Microsoft’s latest Surface event brought the long-awaited Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, but with a surprising twist. Both devices sport upgraded Intel Core Ultra CPUs with AI capabilities, yet they’re labeled “for business” and won’t be available at your regular retail or online channels.
What’s the Deal?
Microsoft insists they remain committed to consumer devices, stating “Building great devices that people love to use aligns closely with our company mission…We are excited to be bringing devices to market that deliver great AI experiences to our customers.” However, keeping these new launches out of retail feels like an odd choice.
In recent years, models like the Surface Laptop Studio 2, Laptop Go 3, and Surface Go 4 were also quietly released as business-targeted devices. While not a complete withdrawal from the consumer space, this trend suggests a shift in focus.
So, What’s New in the Business-Focused Surface Devices?
Despite their limited availability, the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for Business offer some enticing upgrades. The Pro 10 boasts choices of Core Ultra 5 135U or 7 165U CPUs, up to 64GB RAM, and 1TB storage. A major highlight is the new 1,440p webcam with a wide field of view and Windows Studio effects leveraging the CPU’s AI capabilities.
The Surface Laptop 6, in both 13.5-inch and 15-inch sizes, features more powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 135H and Ultra 7 165H CPUs for demanding workloads. Select configurations even include Intel Arc graphics for a performance boost. Oddly, it lacks the Pro 10’s upgraded camera, making do with a 1080p option. However, the Laptop 6 offers an optional built-in smart card reader, a niche yet useful feature for certain business environments.
Both devices include a dedicated ‘Copilot’ key for Microsoft’s AI assistant, solidifying their AI-driven focus. Performance-wise, Microsoft claims significant gains over previous models, especially thanks to those beefy Intel graphics.
Should You Care?
If you own an older Surface, the AI-powered Pro 10 could be an appealing upgrade. The business focus is less exciting for consumers, but it raises a key question: could this shift pave the way for more exciting consumer Surface devices in the future?
Availability
The Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for Business are available for pre-order now directly from Microsoft in the US, starting at $1,200 each. They’ll ship on April 9th.
