Even Microsoft couldn’t make Windows 11 work well on 8GB of RAM
Testing reveals that the new Surface Laptop with 8GB RAM frequently freezes during multitasking, and the reviewer warns that 8GB is insufficient for Windows 11.
Microsoft’s latest 13-inch Surface Laptop, priced at $950, comes with just 8GB of RAM — half of last year’s model that was $50 cheaper. While the external hardware remains excellent, the internal experience has degraded significantly.
During everyday use, The Verge found the system would hang for several seconds even with modest workloads. For instance, a Microsoft Teams call with video streaming caused a freeze, despite having only about 10 Chrome tabs, Slack, and Signal open — without webcams on.
Task Manager showed that out of 7.6GB usable RAM, approximately 6.7GB was constantly in use. After a clean boot, Windows consumed 4.2GB, leaving little headroom. The reviewer encountered freezes even without heavy apps, just working in Google Docs.
The conclusion is clear: 8GB is not enough for a Windows 11 laptop. Even Microsoft, the maker of both the hardware and the OS, cannot make it run smoothly. The global RAM shortage (dubbed “RAMageddon”) and Microsoft’s AI investments are partly to blame, as the company has cut RAM in its flagship to keep entry-level pricing.
While the build quality, keyboard, battery life, and webcam remain top-notch, the reviewer recommends spending $1,150 for the 16GB version or considering a MacBook Neo. With other manufacturers also releasing 8GB laptops, consumers may need to look for refurbished or open-box 16GB models to avoid performance issues.
