Microsoft is switching up its Surface playbook this year. Instead of launching Arm models first and making Intel fans wait, the new Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are arriving with Intel’s latest Core Ultra Series 3 chips right out of the gate.
The catch? These are business-focused machines first, and the pricing is very much corporate-budget territory — not exactly the kind of laptop you casually add to cart during 12.12, bro.
Surface Pro 12: same look, newer Intel brain
The Surface Pro 12 is officially called the Surface Pro for Business 13-inch, 12th Edition, because Microsoft naming still loves chaos. It starts at USD 1,949.99, which is roughly around RM9,200 before any Malaysia taxes, margins, or local pricing adjustments.
For that base price, businesses get an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a 13-inch PixelSense LCD display. Higher-end versions can go up to a Core Ultra 7, 64GB RAM, and 1TB storage. The top configuration is priced at USD 4,399.99 — roughly RM20,700. Gila.
There are also OLED display options and 5G models. The Surface Pro 12 with 5G starts at USD 2,249.99, or about RM10,600 on direct conversion.
Design-wise, don’t expect a big visual glow-up. Microsoft is keeping the Surface Pro 11-style body, including two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and the magnetic Surface Connect charging port. That last bit matters for companies already deep in the Surface ecosystem, because existing docks and chargers may still fit into their workflow.
Connectivity gets modern upgrades too: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, a 1440p Quad HD front camera, and a 10MP 4K rear camera.
Surface Laptop 8: business laptop, premium bill
Microsoft is also launching two new Surface Laptop models for business users. The main Surface Laptop 8 comes in 13.8-inch and 15-inch versions, both using Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors. There’s also a smaller 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business, labelled as a 1st Edition model.
The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 starts at USD 1,949.99, with Core Ultra 5, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage. That is almost double the original launch price of the Surface Laptop 7, according to The Verge, which tells you where premium Windows laptop pricing is heading.
Maxed out, the 13.8-inch model with Core Ultra 7, 64GB RAM, and 1TB storage costs USD 4,299.99, around RM20,200. The 15-inch version with a similar high-end setup and x7 processor goes up to USD 4,499.99, or roughly RM21,150.
The design mostly carries over from the Surface Laptop 7, but Microsoft is adding an advanced haptic touchpad. It can give subtle feedback when hovering near a close button, aligning objects, adjusting sliders, or doing precise UI work. Windows 11 supports it natively, and Microsoft is working with app developers for wider support.
The 13.8-inch model also gets an optional integrated privacy screen. IT teams can manage it, or users can toggle it with a key, which sounds genuinely useful for people handling sensitive work in airports, cafes, or open offices.
The smaller 13-inch model is cheaper, but still not cheap
The 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business starts at USD 1,499.99, around RM7,050, and appears to be the Intel version of last year’s Qualcomm-powered model. Microsoft also says 8GB RAM versions will arrive later this year from USD 1,299.99, or roughly RM6,100.
For Malaysia and SEA buyers, the big takeaway is simple: if these prices hint at upcoming consumer Surface models, premium Windows laptops may feel even more painful in 2026. Great hardware, yes — but at these levels, buyers will definitely compare against MacBooks, gaming laptops, and creator-focused machines with beefier GPUs.
For enterprise teams, the Surface Pro 12 and Laptop 8 make sense if manageability, Windows compatibility, docks, privacy features, and clean hardware design matter more than raw value. For regular Malaysian users? Better wait for consumer versions, local pricing, and maybe a good promo before getting too excited.
Source: The Verge