Windows 11 Struggles With 8GB RAM, Even on Surface Laptop

WHO:

The Verge - Reviewer Antonio G. Di Benedetto covered the performance of Microsoft's Surface Laptop.

The Verge - Microsoft is the manufacturer of the Surface Laptop and the Windows 11 operating system.

WHAT:

The Verge - A review indicates that 8GB of RAM is insufficient for a good experience with Windows 11.

The Verge - The price of the 8GB Surface Laptop increased from $900 to $950.

The Verge - The Surface Laptop has a battery life of up to 10 hours.

The Verge - The Surface Laptop's RAM usage often reaches around 6.7GB of the available 7.6GB during typical use.

The Verge - The Surface Laptop is priced at $949.99 as reviewed.

WHERE:

The Verge - The review discusses the performance of the Surface Laptop, which is a product of Microsoft.

WHEN:

The Verge - The review mentions that the Surface Laptop was initially released last year.

WHY:

The Verge - The review highlights that 8GB of RAM is not enough for multitasking and running Windows 11 effectively, indicating a trend of increasing RAM requirements.

HOW:

The Verge - The reviewer experienced temporary freezes during multitasking, such as during a Microsoft Teams call with multiple applications open.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 11:17 UTC)

A recent review by Antonio G. Di Benedetto on The Verge highlights that the Microsoft Surface Laptop, priced at $949.99, struggles with multitasking due to its 8GB of RAM, which often reaches around 6.7GB during typical use. The review notes that this limitation can lead to temporary freezes, particularly during activities like Microsoft Teams calls with multiple applications open, and suggests that 8GB is insufficient for a smooth experience with Windows 11. Additionally, the price of the 8GB model has increased from $900 to $950, while the laptop boasts a battery life of up to 10 hours.