Microsoft Unveils a Slew of New Surface Devices (and They're Kind of Mindblowing)
Microsoft unleashed a hoard of exciting new Surface goodies, including both a tablet and smartphone with the same foldable dual-screen design.
As expected, Microsoft unveiled a bevy of new Surface devices at today's big event in New York City, including the Surface Laptop 3, the Surface Pro 7, Surface Pro X, and Surface Neo tablets (the latter of which is foldable), the Surface Duo smartphone, and Surface Earbuds.
Let's take a look at each offering, including tech specs, pricing, and availability. Or, if you've got an hour and a half to spare, you can watch the event in its entirety below:
Surface Laptop 3
The new Surface Laptop 3 is was designed not only to be sleek and lightweight but powerful for all types of users. Microsoft improved its speed and performance, ramped up its battery life, and included best-in-class graphics. The Surface Laptop 3 now comes in two sizes, 13.5" and 15", and offers two types of keyboard finishes.
Tech Specs
- 20% larger trackpad
- Machined aluminum finish
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- 13.5" and 15" PixelSense Touch display options
- Lightweight modular design
- Removable hard drive
- Studio Mics
- AMD Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics card
- AMD Ryzen processor
- "All-day" battery life
Both the 13.5" and 15" models will ship October 22nd but are available for pre-order now for $999 and $1199 respectively.
Surface Pro 7
The 2-in-1 tablet/laptop combo has introduced some impressive new features in its latest iteration, including a laptop-class Intel Core processor that is 40% faster than its predecessor, longer battery life, improved graphics that are 2x faster, and yes, adding a USB-C port.
Tech Specs
- USB-C and USB-A ports
- 12.3" PixelSense display
- Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core processor
- Signature Type cover
- "All-day" battery life
The Surface Pro 7 will ship October 22nd but is available for pre-order now for $799.
Surface Pro X
The X is the thinnest Surface Pro yet, measuring at 5.3mm at its slimmest point. It features USB-C ports, 4K UHD video support, Studio Mics, and fast charging.
- 5.3mm thin
- Edge-to-edge 13" PixelSense display
- USB-C ports
- 16GB RAM
- 128, 256, or 512GB SSD
- 4K UHD video support
- Studio Mics
- Fast charging
- Advanced LTE
- Microsoft SQ1 processor
- 9 Teraops AI engine
- Over 2 teraflops of graphics performance
- New rechargeable Surface Slim Pen
- Removeable hard drive
- Dual 4K external displays
The Surface Pro X will be available November 5th for $999.
Surface Neo
Microsoft introduced the very intriguing Surface Neo, a foldable tablet that has some crazy, crazy features. Not only can you fold the tablet itself in half and use it as a single screen or open it and utilize both screens but it's also outfitted with a magnetically mounted keyboard that you can flip out and use on the Neo itself or remove and utilize both screens. Yeah, this thing is absolutely nuts.
Tech Specs
- 5.6mm thin
- Weight: 655g
- Designed with damage and scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass
- Dual 9" screens
- Intel Lakefield processor
- Windows 10 X (optimized for dual-screen devices)
- Magnetic keyboard
The Surface Neo doesn't have an official release date or price, but it's slated to become available near the end of 2020.
Surface Duo
Okay, Microsoft. What's going on here?
The Surface Duo is a smartphone...but it's more than that. It's got two screens that operate on a hinge, just like the Surface Neo. It's got tons of dual-screen functionality, just like the Surface Neo. In fact, it's basically a Surface Neo just with a 5.6" dual-screen design.
Microsoft also announced that it's partnering with Google to bring users "the absolute best of Android."
The Surface Duo doesn't have much in the way of specs, an official release date, or price, but it's slated to become available near the end of 2020.
Surface Earbuds
Microsoft has thrown their hat in the audio ring with the wireless Surface Earbuds, which feature touch and voice controls so you can select music and take calls, comfortable design, all-day battery life, and Office integration that allow you to dictate captions in its applications.
Tech Specs
- Wireless
- Directional dual mic array
- Noise reduction filters
- Touch and voice controls
- 24-hour battery life
- MS Office integration
Surface Earbuds will be available later this year for $249.
It appears as though Microsoft has not only become a beast when it comes to hardware but the company is also continuing to think outside of the box to bring consumers devices that break the mold and allow them to innovate.
If you want to learn more about these new Surface devices, head on over to Microsoft's website.