The software giant has held its long-awaited Microsoft Surface event in New York. An annual conference usually held in early autumn where he has presented his new own brand hardware devices and also an update of software tools with a focus on AI and the announcement of Windows 11 23H2 that we will present to you in other articles.
Microsoft Surface was a daring foray into the world of computer hardware for the Redmond company and although its beginnings with the Surface RT were not profitable, it has ended up becoming a reference in global technology where Microsoft expresses its vision of what devices should be like. with Windows.
Beyond massive sales, the company has sought (in Apple style) the precise integration of hardware and software, and the opening, together with its OEM partners, of new market segments. Under this strategy, the growth in quantity and quality of Surface has been constant and currently offers all types of equipment to cover the different needs of the user. We review the news presented today.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, more power
The most interesting device of the line renewal is the second generation of a convertible which like others, offers access to multiple modes of use, but with a unique design. You can lift the lid to reveal the screen and use the computer like a traditional laptop, you can pull the screen forward to rest on the keyboard as an easel for writing or drawing, or push it completely forward covering the keyboard for use in electronic tablet mode.
For the new version, Microsoft has maintained design, build quality and finishes with a anodized aluminum chassis and a weight of 1.89 kg with a 58 Wh battery and the well-known PixelSense multi-touch screen with 14.4 inches diagonal, native resolution 2400 x 1600 pixels3:2 aspect ratio and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen supports pressure-sensitive styluses such as the Surface Pen and the stylus is conveniently included in a slot in the computer’s chassis itself.
As we had told you, the biggest news has come from its internal hardware, updated to Intel’s Raptor Lake series and with options to include up to a Core i7-13700H with 14 cores and 20 threads, which is accompanied by an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics. For those looking for more in the graphics section, Microsoft offers NVIDIA dedicated graphics optionswith the possibility of choosing between the RTX 4050, the RTX 4060 or an RTX 2000 Ada.
The memory and storage section is also well covered, from 16 GB to 64 Gbytes of LPDDR5X RAM. Storage options include a 512 GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, 1 or 2 Tbytes, user replaceable.
The rest of the news goes through the connectivity, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, a USB 3.1 Type-A and a proprietary Microsoft Connect port. It also releases support for microSDXC cards that customers had requested. It also features quad speakers, dual microphones, and a 1080p front-facing camera with IR support for facial recognition in Windows Hello.
With Windows 11 preinstalled, Surface Laptop Studio 2 will start at a price of 2,000 dollarshigher than that of the original model taking into account that the base version does not include dedicated graphics, although we must remember its modes of use, screen quality, performance improvements and connectivity.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
It is the new version of standard (and basic) laptop of the Surface line and like the convertible Laptop Studio, it has changed very little in its external design and its chassis with a polycarbonate base and aluminum lid. Thin and light, you can move comfortably with its weight of 1.12 kg. Its screen is also known, a multi-touch PixelSense 12.4 inches3:2 aspect ratio and native resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels.
The update of its processor to Intel’s Alder Lake is the highlight, with the presence of a Core i5-1235U with 10 cores and 12 threads, and an integrated Iris Xe graphics card with 80 execution units. It can equip 8 or 16 Gbytes of LPDDR5 memory and a 256 Gbyte SSD (upgradable).
In terms of connectivity, we see a USB 3.2 Type C and another Type A port, a Surface Connect port, and Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless connections. It features dual microphones on a 720p webcam and stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium and also a fingerprint sensor on the power button.
Microsoft promises up to 15 hours of autonomy with a 41 Wh battery. It preinstalls Windows 11 and will be available in four color options. The price is 800 dollars for the version with 8 GB of RAM and 1000 dollars for the one with 16 Gbytes. A laptop that also advances in performance and connectivity over previous models, but that remains basic compared to what other Microsoft OEM partners offer.
Microsoft Surface Go 4
Another of the devices that were rumored for the renewal of the line was the tablet. And it has arrived to encourage an offer that if we talk about Windows is not enough, since it is very limited, with Android absolutely dominating the mid-range and entry-level tablets and Apple the high-end with its iPads. To avoid having to upgrade to 2-in-1s with Windows (much more expensive), Microsoft designed its own tablet years ago and now the new version is here.
Microsoft has kept the screen 10.5-inch PixelSense multi-touch with 1080p resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio and Gorilla Glass protection. It has a support for styluses and a built-in kickstand that can be adjusted to angles of up to 165 degrees. Its chassis is light (521 g) and thin and is made of magnesium alloy.
Like the rest of the devices presented, the new features involve the internal hardware and here we have good news, since Microsoft has opted for the low-consumption Alder Laker-N series and a processor Intel N200 which should raise (quite a bit) the performance of the tablet with 4 cores/threads, maximum frequency of 3.7 GHz, 6 Mbytes of third-level cache, an Intel UHD GPU with 32 execution units and a TDP consumption of 6 watts.
The RAM memory is a fixed 8 GB LPDDR5, while the storage does offer several options, from 64 GB UFS to a 128 or 256 GB SSD. Connectivity is still quite good, with the best webcam in its category, USB 3.1 Type-C and Microsoft Connect ports, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, NFC and the rest of the sensors of a tablet. It also has 2W stereo speakers and 2 far-field microphones.
It will pre-install Windows 11 and will be available in October. From what it seems, Microsoft will only sell it through commercial channels, indicating that it will focus on business and educational markets. Let’s hope that later, the best pure tablet with Windows will also be available in the consumer market. Its price will start from $579.
Microsoft Surface Hub 3
In addition to the previous client devices, Microsoft has introduced the third generation of the interactive digital whiteboard for companiesbased on the technology of Perceptive Pixel, a company acquired by Microsoft specialized in the design and marketing of large format touch screens.
Surface Hub 3 has renewed screens compared to previous models to improve the meeting experience, now available in two versions with 50 or 85 inches diagonal, both with panels 4K PixelSense and that can be rotated between vertical and horizontal orientation.
According to Microsoft, the 50-inch model is fully mobile on a stand for greater deployment flexibility. Premium speakers, dual microphone arrays, and an anti-glare screen ensure quality audio and video content in any lighting condition.
Collaboration is also enhanced with advanced inking support, allowing up to two users to write or draw on the touchscreen simultaneously. Finally, performance could see a major boost with a 60% faster CPU and better graphics. No price or availability has been provided for the new boards.
The new Surfaces will be available in the Microsoft Store and in the specialized retail channel. We will update with prices and availability in Spain. More information | Windows Blog
