Microsoft is doubling down on its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy by bringing advanced AI features to a broader audience through more affordable Surface laptop and tablet.
On May 20, the tech giant will launch its newest Surface devices — a 13-inch Surface Laptop starting at $899 and a 12-inch Surface Pro tablet starting at $799. Both devices will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus chips, positioning them slightly below Apple’s comparable offerings in terms of pricing, Reuters news report said.
Microsoft is competing with Apple which shipped 56.919 million units of tablets in 2024 vs 54 million in 2023, according to Canalys report. Apple has 38.6 percent share in the global tablet market.
Apple expanded its leading position in the global tablet market with 14 percent growth in Q4 2024, and 5.3 percent increase for the full year, shipping 16.9 million iPads in the fourth-quarter. This growth was fueled by the release of new iPad Mini and iPad Air models.
Microsoft does not feature in the list of top five tablet makers.
These new Surface models will be Microsoft’s most affordable devices yet to support the company’s “Copilot+” feature set — a suite of AI tools integrated into Windows. Copilot+ includes productivity-enhancing functions like natural language-based settings adjustments and AI-generated document drafts, which have so far only been available on premium devices costing $1,000 or more.
By lowering the price barrier, Microsoft aims to democratize access to AI, targeting students and early-career professionals. “We think these new Surface Pro and laptops are for a set of customers for whom affordability is going to be important,” said Pavan Davuluri, Corporate Vice President of Windows and Devices.
The strategy aligns with Microsoft’s push to embed AI deeply into its product ecosystem, making Windows a more intelligent and intuitive platform. Requiring specific chip performance standards for Copilot+ devices ensures a consistent user experience, while partnerships with chipmakers like Qualcomm are key to enabling that performance at lower costs.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
