Microsoft’s new Surface laptop for business features a privacy screen and original haptics

We may be in the middle of a RAM crisis and Surface prices may be skyrocketing, but that’s not stopping Microsoft from unveiling new Surface products today. The company just announced the latest Surface Pro and Surface Laptop for Business lineup, and while we don’t typically cover business devices on Woozad, these computers have some intriguing features worth mentioning.

In particular, the Surface Laptop can be optionally equipped with an “integrated privacy screen with anti-glare”, which Microsoft says is a first for a Surface device. It will also offer a unique haptic system that responds to more elements for more feedback when you perform operations such as dragging and dropping elements to outlined areas or resizing windows.

The Surface Laptop comes in 13-inch, 13.8-inch, and 15-inch sizes, and since my brief time with the smaller option recently, I’ve been wowed by the size and style of the laptop.

But first, a word on price and availability. Of course, since they are intended for organizations to purchase for employee fleets, they are not really intended for consumers (even though you could technically buy one for yourself). The 13-inch Surface Pro for Business starts at $1,950, the 13-inch Surface Laptop for Business starts at $1,300 while the 13.8-inch and 15-inch laptops start at $1,950. All of these are available starting today (in select markets) and also come with Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors.

This leads to improvements in graphics performance, with Microsoft claiming that some Surfaces “deliver up to 35% more graphics performance than (the) MacBook Air with M5.” Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop should last up to 23 hours on a charge, and the Pro should last up to 17 hours.

Of the lineup of Surface devices at a recent hands-on event, I spent the most time with a 13-inch Surface laptop. I couldn’t help it, I’m a fan of portable machines. But as someone who frequently works with embargoed hardware in semi-public areas (like an airport or an airplane), I’ve long loved laptops with built-in privacy screens like HP’s SureView.

I made sure to check out Microsoft’s “built-in privacy screen,” which can be activated with a single button on the keyboard. I thought I saw this on the smaller model as well, but until I can confirm with Microsoft whether the 13-inch model supports this, it’s best not to assume that other configurations offer it.

From what I saw, the Surface Laptop’s privacy screen was effective, but not extremely so. I could still see the content on the screen at a slight angle, and it wasn’t until I was about 40 degrees crooked that I stopped being able to make things out. I’d say the privacy effect still allows for side-by-side collaboration, but could be effective in preventing viewers a few feet away from seeing what you’re writing. Your seatmate on board will probably still be able to peek in, but they might have more trouble reading your work with the privacy filter turned on than not.

I was able to spend more time with the 13-inch laptop after Microsoft sent me one for additional testing after the event. Overtime, I found the keyboard’s squishy buttons very satisfying, but I struggled with the anti-glare screen under the sunlight on my roof. I didn’t have much of a chance to experience the new haptic setup, but I found the small demo at the event effective in showing what was different. Basically, when I dragged a small box, the trackpad would vibrate as I approached my target in a way that signaled I was doing the right thing.

It’s part of Microsoft’s Advanced Haptics, which the company says is “evolving… as a system-level interaction language.” He gave the following examples of vibration patterns that may indicate users differently:

• An “accurate alignment mark when objects snap to guides or canvas edges during drag, scale, or rotate interactions” or
• A “subtle signal when your pointer approaches the Close button, so you don’t accidentally close an important window.”

Vibrations also “extend to pen input,” Microsoft added. The Surface Slim Pen 2 features a haptic engine that not only helps make writing more natural, but it will also provide “distinct tactile cues that can confirm supported actions.” Third-party apps can also support Advanced Haptics, and some already include video editor Wondershare Filmora and design app Concepts.

This is all on top of improvements to the haptic feedback itself, which Microsoft says is supposed to have a target response time of less than 50 milliseconds.

I don’t have much else to add about the new Surface Laptop for Business, other than to say that, like the Surface Pro revealed today, it’s designed to handle on-device AI. The Surface Pro, of course, being a 2-in-1, is designed to support touch, keyboard, or pen input, and Microsoft’s keyboard accessory can communicate with the tablet without being tethered, making it a bit more versatile. You can also opt for a version with a 5G radio for better connectivity on the go.

Since these are business-oriented Surface devices, there are plenty of security features to give IT administrators peace of mind. I currently use a 13-inch MacBook Air for work, but as a PC girl at heart, I’m definitely lusting after the new 13-inch Surface Laptop. I only wish Microsoft would bring the privacy filter feature to the smaller model and that the company I work for would consider providing me with one someday.