Earlier this year, Microsoft launched the Surface Laptop 7, opting for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite chips instead of Intel chips to promote Windows on Arm. However, it appears that a Surface Laptop model might be released next year featuring Intel’s latest Lunar Lake chips.

A prototype of a Surface Laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V processor was spotted in a now-deleted listing on the Chinese second-hand marketplace Goofish. Windows Central reported the listing but noted that it remains unclear whether this device will be a variant of the Surface Laptop 7 or a new Surface Laptop 8.

The prototype is distinctly labeled as such with a “prototype – not for sale” marking on the bottom, suggesting the legitimacy of this unreleased Microsoft laptop. Leaks of such devices are uncommon, particularly ones being sold online.

If Microsoft plans to incorporate Lunar Lake chips into the Surface Laptop range, it could provide an Intel alternative for users seeking Copilot Plus PC features. Earlier this year, the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 were released with Intel’s Meteor Lake processors but lacked a powerful enough NPU for Copilot Plus features and were primarily aimed at business users, differing from the updated designs of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7.

The prototype listing suggests this unannounced device may be slated for a 2025 release, hinting at a possible CES 2025 announcement if Microsoft is preparing it for public consumption. Alternatively, Microsoft might restrict Intel-based Surface devices to the commercial market once again.

Requests for comments on the leaked prototype were made to Microsoft, but the company did not respond before publication.

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