UPDATE (618pm): The Surface Laptop listings on Lazada have apparently been removed. We did manage to grab some screenshots before they were pulled out. More details below.
ORIGINAL STORY (410pm):
This is quite a surprise to many of us here but believe it or not, the Microsoft Surface Laptop is apparently coming to Malaysia. The device was originally launched by the company at a media event in New York last year, alongside Windows 10 S.
According to Microsoft Malaysia’s official store on Lazada, the Surface Laptop will be available in four configurations:
Intel Core i5, 4GB, 128GB solid state drive: RM 4,499
Intel Core i5, 8GB, 256GB solid state drive: RM 5,849
Intel Core i7, 8GB, 256GB solid state drive: RM 7,199
Intel Core i7, 16GB, 512GB solid state drive: RM 10,029
The general specifications of the Surface Laptop include a 13.5-inch PixelSense touch display with 2256×1504 screen resolution, Windows Hello facial recognition security feature, aluminum chassis, and a keyboard area that is covered by Alcantara fabric. Microsoft also claimed that the 1.28kg laptop has a battery life of up to 14.5 hours.
At the same time, it is important to note that the Surface Laptop comes with Windows 10 S which is a simplified version of Windows 10; it is generally aimed at education section. Among the biggest differences between Windows 10 S and a standard Windows 10 is that users are only able to install apps from Windows Store.
When the laptop was launched in the United States, Microsoft actually offered free upgrades to Windows 10 Pro – but the listings at Lazada didn’t mention any offers of that sort for our market. Given the differences in terms of features as well as the price of the laptop itself, we do hope Microsoft considers providing the same upgrade option in Malaysia.
As exciting as this news might be, it is rather odd to see that the laptop has yet to appear on Microsoft Malaysia’s official website. Traditionally, Microsoft would have listed any products that will be sold officially in our market on Microsoft Malaysia’s website – just like what we have encountered prior to the launch of the new Surface Pro.
Nevertheless, given that the laptop was listed by Microsoft Malaysia’s official Lazada store, we assume that the listings above are legitimate. As for its retail availability, the pre-order for the Surface Laptop in Lazada will be opened on 10 January although the device will only be heading to consumers from 15 February as stated on the listings.
For the meantime, check out our hands-on experience with Microsoft Surface Laptop right here to learn more about the device.
[More Info: Microsoft Malaysia @ Lazada]
UPDATE (618pm):
The Surface Laptop listings on Lazada Malaysia have been removed from the store although the registration of interest page is still online. That being said, we managed to snap several screenshots of the listings before they were taken down:
