Everything announced from today’s Microsoft Surface Event
Can you believe it? The release of Windows 11 is less than 2 weeks away! Today Microsoft held its latest Surface hardware event to show off all it’s latest devices. Including its mainstay devices like the Surface Pro and Surface Go, which will be running Windows 11. Here is everything that Microsoft showed off on Wednesday.
Surface Duo 2
Microsoft upgraded its Surface Duo dual-screen Android device with a new triple camera system, which includes a telephoto lens and two wide-angle lenses. This was one of the major complaints of the original Surface Duo, as the camera system had much to be desired. Another cool feature is an ambient screen on the device’s hinge to display all your notifications and other information. With all those upgrades to the Surface Duo, Microsoft is asking for a price of $1,499 for this dual screen smartphone. Pre-orders start today, and it will be available on October 21st.
Surface Pro 8
The Surface Pro line got a significant upgrade today. A few of the new features now include a 13-inch PixelSense Display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and support for Thunderbolt 4. The internals have been upgraded with Intel’s latest 11th-generation processors. The display bezels have also been reduced as well. The Surface Pro 8 starts at $1,100 and is available for pre-order today and will be available October 5th. The same day that Windows 11 rolls out.
Surface Slim Pen 2
The Slim Pen 2 now includes a haptic motor that Microsoft is claiming will make it feel like you are putting pen to paper rather than glass. The pen is designed to charge in the Signature Keyboard for the Surface Pro, but will also magnetically attach to and charge from the Surface Laptop Studio. You can also buy a separate $35 charger as well. The Slim Pen 2 is available for pre-order now for $130, and will be available October 5th.
Two other accessories announced, is a Surface Adaptive Kit that bundles together a collection of add-ons to make it easier to find specific keys, locate ports, and open your laptop or kickstand. Oh, and Microsoft also made a mouse made of recycled ocean plastic.
Surface Pro X
Microsoft’s ARM-based 2-in-1 didn’t get much an update, other than a new WiFi-only model, which will start at $899. The important update here is that the computer will now come with Windows 11 out of the box, and now includes support for 64-bit software emulation. This should make for a vast improvement in app compatibility, which was the biggest problem with this 2-in-1 since launch. Pre-orders for the WiFi-only model are available today, with October 5th availability.
Surface Go 3
Microsoft’s smallest tablet got a minor update as well. The Surface Go 3 base model will now feature a Pentium Gold 6500Y CPU, up from the 4425Y in the Go 2. The more expensive models will feature 10th-generation Core i3 CPUs. Microsoft is claiming that the latter chips are 60 percent faster than the chips offered in the Go 2. The entire Surface Go 3 family can be pre-ordered today, with the base model starting at $400. The entire family will be available October 5th.
Surface Laptop Studio
The most interesting new product announcement from Microsoft is the new Surface Laptop Studio. This portable computer borrows design cues from the Surface Studio all-in-one. The hinge on it allows you to pull the display over the keyboard to make inking and drawing more immersive. Microsoft claims the Surface Studio is it’s most powerful notebook to date. The laptop will feature Intel’s 11th-generation H35 processors and Intel Xe graphics. The laptop can also be configured with Nvidia’s RTX 3050 Ti GPU. The Surface Laptop is available for pre-order today starting at $1,600 with availability on October 5th.
