Overview
- Microsoft listed new consumer configurations on the Microsoft Store on June 23 that price the Surface Pro 12 at $849 and the Surface Laptop 13 at $949 to bring some models back below $1,000.
- The budget SKUs use the prior-generation Snapdragon X Plus processor and 256GB of storage paired with 8GB of RAM, and they are distinct from the newer Snapdragon X2-based 16GB models.
- Microsoft confirmed these 8GB configurations do not qualify for Copilot+ on-device AI because Copilot+ requires at least 16GB of system memory.
- Reviewers and analysts warn that 8GB of RAM on Windows devices limits multitasking, forces more use of slower storage, and can cause stuttering under heavier workloads, so the new models are best for light productivity and web use.
- Microsoft says it will apply Windows 11 memory optimizations to help lower-RAM devices, it will keep higher-end 16GB+ Surface flagships at premium prices, and the Microsoft Store offers a 60-day return policy so buyers can test whether the trade-offs meet their needs.