The Microsoft October event is all about the Surface hardware updates, as the Windows developer presents the Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Studio 2 and a pair of Cortana-enabled headphones dubbed the Surface Headphones.
“We understand the way people work and live is changing, with different areas of our lives are blending together, and the need to spend our valuable time on the things that really matter is increasing,” Microsoft chief product officer Panos Panay states. “To do this, the technology needs to fade to the background so you can get into your most creative state, your flow.”
Admittedly spoiled by leaks, the Surface Pro 6 is the next version of the flagship Microsoft convertible tablet. Available in a matte black casing, it carries a choice of 8th generation quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processor and a battery promising up to 13.5 hours of use. The display remains the same 12.3-inch 267ppi number, and contrary to expectations the device lacks a USB-C port. Instead, connectivity comes through mini DisplayPort and USB-A ports, together with the proprietary Surface connector.
The Surface Laptop 2 also offers the latest Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, as well as the same shade of matte black colour option. Essentially a refresh of the previous model, it includes more RAM (from 4 to 8GB), from 128GB to 1TB of storage, a battery powering up to 14.5 hours of video playback and a 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 resolution display. Microsoft retains the Alcantara fabric keyboard cover, while USB-C, curiously, is absent.
The event shows some love for the creative-focused Surface Studio-- the Surface Studio 2 features the same 28-inch display, if with a 38% brightness and 22% contrast boost. The display is touch-capable, with support for 4096 levels of pressure and tilt functionality when used with the Surface Pen. Powering the machine are an 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor and either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB GDDR5 memory or the GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5 memory. Storage comes via 1 or 2TB SSD, and ports include USB-C, USB-A, ethernet and Surface Connector.
The final product launched by Microsoft is a pair of over-the-ear wireless headphones. The Surface Headphones feature built-in volume and active noise-cancellation controls in the cups, together with Cortana functionality for voice control. Battery life clocks at around 15 hours, with charging taking place over USB-C.
All the above mentioned Microsoft offerings should hit the market by Q4 2018.
Go Empowering a New Era of Personal Productivity With New Surface Devices