In mid-June, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop 7, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite processor, earning widespread praise for its impressive performance and long battery life. However, for some Surface Laptop enthusiasts, the Windows-on-ARM architecture wasn’t ideal due to app compatibility concerns. These users may find relief in a new, upcoming Intel-based version of the Surface Laptop.
Intel-Based Surface Laptop 7 Spotted on Goofish
According to a now-deleted listing on the Chinese marketplace Goofish, a new Surface Laptop model featuring Intel’s Core Ultra 7 268V CPU—part of Intel’s Lunar Lake lineup—is expected to hit the market in 2025. Windows Central captured details from the listing before it was removed, providing insight into the specs of the potential device.
The listing described a high-end configuration with:
- 32GB RAM for enhanced multitasking
- 1TB SSD storage
- An estimated price of around $2,600 USD
Though unconfirmed, the timing suggests a possible debut at CES 2025, where Microsoft may officially announce the new Surface Laptop model.
The Snapdragon X Elite vs. Intel Lunar Lake
The Surface Laptop 7’s current version, running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, has garnered attention for its strong AI performance. However, Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake chips are set to challenge Qualcomm’s dominance, particularly when it comes to AI processing capabilities.
In recent benchmarks, Intel’s Lunar Lake chips demonstrated impressive results in AI tasks, far outpacing the competition. For example, in Geekbench AI NPU benchmarks:
- Intel’s Lunar Lake chips exceeded 18,000 points in the Precision category.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Apple’s M3 chips lagged behind, both scoring below 2,500.
This significant difference suggests that the Lunar Lake-powered Surface Laptop 7 could offer stronger AI capabilities than its Snapdragon X Elite counterpart.
Lunar Lake’s AI Potential
One key area where Intel’s Lunar Lake chips shine is their AI-powered Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance. The Surface Laptop 6, equipped with Intel’s earlier Meteor Lake processors, struggled to fully support Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI features due to weaker NPU performance. However, Lunar Lake’s superior AI power could enable smoother integration of these features, giving users a more efficient and intelligent experience when using AI-driven tasks.
For professionals who rely on AI tools, such as content creators or developers, this enhanced NPU performance may be a game-changer. Lunar Lake’s AI advancements also hint at future AI-driven applications that could unlock new possibilities for Windows users.
What’s Next for Microsoft and Intel?
While Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite is currently leading in terms of power efficiency and battery life, Intel’s Lunar Lake chips appear to be setting a new standard for AI processing in laptops. As we approach 2025, it will be interesting to see how these two chips compare in real-world performance, particularly in areas such as multitasking, app compatibility, and battery efficiency.
The introduction of an Intel-powered Surface Laptop could give users the best of both worlds—robust AI capabilities and compatibility with a wider range of Windows apps, without the limitations often associated with ARM-based systems.
Why This Matters for Surface Laptop Fans
For Surface Laptop fans who prefer Intel’s architecture over ARM, the upcoming model could be the perfect solution. With the possibility of running all apps without compatibility issues and leveraging cutting-edge AI performance, the Intel-powered Surface Laptop might become a top contender for those seeking versatility and power in a single device.
As we await further announcements from Microsoft, it’s clear that the AI race between Qualcomm and Intel is heating up, and 2025 could mark a pivotal moment for Surface Laptop users seeking the latest in AI-enhanced performance.
