall performance make it a worthy successor for most users. Additionally, the Surface Laptop 6 also includes a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which enhances AI-related tasks and improves performance in certain applications.

New Repairability Experience

This generation of commercial devices marks a significant improvement in repairability. By scanning built-in QR codes inside each device, you are linked to a detailed online service guide. Visual guidelines help you easily identify how many and what type of fasteners are needed for replaceable components (available in Surface Pro 10 only). In combination with our tools, warranty, and coverage options, these advancements in repair simplification are helping us deliver experiences essential for helping your business thrive with Surface. The Surface Laptop 6 also features several replaceable components, including the display assembly, keyboard assembly, removable solid-state drive (SSD), battery, motherboard module, Surface Connect port, thermal module, audio jack, speakers, touchpad, enclosure, and feet.

Specifications

Processor

• Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 processor 135H
• Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 processor 165H
• NPU: Intel® AI Boost

Graphics

• 8GB memory: Intel® Graphics
• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB memory: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

Memory and Storage

Memory options:

• 8GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB LPDDR5x RAM

Storage options:

• Removable solid-state drive (Gen 4 SSD) 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB

Size and Weight

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 13.5 Inch:

• Length: 12.1 inch (308 mm)
• Width: 8.8 inch (223 mm)
• Height: 0.66 inch (16.7 mm)
• Weight: 3.06 lbs (1.38 kg)

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 15 Inch:

• Length: 13.4 inch (340 mm)
• Width: 9.6 inch (244 mm)
• Height: 0.67 inch (16.9 mm)
• Weight: 3.70 lbs (1.68 kg)
• With smart card reader: 3.71 lbs (1.68 kg)

Security

• Hardware TPM 2.0 chip for enterprise-grade security and BitLocker support
• Windows Hello facial recognition with Enhanced Sign-in Security
• Integrated smart card reader authentication (available on select models and markets)
• Windows 11 Secured-core PC

Cameras

• Full HD front-facing Surface Studio Camera
• 1080p Full HD camera
• Windows Studio Effects with automatic framing, eye contact, and background blur
• Windows Hello face authentication camera

Audio

• Dual Studio Mics with voice focus
• Omnisonic® Speakers with Dolby® Atmos®
• Support for Bluetooth® LE Audio

Ports and Charging

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 13.5 Inch:

• USB-C® with USB 4®/Thunderbolt™ 4 with support for:
  • Charging
  • Data transfer
  • DisplayPort 2.1 with support up to 1 x 8K monitor
• Supports fast charging with minimum 45W power supply via Surface Connect or USB-C®
• USB-A 3.1
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• Surface Connect port

Surface Laptop 6 for Business 15 Inch:

• 2 x USB-C® with USB 4®/Thunderbolt™ 4 with support for:
  • Charging
  • Data transfer
  • DisplayPort 2.1 with support up to 1 x 8K monitor
• Supports fast charging with minimum 45W power supply via Surface Connect or USB-C®
• USB-A 3.1
• 3.5 mm headset jack
• Surface Connect port
• Integrated smart card reader slot (available on select models and markets)

Personal Experience

During the summer, I had the opportunity to use the Surface Laptop 6 with a 15-inch screen in black for a few weeks. This was because I did a session about Surface devices at my employer and showed the devices to the customer where I am currently consulting, thanks to the Microsoft Surface Team in the Netherlands who arranged the delivery. Currently, I have the 13.5-inch model with a 256GB SSD in platinum. The smaller screen size and different color provide a fresh look and feel, making it even more portable. However, I still prefer the 15-inch model in black for its larger screen real estate and sleek appearance.

Conclusion

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 is a fantastic device that combines elegance, performance, and portability. Whether you’re upgrading from an older Surface device or looking for a new laptop, the Surface Laptop 6 is definitely worth considering. Special thanks to the Surface Team for providing this device through the Surface LOAN Program as part of my MVP benefits.