Microsoft launches Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 with Intel chips

Almost exactly two years ago, Microsoft introduced Arm-powered versions of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, with Intel models not ready until more than six months later. This time around Microsoft is refreshing its Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models with Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 3 processors first, ahead of similar models with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 processors later this year.

The new Surface Pro 12, or as Microsoft calls it the Surface Pro for Business 13-inch (12th Edition), will be available for businesses today, starting at an eye-watering $1,949.99. The base model will include an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the regular 13-inch PixelSense LCD display.

Businesses will have to pay extra for models with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 processor, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. The top spec Surface Pro 12 with a Core Ultra 7, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage will be priced at $4,399.99, and there are also OLED screen options and models with 5G connectivity. The Surface Pro 12 5G starts at $2,249.99, with a Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

The design of the Surface Pro 12 looks unchanged from the Surface Pro 11, and Microsoft has kept the same two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support. Crucially for businesses that already own Surface devices, the Surface Pro 12 still includes the Surface Connect magnetic charging port. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity are both included, as well as a 1440p Quad HD front-facing camera and a 10-megapixel 4K rear-facing camera.

Microsoft is also launching two new versions of the Surface Laptop for businesses today. The Surface Laptop 8, or Surface Laptop for Business 13.8 or 15-inch (8th Edition) as Microsoft calls it, will also be available with a range of Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 chips. It launches alongside a smaller 13-inch model, which is confusingly labeled the Surface Laptop for Business 13-inch (1st Edition).

The 13.8-inch model starts at $1,949.99, and includes Intel’s Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. While Surface devices for businesses have typically had higher pricing than consumer models, the $1,949.99 starting price for a Surface Laptop 8 is almost double the original price of the Surface Laptop 7. RAMageddon really has come for Microsoft’s Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices, after recent price increases meant the existing consumer models are now $500 more expensive than their original starting price.

The max configuration for the 13.8-inch Surface Pro 8 will include a Core Ultra 7, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage for $4,299.99. A similar version of the 15-inch model (with an x7 processor) will be priced at $4,499.99.

The Surface Laptop 8 maintains the same design as the previous Surface Laptop 7, but Microsoft is adding what it calls an “advanced haptic touchpad.” This touchpad adds subtle haptic patterns when you’re hovering near a close button in Windows, or alignment cues when you’re trying to drag, scale, or rotate objects. If there’s a slider that you’re dragging on screen, the haptics will even indicate the steps of the slider. Windows 11 has built-in support for this new haptic touchpad, and Microsoft is also working with third-party app developers to improve support.

The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 also has the option for an integrated privacy screen for the first time, though nothing as powerful and flexible as the privacy display on Samsung’s recent Galaxy S26 Ultra phone. The privacy filter can be managed by IT teams, or activated with a single key. It’s designed to protect business data from being seen by prying eyes without the need for a physical screen protector.

While Microsoft is adding the option for an OLED display on the Surface Pro 12, the Laptop 8 is missing that upgrade. Instead of an OLED option, the 15-inch model will get a higher resolution panel, moving from a resolution of 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) to 3270 x 2180 (262 PPI), with the same 120Hz refresh rate.

The Surface Laptop 8 will also retain the Surface Connect port for charging, and Microsoft is keeping the USB-A port and two USB-C ports on both models. There’s also a MicroSDXC Express card reader on the 15-inch model.

The smaller and slightly more affordable 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business (1st Edition) appears to be an Intel version of the Qualcomm-powered model that shipped last year. It starts at $1,499.99, but Microsoft must be aware this is still a high starting price as it’s promising 8GB of RAM configurations “later this year” starting at $1,299.99. The maximum configuration of this model with a Core Ultra 5 processor, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage will be priced at $2,249.99.

The high pricing of these three new Surface devices is a sign of things to come for whatever consumer models Microsoft is planning this year. We might hear about those in June, according to leaker Roland Quandt. Rumors have suggested that Microsoft is preparing to launch a Surface Laptop model with an OLED display.