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Earlier this month, Microsoft announced two new Surface computers with ARM processors from Qualcomm: the Surface Pro 12-inch and the Surface Laptop 13-inch. These two PCs joined the rest of the current Surface lineup, which offers configurations with ARM and x86 chips. So far, if you want an ARM-powered PC, your options are limited to just one: Qualcomm Snapdragon. However, next year, users might get another variant. According to a reliable leaker, KeplerL2, Microsoft plans to use AMD's upcoming ARM-based Sound Wave chips for the 2026 Surface lineup. At this point, very little is known about the processor and the Surface devices that will be powered by it. Sound Wave is expected to pack six cores, built-in RDNA 3.5 graphics and a relatively small TDP of 5W to 10W, optimal for devices like small tablets or laptops. Such a low-power part looks like an interesting choice, considering that the current Snapdragon X processors have a TDP of up to 23W. Lower TDP means less power, so it might indicate that Microsoft is thinking about using AMD's upcoming ARM processors for lower-end devices, like the Surface Go or the Surface Laptop Go, which currently use Intel chips. This will also mark the return of AMD chips to the Surface computers, which were abandoned after the less-than-stellar Ryzen processors for the Surface Laptop 3 and Laptop 4 generations. After that, Microsoft ditched AMD chips and focused on Intel and Qualcomm solutions. AMD is not the only company working on ARM chips (the company gave up on ARM after the Opteron A1100 SoC from 2016). There are plenty of rumors about Nvidia joining the party with its own ARM chips for Windows PCs in 2026, which means we will have plenty of competition and exciting developments in the Windows on ARM segment, which was pretty much non-existent until 2024. Source: KeplerL2 | via Windows Central Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

The new Surface Pro 12-inch isn't replacing the Surface Go 4, but it sure is a big step forward. Here's how they compare. New 12" 2-in-1 10.5" 2-in-1 Microsoft unveiled its new Surface Pro 12-inch on May 6, 2025, and it's expected to launch on May 20. The Surface Go 4, which launched in 2023, is another compact 2-in-1 that launched in 2023. While Microsoft has stated that its new Pro 12-inch isn't replacing the Surface Go line — it's instead meant to add a more affordable option to its Copilot+ PC lineup — the newer 2-in-1 almost completely removes any enthusiasm and appeal for the Surface Go 4. Short story? Buy the Surface Pro 12-inch. Long story? Read on for a detailed breakdown of the differences and similarities between the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Go 4. Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Go 4: Specifications Before I dive into a more detailed breakdown, here's a look at the raw specs that make up these 2-in-1 Surface devices. Header Cell - Column 0 Surface Pro 12-inch Surface Go 4 CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42 (8 core) Intel N200 RAM 16GB LPDDR5x 8GB LPDDR5 GPU Qualcomm Adreno (integrated) Intel UHD (integrated) NPU Qualcomm Hexagon (45 TOPS) None Storage 256GB, 512GB UFS 64GB, 128GB, 256GB UFS Camera Front-facing 1080p + IR, rear-facing 10MP Front-facing 1080p + IR, rear-facing 8MP Speakers Dual 2W speakers, Dolby Atmos Dual 2W speakers, Dolby Atmos Display 12 inches, 2196x1464 (2.1K), 220 PPI, LCD, 3:2 aspect ratio, 90Hz, touch, 400 nits 10.5 inches, 1920x1280, 220 PPI, LCD, 3:2 aspect ratio, 60Hz, touch, 350 nits Ports Two USB-C 3.2 USB-C 3.1, microSD card reader, Surface Connect, 3.5mm audio Wireless Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 Battery Up to 16 hours video playback Up to 12.5 hours of typical device usage Dimensions 10.8 x 7.47 x 0.30 inches (274mm x 190mm x 7.8mm) 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches (245mm x 175mm x 8.3mm) Weight 1.5 pounds (686g) 1.15 pounds (521g) Colors Platinum, Ocean, Violet Platinum Price From $799 From $689.99 Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Go 4: Price and availability Microsoft's new Surface Pro 12-inch is now available for preorder at Microsoft and third-party retailers, with the official launch slated for May 20, 2025. The Surface Pro 12-inch with a Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42) System-on-Chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage starts at $799.99 at Best Buy. It comes in a Platinum finish. Doubling storage to 512GB, the price climbs to $899.99. Violet, Ocean, and Platinum colors are available for this pricier SKU. The Surface Pro 12's optional keyboard is sold separately for $149.99. It comes in Slate, Violet, and Ocean colors. The optional Surface Slim Pen 2 adds another $129.99 to the total. You can save some money by bundling the Pro 12-inch Keyboard and the Slim Pen for $249.99 at Best Buy. With keyboard, pen, and PC, you're looking at spending about $1,050 for even the baseline package with 256GB of storage. Surface Pro 12-inch, Platinum, 16GB RAM, 256GB Storage: $799.99 at Best Buy Surface Pro 12-inch, Platinum, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage: $899.99 at Best Buy Surface Pro 12-inch, Violet, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage: $899.99 at Best Buy Surface Pro 12-inch, Ocean, 16GB RAM, 512GB Storage: $899.99 at Best Buy Surface Pro 12 Keyboard: $149.99 at Best Buy Surface Pro 12 Keyboard with Slim Pen: $249.99 at Best Buy The Surface Go 4 launched in October 2023 and remains available to buy today via Microsoft's commercial storefront and some third-party retailers like Amazon. Shopping at Microsoft, the Surface Go 4 "for Business" starts at $689.99. The baseline model gets you an Intel N200 processor, 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and 64GB of storage. There's also a $799.99 model still on sale at Microsoft. It doubles the storage to 128GB, but specs are otherwise the same. Amazon seems to be one of the only other retailers selling the Surface Go 4 in an unused state. I found a model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage for $819.99 at Amazon. I also found a model with 256GB of storage (sold out at Microsoft) for $964.99 at Amazon. Microsoft sells its Surface Go Type Cover keyboard and Surface Pen separately. The best prices I found for the former are at Amazon. The Poppy Red option starts at $63, and prices climb from there for Platinum, Ice Blue, and Black colors. The Surface Go 4 is made for use with the Surface Pen, which starts at about $60 at Amazon. Taking the best prices I could find, you're still adding about $123 to the cost of the PC for its accessories. That pushes the $690 model up to $813 for the full package with Surface Go 4, keyboard, and pen. Because the device supports Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), you shouldn't have issues using Microsoft's newer Surface Slim Pen or Slim Pen 2, albeit without all the extra features like haptic feedback. Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Go 4: Design and features A look at the back of the Surface Pro 12-inch. (Image credit: Future | Daniel Rubino) The new Surface Pro 12-inch and the Surface Go 4 are both fanless 2-in-1 PCs. Because there aren't any fans inside, there's no necessary venting around the edges, making for a cleaner tablet aesthetic. The Surface Go 4, despite its smaller display, is the chunkier device. Microsoft made a point of thinning down its Surface Pro 12-inch to match modern tablet slabs, and it's thinner than the Go 4 at 0.30 inches (compared to 0.33 inches). The Go 4 has a smaller footprint, but not by a whole lot. The Surface Pro 12-inch measures about 1.15 inches wider and 0.57 inches taller. The Go 4 also weighs less at 1.15 pounds compared to 1.5 pounds. Considering you get an additional 1.5 inches of screen space on the newer device, Microsoft did some fine work designing the Pro 12-inch. Both Surface PCs feature a built-in stand on the back of the tablet. It extends out to stabilize and prop up the tablet, and it's especially important when a keyboard is attached. The Surface Go 4 hides a microSD card reader under its stand, which can be used to expand its meager storage options. The Go 4 otherwise offers one USB-C 3.1 port for data and video, Surface Connect for charging or Surface docks, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The Surface Pro 12-inch has two USB-C 3.2 ports (10Gbps) only. It no longer includes Surface Connect, and it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack. The Pro 12-inch can run dual 4K external monitors each at a 60Hz refresh rate with this setup. The Go 4 can run one 4K display at 60Hz natively; for additional displays, a dock or extender with DisplayLink is required. Dan S. Charlton's Surface blog has an outstanding explanation of Surface USB-C capabilities if you want more info. The Surface Go 4 is immediately recognizable as a Surface device. (Image credit: Future) Both Surface PCs have a similar audio setup with dual 2W stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos tuning. Camera hardware is also similar. Both PCs have a front-facing 1080p camera with an IR sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition. The Pro 12-inch bumps its rear-facing camera to 10MP, while the Go 4 hits 8MP. The Pro 12-inch has much newer wireless hardware, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 offering the best possible experience. The Go 4 offers Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1; still good, but not as good. Both devices use a detachable keyboard to complete the notebook setup. The Go 4's keyboard is smaller (I find it edging on too small, but my hands are probably larger than average), but it comes with a backlight. The Pro 12-inch keyboard is slightly different. It still attaches magnetically, but the hinge is slimmer and no longer flips up to stick to the bottom bezel. This allows it to rotate backwards to sit flat on the back of the tablet, but it also makes for a more streamlined look. The Pro 12-inch keyboard also features a backlight. Microsoft added an indented cradle on the back of the tablet to house the Slim Pen when it's not in use. The pen charges automatically when cradled. The new pen cradle on the Surface Pro 12-inch. (Image credit: Future | Daniel Rubino) Platinum, Ocean, and Violet colors are available for the Surface Pro 12-inch. The Surface Go 4 is only available in Platinum, although its keyboards (linked in the section above) can add some flair. Overall, the Surface Pro 12-inch is immediately recognizable as the newer, more modern device. It's slightly thinner, the keyboard has less bulk (and more typing space), and the new Slim Pen charging cradle is a nice feature. Both 2-in-1 laptops are ultimately great for traveling, but don't make a final decision before I discuss the display and, especially, the performance. Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Go 4: Display A look at the Surface Pro 12-inch with keyboard attached. (Image credit: Future | Daniel Rubino) The Surface Go 4's display measures 10.5 inches with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 1920x1280 resolution. That works out to 220 pixels per inch (PPI). The Surface Pro has a larger 12-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, but its 2196x1464 resolution works out to the same 220 PPI. That goes to show how good the Go 4's display still is today. Microsoft lists a 1500:1 contrast ratio on the Go 4, besting the Pro 12-inch's 1200:1 ratio. However, the Pro 12-inch pulls ahead of the Go 4's 60Hz refresh rate, boosting it to 90Hz for a smoother view that's easier on the eyes. The Pro 12-inch should also get brighter. Both devices have 10-point touch displays with pen compatibility, but the Pro 12-inch is the right choice if you want the best inking experience with haptic feedback. The Go 4's display has relatively thick bezels, and its smaller size will impact some workflows. The Pro 12-inch has thinner bezels for a more modern look, and the larger screen will benefit many users. Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Go 4: Performance and battery Display bezels are much thicker on the Surface Go. (Image credit: Future) The Surface Go 4 is equipped with a 4-core Intel N200 CPU with a 1GHz clock. Even in 2023, when the Go 4 launched, this chip wasn't very impressive. Realistically, it has enough power for very light computing; multitasking will pull it to a standstill in most cases. On the other hand, the Surface Pro 12-inch has an 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42) SoC with a 3.2GHz multi-core frequency, integrated GPU with 1.7 TFLOPs of power, and a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for full access to Copilot+ tools. Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino went hands-on with the Surface Pro 12-inch and did some preliminary benchmarking. Looking at Geekbench 6 scores puts the performance difference into perspective. Header Cell - Column 0 Geekbench 6 (Single-core) Geekbench 6 (Multi-core) Intel N200 790 2,132 Snapdragon X Plus (X1P-42) 2,422 11,080 Geekbench, of course, doesn't provide a full picture of real-world performance. But a 3x increase on single-core and a 5x increase on multi-core power is no joke. If you want a PC that can do more than just email and light web browsing, the Surface Pro 12-inch is the easy choice. That's before getting into Copilot+ AI tools available for the Pro 12-inch. Because its NPU hits 45 TOPS of power for local AI work, it'll handle Copilot+ features (like Recall, Click to Do, Cocreator, etc.) just as well as the Surface Pro 11. The Surface Go 4's RAM and storage options also aren't as impressive. It's locked into 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM (more wouldn't make much of a difference to the N200 CPU), and it tops out at 256GB of storage. The Surface Pro 12-inch has 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM as standard, and it's available with 256GB or 512GB of storage. Both PCs use UFS instead of real SSDs. They're more efficient but generally slower. The Surface Pro 12-inch's storage can technically be upgraded after purchase if you don't mind opening the case, while the Go 4 only offers microSD expansion. As for battery life, I won't make any concrete claims until we've had more time with the Surface Pro 12-inch. The Go 4, however, generally runs for about five or six hours if you're pushing it. With Qualcomm's efficiency, I expect to see the Pro 12-inch offer better battery life. The Pro 12 runs Windows 11 on Snapdragon due to its chip's ARM64 architecture, whereas the Go 4 runs standard Windows 11. The major difference between the two OS versions boils down to app compatibility. Windows on ARM64 is better than ever these days, and I wouldn't let some occasional emulation requirements stand in your way of picking up the Pro 12-inch. You can check app and game compatibility at the WorksOnWoA website, and I urge you to check out the best native Windows on Snapdragon apps. Surface Pro 12-inch vs. Surface Go 4: Which should you buy? I kind of felt like I was beating up on the Surface Go 4 in this comparison, but that's only testament to how much better the new Surface Pro 12-inch really is. The Snapdragon X Plus chip inside is somewhere around five times as powerful as the Intel N200 in the Go 4, and considering how small a price difference there is between the two PCs, that should be enough to help you make a final decision. Everything about the Surface Pro 12-inch feels more refined, from the slimmer display bezels to the thinner chassis to the new keyboard. Unless you find an incredible deal on a Surface Go 4, the regular price difference is just too small, and it's far easier to recommend the Surface Pro 12-inch. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

Recently, Microsoft reminded users about the end of support for Windows 10, which is less than six months away. As such, there is now a Linux-backed project called "End of 10" that is trying to guide users to make the switch. Meanwhile, Microsoft itself is also aware that this move can be quite a challenge for many. As such, the company quietly extended the support for Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, Excel, and more, on Windows 10. Another good thing Microsoft has done recently is to list all Surface devices that originally shipped with Windows 10. Neowin spotted this recently updated support page while browsing. With the looming end of support for the OS, the list has two parts, first shows the PCs which can be upgradable to Windows 11 as they meet the system requirements, and second, the devices that cannot be upgraded. Microsoft writes: If your PC is on the second list, ie, it cannot upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft's official recommendation is to buy a new Copilot+ Surface PC. The company has also explained with some numbers and data why such AI PCs make for a commendable upgrade choice. You can find the support article here on Microsoft's website. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

This week, Microsoft introduced two new Surface computers: the Surface Pro 12-inch and the Surface Laptop 13-inch. These Copilot+ PCs offer power-efficient ARM processors, promising battery life, and overall decent specs for a modern Windows computer. While they are cheaper than the baseline Surface Pro 11 and the Surface Laptop 7, some users felt that the price difference is too small to justify the cuts, especially in the Surface Laptop 13-inch. Microsoft now has a solution for this problem. The company reportedly stopped selling its entry-level Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 models that cost $999. Now, both devices start at $1,199. Microsoft effectively killed the 256GB configuration, leaving lower-tier storage options available in the $799 Surface Pro 12-inch and the $899 Surface Laptop 13-inch. This increased the price gap between the newly announced "budget" variants and their more expensive lineup siblings. Considering that both Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 can be found on frequent sales for as low as $799, from a financial standpoint, the new Surface PCs make little to no sense unless you want a smaller-sized device. But now, with a $300-400 price gap between them, the new models look much more appealing to those who cannot afford a $1,199 tablet or laptop. Luckily, you can still find the baseline Surface Pro 11 for $799 and the Surface Laptop 7 for the same price. The latter is a much better PC than the new Surface Laptop 13-inch (also $100 cheaper). However, these configurations are no longer available in the Microsoft Store configurator, even though the description says the Surface Pro 11 starts with a 256 GB SSD. The new Surface Pro 12-inch and the Surface Laptop 13-inch are now available for preorder, with availability scheduled for May 20. If you are interested in these devices, check out our detailed spec-by-spec comparisons here and here. Source: Windows Central As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

Microsoft's two new, smaller-sized Surface computers are now official. In addition to the 12-inch Surface Pro, the company is launching the 13-inch Surface Laptop, a more portable and affordable Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon X Plus processor. Microsoft says the laptop is its "thinnest and lightest Surface Laptop yet." Unlike the Surface Laptop 7, which has a 13.8-inch display, the Surface Laptop 13-inch (not a very creative name) is smaller and lighter. The chassis is made of anodized aluminum, and customers can pick between three colors, including the new Violet. The computer is powered by an 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with a 45 TOPS NPU for AI-powered experiences in Windows 11. In its announcement post, Microsoft claims the laptop is 50% faster than the Surface Laptop 5 and delivers better performance than the MacBook Air M3. Although the Surface Laptop 13-inch does not have the fastest chip, it makes up for that with better battery life. According to Microsoft, the Surface Laptop 13-inch features the longest battery life of any Surface device, and it can deliver up to 23 hours of video playback or 16 hours of web browsing. Of course, being cheaper, the Surface Laptop 13-inch has some corners cut. The touchscreen display is only Full HD (1,920 x 1,280), and the refresh rate is only 60Hz. RAM is limited to 16GB, and storage options include just 256GB and 512GB UFS, not SSD. Also, Microsoft removed the infrared Windows Hello camera in favor of a fingerprint reader built into the power button. Still, the laptop has a backlit keyboard and a haptic trackpad. Its charger is also included in the box, unlike the new Surface Pro 12-inch, which only comes with a USB-C cable. As for ports, you get two USB 3.2 Type-C ports with display output (up to two 4K 60Hz displays), one USB 3.1 Type-A, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Like in the Surface Pro 12-inch, the Surface Connect is no longer here. The Surface Laptop 13-inch is now available for preorder at $899 for the base 256GB configuration. Shipments begin on May 20, 2025. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

The Surface Pro lineup has a new member: meet the smaller Surface Pro with a 12-inch display, the company's "thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC" yet, announced alongside the new Surface Laptop 13-inch. The new model sticks to the classic Surface Pro formula, working as a tablet with a kickstand and a laptop with a detachable keyboard. It debuts alongside the more affordable 13-inch Surface Laptop, confirming earlier reports about Microsoft preparing a more compact Surface Pro. Microsoft's goal here is to give customers a more affordable and more portable device than the standard Surface Pro 11. The 12-inch Surface Pro costs $799 for the base configuration, and for this money, you get a Windows tablet with a fanless 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor, 16GB of memory, and 256GB of UFS storage (not SSD). There is also a more expensive 512GB configuration. Microsoft has also cut some corners on the screen side. The PixelSense LCD display is 12 inches diagonal and has a resolution of 2,196 x 1,464 (220 PPI). The refresh rate is 90Hz with 60Hz set as default. The Surface Pen now charges on the back of the tablet. Like all the other Copilot+ PCs, the new Surface Pro supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4. It also has Qualcomm's 45 TOPS NPU, which enables all the AI experiences, such as Recall, Click To Do, image generation, and more (they are now publicly available). Ports include two USB 3.2 Type-C for charging, data transfer, and display output. Microsoft says the tablet can drive two 4K monitors at 60Hz, plus it is compatible with the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock and other accessories. The Surface Connect is no longer present as Microsoft is moving fully to USB-C. The battery is rated for up to 16 hours of local video playback or 12 hours of active web usage. The 12-inch Surface Pro charges at up to 45W, but the unfortunate thing is that the charger is not included. Microsoft recently ditched the charger in the Surface Pro 11 for the European market, and it is now doing it worldwide. As for accessories, the Surface Pro supports the Surface Slim Pen 2 and other styluses that utilize Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP). You can charge the Slim Pen 2 on the back of the tablet. As for the keyboard, the Surface Pro 12-inch keyboard ditched its charging dock but retained the backlight. It is good to see Microsoft keeping this feature, which was a major complaint in other budget-friendly Surface devices like the Surface Laptop Go. Also, the keyboard now folds back completely flat for better ergonomics. The 12-inch Surface Pro is now available for preorder for $799. Shipments begin May 20. On July 22, the tablet will also be available for business customers, featuring Windows 11 Pro, an anti-reflective display, and an NFC reader. If you are interested in seeing how the Surface Pro 12-inch compares to the Surface Pro 11 spec-by-spec, check out our fresh Specs Appeal article. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

There is a new Surface Laptop in town. The Surface Laptop 13-inch (yep, that's the name) joins its larger siblings, the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 and the 15-inch Surface Laptop 7, offering customers a more affordable, albeit significantly cut-down version. Here is our detailed spec-by-spec comparison. The Surface Laptop 13-inch was announced alongside the Surface Pro 12-inch, and you can check out its Specs Appeal article here. Like the Surface Pro 12-inch, the new Surface Laptop is powered by an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with a 45 TOPS NPU for AI-powered experiences, such as Recall, Click to Do, and a bunch of other features that Microsoft announced today (including new features for stock apps). Memory is limited to just 16GB, and storage options are either 256GB or 512GB UFS (no SSDs here). The biggest downgrade in the Surface Laptop 13-inch is its display. It is a 1080p touchscreen display at only 60Hz, a big step down from the 120Hz displays in the Surface Laptop 7. HDR is not supported, the contrast ratio is lower, and the max brightness peaks at only 400 nits. That is a lot of sacrifices for a device that is only $100 less expensive. Microsoft also ditched a Windows Hello webcam. The 1080p webcam supports all the AI enhancements, but it cannot be used for biometric authentication. Instead, Microsoft borrowed the fingerprint reader from the Surface Laptop Go and implemented it in the power button. Fortunately, the fingerprint reader is present in both configurations, not just the more expensive 512GB variant. Ports in the Surface Laptop 13-inch include two USB 3.2 Type-C (no USB-4, but dual 4K 60Hz display output is supported), one USB 3.1 Type-A, and a headphone jack. Like in the Surface Pro 12-inch, the Surface Connect port is no longer with us as Microsoft is now committing fully to Type-C. On the bright side, Microsoft introduces two new colors: Ocean and Violet. Also, while being smaller and thinner in size, the Surface Laptop 13-inch boasts significantly better battery life, taking the title of the longest battery life in any Surface device (up to 23 hours of video playback). Here are the key changes summed up in a list: Smaller and lighter Two new colors: Ocean and Violet Lower-resolution display with a lower refresh rate and max brightness without HDR 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with a fan UFS storage instead of SSD Fingerprint scanner in the power button instead of a Windows Hello camera Better battery life USB 3.2 ports instead of USB 4 and no Surface Connect $100 cheaper And here is a detailed spec-by-spec comparison, with changes highlighted in bold: Surface Laptop 13-inch Surface Laptop 7 Chassis 11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61" 2.7 lbs 285.65 x 214.14 x 15.6 mm 1.22 kg 11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69" 2.96 lbs 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm 1.34 kg 12.96 x 9.41 x 0.72" 3.67 lbs 329 x 239 x 18.29 1.66 kg Colors Platinum, Ocean, Violet Sapphire, Dune, Black, Platinum Display 13-inch: 1920 x 1280 (178 ppi) 1000:1 contrast ratio 60Hz 10-point multi-touch 13.8-inch: 2304 x 1536 (201 ppi) 1400:1 contrast ratio 120Hz 10-point multi-touch HDR support 15-inch: 2496 x 1664 (201 ppi) 1300:1 contrast ratio 120Hz 10-point multi-touch HDR support Processor 8-core Snapdragon X Plus 10-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus 12-core Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Memory 16GB LPDDR5x 16GB, 32GB LPDDR5x Storage 256GB, 512GB UFS User-removable PCIe 4 SSD 256GB, 512GB, 1TB Security Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0 Fingerprint sensor Windows 11 Secured-core PC Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0 Windows Hello face sign-in Windows 11 Secured-core PC Network Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Battery TBD mAh Up to 23 hours of video playback Charger included 13.8-inch: 54Wh Up to 20 hours of video playback 15-inch: 66Wh Up to 22 hours of video playback Camera 1080p front-facing camera 1080p front-facing camera with Windows Hello face sign-in Ports 2x USB 3.2 Type-C 1x USB 3.1 Type-A 3.5 mm headphone jack 13.8-inch: 2x USB-C/USB4 1x USB-A 3.1 3.5 mm headphone jack Surface Connect 15-inch: 2x USB-C/USB4 1x USB-A 3.1 3.5 mm headphone jack Surface Connect microSDXC reader Launch Price $899+ $999+ $1,299+ In conclusion, the Surface Laptop 13-inch looks appealing at first sight. However, as you start digging deeper into its specs and discover cut corners, the Surface Laptop 7 begins to look like a significantly better option. Right now, you can get the baseline Surface Laptop 7 for just $799 on Amazon, $100 cheaper than the new Surface Laptop, and for this money, you will get a lot more: a more powerful processor, better storage, a much better display, and a better camera. The Surface Laptop 13-inch is very hard to recommend at its launch price. Unless, of course, you want a smaller laptop with three extra hours of battery life (according to Microsoft). Also, I cannot blame anyone for wanting that Violet variant. It just looks so good. The Surface Laptop 13-inch is now available for preorder in the Microsoft Store. Shipments begin on May 20, 2025. Are you getting one? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

Microsoft's lineup of Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs today expanded with two new entries: the Surface Laptop 13-inch and the Surface Pro 12-inch. These computers offer users more portable and affordable variants of the Surface Laptop 7 and the Surface Pro 11. In this article, we take a closer look at the Surface Pro 12-inch to see how this smaller tablet compares to the larger Surface Pro 11. The Surface Pro 12-inch is primarily for those who want a more portable and lighter tablet than the standard Surface Pro 11. It is notably lighter and thinner: only 1.5 lbs vs. 1.97 lbs and only 0.3 inches vs. 0.37 inches. The screen is 12 inches diagonally instead of 13 inches, and it has a lower resolution and refresh rate. Still, unlike the Surface Laptop 13-inch with its rather dull 60Hz display, the Surface Pro 12-inch can operate at a more modern 90Hz refresh rate. To lower the price, Microsoft also ditched the 10-core Snapdragon Plus in favor of a lower-spec 8-core variant, which Qualcomm announced in the second half of 2024. Memory is limited to just 16GB, and for storage, the new Surface tablet uses UFS instead of SSD. Only two configurations are available: 256GB and 512GB. Another cost-cutting measure is the front-facing camera. It still supports Windows Hello, but its resolution is limited to 1080p instead of 1440p in the Surface Pro 11. However, it supports all the AI-powered features like auto-framing and other Windows Studio effects. Despite being smaller, thinner, and lighter, the Surface Pro 12-inch has a better battery life than the Surface Pro 11. Microsoft promises up to 16 hours of local video playback, while the Surface Pro 11 is rated for two hours less. Also, Microsoft managed to put a built-in wireless charger for the Surface Slim Pen, so there is no need to use its own charger if you do not own a keyboard cover—just attach the pen to the back of your Surface Pro. The keyboard was also redesigned. It attaches magnetically and, due to the tablet's smaller size, now lies flat on the table. The Surface Pro 11, for reference, has an angled keyboard and even a separate wireless version with an eye-watering price tag. The Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard costs $149.99. Finally, Microsoft has limited USB-C ports to just USB 3.2 and removed the Surface Connect port altogether alongside the bundled charger. Here are the key changes summed up in a list: Smaller and lighter chassis Smaller display with a lower resolution, lower max brightness, and a 90Hz refresh rate Fanless 8-core Snapdragon X Plus processor UFS storage instead of user-replaceable SSD (256GB and 512GB) Built-in wireless charger at the back of the tablet A redesigned keyboard that lies flat Better battery life up to 16 hours of local video playback No charger in the box Two USB 3.2 Type-C ports without Surface Connect More affordable Here is a more detailed spec-by-spec comparison: Surface Pro (12-inch) Surface Pro (11th Edition) Chassis 10.8" x 7.47" x 0.3", 1.5lbs 274 x 190 x 7.8 mm, 686 g 11.3" x 8.2" x 0.37", 1.97lbs 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm, 895 g Colors Platinum, Ocean, Violet Sapphire!, Dune, Platinum, Black Display 12" IPS PixelSense 2196 x 1464 (220 ppi) 90Hz (60Hz by default) 1200:1 contrast ratio 400 nits 13" IPS PixelSense Flow 2880 x 1920 (267 ppi) Dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz 1200:1 contrast ratio 600 nits (SDR) 600 nits (HDR) 13" OLED PixelSense Flow 2880 x 1920 (267 ppi) Dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz 1M:1 contrast ratio 600 nits (SDR) 900 nits (HDR) Processor 8-core Snapdragon X Plus Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Qualcomm Adreno GPU 10-core Snapdragon X Plus Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Qualcomm Adreno GPU 12-core Snapdragon X Elite Qualcomm Hexagon NPU Qualcomm Adreno GPU Memory 16GB LPDDR5X 16GB LPDDR5X 16GB or 32GB LPDDR5X Storage 256GB, 512GB UFS User-removable PCIe Gen4 SSD 256GB, 512GB User-removable PCIe Gen4 SSD 512GB, 1TB Security Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0 Windows Hello face sign-in Windows 11 Secured-core PC Network Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Optional 5G Battery TBD Wh Up to 16 hours of video playback 47Wh Up to 14 hours of video playback 53Wh Up to 14 hours of video playback Cameras Front-facing 1080p Full HD Surface Studio camera with Windows Hello 10 MP rear-facing camera with 4K video support Front-facing 1440p ultra-wide camera with Windows Hello 10MP rear-facing camera with 4K video support Ports 2x USB-C/USB 3.2 2x USB-C/USB4 1x Surface Connect Accessories Surface Slim Pen 2 with charging on the back of the tablet Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard Surface Slim Pen 2 Surface Pro Flex Keyboard Surface Pro Keyboard Surface Pro Signature Keyboard Price $799+ $999+ $1,499+ Overall, the Surface Pro 12-inch looks like a very interesting device in the sea of 13-inch Windows tablets. Smaller, lighter, and with great battery life. However, at $799, it also has some significant downgrades from the Surface Pro 11. Unless you are looking for a more portable device, the baseline Surface Pro 11 with a more powerful processor, better storage, better display, and a bundled charger looks like a better pick, especially when you consider that it is available right now on Amazon for exactly $799. The Surface Pro 12-inch is now available for preorder in the Microsoft Store. The tablet will be available on May 20, 2025. Are you buying it? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of April): 1,811 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

Microsoft has released a bunch of firmware updates for several Surface Laptop computers and the Surface Pro 10 for Business. The changelogs include mostly security fixes, but there are also quality-of-life improvements and other changes. Here is the changelog for the Surface Pro 10 for Business: The Surface Pro 7, meanwhile, received an update with a general description promising to address "device security vulnerabilities against potential threats." Moving to the Surface Laptop lineup, we have fresh updates for the Surface Laptop Go 2, Go 3, the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, and the Surface Laptop 4 with Intel processors. The Surface Laptop Go 2 and Go 3 share the same changelog: Next, here is what is new for the Surface Laptop 6 for Business: The Surface Laptop 4 with Intel processors has the same changelog as the Surface Laptop 6 for Business, plus two additional fixes: As usual, you can download the latest firmware update for your Surface device in the Settings app. Alternatively, head to the official Surface support website to download a manual install package. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every day for many years. News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025 (till end of March): 1,357 RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend

In September 2023, Microsoft announced the new Surface Laptop Studio 2, the Surface Laptop Go 3, and the Surface Go 4 tablet. All of these reveals were a bit of an afterthought because they were mentioned at the end of Microsoft's big Copilot and Windows 23H2 press event. However, it looks like the company is preparing for a Surface-centric event that will happen in March. Microsoft leaker "WalkingCat" posted a teaser earlier this week on X (formerly Twitter), writing simply, "Surface Event = 3/21 ??" Windows Central claims that the March 21 date is indeed when Microsoft will reveal new Surface products. It added that, according to its sources, they will be new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop devices with current designs but with Intel's 14th generation chips and features designed specifically for business and commercial buyers. They will reportedly include "an anti-reflective display, a new NFC reader, and support for Windows Studio Effects." These products are rumored to launch in April. Today's report also claims that Microsoft could hold another event in June. This one will be for the previously rumored Surface Pro "10" and Surface Laptop "6." These will feature all-new designs with both Intel's 14th-generation CPUs and Qualcomm's recently revealed Snapdragon X Series chips. Finally, Microsoft could launch a third smaller wave of Surface devices this fall. They will reportedly include an upgraded Surface Laptop Go 4 and a Surface Go 4 made for consumers and not just for commercial buyers. In the wake of Microsoft's long-time Surface leader Panos Panay departing from the company last fall for Amazon, it will be interesting to see how both commercial and consumer customers receive these new Surface devices from Microsoft. Source

Microsoft continues updating its Surface computers with fresh firmware and drivers. This time, the April 2024 firmware update is available for the second-generation Surface Go and the Surface Studio 2+. It improves audio, network stability, compatibility with the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock, and overall system stability. Here is the changelog for the Surface Go 2: Here is the changelog for the Surface Studio 2+: Note: the update does not apply to the Surface Studio 2. Here is the list of new drivers: Surface Go 2 Surface Studio 2+ Surface - Extension - 2.26.7.0 Realtek High Definition Audio(SST) - Extensions Surface - Firmware - 2.26.7.0 Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt(TM) 4 Dock Firmware Update - Firmware Intel - System - 2334.5.1.0 Intel(R) Management Engine Interface #1 - System devices Intel Corporation - Bluetooth - 23.30.0.3 Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) - Bluetooth Realtek Semiconductor Corp. - MEDIA - 6.0.9561.5 Realtek High Definition Audio(SST) - Sound, video and game controller Intel - net - 23.30.0.6 Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz - Network adapters Intel - Software Component - 1.70.101.0 Intel(R) iCLS Client - Software components Surface - Extension - 2.26.7.0 Surface - Extension - 2.26.7.0 Surface - Firmware - 1.0.2.8 Surface UEFI - Firmware Surface - Firmware - 11.8.95.4551 Surface ME - Firmware Here is extra information about the release: Surface Go 2 Surface Studio 2+ Supported Configurations Surface Go 2 Surface Go 2 LTE Surface Studio 2+ Supported Windows versions Windows 10 version 21H2 Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual) Windows Update Surface Support website (manual) Update size 495MB 1.2GB Known issues or additional steps If your Surface Go 2 turns on and you see a black screen that says No Bootable Device, visit Surface Go or Surface 2 turns on and shows "Not Bootable Device". The update does not require extra steps before or after installation and does not contain any known issues or bugs. Surface Go 2 will reach its end of life on December 30, 2024, while the Surface Studio 2+ has its EOL date set to October 2, 2028. Source

More Surface devices are getting the April 2024 firmware update. After pushing day-one updates for the Surface Laptop 6 for Business and the Surface Pro 10 for Business, Microsoft released new firmware for the Intel-based Surface Laptop 4. Now, owners of the Surface Pro X Wi-Fi and the second-generation Surface Studio can download the latest fixes and improvements. What is new in the April 2024 firmware update for the Surface Pro X? Here is the list of new drivers: Driver Version Windows Device Manager 10.703.140.0 Surface UEFI - Firmware 1.0.2020.0 Qualcomm(R) Bluetooth Radio Driver - Bluetooth 1.0.2020.0 Qualcomm(R) Bluetooth UART Transport Driver - Bluetooth Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Pro X Wi-Fi Supported Windows Versions Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Additional Steps The update does not require extra steps before or after installation Known Issues The update does not contain any known issues Surface Pro X Wi-Fi will continue receiving firmware updates for over three more years. Microsoft plans to end its support on October 5, 2027. What is new in the April 2024 firmware update for the Surface Studio 2? Note that the update is not applicable to the Surface Studio 2+. Here is the list of new drivers: Windows Update Name Windows Device Manager Intel - System - 2334.5.1.0 Intel(R) Management Engine Interface #1 - System devices Intel - Software Component - 1.70.101.0 Intel - Software Component - 1.70.101.0 Surface - Firmware - 11.8.95.4551 Surface ME - Firmware Surface - Firmware - 536.902.768.0 Surface UEFI - Firmware Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Studio 2 Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 21H2 and newer Windows 11 version 21H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual installation) Update Size 630MB (manual installation only) Additional Steps The update does not require extra steps before or after installation Known Issues The update does not contain any known issues Surface Studio 2 is reaching its end of life later this year. According to the official documentation, the computer will be out of support by October 2, 2024. Source

The recently released Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business received their first firmware updates with camera, battery, network, display, audio, and power management improvements. What is new in the April 2024 firmware update for Surface Pro 10 for Business? Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Pro 10 for Business Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 22H2 and newer Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual installation) Update Size 734MB (manual installation only) Additional Steps The update does not require extra steps before or after installation Known Issues The update does not contain any known issues What is new in the April 2024 firmware update for Surface Laptop 6 for Business? Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Laptop 6 for Business Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 22H2 and newer Windows 11 version 23H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual installation) Update Size 682MB (manual installation only) Additional Steps The update does not require extra steps before or after installation Known Issues The update does not contain any known issues The Surface Pro 10 for Business and the Surface Laptop 6 for Business have six-year lifecycles. Microsoft will be releasing firmware updates for those computers until April 2030. Source

Microsoft has lost another one of the major forces behind the company's hardware products in general and its Surface PCs in particular. Ralf Groene, who was the head of Industrial Design at the company, just announced his immediate retirement from Microsoft. Groene posted his brief public notice about his new status on his LinkedIn page (via Windows Central), writing simply, "I’m happy to share that I’m now retired." There's no word on why he decided to retire from Microsoft at this time. During his time at the company, Groene was one of the driving forces for Microsoft's Surface PC lineups. His designs started with the original Surface RT which first launched in October 2012. In 2015, he discussed how the Surface team came up with its kickstand feature. Originally, the team just glued in a crude kickstand to a standard tablet. That's where it stood until a few days later when a member of the Surface team offered their opinion that this idea of adding a kickstand to a tablet "might actually be a good idea". As it turned out, the kickstand became one of the signature features of the entire Surface device lineup and has since been used by other PC makers who created Windows-based tablets. Groene's retirement from Microsoft comes several months after yet another abrupt but major departure. Panos Panay, who led the Microsoft Surface team since its beginning, and later went on to lead the entire Windows team, left the company after 19 years in September 2023. A few days later, he was named as the head of the Devices and Services team at Amazon. With the departure of Panay and now Groene, it will be interesting to see how the Surface division will evolve at Microsoft. The company announced the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for business users in late March, and it's expected that consumer versions of those products will launch later this year. Also in March, Microsoft named Pavan Davuluri as the new head of both Windows and Surface divisions. We will have to wait and see how his leadership will affect future Surface devices. Source

The May 2024 firmware update is now available to all Surface Laptop Studio 2 owners. It focuses on fixing several audio and network issues, plus bugs with external screen flickering when connected through the Surface Dock 2. What is new in the May 2024 Surface Laptop Studio 2 firmware update? Here is the list of new drivers: Windows Update Name Windows Device Manager Intel Corporation - Compute Accelerator - 31.0.100.2016 Intel(R) NPU - Compute accelerators Intel Corporation - MEDIA - 10.29.0.9677 Intel Smart Sound Technology for USB Audio - Sound, video and game controllers Intel Smart Sound Technology BUS - System devices Intel Corporation - System - 10.29.0.9677 Intel Corporation - System - 10.29.0.9677 Intel Smart Sound Technology OED - System devices Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) - Bluetooth Intel Corporation - Bluetooth - 23.30.0.3 Intel - net - 23.30.0.6 Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz - Network adapters Surface - Extension - 6.16.8.0 Surface Dock 2 Firmware Update - Extensions Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Laptop Studio 2 Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 22H2 and newer Windows 11 version 22H2 and newer Update Size 1.6GB (manual installation only) Additional Steps The update does not require any extra steps before or after installation. There are also no known issues. Device Support Until October 3, 2029 You can install the latest Surface Update by heading to Settings > Windows Update and clicking "Check for Update." Alternatively, go to the official Surface Support website and install it manually. Source

Several weeks ago, a report emerged about Microsoft's plans to release the next-gen Windows client somewhere in mid-2024. However, one key piece was missing: hardware. Besides making the operating system, Microsoft also supplies computers that showcase its latest software innovations. With the recent management shakedown (Panos Panay, former Surface boss, is now at Amazon) and the strange absence of Surface Pro/Laptop—two most popular Surface PCs—one may rightfully ask: what is coming to Surface in 2024? According to a new report, Microsoft is busy preparing the next-gen Surface Pro and Laptop, with the announcement scheduled for the first half of 2024 (allegedly in spring). The Surface Pro "10" and Surface Laptop "6" will bring notable all-around changes, not just new chips inside. Speaking of chips, Microsoft will offer more Surface computers with ARM processors for the first time. Sources within Microsoft claim the upcoming computers will be available in Intel and Qualcomm flavors: 14th Gen Intel "Meteor Lake" and Spandragon X Series. Previously, ARM processors were only available in the Surface Pro lineup. Both Intel and Qualcomm configurations will be bundled with dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) for accelerating AI-dependent tasks. However, Microsoft will allegedly put more emphasis on the ARM variants as purpose-built devices for the next generation of Windows (codenamed "CADMUS PC"). These CADMUS computers will rival Apple Silicon-based devices with their hard-hitting performance and unrivaled battery life. The tenth-generation Surface Pro will bring new chips and notable display updates. Look out for better HDR support with higher max brightness, new anti-glare coating, and rounded corners. Interestingly, Microsoft is also experimenting with lower-cost models that feature lower display resolution (down from 2880x1920 to 2160x1440). Additional changes in the Surface Pro "10" will include NFC support for commercial users, a reworked front-facing camera with a wider lens, new colours, and an updated Type Cover with a dedicated Copilot button. As for the Surface Laptop "6," expect thinner bezels and rounded corners, two display sizes, more ports (at least two USB-C, one USB-A, and the Surface Connect), and a new haptic touchpad. Besides, the computer will get a dedicated button for invoking Copilot (yay). The Surface Pro "10" and Surface Laptop "6" should get the most attention in 2024, but Microsoft is also working on a new Surface Laptop Go and a successor to the Surface Laptop Studio 2 (expected in 2025). In addition, the company is experimenting with the idea of expanding the Surface Pro lineup with an 11-inch model and offering the new Surface Pro/Laptop in the old design with refreshed hardware for commercial customers. Sadly, there is no information on whether Microsoft plans to return to bold form factors and devices like Surface Duo or Neo. With Panos Panay gone, it seems like Microsoft is placing all its Surface money on low-risk, well-established devices. Are you excited about the next-gen Surface Pro and Surface Laptop? Let us know in the comments. Source: Windows Central Source

The September 2023 firmware update is now available for three more Surface devices: the Surface Book 3, Surface Go 3, and the fifth-generation Surface Pro (2017 model). The latest release improves battery life and LTE stability and resolves security vulnerabilities. You can use the following links to quickly jump to the device you need: Surface Book 3 | Surface Go 3 | Surface Pro 5 What is new in the Surface Book 3 September 2023 firmware update? Improves battery and power performance stability. Here is the list of new drivers: Windows Update Name Windows Device Manager Dolby - Software Component - 3.30508.581.0 Dolby APO SWC Device - Software components Surface - System - 3.100.139.0 Surface Radio Monitor - System devices Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations 13 and 15-inch Surface Book 3 Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 21H2 and newer Windows 11 version 21H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual installation) Update size 1.7GB (manual installation only) Known Issues No known issues in this update The Surface Book 3, Microsoft's once most powerful and quirky laptop-tablet combo, will remain supported until April 1, 2025. What is new in the Surface Go 3 September 2023 firmware update? Improves LTE modem stability and GPS experience. Here is the list of new drivers: Windows Update Name Windows Device Manager Qualcomm Technologies Inc. 2017 - Firmware - 23.20.4.48 Surface Mobile Broadband Update Device - Firmware Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Go 3 Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 21H2 and newer Windows 11 version 21H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual installation) Update Size 558MB (manual installation only) Known Issues No known issues in this update Microsoft will continue releasing firmware updates with new drivers for the Surface Go 3 until at least October 5, 2027. What is new in the Surface Pro 5 firmware update? This update addresses potential security vulnerability and improves system stability. Here is the list of new drivers: Windows Update Name Windows Device Manager Surface - Firmware - 239.779.768.0 Surface UEFI - Firmware Here is extra information about the release: Supported Configurations Surface Pro 5 Surface Pro 5 LTE Supported Windows Versions Windows 10 version 21H2 and newer Windows 11 version 21H2 and newer How to get the update Windows Update Surface Support website (manual installation) Update Size 552MB (manual installation only) Known Issues No known issues in this update The fifth-generation Surface Pro and its LTE variant is the next Surface device to reach its end of life. According to Microsoft, support will end on January 15, 2024. Source

Microsoft held a Surface 2023 event today and announced three new laptops. The first one is the Surface Laptop Go 3, the latest iteration of its lightweight laptop. The Laptop Go 3 weighs just under 2.5 pounds and features a 12.4-inch touchscreen display. Some key features of the Surface Laptop Go 3 include an Intel Core processor for faster performance on Microsoft 365 apps. Users can opt for configurations with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. Microsoft claims an 88% performance boost over the original Surface Laptop Go. The new laptop features a full-size keyboard for comfortable typing and Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Audio for clear sound. Dual Studio Mics allow for crisp audio in video calls or recordings. Microsoft says its 12.4-inch touchscreen display makes navigating and interacting with apps. A key point is a battery life of up to 15 hours, allowing it to work all day without recharging. It also supports Fast Charging capability, providing quick top-ups when needed. For remote access to their desktop environment, the Surface Laptop Go 3 can pair with Windows 365 Cloud PC. This allows users to securely stream their own Windows experience, including personalized apps and settings, from the Microsoft Cloud. "Surface Laptop Go 3 is designed for teams to make an impact and deliver results while on the go or in the office, " wrote Microsoft in the blog post. "Tested for durability and reliability, Surface Laptop Go 3 comes in a sleek, premium design with a durable, cool metal finish engineered to withstand daily use." Pricing for the Surface Laptop Go 3 starts at $799. It will be interesting to see if the claimed battery life and performance gains hold up in real-world usage. Source

Laptop launches October 3; starts at $2,000 and gets more expensive from there. The Surface Laptop Studio 2. Andrew Cunningham NEW YORK—Two years after announcing the original, Microsoft has announced a much-needed refresh of the Surface Laptop Studio, the company's convertible touchscreen laptop that also serves as its most powerful notebook for people playing games or doing any kind of 3D rendering or GPU-accelerated AI work. The new Laptop Studio 2 will start at $1,999.99 and is available for preorder now; it will ship on October 3. The Laptop Studio 2 is a substantial internal overhaul, swapping out a quad-core 11th-generation Intel Core CPU and a GeForce 3050 Ti for a 13th-generation CPU and GeForce RTX 4050 and 4060 options (with an RTX 2000 also available for people who need a "pro" GPU). Microsoft continues to refresh Surface devices toward the end of Intel's product cycles, and next-generation Meteor Lake Core processors should be coming soon, but this is still a welcome upgrade over the old model. It's also the first x86 Surface that Microsoft sells with an NPU for accelerating AI and machine learning workloads, specifically an Intel Gen 3 Intel Movidius 3700VC. New ports and updated internals are nice, but the price tag is tough to swallow. Microsoft The Studio 2 has the same fold-over-the-keyboard screen as the original. Unfortunately, the base $2,000 version gets you very few of those perks. It includes an i7-13700H with six P-cores, eight E-cores, and 16GB of RAM, but it only comes with integrated graphics and a 512GB SSD. Adding an RTX 4050 costs another $400, and stepping up to a 32GB/1TB configuration costs another $400. Getting an RTX 4060 also requires stepping up to 64GB of RAM, which drives the price up to $3,300. These are just a few of the config options available, but most upgrades tend to come bundled together with other upgrades, and they drive the price of the laptop way up. A new USB-A port helps address the original model's connectivity limitations. Andrew Cunningham The new Laptop Studio has the same 14.4-inch 2400×1600  screen as its predecessor, but it addresses the old Laptop Studio's input limitations by adding a USB-A port and a microSD card reader. The laptop also keeps its headphone jack, Surface Connect port, and pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports. The original Laptop Studio was a replacement of sorts for the old Surface Book, a convertible where the tablet could detach entirely from the keyboard, trackpad, and discrete GPU in the base. It was a more versatile convertible in some ways, though its ports were even more limited than the Laptop Studio's, its CPU was limited by the cooling that could be squeezed into the tablet part, and it had an awkward bendy-straw hinge that left a big gap between the top and bottom halves of the laptop when closed. The Laptop Studio is a laptop first and leaves the tablet-y stuff to the Surface Pro and its ilk. Source

Microsoft is holding a press event in New York City later today. It's expected that the company will be making a number of new software and AI announcements, but it will likely also show off some new Surface PC products as well. However, a new report from Windows Central, citing unnamed sources, claims Microsoft will be cutting back on its Surface product lineup, and that it won't be moving forward with new versions of its more "experimental" devices. That means we will not be seeing new versions of the Surface Studio all-in-one PC, nor any new Surface Duo Android dual-screen smartphones, according to the article. It adds that the company had plans to release a new Surface Laptop SE 2 earlier this year, but that notebook, like many of Microsoft's hardware devices in the past, got canceled at the last minute. Another plan to launch an 11-inch version of the Surface Pro tablet was also canceled, according to the article, in favor of the Surface Go 4 which is expected to be officially revealed today. The article also claims Microsoft was developing other products like a foldable smartphone and tablet, along with a mini desktop PC and a new monitor, but it looks like all of those products won't be moving forward at the present time. Microsoft now reportedly will concentrate on making new versions of the following Surface tablets, notebooks, and PCs going forward: Surface Pro Surface Laptop Surface Laptop Go Surface Laptop Studio Surface Hub Surface Go The article claims that the reduction of Surface products, including its more experimental devices, may have been a factor in the unexpected departure this week of the company's Surface leader Panos Panay. Panay might have felt that he would no longer have the freedom to launch different kinds of Surface devices as Microsoft has apparently decided to concentrate on products that make the company money. Source

Microsoft's special Surface presentation is officially coming on September 21. Although there is no official information about what devices Microsoft plans to unveil, a new report shows that it donates a bunch of new CPUs in its Surface laptops. The company is expected to release four models, including a brand-new ARM-based Laptop Go 3 or Go 4. The Surface Laptop Studio will receive the biggest upgrade, as we have already mentioned, with Microsoft opting to use Intel's new 45W Core i7-13800H Raptor Lake CPU. This chip offers improved performance over the previous generation, with six high-performance and eight efficiency cores clocked up to 5.0GHz. The Laptop Studio will be configurable with 16GB or 32GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB SSD storage. The current model features 11th-gen Intel processors with an NVIDIA RTX GPU. The Surface Laptop Go 2 will receive a more modest update, switching to Intel's Core i5-1235U Alder Lake CPU. This chip has two performance cores and eight efficiency cores clocked up to 4.4GHz. In July, we reported that it will also offer 128GB or 256GB SSD options, both with 8GB RAM. Finally, the Surface Go 3 is ditching ARM and will now feature Intel's N200 Alder Lake quad-core chip clocked up to 3.7GHz, paired with 8GB RAM. Storage options include 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB configs. According to the latest leaks, Microsoft may want to use a new name, such as Surface Go 4. Interestingly, there is no information about the next-gen Surface Pro or Surface Laptop. Last year, during its October event, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Pro 9, the Surface Laptop 5, and the Surface Studio 2+. Aside from the internal CPU upgrades, Microsoft appears to be keeping the overall design the same for the new models. The refreshed Surface devices will launch on September 21 and should be available from October for selected countries. Source: WinFuture Source

The event kicks off at 11AM ET / 8AM PT on September 22nd September 22nd officially marks the first day of fall, and with it gadget season. Like in previous years, Microsoft is getting into the mix with its forthcoming Surface event, where we anticipate the company will announce a slew of products during its livestream presentation on Wednesday at 11AM ET / 8AM PT. Microsoft has been building up plenty of momentum recently with the impending launch of Windows 11. And with the new operating system set to launch on October 5th, it’s only natural to showcase it with new devices. The reports and leaks seem to indicate that we may see updates to Microsoft’s Surface Pro, Surface Book, Surface Go, and Surface Duo lines. Many details of the Surface Pro 8 have already leaked, including its new Intel 11th Gen processor, 120Hz display, and switch to Thunderbolt ports. While less early info has surfaced on the Book and Go refreshes, the former is slotted to have a significant design overhaul while the latter will most likely see its changes happen on the inside. Beyond Windows 11 devices, Microsoft is expected to announce a successor to the dual-screen Surface Duo. The leaks for the Duo 2 began earlier in the summer, promising an internal spec bump and a new triple-camera setup in addition to some smaller design tweaks. The big questions around the Duo 2 are in software and support, as the original Duo’s stagnation — it’s still stuck on Android 10 when Android 12 is around the corner — and slow sales have landed it in the clearance sections of many retailers. Regardless of whether Microsoft actually proves its Android chops with the Duo 2 or launches any surprises with its new flagships for Windows 11, we’ll be watching live and keeping you updated here as new products are announced. Microsoft’s Surface hardware event: rumors, news, and announcements

Next week, Microsoft has scheduled an online event focused on hardware. Microsoft is expected to launch Surface Pro 8, Surface Book 4, Surface Duo 2 and other devices at this event. Today, The Verge reported that Microsoft may launch at least one Surface Pro 8 model with Thunderbolt support. Due to security reasons, Microsoft never offered Thunderbolt port on any of its Surface devices so far. It would be interesting to see whether Microsoft solved any of the security issues around Thunderbolt in Surface Pro 8. Other new details about the upcoming Surface devices: Surface Pro 8 may feature slightly larger display, thanks to smaller bezels. Surface Pro 8 will be powered by 11th gen Intel Core processors and will have support for removable SSDs like the latest Surface Laptop 4. New Surface Book 4 with all-new design and high-refresh rate display. Surface Go 3 with improved performance, you can read the full specs here. Surface Duo 2 with much improved camera, you can read about it here. Source: The Verge Report: Microsoft may finally bring Thunderbolt port to Surface devices

The Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5, and an update to its all-in-one computer could be unveiled at Microsoft’s big October 12th event We’re crawling ever closer to finding out what new products will be announced at Microsoft’s Surface event, set to take place on October 12th at 10AM ET. Microsoft’s Surface range encompasses phones, laptops, hybrid 2-in-1 tablets, and desktop computers, so there’s a good variety of hardware that could make an appearance. While we can make a few safe assumptions regarding what will and won’t be shown off (we’re sadly not anticipating a new Surface Duo foldable), Microsoft may still have a few surprises in store, given that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Microsoft’s first-ever Surface product that was released back in October 2012. Here’s everything we’re looking forward to at the upcoming Microsoft Surface launch event. The Surface Pro X is (allegedly) dead: long live the Surface Pro 9 The Surface Pro range is one of Microsoft’s most consistent yearly releases, so when the Surface Pro 9 was spotted in a recently published FCC document, it was safe to assume it has an imminent arrival. As the Surface Pro 8 made some pretty significant updates over its predecessor (including a larger display, 120Hz refresh rate, and Thunderbolt ports), the Surface Pro 9 isn’t expected to receive any mind-blowing updates this generation. WinFuture anticipates that it’ll ship with a choice of Intel 12th Generation Core i5 or Core i7 U-series chips, which should result in a performance boost of around 20 percent when compared to the equivalent 11th Gen processors in the Surface Pro 8. Much like its predecessor, we believe the Surface Pro 9 will be available in 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB RAM options and 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage configurations. There’s no word on updates to ports, but several rumors do suggest we’ll be getting new blue and green color options on top of the usual black and silver offerings. The Surface Pro 9 might also spell the end of the line for another Microsoft product, the ARM-based Surface Pro X. Windows Central reports that the Surface Pro 9 will offer both Intel and ARM options under a single product line. The ARM variant would be powered by the Microsoft SQ3, a custom Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 SoC, and it’s likely to be the first Surface PC to ship with 5G. Pricing, frankly, is anyone’s guess right now. If the Surface Pro 9 does include ARM-based configurations, then prices could start as low as $899.99, the entry-level pricing for the base Surface Pro X configuration. But if Microsoft decides to ignore that the Arm-based Surface Pro X was cheaper than the Surface Pro 8, it could be significantly more expensive. The base model Surface Pro 8 retailed for $1,099, a whopping $250 more than the equivalent Surface Pro 7. It’s also worth remembering that Microsoft doesn’t typically include Type Covers with its Surface Pro products, either, so expect to add an additional $129.99 to your basket should prices remain the same for the Surface Pro 9 compatible covers. The Surface Laptop 5 could get minor generational upgrades The Surface Laptop 5 could make an appearance at the Microsoft event, given it’s due for a refresh with the Surface Laptop 4 having hit the market back in April 2021. We use “refresh” generously here, as, like the Surface Pro 9, we’re not actually anticipating any major changes beyond generational updates. WinFuture reported on some information allegedly supplied by retailers who claim 13-inch and 15-inch versions of the Surface Laptop 5 will be available, containing a choice of Core i5-1235U and Core i7-1255U processors. Both the battery and overall design are apparently unchanged from the previous Surface Laptop generation, though a new green color option could add some fresh variety to the existing black, blue, silver, and pink offerings currently available. Like the Surface Laptop 4, SSD storage probably won’t be increased from the 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB options currently offered, and memory will likely still be available in either 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB configurations; however, we could see LPDDR4x updated to the new faster LPDDR5x standard. If you’re hoping for an AMD-powered model, then you’re likely out of luck. There have been no mentions of such a configuration across any FCC filing or reputable leak for this generation, suggesting that Microsoft might be dropping Ryzen CPUs for this generation of Surface Laptops altogether. Regardless of what processors are available, it’s highly unlikely the Surface Laptop 5 will be equipped with a dedicated GPU, but Intel’s integrated Xe graphics should be more than capable for most everyday tasks. A few updates that we’d like to see would be an improved webcam, boosting the current 720p camera to a full HD 1080p resolution to be more in line with rival laptop offers like the M2-powered MacBook Air. Boosting the current 60Hz display to 120Hz would also be a nice upgrade, and it’s not too farfetched an idea given that both the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio already rock a 120Hz PixelSense Flow display. At least one website seemingly confirms that both of these updates will, in fact, make an appearance (and leaks what appears to be the entire spec sheet for the laptop), but given that’s the only thing posted on the site… well, better to not get our expectations too high. Pricing leaks for the US market have been non-existent, but we could be getting some good news from overseas. WinFuture’s retail sources claim that the Surface Laptop 5 pricing in Europe will start from €1,200 for the base 13.5-inch model (down from €1,499 on the equivalent Surface Laptop 4), with the larger 15-inch model starting from €1,500 (down from €1,999). For context, US pricing for the base Surface Laptop 4 was $899 for the base 13.5-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model, respectively, so there’s a chance we could see prices drop to around $799 and $1,199 for each sizing configuration of the Surface Laptop 5. There’s no guarantee that the latest model will be more affordable than its predecessor, but Microsoft does have some catching up to do if it wants to remain competitive with Apple’s MacBook Air pricing. Are we finally getting the Surface Studio 3? One of the most highly anticipated products we’re expecting to see is the Studio Surface 3, an all-in-one desktop computer designed for creative professionals. An FCC document from Microsoft describes an “All-in-one Desktop Computer” that is speculated to be a new Surface device, and leaks of the updated Surface Keyboard and Surface Pen earlier this year heavily suggest that Microsoft is preparing to announce the Surface Studio 3 later this month. It is about time we got a new Surface Studio desktop, as the last iteration we saw of this product line was the Surface Studio 2, released back in October 2018. Rocking a near-identical appearance to the first Surface Studio desktop, the second-generation model garnered some criticism for its high price tag (starting from $3,499) and outdated CPU and GPU. An FCC report containing a test image of what appears to be the upcoming AIO computer also suggests that the Surface Studio 3 will still have a near-identical design to its predecessor, so if you were hoping for a fresh new look, you might be out of luck. But worse, rumors suggest Microsoft could be maintaining a very annoying trend with the Studio and once again put older chips in its very expensive brand-new product. Zac Bowden, senior editor at Windows Central, reported that the upcoming Surface Studio 3 will be equipped with an Intel Core i7-11370H CPU, despite Intel’s 13th Gen processors being set to release later this month. But on the bright side, it could also have an Nvidia RTX 3060 GPU, which isn’t the most powerful GPU in Nvidia’s lineup but is at least a current one. Bowden also claims the Surface Studio 3 will actually be dubbed the “Surface Studio 2 Plus” and feature three USB-C ports and a 60Hz display. WinFuture additionally reports that the Surface Studio 3 will be available in a single configuration, equipped with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. But we’ll have to see how many of these rumors and leaks hold up when Microsoft shows off the new products on October 12th. What to expect from the Microsoft Surface launch event

Every Microsoft computer ships with its dedicated firmware—special software that manages how different hardware components interact with each other to deliver a seamless user experience. Power management, thermals, security, connectivity, and other features are all managed by Surface firmware. In a new blog post, Microsoft revealed how its firmware evolved over the last 10+ years. In 2012, when Microsoft unveiled the original Surface and Surface Pro, the company had the simple task of managing firmware for just two devices. Each computer had its custom firmware tailored to its specific needs. However, Microsoft later expanded the lineup with more devices, form factors, and device categories, each with its features and quirks. Addressing issues and implementing new features became a tedious task. The Surface team decided to tackle the challenge with a new approach of using a shared firmware architecture with a common core for all Surface devices and device-specific extensions. That allowed the creation, for example, of a single fix that would apply to multiple models across the lineup. Quick and efficient, this method standardized firmware updates when it was implemented nine years ago. However, new problems appeared as Microsoft was expanding its Surface portfolio. Hardware scalability and better flexibility, plus the need for a more efficient way to deliver reliable updates, required Microsoft to come up with a new approach. As a result, developers implemented "a robust firmware architecture," which is now in use in almost every Surface device. It features improved interoperability across platforms and chip makers, robust automation, code reusability, and a consistent user experience across different form factors, such as tablets, laptops, docks, etc. Despite the improvements, Microsoft says its Surface firmware journey is far from over, and the company is constantly looking for new ways to improve its device ecosystem and firmware platform. Those include things like better sensor integration, RUST-based security measures, and various convenient features. Surface firmware updates we often cover here at Neowin may not look as exciting as Windows feature updates. Still, behind those updates, a team of engineers is working tirelessly to deliver a great user experience. Source Hope you enjoyed this news post. Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years. 2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of May): Nearly 2,400 news posts