Microsoft Targets Students and Professionals with New AI-Enabled Surface Devices

In a blog post Tuesday, Microsoft introduced two new Surface devices: a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop. They're both branded with Microsoft's AI, Copilot+, and are available for pre-order now.

New Surface Pro, 12-inch

The Surface Pro 12-inch is a 2-in-1 tablet with a detachable keyboard, and has the now iconic kickstand when detached. The new Surface Slim Pen attaches magnetically to the back of the tablet for charging (and to make sure it doesn't get lost).

The 1.5-pound Surface Pro comes in two versions, each running a Snapdragon X Plus 8 Core CPU and an LCD display. The 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD comes in at $799, while the larger 512GB SSD model hits $899. It comes in three colors, too (though the 256GB model only comes in the first): Platinum, Violet, and Ocean. It will be available starting May 20.

The Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard comes in Slate, Violet, and Ocean to match, and the Slat option offers a bold keyset option. It runs $149.99 and releases May 19.

All-New Surface Laptop, 13-inch

Microsoft says the 13-inch Surface Laptop is its thinnest and lightest Surface laptop. yet, which puts it in competition with Apple's super popular MacBook Air series of laptops.

It features a premium anodized aluminum chassis and comes in three stunning colors: Ocean, Violet and Platinum. To complete the look, you can pair your device with the Surface Arc Mouse, our most beloved and best-selling mouse, which is now available in matching Ocean and Violet.

The company promises 23 hours of video playback on one charge and up to 16 hours of active web browsing, which should be plenty for a long workday. It comes in the same three colors, Platinum, Violet, and Ocean, and the 256GB version starts at $899.99 with the 512GB SSD model hitting $999.99.

Both models have an integrated 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) neural processing unit (NPU) for Copilot+ features like Recall, an improved Windows search, photo retouching, and Click to Do (a way to identify text and images on your screen for AI workflows).

The Surface Pro is made with 82.9% recycled materials in the enclosure, and Microsoft says it's the first Pro to have 100% recycled cobalt in its battery cell. The Surface Laptop also has a 100% recycled cobalt battery, and adds 100% recycled rare earth metals in its magnets, with components that can be replaced by "authorized service providers or skilled technicians." for more repairable devices.