Smart Simplicity: that's the essence of Microsoft's new Surface Laptop design. Available from June 15, 2017, and available in four colours in the United States, the design turns heads, and could turn a few wallets from full to empty.

In the United States, the new Surface Laptop starts at US$999 and comes in four colour options: Graphite Gold, Platinum, Burgandy, and Blue.

In Australia, the device starts at AU$1,499, and is only available in a Platinum hue.

Specifications for the entry-level Surface Laptop include:

• A 13.5inch PixelSense touch display

• 7th Generation Intel Core i5 processor

• 4GB RAM

• 128GB SSD

• Precision Touchpad

• Alcantara fabric covered keyboard

• Speakers hidden under the keyboard

• One USB-A port

• One DisplayPort

• One Headphone/Microphone jack

• One Surface Connect power/dock port

• Windows Hello camera

• Wifi AC and Bluetooth 4.0 LE

• Windows 10 S

• One year subscription to Microsoft Office 365 personal edition

Aimed directly at university students, the device cuts a dashing figure [video], being slim, sculpted, neat, and standing out from the crowd with its unique Alcantara fabric covered keyboard deck and palm rest.

For additional ports, you can buy adapters; or buy a Surface Dock, connecting to the power/dock port and adding a range of additional ports for use at your desk.

For most university students, the included ports should be sufficient.

While a US$999/AU$1,499 device with just 4GB RAM may seem overpriced and underwhelming, the inclusion of Windows 10 S as the operating system offers an optimised environment for running secure apps, and requires only minimal maintenance and promises optimised performance and battery life.

Buyers can upgrade to the full Windows 10 Pro for free for a limited time, or pay US$49 to upgrade at a later date.

Some buyers may benefit from opting for the 8GB RAM variant to future-proof their Surface over the next three or four years at University.

Higher-specifications of the laptop include 8GB or 16GB RAM, and 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD at an additional cost.

Student discounts of between AU$100 and AU$300 are available on various models directly from the Microsoft online store.

Until next time,

Xavier Zymantas

XYZ Media Group

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