Microsoft Debuts New Dual-Screen Devices, Updated Surface Laptops and More

[ShizumiAoki]

Hmmm... I guess having two displays hinged together will fix a lot of issues with foldable displays but idk it looks like something that would have been on Kickstarter. Either way it great to see Microsoft brining out new products and working in the foldable space, the more peoeple working it the better it will get.

 

[btrach144]

Hmmm... I guess having two displays hinged together will fix a lot of issues with foldable displays but idk it looks like something that would have been on Kickstarter. Either way it great to see Microsoft brining out new products and working in the foldable space, the more peoeple working working it the better it will get.

It feels like a better step than the Samsung Fold. I think Microsoft is trying to work towards that but they know it takes half steps.

The future does look exciting!

 

[JohnnyGo]

Do Surface Pro's run the full version of Office 365? My kid's biggest complaint is her iPad Pro running Office 365 doesn't match the desktop version she uses at school. For this reason I'd buy a Surface Pro.

Have you tried running office365 in Safari now on iPadOS 13 ?

 

[pika2000]

They're targeting professionals and not amateurs. All the professional software like SolidWorks, ANSYS, Altium, Cadence, Zuken, Mentor Graphics, Eagle PC, etc. all run only on, you guess it, Windows.

Professionals, yet it’s just now that Microsoft adds USB-C to the Surface “Pro”. Puhlease.
Heavy duty professionals run workstation laptops like Dell Precision or Lenovo thinkpad series, not these blinged iPad wannabees.
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Do Surface Pro's run the full version of Office 365? My kid's biggest complaint is her iPad Pro running Office 365 doesn't match the desktop version she uses at school. For this reason I'd buy a Surface Pro.

With all the plethora of options of Windows laptops available in the market, you bought your kid an overpriced laptop where you have to pay extra for the keyboard.

 

[Mabus51]

The earbuds look dumb, really dumb. Who wants filled gauges in their ears it’s as dumb as having them in your lobes. Seriously fire that designer.

The dual screen Surface, while nice I feel it misses the mark of having a seemless screen. Who wants to draw on this thing with a giant gap in the middle? Well their stylus is still awful in the first place so I guess no one. But I do like the idea of where things are headed. Just needs more time to cook.

 

[cppguy]

And Microsoft knows this: Windows is NOT made to run on tablets. It‘s terribly clunky to use on those.

Sometimes you want to use creative professional software with a pencil. At least that is available on the Surface. As a general-purpose tablet, the Intel CPU is too hot, too loud, you have to perform Windows updates all the time, the icons are somewhat small for touch, but still usable, especially with the keyboard cover. It's not terrible, just not ideal.

Do I prefer the iPad for simple everyday tasks? Yes. But it doesn't have Photoshop (yet), and even iPad OS 13 doesn't make it a real laptop. Once I traveled with a Surface, and I was able to do actual programming, as well as full desktop photo editing.

If you need a pen for a Mac, you can use a Wacom tablet (that's clunky too), or an iPad as a remote display, once Catalina is out. The Surface has everything in one. At least it's available as an option. The iPad has better experience than the Surface, but it's really limiting for professional photographers. I wouldn't call Windows 10 horrible, at least it's stable for what it is. It doesn't give that appliance experience, it's more like a corporate-style Windows laptop, but with a nicer design. I'm an engineer, so the complexity is fine with me.

If I need to sketch a chart or solve some equations, I reach for my iPad, not for my Surface. It's instantly on, doesn't get hot, and doesn't need 3 Windows updates a week.

 

[msp3]

The amount of innovation coming out of Microsoft these days is incredible. It's a real shame they have to even entertain putting the cancer that is lagdroid on their folding phablet.

 

[jazz1]

Nice hardware, terrible software.

Can I Hackintosh it? 😄

 

[jlocker]

Apple is waking up and putting more back into the Mac line. Like the new Mac Pro. Apple knows that they make so much money off of iPhones and Apple Watches along with iPads they can put some serious R&D into the Mac line and still make money on a lower sales but higher price technology.

 

[Art Mark]

OK. Time for a smart aleck response. "Good for Microsoft! Trying new things, with the screens and the pencils and ear things. Good to see them trying...No one will care, but good for them! They are champs. Just keep trying...remember when the computing world belonged to them? At least they weren't arrogant back then. And Windows mobile! They knew they had a winner. No stopping them in the mobile space now..."

 

[thejadedmonkey]

umm, its running android. so maybe get the facts right

That was never confirmed. They just showed it with an Android launcher. Given that they said they were pushing the boundary of hardware and software for the Duo, there's a real chance that it's not running Android at all.

 

[Zdigital2015]

They didn’t really create a custom ARM processor. It’s a modified 8cx, which means it’s using off-the-shelf ARM cores with a tweaked GPU and an NPU.

Custom would be like the Apple A Series where the entire processor is 100% Apples design.

The keyboard looks cool, but does it qualify as innovative?

As the owner of a certified refurbished MIcrosoft Surface RT, I would hope the mere mention of this would be a cautionary tale to those enamored of Windows running on ARM, but I digress.

 

[Art Mark]

There will be a lot of haters here naturally, but for years now Microsoft/Google/Huawei events have been far more exciting than Apple events.

Exciting? How exactly? Did I miss a world changing product? Honestly asking. None of those companies are doing anything amazing. And I'm not saying Apple is either. But let's be honest. Overall none of those companies have a single product I'd call 'amazing'. Pasable, useable, OK, those are the terms I'd use. Maybe even 'nice'. Now the problem is Apple has a platform that is functional and its integration between software and hardware can't be beat. So those companies need to make noise about whatever they have, but it never amounts to anything. And again, I'm not saying Apple does every quarter either. NO ONE does every quarter or year or decade. There will not be another 'iPhone' type breakout for many years. Slapping two screens together is not a breakthrough, no matter what Microsoft PR is telling us. And Google, more and more they are a slimy, intrusive advertising company. That's it. Follow people, get info, resell it or sell ads based on it. That's what they do. Everything else is just busywork.

 

[ShizumiAoki]

It feels like a better step than the Samsung Fold. I think Microsoft is trying to work towards that but they know it takes half steps.

The future does look exciting!

I agree, it’s a better step then the fold, and it dose not have that crap looking cramped font screen, it will be interesting to see how they continue to update the product.

 

[drumcat]

Lt Uhura called; she wants her earpiece back!

 

[Flight Plan]

Yeah, Apple's offering was really lacking at this Microsoft event if you ask me…

We have a winner!

“The Surface Neo will run Windows 10X”

You were saying?

LOL!

Why use one tablet when you can use two?!

LOLLOL!

Microsoft becoming more like Apple every year. Shame they follow the high price route.

It costs money to make money.

Back in 2016 Apple- Cook released the Macbook Pro with only USB-C ports.
It is kind of pathetic that in 2019, the entry iPad still has a lighting connector instead of a USB-C.
I was ready to buy one, but when I found out that still has lighting connector and only pen v1 can be used I passed.
Similar situation of upgrading the iMac and still ship with 5400rpm HD.

Yeah, that’s a forehead-smack moment right there.

This is exactly the point I try to make when people say, “I can get a Windows machine for a fraction of the cost of the Mac!” Of course you can, but you are also getting a fraction of the ease of use and stability... you have to work more for a Windows machine than a Mac.

A lot of companies have switched to Windows computers for their content creation departments. This is because Apple really dropped the ball for many years there, while Windows was actually improved and made more reliable.

Not if you're trying to generate developer & consumer excitement

Yep. But a whole year off? Hell, we could all be dead by then!

hey dan, since you're cheating on apple, macrosoftrumors.com is available!

Zing!

This is sarcasm, am I right?

Otherwise, your troll ticket back to Windows Land can be picked up at the Courtesy Desk.

Well played!

Wow very cool. I wonder why its taken so long for a book style device to emerge - finally. Will be the perfect reading device. I can see a Kindle style option emerging at some point. And Apple will no doubt follow suit. Will take some ironing out though, optimum designs will take a few years to settle re: hinges and displays, I'd personally love a matte version. Opens up a lot of UI possibility and could really shake up software over the coming years. Good move MS!

I agree. Even though it’s well overdue, I feel almost as if I should show appreciation as if to a child who presents a badly-done noodle-art picture. “That’s wonderful honey! The two noses are very realistic!”

I like that Microsoft is actually being innovative and trying different things, to varying degrees of success. ACCESSIBLE SSDS!!! Awesome.

If only Apple had this kind of courage, where they bet big and Make the Mac Great Again (sorry, couldn't resist).

Still, Windows is Windows and macOS is STILL better, by a lot, in my opinion and use case. This is an unpopular idea with my teenage kids though, all of which are hardcore gamers and creatives.

Been begging me for a PC for YEARS; maybe I'll build one this Christmas so they can let me be since my 9-year-old Apple hardware is LOOONG in the tooth.

But I'm afraid I'll love it too much and leave the Mac (yeah, right).

I guess I'm conflicted on this.
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I much prefer the Microsoft design to Apple's Q-Tips-in-the-ear look.

Can't speak to the functionality, though if the flat surface is trackpad-like that'd be really cool.

Yep, being able to attach external storage is kind of a big deal.

 

[Guscat]

This is macrumors, people will happily post fake news if it isn’t an Apple product.

Given all of the wrong things Android fanboys post about Apple products, this made me laugh.

 

[Flight Plan]

Windows.....

I know its 2019, but still....its Windows.......

If you think Windows has never been improved, then you need to come out from under your rock once in awhile and see the world.

They're targeting professionals and not amateurs. All the professional software like SolidWorks, ANSYS, Altium, Cadence, Zuken, Mentor Graphics, Eagle PC, etc. all run only on, you guess it, Windows.

Yes, interesting!

I can’t even remember seeing the Windows OS for the 3 months I was editing and color grading a feature film in Premiere and Davinci Resolve on my Windows desktop. Once you’re doing work, who cares? The only thing I cared about was that I could upgrade my GPU on a 3 year old desktop (that only cost $1800 to begin with) for $400 and somehow do all of the post production on a full movie shot in 8K RAW. I was even able to keep the footage in RAW for full flexibility all the way until the final colored output to a 4K master.

Other indie filmmakers at festivals have been dumbstruck that I was able to do this, as they usually have to bake their raw footage down to 4K ProRes very early in the process negating most of the benefits of shooting raw to begin with.

And you are a great example of how Microsoft has improved and in some ways far surpassed Apple in many areas.

Yep, just sold my Surface. I didn't use it enough. It was more of a computer than a tablet. The Windows Store sucks cause there's no apps. The Surface is bulky and gets hot in my hands. I'm switching back to iPad Pro this winter. I'm very excited for the Apple ecosystem with Catalyst and SwiftUI.

Interesting!

Not sure if all these ideas will stick. Microsoft is innovating but taking some risks.

WTF is Tim doing, still partying in Europe promoting the Apple credit card? Apple laptops can't even get keyboards right. At least Apple stores now have displays so you can look at them while you replace your keyboards.

Lastly, love how Microsoft** has kept the USB-As. Tim and his dongle fetish is too much for me!

Tim is partying with his Apple credit card!

So we are going to stop saying Apple is the expensive one, right?

I mean, lol, these prices.

That’s an interesting take. You’re not wrong!

MS comes out with this and Apple gave us a credit card. Tim you are doing a great job!

LOL! But if you think about it, giving us big-spenders a credit card is genius! For the card issuer, of course. 😁

 

[Virinprew]

2496x1664, that's worse than the MacBook Pro's 2880x1800 which I've been critical of for the past few years. Both are underwhelming for the price, but the Surface Laptop even more so.

Same goes for iPhone 11 (1792 x 828) vs any fullHD (1920 x 1080). I don't hate on Apple. I just want to be fair.

 

[rjohnstone]

They didn’t really create a custom ARM processor. It’s a modified 8cx, which means it’s using off-the-shelf ARM cores with a tweaked GPU and an NPU.

Custom would be like the Apple A Series where the entire processor is 100% Apples design.

The keyboard looks cool, but does it qualify as innovative?

True however this one was also tweaked enough to run at a full 7 watts of power. Almost unheard of for a mobile ARM CPU.

 

[alexandr]

$249? no thanks. but i guess i should wait to see how much gen3 airpods will be...

 

[pika2000]

Godlike innovation. This, Apple. This. This is what innovation looks like. Not that APFS crap. Not that triple camera crap. Not that FaceID crap. Not that A13 Bionic crap. Not that Swift crap.

I cannot wait to get these and be more productive. Watching two YouTubes videos at the same time. Watching Netflix AND working on a document. This is magic.

LOL, Godlike innovation? Like what? Finally putting USB-C on its “Pro” product in 2019 is innovation? Using Android is innovation? Making a non-shipping dual screen device is innovative while other companies have been shipping one years ago?

The only innovative thing here is that how Microsoft can still convince people that they can sell a laptop with the keyboard sold separately. That’s a higher level reality distortion field than even Steve Jobs’.

These are just pet projects for elitist developed markets. Microsoft don’t even care having a consumer product division in some markets. Their main bread and butter are still enterprise licenses.

 

[blackcrayon]

If they cut down the bezels I'd almost want a 3rd party hinge to attach two iPad minis together with a keyboard app that run on the bottom one

 

[ke-iron]

I think that dual screen phone looked a lot like an iPhone when she was making the phone call. Also the screen filled with all the icons when swiping looked like an iPad a bit. Just my opinion.

 

[richinaus]

Professionals, yet it’s just now that Microsoft adds USB-C to the Surface “Pro”. Puhlease.
Heavy duty professionals run workstation laptops like Dell Precision or Lenovo thinkpad series, not these blinged iPad wannabees.
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With all the plethora of options of Windows laptops available in the market, you bought your kid an overpriced laptop where you have to pay extra for the keyboard.

lots of surface devices in the very large and professional architects office I am in right now......
also lots of iPad Pro’s doing productivity work.

don’t forget all the devices shown today are second devices for professionals. The desktop / laptop is the primary. I couldn’t survive on the surface laptop 3 for example, on its own, but is a nice device to have as a mobile when out the office, for notes, quick markups etc.

i am more disappointed not to see the surface book 3 with a tb3 port. That would sway me over.

however I must say I don’t think anything announced today is ‘innovative’. Just itterations.