Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture.

Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture.

      WinFuture

      As Microsoft gears up for its event on May 6, it seems poised to announce a new range of Surface devices aimed at strengthening its position in the Arm-powered PC market. Leaked information from the German site WinFuture suggests that Microsoft is developing a new 12-inch Surface Pro and a more compact 13-inch Surface Laptop, both utilizing Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus platform.

      The anticipated 12-inch Surface Pro represents a return to a smaller size, reminiscent of earlier iterations like the Surface Pro 3, but now equipped with modern Arm-based technology. It features a PixelSense Flow LCD display and is powered by the Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 chip, which comprises eight custom Oryon CPU cores and an integrated Hexagon NPU that can achieve up to 45 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of AI performance.

      Reportedly, the device will come with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and options for either 256GB or 512GB of UFS-based storage, which is faster and more affordable than standard NVMe SSDs. However, the transition to UFS means the storage will not be user-upgradable.

      Users can expect impressive battery life, with up to 16 hours of local video playback. The device will include two USB 3.2 Type-C ports and will be available in Ocean Blue, Platinum Gray, and Violet finishes, accompanied by matching keyboards and accessories.

      WinFuture

      The new 13-inch Surface Laptop is set to be a more budget-friendly alternative to the 13.8-inch and 15-inch Surface Laptop 7 models. Like the 12-inch Surface Pro, it is powered by the Snapdragon X Plus SoC and shares similar memory and storage specifications. It features a PixelSense Flow LCD display but offers a 60Hz refresh rate, indicating that Microsoft might be cutting costs with this device. Additionally, it has a glass touchpad and utilizes a fingerprint reader for Windows Hello instead of facial recognition.

      The port arrangement consists of two USB 3.2 Type-C ports, a USB Type-A port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Notably, Microsoft has excluded its proprietary Surface Connect charging port, suggesting the device targets a more budget-conscious audience. The anticipated 12-inch Surface Pro may also receive similar treatment. Another significant detail is that neither device will come with a charging brick; instead, users will need to utilize USB Type-C PD (Power Delivery) chargers with a minimum output of 27W.

      WinFuture

      These compact models indicate a strategic pivot. Microsoft seems to be building momentum towards a more accessible and energy-efficient Surface lineup, likely preparing these Arm devices to showcase the upcoming enhancements in Windows on Arm anticipated with the next significant release of Windows.

      The official announcement is expected during Microsoft's event on May 6, where further details about pricing, availability, and the rumored Surface devices may be revealed.

      Kunal Khullar is a computing writer at Digital Trends, contributing to various topics, including CPUs, GPUs, monitors, and more.

      Don’t purchase the Surface Laptop Go 3 — here’s an alternative you should consider

      As a former marketing professional and a laptop reviewer, I often find myself surprised and occasionally puzzled by the decisions companies make when releasing laptops. For instance, when a company launches only one or two configurations that may not cater to a wide range of users, it can set the product off on the wrong path. While I understand the complexities of manufacturing and sourcing components and may note the limited options in a review, I won't necessarily penalize a laptop for this.

      However, some oversights are harder to ignore. This is my impression of Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 3, which was launched at a significantly higher price than its predecessors. Designed as a budget-friendly device, it starts at $800 and can go up to $1,000. These are midrange prices, but the Surface struggles to compete against numerous midrange laptops.

      $800 is too high

      Asus Zenbook 14 OLED Mark Coppock / Digital Trends

      Read more

      Everything Microsoft didn’t announce at its 2023 Surface event

      Microsoft introduced several new products at its 2023 Surface event, including updates about Windows Copilot and AI-driven software enhancements, as well as hardware like the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the Surface Laptop Go 3.

      While many of our early predictions were confirmed during the September event, there are still notable omissions from this year's product lineup. Here are some items Microsoft could have announced but did not.

      Surface Pro 10

      Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go 3 is a more capable budget laptop

      At today's Surface event, Microsoft introduced the third generation of its budget-friendly Surface Laptop Go, the premium Surface Laptop Studio 2, and the Surface Go 4. With its Microsoft pedigree, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is worth considering if you're in search of a stylish touchscreen notebook.

      This year's model boasts several upgrades, making

Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture. Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture. Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture. Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture. Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture. Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture.

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Microsoft’s upcoming Surface devices will be more compact, more affordable, and compatible with Arm architecture.

Microsoft may introduce new affordable Surface devices featuring Qualcomm's Arm processors.