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Microsoft Surface Laptop

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Cosmetic Condition:

Functionality:

Charger Included?

The Microsoft Surface Laptop debuted in 2017 as Microsoft's first traditional clamshell under the Surface name, built for students and everyday users who wanted the Surface design language without the tablet-hybrid hinge of the Surface Book. It introduced the look the whole line is now known for: a thin aluminum chassis, an Alcantara fabric keyboard deck on many models, and a 3:2 PixelSense touchscreen instead of the wider 16:9 panels common on rival ultrabooks. The line continued past that first release, and this page covers both screen sizes Microsoft has sold under the Surface Laptop name, 13.5-inch and 15-inch. Because it was never positioned as a budget device, a well-kept unit still holds real resale value, especially with its original charger and in a clean color. Pick your screen size and condition above for an instant cash offer. You can also see how the trade-in process works or head straight to sell your Microsoft laptop for cash.

Confirm you have the Surface Laptop

The fastest way to confirm your exact configuration is on the device itself. Go to Settings → System → About and look under Device specifications for the device name and installed RAM and storage. Surface hardware doesn't carry a visible model-number sticker on the underside the way most Windows laptops do, so if the laptop won't boot, your best evidence is the original box, receipt, or the Microsoft account the device is registered to. Our model finder and guide to locating a Microsoft model number both walk through it in more detail.

13.5-inch display

  • Narrower chassis, lighter overall weight
  • Standard screen size across most generations of the line
  • Often paired with an Alcantara fabric keyboard deck

15-inch display

  • Wider, heavier chassis built for a larger canvas
  • Available with either Alcantara or an all-metal keyboard deck depending on generation
  • Typically offered with higher-tier processor and memory options

Prefer a visual check? Lay a tape measure across the closed screen diagonally, run your hand over the keyboard deck to feel for fabric versus bare aluminum, and compare the overall footprint to a sheet of standard paper, the 15-inch model is noticeably larger and heavier in hand.

Core hardware

Processor

  • Intel Core i5 or Core i7, generation depends on release year and screen size
  • No AMD configurations were sold under this name
  • Higher-tier chips were reserved for larger storage and RAM configurations

Graphics

  • Integrated Intel graphics only, no discrete GPU on any generation
  • Fine for everyday use and light photo editing, not built for gaming

Memory

  • Soldered to the board, not upgradable after purchase
  • Configurations range from entry-level up to higher tiers on the 15-inch model
  • The RAM tier chosen at purchase moves resale value the most alongside storage

Storage

  • SSD storage across every configuration
  • Not a user-accessible upgrade on most units
  • Higher storage tiers hold value better than entry-level configurations

Display & audio

PixelSense touchscreen in a 3:2 aspect ratio, in either the 13.5-inch or 15-inch size you select above. The taller ratio gives more vertical space for documents and web browsing than a typical 16:9 laptop screen. Ten-point multitouch is supported on both sizes.

Omnisonic speakers are built into the keyboard deck rather than the base or sides, tuned for clear vocals at moderate volume. They're adequate for video calls and casual listening, not a substitute for external speakers.

Windows Hello face authentication is built into the camera housing above the display on most generations, letting you sign in without a password. Surface Laptop has never shipped with a fingerprint reader.

Ports & connectivity

Port selection is deliberately minimal, in keeping with the rest of the Surface line's design. The Surface Connect port handles charging on every generation and only works with the matching Surface charger.

Left side
  • USB-A 3.0
  • Surface Connect charging port
Right side
  • Mini DisplayPort or USB-C, depending on generation
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

Alcantara keyboard deck PixelSense touchscreen Windows Hello Surface Connect charging Omnisonic speakers Backlit keyboard Aluminum chassis

Battery, build & more

Battery. Rated for a full day of typical use when the unit was new. Like any laptop battery this age, capacity fades with charge cycles, so battery health is worth checking before you settle on a condition grade.

Dimensions & weight. The 13.5-inch model is compact and light enough to carry all day. The 15-inch model is noticeably wider and heavier, closer to a desktop-replacement footprint.

Finishes. Sold across a small set of colors depending on generation, including Platinum, Burgundy, Cobalt Blue, and Graphite Gold, not every color reached every model year.

Software. Early units shipped in Windows 10 S mode, switchable to full Windows at no cost. A clean Windows install with your accounts removed is standard practice before resale.

Known issues. The Alcantara fabric keyboard deck shows staining and wear over years of use, which affects cosmetic grading more than a bare aluminum deck would.

Frequently asked questions

01 How do I find the model number or exact configuration?
Go to Settings → System → About and check Device specifications for installed RAM and storage. Surface Laptop doesn't carry a visible model sticker on the underside, so if the device won't power on, the original box or your Microsoft account's device list under account.microsoft.com/devices is your best reference. Screen size (13.5-inch versus 15-inch) is also easy to judge by eye or with a tape measure, and it's the main configuration choice on this page.
02 How do I tell it apart from the Surface Laptop Go?
The Surface Laptop Go is smaller and lighter, with a smaller screen and a plastic-topped keyboard deck instead of Alcantara fabric or brushed aluminum. It also sits at a lower price tier and skips some of the port options found on the full-size Surface Laptop. If your device has a 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen and an Alcantara or metal deck, you have the Surface Laptop covered here, not the Go.
03 Can I sell it with damage, a cracked screen, a weak battery, or an account lock?
Yes, damaged and non-functional units are accepted, condition just adjusts the offer rather than ruling it out. A cracked screen, a battery that no longer holds a charge, or a unit that won't power on can still be quoted once you select the matching condition above. Before shipping, sign out of your Microsoft account and turn off Find My Device under Settings → Update & Security → Find My Device, and if BitLocker is enabled, suspend or decrypt it first. A device still tied to an active Microsoft account can't be resold or paid out.
04 What raises the trade-in value the most?
A complete set, original Surface Connect charger and box, adds the most on top of condition. Since RAM and storage are soldered and non-upgradable, the tier you originally bought is fixed, so a higher-RAM or higher-storage configuration will always quote above a base model in the same cosmetic condition. Beyond that, a clean Alcantara or aluminum deck, a screen free of cracks, and a battery that still holds a reasonable charge all matter more on this device than on laptops with a metal-only deck.
05 How do I erase it, remove my accounts, and get paid?
Go to Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC, choose Remove everything, and let it finish before shipping. Then remove the device from your Microsoft account at account.microsoft.com/devices, and if device encryption or BitLocker was ever enabled, suspend or turn it off first so the reset completes cleanly. Once your quote is confirmed, shipping is free and insured, and payment goes out after inspection and testing by PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or check. Full step-by-step guidance is in our data erasure protocols.