Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 12 and Laptop 8 with Intel processors

Two years ago, Microsoft first unveiled Arm-based versions of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, leaving Intel models to follow more than half a year later. Now, the company is flipping the script. The latest Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are launching with Intel’s new Core Ultra Series 3 processors first, with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2-powered variants expected later this year.

For businesses, the Surface Pro for Business 13-inch (12th Edition), as Microsoft officially calls it, is available today starting at $1,949.99. The base configuration includes an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the standard 13-inch PixelSense LCD display. The design remains unchanged from its predecessor, retaining two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support and the familiar Surface Connect magnetic charging port. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 are standard, along with a 1440p Quad HD front-facing camera and a 10-megapixel 4K rear shooter.

Buyers can upgrade to a Core Ultra 7 chip, up to 64GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. The top-tier Surface Pro 12 with these specs hits $4,399.99, while OLED screen options and 5G models are also available. The 5G variant starts at $2,249.99 with a Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage.

Alongside the Pro, Microsoft is introducing two new Surface Laptop models for business customers. The Surface Laptop for Business 13.8 or 15-inch (8th Edition) also features Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 chips, starting at $1,949.99 for a Core Ultra 5, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. This price point nearly doubles the original launch price of the Surface Laptop 7, reflecting what some are calling a “RAMageddon” trend after recent consumer price hikes of $500.

The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 maxes out at $4,299.99 with a Core Ultra 7, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, while the 15-inch version reaches $4,499.99. A smaller, more affordable 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business (1st Edition) starts at $1,499.99, with an 8GB RAM configuration promised later this year for $1,299.99. Its maximum spec,Core Ultra 5, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage,costs $2,249.99.

A standout feature on the Surface Laptop 8 is the advanced haptic touchpad. Microsoft has integrated subtle haptic patterns that respond to actions like hovering near a close button in Windows or dragging, scaling, or rotating objects. Sliders on screen will even trigger step-by-step haptic feedback. Windows 11 natively supports this technology, and Microsoft is collaborating with third-party app developers to expand compatibility.

For the first time, the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 8 offers an integrated privacy screen, managed by IT teams or activated with a single key. It protects sensitive business data from onlookers without requiring a physical screen protector, though it lacks the versatility of Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra privacy display.

While the Surface Pro 12 gains an optional OLED display, the Laptop 8 does not. Instead, the 15-inch model gets a higher-resolution panel, moving from 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) to 3270 x 2180 (262 PPI), maintaining a 120Hz refresh rate. Both Laptop 8 models keep the Surface Connect port, a USB-A port, two USB-C ports, and the 15-inch version adds a MicroSDXC Express card reader.

These premium business prices hint at what consumers can expect from upcoming models. Leaker Roland Quandt suggests Microsoft may announce consumer versions in June, with rumors pointing to a Surface Laptop featuring an OLED display. For now, the message is clear: high-end performance comes at a high-end cost.