Microsoft has unveiled major Surface Laptop and Surface Pro updates that it says can outperform the M5 MacBook Air , but the highlight is a feature from the Android world: the Surface Laptop 8 has a privacy display similar to that of the Galaxy S26 Ultra .
Certain versions of the new Surface Laptop for Business 13.8-inch (aka Surface Laptop 8) have a software-controlled privacy screen with anti-glare that can block sensitive information from "unintended viewers" without needing a third-party layer. You won't have to worry that someone will see your confidential report while you're on a flight, in other words. You can activate it yourself, but Microsoft notes that IT managers can require that it stays on.
The laptops are also billed as faster and more sophisticated than the Mac competition. The new Surface Laptop 13.8- and 15-inch models both have Core Ultra Series 3 X7 chips that reportedly deliver 35 percent faster GPU performance than the M5 MacBook Air with a 10-core GPU. Microsoft is relying on the Cinebench 2026 multi-core test to make the claim, so real-world speeds might vary — but it's clear the company is concerned buyers might switch away from Windows.
The Surface Laptop 8 series also introduces an "advanced" haptic trackpad that responds not just to clicks, but to window resizes, drag-and-drop file moves, and certain third-party apps. It's mean to provide a more "confidence inspiring" experience, Microsoft says.
There's also a new Surface Pro for Business 13-inch (aka Surface Pro 12) that peaks at a Core Ultra 5 (Series 3), but has optional 5G
Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 price and availability
Snapdragon X2 versions are coming
Microsoft has already been hit hard by surging RAM prices , and that's evident in pricing for the 2026 Surface models. The Surface Laptop for Business 13.8-inch is available now in "select markets" starting at $1,950. That includes the privacy display, but you'll only get a Core Ultra 5 , 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD at that price. To get the Ultra X7, you'll need to pay $3,700 for 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. That puts it in competition with top-tier M5 Max-based MacBook Pro systems.
The 15-inch version of the laptop starts at $2,150 with similar base specs, although you can pay a smaller $2,550 price if you want the Ultra X7 without extra memory or storage.
The Surface Pro for Business 13-inch begins at the same $1,950 as the laptop with 16GB of RAM and a 256GB drive. A 5G version starts at $2,250. There are no Ultra X7 or privacy display options.
An update to the more compact Surface Laptop for Business 13-inch is available for the more cost-conscious, starting at $1,500 with 16GB of memory and a 256GB SSD. In a sign of the times, however, Microsoft is also promising a variant with 8GB of RAM for $1,300. That will help keep prices down, but also makes it $200 more expensive than a MacBook Air with twice the memory and drive space.
Versions of both devices with Qualcomm's ARM-based Snapdragon X2 chips are coming later this year, although Microsoft isn't providing pricing other details at this stage.
