Key Takeaways
Microsoft’s new Floor Laptop computer options AI-focused specs and spectacular {hardware}.
The laptop computer is straightforward to restore, with iFixit giving it an 8 out of 10 for repairability.
The Floor Laptop computer has nice options with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips for AI capabilities.
Microsoft’s new seventh Version Floor Laptop computer is one in all its first Copilot+ gadgets touting its new AI-focused spec. It seems to be nice, packs a formidable Qualcomm X Elite chip with AI performance, and has unbelievable battery life lasting greater than 20 hours.
However regardless of these spectacular headline options, they are not the (solely!) purpose I will purchase a brand new Microsoft Floor Laptop computer.
Microsoft’s New Floor Laptops Are Extremely Simple to Restore
Microsoft’s new Floor Laptop computer seems to be nice and packs some nice {hardware}. Nonetheless, essentially the most shocking reveal since its launch in early June 2024 is not efficiency or battery-related; it is how straightforward Microsoft has made it to restore.
iFixit’s teardown video exhibits a Microsoft laptop computer constructed with shoppers not simply in thoughts however on the forefront of its design. On condition that it was solely as lately as 2019 that iFixit delivered the Floor Professional 7, a bottom-of-the-barrel 1 out of 10, it is clear Microsoft has listened and realized.
What Makes the Floor Laptop computer Simple to Repair?
iFixit has given the brand new Floor Laptop computer (and the brand new Floor Professional) an 8 out of 10—an unlimited enchancment. That is down to some key causes, akin to Microsoft releasing first-party manuals straight after launch, clearly labeled inside elements, and, in fact, how straightforward Microsoft has made it to open the machine.
For instance, you’ll be able to see from the iFixit teardown that opening the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer solely requires you to take away 4 screws; Microsoft has opted for magnets to maintain the case in place as an alternative of the extremely flimsy retention clips which can be really easy to interrupt.
When you open the case, every of the elements is labeled with the precise sort of driver you want and the variety of screws that want eradicating. So, if you see “3 IP,” it means you want a 3 IP Torx Plus driver. Good and clear, proper? Elsewhere, the battery image has an eight alongside the Torx image, so it stands to purpose you may must take away eight screws.
Microsoft has even printed a QR code contained in the case, which takes you to the restore manuals, which is one other fix-friendly characteristic.
As you’d anticipate, there are nonetheless some soldered elements, however that did not cease iFixit from stating that the Floor Laptop computer has “a stage of restore friendliness we have solely ever seen in repair-minded firms like Framework and Fairphone, so it is actually nice to see Microsoft undertake these identical practices.”
The Microsoft Floor Laptop computer Has Different Nice Options
Okay, so it isn’t all concerning the repairability—although that does play a giant half. I used to be on the fence about whether or not to order the brand new Floor Laptop computer, and iFixit’s teardown and excessive ranking have given me the push excessive.
The Microsoft Floor Laptop computer is packing some very tidy specs, too, for each the 13.8-inch and 15-inch fashions:
Function
Floor Laptop computer 7 (13.8-inch)
Floor Laptop computer 7 (15-inch)
Beginning Worth
$999
$1,299
CPU
Snapdragon X Plus or Elite
Snapdragon X Elite
RAM
16GB, 32GB, 64GB
16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Show
13.8-inch (2304×1536) 120Hz touchscreen
15-inch (2496×1664) 120Hz touchscreen
Graphics
Qualcomm Adreno
Qualcomm Adreno
Ports
2x USB-C/USB 4, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm
2x USB-C/USB 4, 1x USB-A, 1x 3.5mm
Wi-fi
Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7
Dimension
11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69 inches
12.96 x 9.41 x 0.72 inches
Weight
2.96lbs
3.67lbs
To not point out that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips include an built-in NPU with as much as 48 TOPS efficiency, enabling on-device AI options.
The one draw back? I now have to attend till mid-July for supply.