Two more Surface devices were announced this week, at least technically. The current RAM crisis forced Microsoft to follow in the footsteps of Apple and Acer by making laptops with 8 GB of RAM in 2026.
During a week full of deals through Amazon and other retailers, Microsoft took a different approach to making its Surface devices more affordable, at least for certain models. The 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop can now be purchased with just 8GB of RAM.
Those versions with less memory start at $849 for Surface Pro and $949 for the Surface Laptop. I’m glad to see more affordable options, but Microsoft didn’t arrive at the right time. The increase in Surface prices during Prime Day meant that better hardware was the same or almost the same price as the cheapest Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. And as other retailers lower prices to compete with Amazon, the new Surfaces are a poor value.
Dell’s XPS 13 with a Snapdragon
Deals, discounts, and rising prices were the focus this week, but we also saw expanded Windows 10 support and Bill Gates weigh in AI. Here are the biggest stories of the week.
The most important news of the week
Microsoft launches 8GB RAM versions of Surface Pro and Surface Laptop
12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop have been updated with new 8GB RAM configurations that bring prices back down to earth.
Windows 10 will live on until 2027, but what does that say about Windows 11?
microsoft Windows 10 Extended Free Security Updates until 2027, sparking a debate about whether Windows 11 failed to win over users.
Microsoft is quietly planning the most significant Start menu changes in years
Windows 11 brings Main Start Menu and Taskbar changes in 2026, restoring the ability to position, resize, and customize them.
13 of the biggest new features in Windows 11 are coming on July 14
Windows 11 July 2026 Update adds point-in-time restore, indefinite refresh pauses, screen tint, faster file explorer, and more.
Xbox announces ANOTHER console price increase, and this one is high
He cost of Xbox Series X|S consoles is about to go up $100 or more, and Microsoft announced new price increases amid the technology’s ongoing hardware crisis.
Image credit: Getty Images | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
Microsoft is in a no-win situation regarding pricing. RAM and other components continue to rise in price, so manufacturers have to adapt to match. Even Apple, which was more isolated than most due to component stockpiles, had to raise the cost of MacBooks, iPads and other devices.
As a result of the shortage, Microsoft has had to raise the price of hardware. Since people still need laptops at reasonable prices, models with 8 GB of RAM can fill that gap.
8 GB of RAM is better than many assume in a Windows 11 PC. Our Cale Hunt said that using a device with that amount of memory is “It’s not only doable but also quite fun.” Since that’s the case, more affordable Surface devices are good news.
But announcing a lower-priced Surface Pro and Surface Laptop in the same week as one of the biggest shopping events of the year is a strange strategy.
A Surface Laptop with Snapdragon He Dell XPS 13 (9345) with Snapdragon $999.99 through Dell.
Perhaps Microsoft should have released its cheaper Surface devices a little earlier or waited until other sales were over.
Shopping with Sean
The best deal of the week is still available even though Prime Day ends, and it’s the laptop I just highlighted. dell discount on the XPS 13 with Snapdragon drops that premium laptop down to $999.99. That discounted price looks even better after Apple raised the prices of its MacBooks.
If you want something newer, the HP OmniBook Ultra 14 is $650 off. That beautiful laptop is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Elite. I’m jealous of our senior editor Zac Bowden because he was able to review it (the OmniBook 14 Ultra got a perfect score in that review).
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