Specs Appeal: Comparing Surface Laptop 6 for Business, Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop 4

On March 21, 2024, at a special digital event, Microsoft announced a duo of Surface computers, one of which is the Surface Laptop 6 for Business. Here is how this computer compares spec-by-spec to its predecessors, the Surface Laptop 5 and the Surface Laptop 4.

Note: Microsoft does not plan to sell the Surface Laptop 6 for Business to regular customers. The consumer version of the device is expected to be unveiled on May 20, 2024, at another Microsoft event.

Surface Laptop 6 for Business is not a new device category made specifically for commercial customers. Microsoft used to sell business versions of its Surface laptops, but they were never a separate SKU. That changes with the Surface Laptop 6, which is now a dedicated business-focused device completely separate from its upcoming consumer version.

Like the Surface Pro 10 for Business (check out its Specs Apeal article here), the Surface Laptop 6 for Business is almost visually identical to its predecessor (minus the fancy colors and Alcantara in the Surface Laptop 4), and everything new is hidden inside the laptop. Here is the Surface Laptop 6 for Business vs the Surface Laptop 5 vs the Surface Laptop 4:

Surface Laptop 5 135 and 15 inch models with their backs against each other

Surface Laptop 4 press images showing various colors

And here are the key changes summed up in a list:

A slightly better display with adaptive color and an anti-reflective coating
Slightly thicker and slightly heavier
The latest Intel Core Ultra 5 and 7 chips (no AMD or ARM variants)
The maximum amount of RAM is now 64GB
Slightly better battery life
More ports in the 15-inch variant, including an optional Smart Card reader
A better 1080p webcam
Upgraded connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
A dedicated Copilot hardware key (optional)
Notably higher price

Now to the detailed spec-by-spec comparison between the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, the Surface Laptop 5, and the Surface Laptop 4:

	Surface Laptop 6 for Business		Surface Laptop 5	Surface Laptop 4
Display	13.5" 2,256 x 1,504 Pixel Sense display with Adaptive color 15" 2,496 x 1,664 Pixel Sense display with Adaptive color 3:2 aspect ratio, 400 nits brightness (SDR) 60Hz, 1300:1 contrast ratio Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with anti-reflective coating		13.5" 2,256 x 1,504 Pixel Sense 15" 2,496 x 1,664 Pixel Sense 3:2 aspect ratio, 400 nits brightness (SDR) 60Hz, 1300:1 contrast ratio Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Size	13.5-inch: 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.66 inch 308 x 223 x 16.7 mm 3.06lbs (1.38 kg) 15-inch: 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.67 inch 340 x 244 x 16.9 mm 3.71lbs (1.68 kg)		13.5-inc: 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inch, 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm, 2.86 lbs (1.27 kg) 15-inch: 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.58 inch 340 x 244 x 14.7 mm 3.44lbs (1.56 kg)
CPU	Intel Core Ultra 5 135H Intel Core Ultra 7 165H		Intel Core i5-1235U Intel Core i7-1255U	Intel Core i5-1135G7 Intel Core i7-1185G7 AMD Ryzen 5 4680U AMD Ryzen 7 4980U
GPU	Intel Graphics (8GB configurations) Intel Arc Graphics		Intel Iris Xe	Intel Iris Xe AMD Radeon
RAM	8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB LPDDR5x		8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR5x	8GB, 16GB, 32GB LPDDR4x
Storage	User-replaceable PCIe 4.0 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB		User-replaceable SSD 256GB, 512GB, 1 TB
Battery	13.5-inch: 47Wh of nominal capacity Up to 18.5 hours of typical use 39W charger included 15-inch: 47Wh of nominal capacity Up to 19 hours of typical use 65W charger included		13.5-inch: Up to 18 hours of typical use 15-inch: Up to 17 hours of typical use	13.5-inch: Up to 17 hours of typical use (Intel) Up to 19 hours of typical use (AMD) 15-inch: Up to 16.5 hours of typical use (Intel) Up to 17.5 hours of typical use (AMD)
Ports	1x USB4/Thunderbolt 4 Type-C 1x USB-A 3.1 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack Surface Connect port	2x USB4/Thunderbolt 4 Type-C 1x USB-A 3.1 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack Surface Connect port Optional smart card reader	1x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C 4.0 1x USB-A 3.1 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack Surface Connect	1x USB-C 1x USB-A 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack Surface Connect
Camera	1080p Full HD camera with Windows Hello		720p HD front-facing camera with Windows Hello
Sound	Dual Studio microphones with voice focus Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos		Dual Studio microphones Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos
Sensors	Ambient light sensor
Network	Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3		Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax Bluetooth 5.1	Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax Bluetooth 5.0
OS	Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro		Windows 11	Windows 10
Colors	Platinum and Black		Platinum, Sage, Matte Black, Sandstone	Platinum, Ice Blue, Matte Black, Sandstone
Price	Starting at $1199		Starting at $999

Although it might be technically possible to purchase the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, we recommend not doing so. Wait for the consumer version, which should feature much more notable upgrades, such as a better display, an optional ARM configuration, a reworked haptic touchpad, and more.