Surface Laptop 7 review - WHAT’S GOING ON!

[@MarkEllisReviews]

What Windows feature would drag you away from your MacBook?

[@justinumali8618]

Games! Not exactly a common use case or even a pure feature but it is what got me to switch after 8 years of Mac(ing) about

[@iber3822]

A lot of programs used for college are not compatible with MACOS, specially in a STEM mayor, teachers always recommend Windows. I have friends (not in a STEM career) that have a MacBook and they always end up using the Windows computer from school, others hate using apps like Excel and they regret it for college. On the other side you can’t gaming, etc.

[@RegiiPad]

@@MarkEllisReviews The more I use Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, the more I like my Macs. IT feels like a MacBook but there’s always something missing, or lagging, the Windows gestures are not as natural as the Mac gestures.. They eventually will get there but it feels like they cut corners to adjust the price. And C’mon, no OLED, no Ms Pencil, no anti-reflective coating that works; I would pay for those. Macs you get what you pay, they never disappoint, even the 8G of memory of MacBook Air I was able to run VMs on it, It’s short but the Air was very brave (I’ve upgraded it to a M3X Pro since I do software development)

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

What did is the 2-in-1 that allow you to have one device instead of a laptop limited in interaction method AND a tablet limited by its software.

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

​@RegiiPad it is called a Surface Pro. And it replaces also your iPad. Do you feel like Apple cut the corner on their MBA with 60Hz screen? No OLED? No touch? No pen?

[@lordtardar4639]

As a lifelong Windows user, I pulled the trigger on an M2 Macbook Air two years ago. I LOVE the machine, but from an OS standpoint, I often find macOS rather counterintuitive in many areas even after two years of use. Drag and drop installation? No dedicated Delete key? I don't get it. I have learned macOS, the way it's designed to work, its shortcuts etc. and it's not a matter of a lack of trying to adapt. But my logic is simple: if you can perform an action in one press of a key, you shouldn't have to do it in two.

[@andyH_England]

Drag and drop for installation is typical Apple, elegant and simple. No package installer is needed to send data all over Windows. When you want to delete an app, just drag it from Applications and drop it in the trash. I cannot understand anyone finding this an issue. As for deleting, that is--FN (backspace)--not hard to adapt to. I think the real problem is that people growing up with Windows think the legacy way Windows works is the best way. When it is, in fact, just another method. That is why MS failed catastrophically with Windows Tablets; they had to keep the legacy ways as people stuck in the past are unwilling to move on. Apple developed from the ground up a mobile tablet OS, and time has proven they were 100% right and MS 100% wrong, costing billions and making MS a nobody in the tablet world.

[@lordtardar4639]

@@andyH_England Agree with the second part of your argument and that operating systems can be different in many ways, neither better nor worse, just different. Like I can't complain about Windows and Mac having different shortcuts. But I'm baffled as to why every Apple user/fan brings up the "not hard to adapt" argument even when I specified it's not an adjustment issue, but rather a math and efficiency issue: 1 click/key press > 2.

[@Rusty01]

@@andyH_England Surface pro 11 is a really great 2 in 1, so i wouldnt say they failed. And also Yes if you can do smthg with one button why should i have to do it with 2 buttons. That counter-intuitive. At the end of the day both macos and windows have their pros and cons as all things in life.

[@tyomidi]

As a long term Mac user (16 years+) I can say that windows is better from a usability perspective. Mac is popular because it’s different from the rest. Mac hardware has only recently become good as previously it was worse than PC.

[@rowaystarco]

I switched to Mac for several years, but I never managed to get comfortable with the OS. I absolutely despised the windows management.

[@UTopia120]

When anyone else does AI - Its just chatGPT When Apple does it - Its an AI revolution. It's getting sheepish.

[@ArthropodSpidey]

It is. What other company has been able to integrate AI so seamlessly within their OS? Copilot is a fucking joke.

[@UTopia120]

@@ArthropodSpidey defending Apple Intelligence before it came out. Well we know your spirit animal.

[@gro967]

@@ArthropodSpidey no one has, including Apple.

[@LordOrangeBike]

Amazing review, great work ! Love your soft tone and thanks for saving us from all the benchmark stuff. Just would have liked to hear your thoughts about the fan noise, which is a major difference with the Mac that does not have any.

[@1549413]

I came for a Surface 7 review and it feels like I heard about MacBook Air a lot more than than the reviewed. I don't care about MacBook Air; I don't have one.

[@AnTran147]

I hate that blue and dune aren't availability at 15"

[@nthd08]

Thank you for the great video, Mark! I have been using the Surface Laptop 7 with Snap. X Plus and it's been perfect for my Uni work (mainly Microsoft Office and Web browsing). However, I think you could have mentioned in the video the compatibility issues with non-ARM programmes for those who might run into those situations

[@jaydenlilley7376]

Only reason I haven't bought one myself yet. I do alot of modelling on solidworks for my uni and I know it's not compatible...yet..

[@nthd08]

@@jaydenlilley7376 oh yes, if that's the case you probably should stay away from Windows for ARM for now. Other than that, it really is a great laptop

[@shifo2500]

@@jaydenlilley7376 I heard from forums on Reddit solidworks runs. Although I am yet to see it in action!!

[@esco6040]

Is this computer recommended for students going into an accounting major?

[@rajaafifi4280]

The general advise is, go see if the app you need is supported for ARM

[@dishwasher3160]

Maybe contact your school and see what applications you will need and verify if they are supported in it. I just purchased it and so far it seems like I’m going to be using excel and some other programs that are available at the school library

[@amitgota]

Yes. Specially the Microsoft Excel has so many shortcuts it will save your life please do not try to do accounting things on Google Sheets it will take 100 hours to do something which you can do on Excel with great shortcuts instead of Google Sheets

[@andikunar7183]

What I like about it vs. my M2 MacBook Air and what you did not mention is, that the SSD is upgradeable, and repairability is much easier than with newer Macs (see the online repair manual). Also its Windows Hello (similar to Face-ID) is very convenient - OK, PCs had touch and Windows-Hello for much longer than Apple. I like my Snapdragon X Surface, but the MacBook Air will stay as my main Laptop. Even though Windows is technically better (built-in Linux/WSL2, nested Hypervisors, better networking), macOS and the ecosystem-integration is just more convenient.

[@wash36]

bot

[@theflyingscott1]

What is the big deal with the one-handed lift of the lid? Are there lots of one-handed or one-armed people in the UK? I use both of my hands for everything including driving my car, opening the fridge door sometimes, frying my eggs and sometimes even when wiping my bottom.

[@christopher_campbell]

It’s a hassle to have to hold the laptop in the air and squeeze your finger in the cutout to open it

[@paulgerhard5170]

i don't close it :-)

[@christopher_campbell]

@@paulgerhard5170 lol

[@kosztaz87]

I don't get this either. I would rather use two hands for opening the laptop, and have a sturdier hinge.

[@lucy6008]

isn’t the pro 11 the latest one?

[@Tigerex966]

Please Do their video test at 50 percent on the air and the surface. Thanks I think a lot of people will watch that.

[@FCisThePunisher]

All these laptops, Windows and Mac, are way overpowered for the average user and they should only be recommended to professionals. How did we got to the point that we consider a laptop costing above 1000 pounds a product that suits the average user were his main use is scrolling on the internet, posting on social media, and/or using software like office.😬

[@_Digitalguy]

that's why most people have cheaper windows laptops

[@andyH_England]

They are for people with higher disposable incomes that can afford to pay extra for these and not worry that the value is poor.

[@Stormlywing]

@@_Digitalguy I've Seen in my town that several people-around 12 so far-are using MacBook Air M1s. These aren’t cheap devices, and some even have MacBook Pros. Out of curiosity, I spoke with them about why they chose these laptops over cheaper Windows alternatives. The most common reasons were: Battery life: The MacBooks offer significantly better battery performance. Performance: The M1 chip provides a major upgrade compared to their old PCs, many of which had outdated 3-core processors. Updates and Longevity: They switched to Mac because they wanted reliable software updates without being forced to upgrade their hardware, which Windows 11 often demands. Feel like we never gain anything new in 10 years when they was before like Windows was out of touch of is users which is should be on not Greed I getting an M3 Max myself because I would pay £69 a mouth for shadow own PC as i want to be free from cable for a bit not 1 hour I only would pay for gaming laptop if is £399-£500

[@ajh_8]

so can you use LTE with this? like use it on the go? if so, how can you?

[@brianchen3964]

This doesn't support LTE, and networking chip is soldered on so you cant upgrade it. You will have to use your phones hotspot

[@MH-dc4qe]

No mention about the speakers? How are the speakers compared to Macbook Air 13?

[@williamcopeland2617]

Speakers are actually very good on the Surface laptop 7.

[@ArthropodSpidey]

@@williamcopeland2617 but worse than the Macbook Air

[@Dattie1]

It’s $1099.99 in the states at Best Buy for the 13.8 size.

[@JXNYVXN]

Can we charge it with the USB-C?

[@劉德華-q9m]

Yes, it can works

[@micksmithson6724]

I returned mine, (SD Elite, 16GB, 512GB SSD), it was a nice machine but no VPNS work, couldn't get it to work with my Brother laser printer/scanner and it wouldnt drive even one of my 5K displays. (my M3 MBA drives two with lid closed )

[@Matt-hs5np]

that track pad looks huge

[@antdaboss__1239]

Would you suggest this for engineering?

[@LindusanKiruba]

also would like to know

[@MrEwanc]

Hi Mark, great video, I'm actually interested in the new Surface laptops. I have owned 2 Macs - a MacBook Pro which I bought in 2007, and which I had for about 10 years, and a MacBook Air, which packed in after about 3 years, so I won't be getting another Mac of any kind. The new Snapdragon X Elite chip could be a game changer for me and offer me a comfortable landing away from MacBooks. Co-Pilot looks interesting too, I've heard you say most people aren't interested in AI several times now in different videos - Mark, most people were not interested in having a home PC, or a telephone in their pocket with a clever mobile OS, but here we are, it's called progress Mark, and I'm all for it, and eventually most people will be DEMANDING better and better AI in their computers and mobile devices, no doubt about it in my view, and some OEMs will go out of business in the coming AI corporate battles, keep watching! Did I mention I love your show..?!👍🏽

[@martin777xyz]

No mention of Google drive or other software that's not running on arm yet?

[@arastu1774]

I have the exact same laptop but my trackpad isn’t the best it lags anf jumps and stutters dunno if its a hardware or driver problem

[@williamcopeland2617]

That issue was fixed a week or so ago. Have you done your updates?

[@Tigerex966]

16gb touch 120hz SD. Card uogradeable ssd standard! yippee

[@RichCow-xe1bz]

iv just returned my samsung book 4 edge and now have the surface laptop 7. Its just better in every way. windows is back. My macbook pro will now gather dust

[@andyH_England]

I heard the returns in some stores for X Elite machines is near 50%. I suspect most people will be, sensibly holding onto their MacBooks. Data from real life testing suggests that the X Elite is awfully badly efficient when working hard, maybe on an Intel level and years behind an M1 let alone the upcoming M4. The Snapdragons are great if you do light work though, and are great premium Chromebooks. But their poor GPU means that they are only really worth paying these high prices if you are loaded and can afford a second Chromebook-like device.

[@williamcopeland2617]

@@andyH_England None of what you said is true brotha. Some clown probably posted a 50% return which is far from the truth, and the battery life is better than the MAC Air is pretty much every LEGIT test that has been done. Surface Pro 11 beats the new iPad with the M4 if you are into those benchmark test. GPU is only needed on specific programs like gaming and video editing. However, when Adobe finally releases a fully optimized version of their Adobe suites for the ARM versions of Windows, they'll off load a lot of those task to the CPU and the NPU.

[@MyFinalCutProJourney]

Another great review. I left Windows about two years ago and am happy with that decision. It always seemed be finicky with devices; sometimes it would recognize my printer, then it wouldn’t. My WP worked with it seamlessly, but then they abandoned WP and I had to switch to Android which brought a whole other set of issues. Now, I like how my phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and watch seamlessly work together. I’m fine with the walled garden (I still have a Pixel for work and enjoy some of the things it can do) and don’t feel I would ever go back to a Windows based system.

[@questyg]

Beautiful

[@gro967]

Even if it would only be half as good as any MacBook, not having to work on the objectively worst OS on the market, MacOS, makes up for everything.

[@ChrisATyeArtist]

No notch… so why can’t Apple do that? It’d stop tech reviewers (present company excepted, of course) moaning about the notch in every Mac video :-)

[@JayD-e2w]

Use both.. Can't stand MacOS. Multi monitor, file system is crap, networking, shared folders... They do not just work when you actually need to use them for work not play. My surface pro 3 still works as new, battery's still good... Can't say that for my macbook air at the same time... Battery failed after two years but the keyboard stopped working after six months. Macs are a rip off, get a dell xos or a surface pro and it will lady you and do more.

[@JimKanaris]

Yes, if I didn't game on the side (although the Surface does "game"), I would've gone for the Surface Laptop 7 or the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7X instead of the Legion Slim 7i. My main, however, is the 16" M3 Pro 👌

[@bhawanigurung9913]

Is it easy to carry around?

[@RegiiPad]

Disappointed that it doesnt come with OLED display and the screen is too reflexive and also doesnt support Microsoft Pen

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Apple Pencil?!

[@RegiiPad]

@@MarkEllisReviews I’ve corrected to Microsoft pencil. Not sure why my edit didn’t went thru

[@RegiiPad]

@@MarkEllisReviews I follow your videos for a while, I like your point of views. Since I’m software engineer my perspective is always more towards the engineering of things but I appreciate the “feeling” factor, it counts a lot.

[@stuarthutchinson2477]

If you're just..... That's what most people do in the real world. In the KZbin bubble, everyone edits videos.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

We do a bit more than that, Stuart. In fact, a lot of us don't even edit our videos - I've stopped doing that very recently. We're pretty normal too, you know 😉

[@stuarthutchinson2477]

@@MarkEllisReviews Ha ha! Glad to hear it😄

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

​@@MarkEllisReviewswell the normal people I know first are mostly using Windows as Mac is like 11% of the market share. Normal people have tablet so would definitely benefit from the appeal of a Surface Pro that remplaces both a laptop and a tablet. But you very HARDLY see reviewers NOT : 1/ insisting on video editing. 2/ considering Windows user as PC gamers, 3/ comparing a Surface Pro purely to an iPad or purely to a Mac. So you have this narrative than Microsoft should compete just like Apple with 2 different split and constrained devices and win over Apole on their own game while never understanding what Microsoft brings on the table with the Surface line.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

At which point in this video did I mention video editing?

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

@MarkEllisReviews if you...are using Windows. That is what you said. 90% of the population are using Windows. The mast majority of Apple fan youtubers are promoting Mac for their performance, on battery, while editing video. Do not make it as if you are not aware of that. Now, with this chip, there is at last something to compete in term of battery life with the M chip. I realizes that you test a Windows machine...using Chrome..You downloaded the ARM version, right? He says living in your bubble because : 1/ Mac users are a minority 2/ slack is almost only used on the tech journalist world. Everyone is using Teams because it is natively in Windows and what enterprise use. 3/ use Chrome on a Windows machine like we would be 10 years ago 4/ use Google Docs...which leans you have never "worked" in your life. You cannot do basic stuff with Google Docs and that is why Office is the de facto worldwide standard. 5/ you suppose most PC users are Pqc gamers Sorry but most of you reviewers are so out of touch with reality...

[@williamcopeland2617]

When you say as good as a MACBOOK what exactly do you mean? There's plenty of Windows Laptops that will crush any MACBOOK out in performance, though you won't get the great battery life. The MSI laptop with the 13th Gen I9 paired with a 4090 will destroy any Apple computer you can buy right now. Again, you won't get the amazing battery life though.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Feels as good in everyday use in terms of performance. The key phrase here is 'everyday use'.

[@owlley]

Is it fanless? Very important!

[@micksmithson6724]

No its not, it has fans

[@niravarora9887]

Is it fanless? Nope. Feeling of having fans? Almost non-existent, it rarely kicks in, and even when it does, it's not noisy.

[@Stormlywing]

@@niravarora9887 just think if it battery was 2 hours battery My laptop has it made for gaming to burn itself out reach 93c in few mins playing GTA 5 even GTA 3 was not stable

[@jimtipton8888]

I'm still healing from my PTWS! (Post Traumatic Windows Syndrome).

[@AndyWoodall]

I wouldn’t switch, but I’m happy to have one in the household. Seems like a decent laptop thus far.

[@Rusty01]

you bought one just for fun

[@CourageUnderFire87]

No HDMI!

[@Stormlywing]

best IDEA that is I guess is has USB-C or it doom to make you pay more for support for HDMI only tv's and not supported the standard of usb-c

[@murtazachaudhary3339]

Nice video

[@pweekes123]

I know what you mean about finding out about Mac computers over Windows, "Once you go Mac you never go back" 🙂

[@sergelucalikasi]

I did go back...

[@Stormlywing]

@@sergelucalikasi sadly i feel like windows never changed much only more laggy as program added Like Edge can run in background without the person knows is on If i get a mac i would choose a better laptop Like the M3 max for steaming them over network ================================================ I got ge72mvr 7rg apache pro - 2 Hours gaming laptop ( 2 years ago ) Sadly i call 2 hours battery is bad for gaming even for £1.000.000 - that real bad for MSI Best part is not even is CPU being more powerful - I set my I7 to 1 core and is runs really slow but the problem is GPU still reaches 93c even if 1 core should not be gaming I run Macos X on it and people say Mac is all about greed the problem are I feel like i never left windows 11 even if is not Microsoft own OS is even feel more better to used even Linux runs better as both uses is APU over nvidia card as APU is more likey to work better than Mini LGPU - L = Laptop

[@davidascencio8595]

I'm not sure but I think the keyboard is not backlit, very sad. Unless I am wrong. Although, I am impressed with this laptop the Mackbook Pro is still by far better.

[@notsandman]

1. The keyboard is backlit 2. It's compared to mac air not mac pro

[@andrewjutub]

Adidas t-shirt is awfull. Try 4F brand.

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Weirdest/most irrelevant comment I've received on a tech video so far. And that's saying something.

[@ralfke8795]

SHIT 😡Microsoft und Qualität. Niemals mehr Surface Book. Auch keine anderen Surface aus der Familie. Nach der Grantie Festplatte wegen angeblicher Überhitzung defekt. Reparaturkosten für Austausch inakzeptabel hoch und extrem schwierig. Microsoftsupport mehr als unterirdisch. Dafür zahlt man Edelkarossenpreise. never ever. SHIT 😡Microsoft and quality. No more Surface Book. Nor any other Surface from the family. According to the Grantie hard drive is defective due to alleged overheating. Replacement repair costs are unacceptably high and extremely difficult. Microsoft support is more than underground. You pay luxury car prices for that. never ever.

[@c.garison3770]

I jump between Windows and Mac all the time and I have to admit that MacOS is far superior to most installs of Windows. I find it annoying that Windows 11 has been built in a way that the OS feels like it is always trying to upsell services to the Azure cloud. Plus, I don't like having the newsfeed clutter the default desktop. I will have to admit, that I want to check out this Snapdragon based windows experience the next time I am at my local MicroCenter, but when it comes time to purchase my next system, I am saving my money to purchase an M4 Mac Mini to replace the M1 Mac Mini I picked up in 2020.

[@jeanbaptistelabelle]

What service of Azure cloud are you referring to? Not aware of that. Only thing Windows proposes is to use OneDrive...like Apple is pushing iCloud. Also, the news feed us not on the desktop. That is one icon on the bottom left that you can just disable once if you do not want.

[@ronaldmelia1172]

I got bored after you mentioned macbook air about 70 times. ZZZ ZZZ

[@philcrawford325]

The main reason I switched from Windows to Mac in 2011 is that I was fed up having to renew an annual subscription for antivirus software (F-Secure), and I knew that anti-virus software was unnecessary on Macs. Obviously, I soon discovered that Mac was far better than Windows in many ways, so I never switched back; at least, it suited me better. Is it still the case that Windows users who want comprehensive protection against viruses must pay, probably by subscription, for anti-virus software?

[@_Digitalguy]

no, I haven't had to use a paid antivirus in over 10 years, and haven't got a single malware on dozens on Windows devices

[@lordtardar4639]

@@philcrawford325 Just want to clarify one thing. You can be perfectly safe in Windows and perfectly safe in Mac AS LONG AS you don't click on fishy links. I've had no trouble in Windows with other threats such as malwares, viruses etc.

[@MrKar18]

Windows has inbuilt Defender and it's free and I don't remember last time I saw the viruses. Keep your browsing clean and all good.

[@antoniocabral4226]

First! From Portugal

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Bosh!

[@luigibru8677]

You got the worst model

[@MarkEllisReviews]

I completely disagree. And you need to counter that with the model I _should_ have got.

[@luigibru8677]

@@MarkEllisReviews 13" with X plus, 15" with X Elite. The one you have has an awful battery life compared to the other models.

[@melissag1161]

Wrong ​@@luigibru8677

[@ゲーム下手くそ人間-c3x]

No support Surface pen garbage

[@robo1989]

Show the laptop more and your bald head less

[@MarkEllisReviews]

Literally the opposite of what I get on OnlyFans.