Some Microsoft Surface Devices Just Got Big Price Cuts — but the Catch Is They've Had Big RAM Cuts, Too
The lower-memory models give budget buyers a new entry point, but Microsoft says they still miss the 16GB requirement for Copilot Plus PC certification.
- On Tuesday, Microsoft introduced new 8GB RAM variants of the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch, priced at $849 and $949 respectively, powered by an older Snapdragon X Plus processor.
- Global memory shortages dubbed 'RAMageddon' drove laptop prices to record highs this year, prompting Microsoft to position these 8GB additions as entry-level options for everyday tasks rather than replacements for 16GB machines.
- These variants lack the 16GB of RAM required for 'Copilot+ PC' status. Brett Ostrum, Microsoft's VP of Surface, said they "give customers another entry point for everyday productivity, browsing, communication, and entertainment."
- Although these new options cost $50 more than original launch prices, Microsoft is optimizing Windows 11 to improve performance on 8GB systems through memory-management enhancements.
- Critics worry 8GB may prove insufficient for future-proofing, while Microsoft maintains users needing gaming, 3D modeling, or 4K video editing should opt for higher-end 16GB configurations.
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Some Microsoft Surface devices just got big price cuts — but the catch is they've had big RAM cuts, too
Microsoft has cut the price of last year's Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch modelsThe freshly introduced entry-level models have 8GB of RAM and provide some relief from recent major price hikesThis isn't a compromise that some people are happy about, and they're arguing that 8GB isn't enough for a laptop these daysMicrosoft has given us some more affordable Surface devices, models that are back under a grand in the US due to price …
Microsoft is selling new 8GB Surface laptops that don't qualify as Copilot+ PCs
The 8GB Surface Pro starts at $849, while the new Surface Laptop variant is priced at $949. Both are powered by the original Snapdragon X Plus SoC, include 256GB of storage, and are otherwise identical to the first-generation 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop. They are available now on...Read Entire Article
8GB of RAM is making a big comeback in the PC market, and Microsoft is now adapting its messaging to make these less powerful models more appealing to the general public. [Read more] Did you know? Google News lets you choose your media. Don't miss Frandroid and Numerama.
Microsoft has changed the discourse on RAM in Windows 11 laptops. Redmond-based company has spent years saying that 16GB were the reasonable starting point for a modern PC. Now, they collect cable to say that 8GB of RAM is a valid configuration for everyday tasks such as browsing, watching streaming, studying or using productivity applications. However, that change of speech hides a small letter that we must know. Microsoft again says that 8GB i…
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