Windows 11 Is So Poorly Optimized That Microsoft’s Latest $900 Laptop Reportedly Can’t Use It Without Freezing - Kotaku

What the report says

Kotaku reported that Microsoft’s revised 13-inch Surface Laptop is drawing criticism after a review by The Verge found the entry-level model struggled with routine work. The article, published July 21, 2026, cites The Verge reviewer Antonio G. Di Benedetto’s experience with the cheapest retail configuration, which now ships with 8GB of RAM and is priced at $950.

According to Kotaku’s summary of The Verge review, the 2026 revision is similar to the 2025 version but cuts memory from 16GB to 8GB in the base model. The Verge reviewer reported brief system hangs during a Microsoft Teams call while a host played video, with Chrome tabs, Slack and Signal also open. He also described freezes while working in Google Docs. Kotaku noted that upgrading back to 16GB costs an additional $200.

The report points to Windows 11’s memory demands as a key issue. Kotaku says The Verge observed that, after a fresh reboot with minimal startup apps, the laptop was already using 4.2GB of RAM, leaving limited headroom for everyday multitasking. Kotaku framed the problem as a combination of Windows 11 bloat and higher RAM costs connected to demand from AI data center expansion.

Why it matters: the Surface line is Microsoft’s own showcase for Windows hardware, so poor performance on a new budget configuration raises questions about whether 8GB is still enough for mainstream Windows 11 laptops. The article also connects the consumer impact to a wider market backdrop, where AI infrastructure spending is contributing to pressure on memory supply and prices.