AMD announced details about the processor that Microsoft is inserting into the 15"version of its Surface Laptop 3. It is the Ryzen 7 3780U, which is based on the Zen+ (not ZEN2) architecture and is equipped with a Vega 11-GPU.
The new Surface Laptop 3, now available in two sizes, is twice as fast with the same slim design and all-day battery life. Updated with the 10th Generation Intel Core processor (25W quad-core “Ice Lake” -- i5-1035G7 and i7-1065G7 ), Surface Laptop 3 13.5” comes in new colors, including Sandstone and Cobalt. Choose the tone-on-tone Alcantara or the new machined aluminum all-metal finish. Microsoft also introduced Surface Pro 3 15”, adding a larger screen and higher integrated graphics performance with the new AMD Ryzen Surface Edition processor. There are two AMD processor choices, the AMD Ryzen 5 3580U Mobile Processor with Radeon Vega 9 Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition and a Ryzen 7 3780U Mobile Processor with Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition. Microsoft says this is the start of a long-term relationship with AMD. Surface Laptop 3 offers a more comfortable typing experience with a full 1.33mm key travel, now with a 20% larger glass trackpad, both USB-A and USB-C and Fast Charging, taking the Surface device to an 80% charge in about an hour. It also comes with improved front-facing cameras, OmniSonic speakers and dual far-field Studio Mics. Both the 13 and 15” models feature removable M.2 NVME SSD. These laptops also run Windows 10 Home for consumers and Windows 10 Pro for commercial users. Surface Laptop 3 13” starts at $999 and Surface Laptop 15” starts at $1199.
AMD does not specify the number of cores and threads of the processor, but it is likely that the new processor, like the existing models, has four cores and can work on eight threads. The speed goes up to 4GHz with a 15W TDP.
Combining world-class compute and graphics performance with a fully optimized, rearchitected system software stack including AMD Radeon FreeSync™ display technology , Microsoft® Surface® Laptop 3 is designed for creative professionals, students, gamers on the go, and business users who value the large screen experience alongside portability. The custom AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors and optimized software highlight the latest example in the multi-year collaboration between AMD and Microsoft, first established more than a decade ago for the Microsoft Xbox and now spanning from Azure to Surface to xCloud and Project Scarlett.
“With AMD Ryzen Microsoft Surface Edition processors, AMD brings to market the most powerful mobile processors for ultrathin laptops we ever created1,” said Rick Bergman, executive vice president, computing and graphics business group, AMD. “The AMD-powered Microsoft® Surface® Laptop 3 delivers premium craftsmanship only AMD could help bring to life, combining a 15-inch laptop with a customized 15W processor to create a device that packs all the power and visual experiences of a large screen with the benefits of an ultra-thin, 3.4 pounds device. Widely recognized for offering world-class CPU and GPU performance, AMD is pleased to partner with Microsoft and continue bringing innovation to the market.”
“When looking for the right processor to power the all new Microsoft® Surface® Laptop 3, we wanted the best graphics performance in a single processor. AMD immediately came to mind given our successful history of collaboration bringing world class graphics performance to the Xbox,” said Pavan Davuluri, Distinguished Engineer, Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft devices group. “Through our long-term partnership with AMD, which demonstrates process capabilities at the forefront of the industry, we’re bringing advanced computing experiences and striking innovation to Microsoft® Surface® Laptop 3.”
