Microsoft just made some Surface laptops more expensive than Macs

After one of the best laptops? Chances are you’re weighing up a Microsoft Surface against a MacBook. If so, that decision just got a lot simpler – though probably not in Microsoft’s favour.

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Microsoft has increased prices across its Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lineup, with most models now costing hundreds of dollars more than when they first launched. 

The changes were first highlighted by Windows Central (via MacRumors), with Microsoft saying the hikes are down to rising memory and component costs – a problem that’s also caused Mac Mini and Mac Studio supply issues.

The jumps are significant. The 12-inch Surface Pro, previously the most affordable modern Surface at $799, now starts at $1049. The 13-inch Surface Laptop has gone from $899 to $1149, while the 13.8-inch model jumps from $999 to $1499. The 15-inch version now starts at $1599. Microsoft has also discontinued a cheaper 256GB Surface Pro configuration that previously started at $999, effectively raising the entry point as well.

This isn’t the first increase, either. Several of these models have already seen price rises since launching in 2024 and 2025, making this the second round of hikes for some devices.

The knock-on effect is where things get more interesting. A mid-range Surface Laptop 7 configuration that was previously $100 cheaper than a comparable MacBook Air is now priced $400 higher than a newer model with more storage. At the top end, a fully specced Surface Laptop 7 with 64GB of RAM and 1TB of storage now costs more than a similarly configured MacBook Pro.

Microsoft says the increases are tied to component costs, particularly memory. Demand for AI data centres is putting pressure on supply, leaving less capacity for consumer devices and pushing prices up across the industry.

There’s also no sign this is a temporary shift. Reports suggest new Surface models expected later this year could launch at these higher price levels too.

In short, Surface devices haven’t just become more expensive – in some cases, they’ve crossed into territory where Apple’s MacBooks now look like the better-value option. Queue The Twilight Zone music.

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.