Microsoft’s next wave of Surface devices may have just leaked, and it looks like it is doubling down on choice.
Early retailer listings suggest the upcoming Surface Pro and Surface Laptop will once again be split between ARM and Intel models. There will also be more configurations than before.
On the consumer side, both devices are expected to run on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 chips. These include the X2 Plus and X2 Elite. For the Surface Laptop, that reportedly means sticking with the 13.8-inch model. It also involves dropping the larger 15-inch ARM variant altogether. Memory options are said to range from 16GB to 24GB RAM. These will be paired with 512GB to 1TB SSD storage.
The next Surface Pro follows a similar approach, with ARM-powered models offering 16GB to 32GB RAM and up to 512GB of storage. You also get the usual Platinum and Black colour options. There is nothing wildly different on the surface. However, the real changes seem to sit with the business-focused models.
That’s where Intel comes back into play. Leaked details point to Intel Core Ultra 5 and Ultra 7 “Panther Lake” chips powering enterprise versions of both devices. These will have significantly higher ceilings, up to 64GB of RAM, depending on configuration.
Display options also get a boost. The Surface Pro for business is tipped to offer a choice between LCD and OLED panels, alongside an optional 5G modem. In addition, the Surface Laptop variants are expected to follow suit. Both 13.8-inch and 15-inch OLED options are available for those going the Intel route.
If accurate, the split strategy mirrors what Microsoft has been doing recently. ARM is for efficiency and battery life on consumer devices. Meanwhile, Intel provides flexibility and power in business setups.
There’s still no confirmed launch date or pricing. However, expectations are that costs could climb even higher following Microsoft’s recent Surface price increases. For now, this leak gives a fairly clear early picture – more options, more power, and potentially a more complicated buying decision, depending on which chip camp you land in.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
