AMD Is Missing From Surface PCs, and Microsoft Finally Explains Why

Microsoft has explained why AMD processors are currently missing from its Surface lineup, pointing to the relatively small number of devices it produces.

The company has recently expanded Surface with the new Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 13 and introduced a new Surface Mouse, but AMD remains absent from its current PCs.

Microsoft says Surface has limited room for chip partners

Surface CVP Brett Ostrum said Microsoft has to make careful choices because its hardware portfolio remains limited, as Windows Central writes.

Speaking about AMD, Ostrum said Microsoft still “loves working with AMD,” despite not offering any AMD-powered Surface PCs right now.

Microsoft currently uses or plans to use processors from Intel, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon lineup, and NVIDIA across its Surface devices.

The company’s official explanation is that Surface does not have enough products to accommodate every chip partner at the moment.

AMD previously powered Surface Laptop models

AMD first appeared in Microsoft’s Surface lineup with the Surface Laptop 3 in 2019.

Microsoft continued offering AMD processors for two Surface Laptop generations before dropping the option with the Surface Laptop 5.

At the time, Microsoft offered Intel and AMD configurations of the same Surface family, although the company has not explained why it could not follow that approach again.

Microsoft still works closely with AMD

The lack of AMD-powered Surface PCs does not reflect a wider split between the two companies.

AMD chips power Microsoft’s current Xbox consoles, and the partnership will continue with the next-generation Xbox.

Microsoft has therefore continued working with AMD on major hardware projects even while choosing other chipmakers for its current Surface lineup.

AMD could still return to Surface

Rumors have also suggested that Microsoft has explored a Surface device powered by AMD’s Arm-based “Sound Wave” processor.

Microsoft has not confirmed such a device or announced plans to bring AMD processors back to Surface.

For now, Microsoft’s position remains that its limited Surface portfolio forces the company to choose chip partners carefully, leaving AMD without a place in the current lineup.