Surface Laptop Spotted with Intel Lunar Lake CPU: A Game-Changing Notebooks on the Horizon?

Microsoft’s New Surface Laptop: Will it be an Intel Powerhouse?

The latest Surface Laptop from Microsoft has been a huge hit, topping our list of the best laptops out there. While some folks might still be skeptical about its Arm CPU and some drawbacks, it looks like a wait for a model with an Intel chip might soon be over.

Word is spreading that a new Surface Laptop 7, this time with an Intel Core i5-2680V (Lunar Lake) chip, has surfaced on a Chinese auction site, Goofish. The listing describes the device as having 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, along with some tantalizing photos.

Confirming the rumors is none other than Zac Bowden, a reliable leakster from Windows Central, who tells us that Microsoft is indeed testing an Intel-powered Surface Laptop. However, it’s unclear if this will be a variant of the existing Surface Laptop 7 or a new Surface Laptop (possibly version 8).

One thing’s for sure – the design remains the same, as stated in the sales listing, so a variant of the existing model seems more likely. Bowden notes, "It’s likely that Microsoft intends to offer both Intel and Qualcomm variants of the Surface Laptop with its updated design going into 2025."

So, what does this mean for us? Well, if you’ve been holding out for an Intel-powered Surface Laptop, it might just be worth keeping an eye out for. And who knows, maybe we’ll even see a business-only variant of this new laptop.

Analysis: Business as Usual? We Hope Not

What’s the big deal about an Intel-powered Surface Laptop? For one, it means no more software compatibility issues or game support limitations. For another, Lunar Lake CPUs have really impressed since their launch, promising excellent battery life and performance.

However, the only real drawback might be the price tag. The Goofish seller claims the device will cost around 19,000 Chinese Yuan, which converts to about $2,700 (or £2,000 / AU$4,000). That’s a significant jump from the current prices. But we’re skeptical about those figures, given the current Surface Laptop 7’s $1,600 MSRP. A business-only launch could be part of the explanation, which would be quite disappointing if it’s true.

In conclusion, while the Intel-powered Surface Laptop might be a powerhouse, we can’t quite shake off the feeling that we’re looking at a business-only device. Here’s hoping we’re wrong, and Microsoft does release a consumer version.