Best Microsoft Surface: Which Models to Buy or Avoid (2023)

For some of the best Windows hardware on the market, look no further than Microsoft’s Surface brand. Best known for innovative, tablet-like designs, Microsoft has expanded its Surface line over the years and now offers a full family of computers, from a standard laptop to a giant desktop.

It’s hard to find a PC maker today that doesn’t ape the Surface’s kickstand-packing, detachable-keyboard-rocking design. It’s also hard to find a nicer Windows experience than that offered by the Surface. The problem is one of choice. With such a diverse family of premium computers, which is best for your needs? We’ve sorted through the options and found the best Surface for everyone.

Be sure to read our other buying guides for more, including the Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best MacBooks, and our tips on how to choose a laptop. 

Updated July 2023: We’ve added our impressions of the Surface Pro 9's battery life and updated pricing.

• Should You Wait to Buy?
• Best for Most People: Surface Laptop 4
• The Awkward Choice: Surface Laptop 5
• Best 2-in-1: Surface Pro 9
• Best for Students: Surface Go 3
• Best for Power Users: Surface Laptop Studio
• A Good Smaller Laptop: Surface Laptop Go 2
• Best All-in-One Desktop: Surface Studio 2+
• What About Older Models?
• Things That May Annoy You
• Great Surface Accessories
• Look Into Surface All Access and Microsoft Complete

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Yes. If you want the newest version of Surface devices, we suggest holding off. Microsoft released the Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5, and Surface Studio 2+ in October 2022. Meanwhile, the Surface Go 3, Surface Laptop Go 2, and Surface Laptop Studio came out almost two years ago. So, it's likely Microsoft will be launching next-generation versions of some of these products, if not all, within the next few months.

Photograph: Microsoft 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

$800 at Microsoft

$750 at Amazon

$900 at Best Buy

It isn't as smart or stylish as the transforming, flexible models that made the Surface brand famous, but most of the time what you really need is a laptop. Tablets, kickstands, and clicky magnetic keyboard covers don't work well in every situation, which is why the Surface Laptop 4 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best pick for most people.

It has a gorgeous, 13.5-inch high-resolution display, a lovely keyboard, a stellar glass trackpad, and a slim case. Ports are one place where Surfaces skimp (like MacBooks), but you do get a USB-C port along with your good old-fashioned USB-A port. It also has a magnetic charging port. If you tend to trip over your power cord all the time, this can be a lifesaver. It severs the connection between the wall plug and the computer before the laptop goes flying across the room like a Frisbee.