Microsoft's latest Surface Event was arguably its biggest yet with three new two-and-one tablets, a new convertible laptop, an adaptive kit that helps you seamlessly navigate Surface devices, and an updated dual-screen foldable phone. In case you missed the livestream, here's everything Microsoft announced during this year's Surface hardware event.
Instead of the next iteration of the Surface Book, Microsoft announced a "fresh take on [its] powerhouse laptop" in the form of the Surface Laptop Studio. This laptop's form factor looks similar to the HP Elite Folio or Acer Concept D Ezel as all three devices include a flexible hinge, allowing you to switch between a typical laptop shape and more into a table-like device akin to the Surface Pro or Go products; offering three modes: laptop, stage, and studio; each turning the Surface Studio into a clamshell laptop, a portable entertainment station to stream movies and shows, or an electronic canvas.
The Surface Studio features a 14.4-inch touchscreen display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, an 11th-gen Intel Core H35 i5 or i7 CPU, and features two GPU configurations: one equipped with an RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB of HDDR6 memory, while the commercial-only model includes an RTX A2000; both GPUs have 4Gb of GDDR6 memory. The laptop also features a 1080p AI-powered smart camera, which Microsoft says will optimize exposure and lighting in addition to quad omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos.
The Surface Studio Laptop is available for pre-order at select retailers with a starting price of $1,599.99.
Microsoft has also launched a model refresh to the Surface Pro X. Despite no significant changes to the overall design of the Surface Pro X. The 2021 model refresh introduces a Gigabyte LTE model and a Wi-Fi-only option with a new entry price of $899.
The Surface Pro X includes a few configurations with either an SQ 1 or SQ 2 CPU, an SQ 1 Adreno 685 GPU, or SQ 2 Adreno 690, either an 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, and three removable SSD options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Microsoft also notes that the upcoming OS Windows 11 and built-in 64-bit emulation will allow the ARM-based device to run apps better, including Microsft Teams and Office and third-party apps like Adobe Photoshop.
Microsoft says this year's Surface Pro X includes all-day battery life, a 2280 x 1920 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen, and the signature kickstand that has become a noteworthy feature in the Surface Pro line. This year's model also includes a 5.0-megapixel 1080p webcam on the wrong with the webcam designed to automatically adjust the lighting conditions to reflect natural skin tones, according to Microsoft accurately. Surface Pro X also includes an Eye Contact feature powered by machine learning and an onboard neural engine to allow you to adjust your gaze on video calls to appear like you're always looking at the camera.
The Surface Pro X is available for pre-order starting today.
The Surface Pro has remained one of the flagship hardware products created by Microsoft. Succeeding the Surface Pro 7+, the Pro 8 includes an HD camera with support for 4K video, a slightly bigger and brighter 13-inch 2880 x 1920 screen, a 120Hz refresh rate display (though its default is 60Hz). Microsoft claims battery life will last you up to 16 hours, and you can charge 80% of your device in just "over an hour."
Depending on the configurations you pick, you have a few to choose from, with consumer configurations offering either an i5 or i7 11th-gen quad-core Intel processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Memory configurations come in three options: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (all LPDDR4x). Whether you buy a Wi-Fi or LTE model, you can grab either a 128GB or 256GB SSD option. But the Wi-Fi-only models also include two additional SSD configurations: 512Gb and 1TB, all of which are removable.
The Surface Pro 8 performs over two times faster than the Surface Pro 7, with a 40% higher sustained CPU performance and a 74% faster graphics sustained performance. Microsoft aims to make this a multidimensional device that is good for productivity or a workstation with a multiple 4K monitor setup. Yet, the tech giant also notes that the Surface Pro 8 can also be an ideal portable gaming station if you use an external GPU.
The Surface Pro 8 starts at $1,099.99, with preorders beginning today.
Alongside the other Surface lineup, Microsoft also announced the Surface Go 3. There are some noticeable changes, such as 128GB and 256GB SSD options, though there is a slower eMMC 64GB option if you decide to go with a base model.
As a more entry-level Surface device, the Go 3 includes an Intel UHD Graphics 615 and a choice between either a dual-core Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or a quad-core 10th-gen Intel Core i3 CPU. Memory is maxed out at 8GB or 4Gb if you are getting a base model.
The Surface Go 3 weighs in at 1.2lbs and offers a 1080p camera along with an attractive starting price of $399.99 with preorders starting today. Though only if you want the Wi-Fi models as the LTE models are slated to come out "in the coming months."
Laptops and tablets were not the only hardware device Microsoft announced today. Its next Surface phone, the Duo 2, was also unveiled.
The Surface Duo's successor keeps a lot of what made the Android-powered smartphone a unique foldable, such as the ability to run two Android apps concurrently. The Surface Duo 2 features a larger screen measuring 8.3-inches powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with 5G support and an NFC reader; the last two features were key features missing in its predecessor.
The phone will ship with Google's upcoming Android 11 operating system, which includes three storage configurations: 128GB, 256Gb, and 512GB, along with 8GB of DRAM LPDDR5 memory. Surface Duo 2 also consists of a new triple camera setup on the rear: a 16MP, f/2.2 Ultra Wide lens, a 12MP, f/1.7, OIS wide lens, and a 12MP, f/2.4, OIS Telephoto lens.
Another interesting feature is that the Surface Duo 2 will include a preinstalled Xbox Game Pass App. A few months back, Microsoft made some changes to the Surface Duo to optimize the foldable for its video game streaming service by adding touch controls, which added a virtual gamepad to the second screen of the device, turning it into a Nintendo 3DS-like handheld.
Like the other products mentioned above, preorders for the Surface Duo 2 begin today with a starting price of $1,499.99.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
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Surface Studio Laptop
Instead of the next iteration of the Surface Book, Microsoft announced a "fresh take on [its] powerhouse laptop" in the form of the Surface Laptop Studio. This laptop's form factor looks similar to the HP Elite Folio or Acer Concept D Ezel as all three devices include a flexible hinge, allowing you to switch between a typical laptop shape and more into a table-like device akin to the Surface Pro or Go products; offering three modes: laptop, stage, and studio; each turning the Surface Studio into a clamshell laptop, a portable entertainment station to stream movies and shows, or an electronic canvas.
The Surface Studio features a 14.4-inch touchscreen display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, an 11th-gen Intel Core H35 i5 or i7 CPU, and features two GPU configurations: one equipped with an RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB of HDDR6 memory, while the commercial-only model includes an RTX A2000; both GPUs have 4Gb of GDDR6 memory. The laptop also features a 1080p AI-powered smart camera, which Microsoft says will optimize exposure and lighting in addition to quad omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos.
The Surface Studio Laptop is available for pre-order at select retailers with a starting price of $1,599.99.
Surface Pro X
Microsoft has also launched a model refresh to the Surface Pro X. Despite no significant changes to the overall design of the Surface Pro X. The 2021 model refresh introduces a Gigabyte LTE model and a Wi-Fi-only option with a new entry price of $899.
The Surface Pro X includes a few configurations with either an SQ 1 or SQ 2 CPU, an SQ 1 Adreno 685 GPU, or SQ 2 Adreno 690, either an 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM, and three removable SSD options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Microsoft also notes that the upcoming OS Windows 11 and built-in 64-bit emulation will allow the ARM-based device to run apps better, including Microsft Teams and Office and third-party apps like Adobe Photoshop.
Microsoft says this year's Surface Pro X includes all-day battery life, a 2280 x 1920 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen, and the signature kickstand that has become a noteworthy feature in the Surface Pro line. This year's model also includes a 5.0-megapixel 1080p webcam on the wrong with the webcam designed to automatically adjust the lighting conditions to reflect natural skin tones, according to Microsoft accurately. Surface Pro X also includes an Eye Contact feature powered by machine learning and an onboard neural engine to allow you to adjust your gaze on video calls to appear like you're always looking at the camera.
The Surface Pro X is available for pre-order starting today.
Surface Pro 8
The Surface Pro has remained one of the flagship hardware products created by Microsoft. Succeeding the Surface Pro 7+, the Pro 8 includes an HD camera with support for 4K video, a slightly bigger and brighter 13-inch 2880 x 1920 screen, a 120Hz refresh rate display (though its default is 60Hz). Microsoft claims battery life will last you up to 16 hours, and you can charge 80% of your device in just "over an hour."
Depending on the configurations you pick, you have a few to choose from, with consumer configurations offering either an i5 or i7 11th-gen quad-core Intel processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Memory configurations come in three options: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (all LPDDR4x). Whether you buy a Wi-Fi or LTE model, you can grab either a 128GB or 256GB SSD option. But the Wi-Fi-only models also include two additional SSD configurations: 512Gb and 1TB, all of which are removable.
The Surface Pro 8 performs over two times faster than the Surface Pro 7, with a 40% higher sustained CPU performance and a 74% faster graphics sustained performance. Microsoft aims to make this a multidimensional device that is good for productivity or a workstation with a multiple 4K monitor setup. Yet, the tech giant also notes that the Surface Pro 8 can also be an ideal portable gaming station if you use an external GPU.
The Surface Pro 8 starts at $1,099.99, with preorders beginning today.
Surface Go 3
Alongside the other Surface lineup, Microsoft also announced the Surface Go 3. There are some noticeable changes, such as 128GB and 256GB SSD options, though there is a slower eMMC 64GB option if you decide to go with a base model.
As a more entry-level Surface device, the Go 3 includes an Intel UHD Graphics 615 and a choice between either a dual-core Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y or a quad-core 10th-gen Intel Core i3 CPU. Memory is maxed out at 8GB or 4Gb if you are getting a base model.
The Surface Go 3 weighs in at 1.2lbs and offers a 1080p camera along with an attractive starting price of $399.99 with preorders starting today. Though only if you want the Wi-Fi models as the LTE models are slated to come out "in the coming months."
Surface Duo 2
Laptops and tablets were not the only hardware device Microsoft announced today. Its next Surface phone, the Duo 2, was also unveiled.
The Surface Duo's successor keeps a lot of what made the Android-powered smartphone a unique foldable, such as the ability to run two Android apps concurrently. The Surface Duo 2 features a larger screen measuring 8.3-inches powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor with 5G support and an NFC reader; the last two features were key features missing in its predecessor.
The phone will ship with Google's upcoming Android 11 operating system, which includes three storage configurations: 128GB, 256Gb, and 512GB, along with 8GB of DRAM LPDDR5 memory. Surface Duo 2 also consists of a new triple camera setup on the rear: a 16MP, f/2.2 Ultra Wide lens, a 12MP, f/1.7, OIS wide lens, and a 12MP, f/2.4, OIS Telephoto lens.
Another interesting feature is that the Surface Duo 2 will include a preinstalled Xbox Game Pass App. A few months back, Microsoft made some changes to the Surface Duo to optimize the foldable for its video game streaming service by adding touch controls, which added a virtual gamepad to the second screen of the device, turning it into a Nintendo 3DS-like handheld.
Like the other products mentioned above, preorders for the Surface Duo 2 begin today with a starting price of $1,499.99.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
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