Microsoft’s next generation of Surface laptops could finally get a solid display upgrade. New reports show that OLED options could soon be a possibility. In a vacuum it sounds like something the Surface line needs, but I’m already cringing when I consider what impact that could have on the price.
What’s coming to the new Surface Laptops?
According to a report from Windows Central, the company is preparing to update its Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models later this year. These are expected to bring new chips, improved displays and a two-stage rollout for Intel and Snapdragon variants this summer. While the Surface models will benefit from newer chips across the board, the biggest catch with premium Surface laptops is the display.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to offer OLED variants of the Surface Laptop for the first time, while entry-level configurations will retain IPS panels. Certain models may even have higher resolution screens, making them more competitive with MacBooks. OLED is an easy upgrade to be happy about on a premium laptop, especially on a line that has always been big on design and overall elegance.
Why these upgrades could be bad news for consumers
The problem is that Microsoft has already made the Surface hardware much more difficult to defend in terms of price. Just recently, the company gave up big price increases on its existing Surface PCs, with some models increasing by $500. Since the report also claims a starting configuration of 16GB, which then expands to 64GB, it’s almost likely that the upcoming Surface Laptops will be more expensive – unless Microsoft does something miraculous.
What could make things worse are the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 and Snapdragon X2 series chips. These are expected to be part of the update, along with improved feel. All of this suggests that these devices will be firmly in the premium and ultra-premium categories, with no budget Surface laptop in sight that can compete with Apple’s MacBook Neo.
So an OLED Surface laptop sounds long overdue and really appealing. However, if the report is correct, the new and improved Surface Laptop could launch in time as it becomes even harder to afford.
