With most of 2023 in the rearview mirror and 2024 around the corner, it’s time to cast our gaze deeper into the new year at a few promising new laptops that will hopefully make it to shelves around the world – and our review desk, at some point.
Unfortunately, laptop manufacturers don’t usually enjoy as rigid a release schedule as smartphone companies. That makes laptop predictions a little harder, especially where release and availability dates are concerned. Although, that’s not to say the world of laptop releases is a complete mystery.
Apple and Microsoft tend to stick to the same release schedule with at least one new MacBook and a Microsoft Surface device or two expected next year. Google does its own thing but doesn’t send its products to SA so we aren’t too concerned about those.
In the past, other notable companies have used the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to exhibit what they’ve been cooking so we are likely to see more of that next month. With that in mind, here are a few of the laptops we’re looking forward to in 2024.
Apple MacBook Air M3
Hot off the heels of Apple launching its latest M3 chips in October 2023 and following the Fruit Company’s 15in MacBook Air released in June 2023, it’s always been a question of ‘when’ the company would slot its new 3nm chips into its most profitable computer range.
While we’re sure the M2-powered MacBook Air won’t be leaving in a hurry, all signs point to an upgraded M3 MacBook Air appearing within the first half of 2024. It’ll bring with it performance gains and pull further ahead in the power efficiency race, not to mention help Apple through its sales slump.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
In 2022, when Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 5 launched towards the end of that year, it saw relatively little fanfare. That’s probably because it was more or less the same device as the Surface Laptop 4, with newer internals, and still looked like the company’s very first Surface Laptop from 2017.
Despite the rumours throughout the year, the Laptop 6 was conspicuously absent from Microsoft’s 2023 September Surface event. That means it’s even more likely to turn up in 2024, at some point.
If the leaks are to be believed, Microsoft will launch the Surface Laptop 6 next year with 13.5in and 15in size options, Intel 13th-gen processors, and battery life capable of squaring up to Apple’s MacBooks.
Asus Zenbook S 13
A quick trip to Asus’ website will confirm the company has something cooking for this year’s CES. The teaser doesn’t provide any hints as to what that might be so some speculation will have to do for now. Then again, you need only look at previous CES events for an indication of what we can expect next month.
With Intel’s latest Core Ultra processors unveiled last week, we’re sure Asus will stick a few into its laptop ranges. New AMD chips probably aren’t too far behind either. However, we’re most keen to see what the brand does with the Zenbook S 13.
When it debuted in April this year, Asus crowned it the “World’s Slimmest OLED Ultraportable Laptop”. It boasted some impressive performance for its size so we’d like another helping of that, except faster and with integrated AI.
Microsoft Surface Pro 10
An updated Microsoft Surface Pro 10 was also curiously absent from the company’s September 2023 Surface event. Like the Surface Laptop, the Surface Pro last saw an update in October 2022 making it likely we’ll see updates to both ranges in 2024.
We don’t foresee Microsoft taking too many big risks with the Surface Pro 10. Presumably, it’ll want all focus aimed at the device’s AI capabilities and we’re sure it won’t forget to mention the benefits of its partnership with OpenAI. Like the Laptop 6, different size options are a possibility along with the usual upgraded internals.
Samsung Galaxy Book 4
This one stands apart from the others because Samsung’s Galaxy Books haven’t been available in South Africa for some time. That probably isn’t going to change in a hurry and despite us badgering Samsung’s execs for more info every chance we get, all they keep telling us is ‘maybe’.
2024 could be the year that the Galaxy Book returns, or it could be another Galaxy Book-less year. We’ve given up trying to read Samsung execs and have moved on to manifesting. We’ll probably try tea leaves next.