Even Microsoft couldn’t make Windows 11 work well on 8GB of RAM
The Verge reviews the 2026 Microsoft Surface Laptop, concluding that 8GB of RAM is insufficient for modern Windows 11 performance. Despite excellent hardware build quality, the device struggles with multitasking and performance compared to its 16GB predecessor.
Why it matters
It highlights the growing gap between hardware specifications and the resource demands of modern operating systems, impacting consumer purchasing decisions.
Last year, Microsoft’s 13-inch Surface Laptop quickly became one of my favorite thin-and-light Windows notebooks. At $900, it was easy to recommend to anyone wanting MacBook Air–like build quality and battery life on Windows — I even convinced my sister to buy one on sale.
But that was last year. This year, thanks to RAMageddon, that same laptop costs $950, and now that price gets you half as much RAM — just 8GB. It’s the same great hardware on the outside, but it’s not the same laptop on the inside.
It’s been a long time since we tested a Windows laptop with so little RAM. We’ve been saying for years that 8GB isn’t enough. But this is Microsoft’s laptop, and Windows 11 is Microsoft’s operating system. Maybe it’ll be good enough.
It’s not.
[Product: Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch (8GB, 2026) | https://bestbuy.7tiv.net/c/482924/614286/10014?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fproduct%2Fmicrosoft-surface-laptop-13-2k-touchscreen-snapdragon-x-plus-8-core-2026-8gb-256gb-storage-platinum%2FJJGXP39Z9L%2Fsku%2F6678901, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/configure/surface-laptop-13-inch/8mzbmmcjzqv3]
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