It seems more companies—including Microsoft—are starting to identify with the need for more capable laptops at prices people can actually afford. The Windows maker just dropped details on its new 12-inch Surface Pro and thinner 13-inch Surface Laptop that seem to fit the bill,

While they may sound only a bit smaller than the existing 13-inch Surface Pro and 13.8-inch Surface Laptop, Microsoft managed to cut off plenty of excess weight. The new 12-inch Surface Pro is a half-pound lighter than the 13-inch model,

in our Surface Pro 11 review, my colleague Tony Polanco called that model "the best Surface in years" for good reason. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X chips power this thin slate, giving it remarkable speed and battery life that outpaces some of the best Windows laptops.