Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

Updated Nov 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) is the better pick — it scores 64/100 to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)'s 58, leading on Display and Battery. Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) instead if design & weight matters most to you, where it comes out ahead.

Performance is scored from the laptop's CPU and GPU; few laptops have a published whole-system benchmark.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) leads overall

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

Why it stands out

Display resolution: 3270 × 2180 px
Design & Weight Dimensions: 32.9 × 23.9 × 1.83 cm
Display Size: 15 in (9% more)

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.
No SD card reader.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.

Winner by category for Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Category	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Winner
Processor	47	47	Tie
Integrated Graphics	38	38	Tie
Discrete Graphics	0	0	Tie
Memory	49	49	Tie
Storage	62	62	Tie
Display	62	45	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Sound	68	68	Tie
Webcam	50	50	Tie
Battery	100	0	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Connectivity	85	85	Tie
Input	85	85	Tie
Ports	52	37	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Design & Weight	41	59	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Security	85	85	Tie
Performance	85	85	Tie

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Nov 2026.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) is a Windows 11 Pro commercial notebook built on ARM architecture. Powered by Snapdragon® X2 Plus or Elite processors with a Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU delivering up to 80 TOPS, it features a 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 16 hours of active web usage.

Best for all-day mobile productivity and web workflowsBest for secure enterprise deployments utilizing Windows Pluton and facial recognition

Pros

High-resolution 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate
Extensive memory and storage configurations ranging up to 64GB LPDDR5x RAM and 2TB Gen 4 SSD
Comprehensive connectivity including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB4 ports
Strong modular serviceability with easily replaceable core internal and external components

Cons

Display is optimized strictly for touch interaction and does not support pen input accessories
ARM-based architecture may require emulation for certain legacy x86 applications

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) is a premium business-focused notebook powered by Snapdragon® X2 Plus or Snapdragon® X2 Elite processors with integrated Qualcomm Hexagon NPU capabilities. It is designed for enterprise users and professionals requiring high performance, extensive battery longevity, and robust security features like a Microsoft Pluton security processor. The device features a large PixelSense Flow touchscreen display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a generous selection of memory and storage options, and modern connectivity including Wi-Fi 7.

Best for All-day enterprise productivity and active web usageBest for Secure corporate environments requiring hardware-level encryption and biometric Best for Media consumption and multitasking on a large, high-refresh-rate touch display

Pros

Equipped with advanced Snapdragon X2 processors and up to 80 TOPS NPU performance
High-resolution 15-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate
Robust enterprise security suite including Windows Hello facial recognition and a Microsoft Pluton processor
Extensive battery performance offering up to 19 hours of local video playback
Comprehensive connectivity featuring USB4, Wi-Fi 7, and a MicroSDXC Express card reader

Cons

Pen input and compatibility with accessories like the Surface Slim Pen are not supported
Carries a heavier footprint at 3.67 lbs compared to smaller notebook variants

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

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Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) is 0.3 kg (22%) heavier than Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition).

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Processor

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Processor model

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Integrated graphics model

Memory

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Memory capacity	16 GB	16 GB
Technology
Memory upgradeable	No	No

Storage

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Storage capacity	512 GB	512 GB
Socket type	N/A	N/A
PCIe version	4	4
Storage upgradeable	Yes	Yes

Display

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Size	13.8 in	15 in9% more
Display resolution	2304 × 1536 px	3270 × 2180 px
Aspect ratio	3:2	3:2
Refresh rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Response time	N/A	N/A
Display type
Brightness	600 nits	600 nits
Has pen support	No	No
Has touch support	Yes	Yes
Screen-to-body ratio	86%	85%

Sound

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Number of speakers	N/A	N/A
Power	N/A	N/A
Has Dolby Atmos	Yes	Yes
Number of microphones	2	2

Webcam

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Webcam resolution	1920 × 1080 px	1920 × 1080 px

Battery

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Battery capacity	N/A	N/A
Maximum charge power	N/A	65 W

Connectivity

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Wi-Fi technology
Bluetooth technology

Input

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Has a backlit keyboard	Yes	Yes
Has a numpad	N/A	N/A

Ports

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
USB Type A	1	1
USB Type C	2	2
Thunderbolt technology
Has an HDMI port	No	No
Has a card reader	No	Yes
Has a headphone jack	Yes	Yes

Design & Weight

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Color
Dimensions	30.1 × 22 × 1.75 cm	32.9 × 23.9 × 1.83 cm
Weight	1.36 kg18% less	1.66 kg

Security

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Has a fingerprint scanner	N/A	N/A
Has infrared face recognition support	Yes	Yes

Performance

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
PassMark CPU Mark	N/A	N/A
Active cooling	Yes	Yes
Release Date	June 16, 2026	June 16, 2026

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) rates higher at 65/100 versus 60/100 for Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) — a 5-point lead. Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) are compared side by side above across every spec in the laptops category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 65/100 for Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and 60/100 for Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition).

If you want the higher-rated laptops option overall, Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) (65/100) edges out Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) (60/100). But if Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.