Which is better for video editing and heavy multitasking?

The 13.8" model. Its 12-core Snapdragon X Elite and 120Hz display handle sustained workloads better than the 8-core X Plus in the 13" model.

Which lasts longer on a charge?

Both use efficient ARM chips and Li-Ion batteries, so runtime is close. The 13" model has a smaller screen, which usually helps it stretch a bit further on light tasks.

Is the 13.8" model worth stepping up to?

Yes if you want more CPU cores, a sharper 120Hz screen, and double the storage. The 13" model is enough for browsing, Office, and light creative work.

Do both run the same apps?

Both run Windows 11 on Snapdragon ARM chips, so native apps run well and older x86 apps run through emulation with some performance loss.

Which is more portable?

The 13" model. It is smaller and thinner, while the 13.8" model adds screen size and ports at the cost of bulk.

Do either have a fingerprint reader?

Only the 13" model lists a fingerprint reader. The 13.8" model relies on Windows Hello face sign-in through its webcam.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8" vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)

The 13.8" Surface Laptop (7th Edition) is the stronger machine: a 12-core Snapdragon X Elite, a sharper 2304x1536 120Hz screen, and a 512GB SSD. The 13" Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Plus is the lighter, cheaper-feeling option with a fingerprint reader and a smaller 1080p panel. Buy the 13.8" if you want more power and a better display; buy the 13" if you want the most portable Surface Laptop and don't need the extra cores or storage.

Choose the Surface Laptop 7th Edition 13.8" if you want the faster X Elite chip, a sharper 120Hz touchscreen, and double the storage.
Choose the 13" Surface Laptop if you want a smaller, lighter Copilot+ PC with a fingerprint reader and don't need the extra power or storage.

Prices

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8": $1,208.98 at Best Buy (checked today)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025): $899.00 at Walmart (checked today)
Difference: the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025) is $309.98 cheaper than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8" today

Microsoft Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC (7th Edition) 13.8" Touchscreen Laptop

	Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8"	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)
Processor	Snapdragon X Elite, 12 cores	Snapdragon X Plus, 8 cores
Display	13.8" touchscreen, 2304x1536, 120Hz	13.0" touchscreen, 1920x1080, standard refresh
Storage	512GB SSD	256GB UFS
Memory	LPDDR5X	16GB LPDDR5X
Ports	USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, headphone jack	USB-A, USB-C
Security	No fingerprint reader	Fingerprint reader
Size and weight	13.8", 0.69" thick	13.0", 0.61" thick
Build	Aluminum	Aluminum

Spec	Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8"	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)
color	Black	Other
Connections	USB-A, USB-C, 1/8" Headphone Jack, HDMI	USB-A, USB-C
Optical Drive	None	None
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite	Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
Refresh Rate	120Hz	60 Hz
SSD Size	512 GB	256 GB
Hard Drive Type	SSD	SSD
NFC	No	No
Depth (")	11.85	11.25
Backlit Keyboard	Yes	Yes
Memory Type	LPDDR5X	LPDDR5X

Spec	Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8"	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)
Memory Card Reader	No	No
Numpad	No	No
Processor Cores	12	8
Fingerprint Reader	No	Yes
Convertible/Hybrid	No	Yes
Release Year	2024	2025
Height (")	0.69	0.61
Processor Model	X1E-80-100	X1 26 100
Operating System	Windows	Windows
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8" vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)

Prices

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8" vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)

Prices

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8"

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8"

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 13.8"

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" (2025)

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