Microsoft has increased the prices of its Surface laptops, making the least expensive model now twice as costly as the MacBook Neo.

      Jeremy Kaplan/Digital Trends / Jeremy Kaplan/Digital Trends

      Microsoft has seemingly concluded that its Surface PCs were not pricey enough and has discreetly increased prices across its entire current collection at the Microsoft Store. These hikes are significant, ranging from $200 to $500, depending on the specific model, with other retailers expected to follow suit soon.

      The flagship models have entered exorbitant territory

      The starting price for Microsoft’s Surface offerings has surged considerably. The 12-inch Surface Pro, once the most affordable modern Surface at $799, now begins at $1,049. Similarly, the 13-inch Surface Laptop, which used to be priced at $899, now starts at $1,149. To put this in context, Microsoft’s mid-tier devices now retail for more than what its flagship models did at their launch in 2024. This situation seems illogical, yet it has become reality.

      Microsoft

      At the top tier, the prices are exceptionally hard to justify. Both the flagship Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 now start at $1,499, a $500 increase from their launch prices in 2024. In contrast, a fully equipped 15-inch Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Elite, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage will cost you $3,649. For comparison, Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chip, the same RAM, and the same storage is priced at $3,299 and offers a noticeably superior display and far greater performance. Microsoft is charging a premium for less.

      Rising RAM costs are the scapegoat

      Microsoft has cited increasing memory and component costs as the justification for the price rises, with a spokesperson mentioning “recent increases in memory and component costs” as the primary cause. The company asserts its commitment to providing value; however, this claim becomes hard to defend while pricing a mid-range laptop above $1,000. Supply constraints regarding RAM have affected the wider PC industry, meaning Microsoft is not the only one dealing with these cost challenges. Nonetheless, it remains one of the few companies adopting such aggressive price increases.

      Microsoft

      Perhaps the most revealing indication of this dilemma is that the latest MacBook Air is now $400 less expensive than the Surface Laptop 7. This development makes it increasingly tough for Microsoft to justify its pricing strategy. So, if you were waiting for a discount on a Surface Laptop 7 or Surface Pro 11 before the next generation is released, that plan has officially backfired. New Surface hardware is anticipated in the coming spring and summer months, but as Microsoft locks in these elevated prices ahead of those announcements, don't expect the updated models to come at a lower price. Discounts may lessen the impact, but that entirely depends on the depth of the reductions offered. For the time being, if you're searching for a Windows laptop and wish to avoid paying Microsoft's current prices, there are numerous alternatives available that suddenly appear much more appealing.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, possessing over five years of experience in the technology sector.

      Microsoft recently increased the prices of Surface laptops and tablets significantly

      Purchasing a new Surface has become much more costly across Microsoft's entire range

      Microsoft has joined the list of brands implementing notable price hikes on its computing products, and these increases are evident. The well-known Surface laptops have seen their price tags rise throughout the lineup. As mentioned before, the ongoing memory shortage and higher component costs are cited as the reasons for this change. The new pricing is already visible on the Microsoft Store for the current generation of hardware.

      How substantial are the price hikes?

      You can create a multi-color MacBook Neo if you have the necessary DIY tools

      Interested in a two-tone MacBook Neo? Apple's repair store may allow you to do it.

      The MacBook Neo might be Apple's most affordable laptop, but it is also becoming one of the most peculiar and enjoyable DIY projects the company has accidentally enabled in years. As noted by Macworld, Apple has made MacBook Neo parts available through its Self Service Repair program, which appears to encourage some creative color mixing. The store seemingly does not restrict replacement part purchases based on the original color of your device. This means you can order items like a Citrus bottom case for a silver MacBook Neo or Indigo keycaps for a blush-colored model.

      Beware of this fake Windows update support site. It is distributing password-stealing malware

      A fraudulent Windows update site tricks users into downloading malware

      If a website prompts you to manually install a "Windows update" via a large blue download button, close that tab immediately. Malwarebytes has recently discovered a fraudulent Microsoft support website (microsoft-update.support) that masquerades as a source for a cumulative update for Windows 24H2 but actually installs password-stealing malware. The entire webpage is designed to look authentic, using proper KB-style references and even downloading an 83MB MSI file named Windowsupdate1.0.0.msi that appears quite legitimate