Surface Laptop X Plus vs X Elite vs X2 Elite: Which to Buy
Snapdragon X Plus, X Elite or the 2026 X2 Elite? How the four Surface Laptops we track compare on chip, storage and price, and why the cheapest changes daily.
For most buyers the best Surface Laptop right now is the 13.8-inch 2024 model with the Snapdragon X Elite and 1TB of storage. In our price data on October 12, 2026 it cost less than the cheaper-spec X Plus model, which makes the choice unusually easy until prices move again.
Surface Laptop models compared
These are the four Surface Laptops we track, with Amazon prices from our data on October 12, 2026. All have 16GB of memory and run Windows 11 on Arm.
| Model | Chip | Storage | Price (Oct 12) | Amazon rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Laptop 13.8" (2024) | X Plus, 10-core | 512GB | $1,499.99 | 4.4 (236) |
| Surface Laptop 13.8" (2024) | X Elite, 12-core | 1TB | $1,449.00 | 4.4 (153) |
| Surface Laptop 13.8" (2026) | X2 Elite, 12-core | 512GB | $1,576.18 | 4.4 (27) |
| Surface Laptop 15" (2024) | X Elite, 12-core | 1TB | $1,649.00 | 4.2 (357) |
Why the cheapest Surface changes every day
Surface Laptop prices on Amazon move by hundreds of dollars from one day to the next. The X Plus model was $1,044.46 in our data on October 11, sold by a third-party seller, and $1,499.99 a day later at Amazon's own price. The rule I'd follow: buy the X Plus only when it is clearly cheaper than the X Elite model, and check the price history on its product page before you order.
Snapdragon X Plus vs X Elite: is the upgrade worth it?
The X Elite adds two CPU cores (12 vs 10), and in the 2024 13.8-inch model it comes with double the storage. For documents, browsing and video calls the X Plus is enough. For photo exports, big spreadsheets or many apps open at once, the extra cores help, and 1TB means you won't need an external drive for a few years.
Is the 2026 Surface Laptop with X2 Elite worth it?
The 2026 model brings Qualcomm's newer X2 Elite chip but only 512GB of storage, at a higher price than the 2024 X Elite model in our data. It also has just 27 Amazon ratings, against 153 for the 2024 X Elite. I'd buy it only if you want the newest chip and plan to keep the laptop for five years or more.
Surface Laptop vs MacBook Air M5
Both MacBook Air M5 models cost $1,399 in our data, less than every Surface Laptop above. The 15-inch MacBook Air M5 is the better buy if macOS suits you. Choose a Surface for Windows, a touchscreen or Microsoft 365 work tools, after checking that your apps support Windows on Arm.
My verdict: buy the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Elite and 1TB while it costs less than the X Plus, and pick the 15-inch model if you want the larger screen. Compare every laptop we track on our laptop rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite?
In the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop, the Snapdragon X Plus has 10 CPU cores and the X Elite has 12. Both run Windows 11 on Arm with the same screen, keyboard and ports, so the X Elite mainly helps with heavier work such as photo exports and large spreadsheets.
Is the 2026 Surface Laptop worth it over the 2024 model?
Only if you want the newer Snapdragon X2 Elite chip. The 2024 X Elite model has twice the storage (1TB vs 512GB) and has cost about the same or less in our price data, and the 2026 model has only 27 Amazon ratings so far.
Can a Surface Laptop run all Windows apps?
Most modern apps run natively on Windows on Arm, including Office and the main browsers, and many others run through emulation. Some older software, certain printer and VPN drivers, and games with kernel anti-cheat may not work, so check the apps you depend on first.
Is a Surface Laptop better than a MacBook Air?
It is better if you need Windows or a touchscreen. On price, both MacBook Air M5 models in our data cost less than every Surface Laptop on October 12, 2026, so the MacBook Air is the better value if macOS works for you.
