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Microsoft: These are Surface Pro 8, Laptop Studio, Pro X 2021 and Go 3

Sep 22, 2021

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In addition to the Surface Duo 2, the Android exotic at the Windows 11 hardware event, Microsoft also presented the Surface Pro 8, as expected, with the Surface Laptop Studio in the afternoon. Successor “of the Surface Book, a” new “Surface Go 3 and an update for the Surface Pro X presented. Most of the rumors have come true.

The new Surface Pro 8 with 120 Hertz screen

Microsoft describes the new Surface Pro 8 as “the largest update of the Surface Pro series since the popular Surface Pro 3”. As previously reported, the new Surface Pro 8 comes in a slimmer design based on the Surface Pro X, whose screen grows from 12.3 to 13.0 inches thanks to narrower bezels, offers Thunderbolt (2 × Thunderbolt 4 via USB Type C) and for the first time should be up to “twice as fast as its predecessor”: Permanently up to 40 percent more CPU performance, also as a result of an adapted cooling system, and up to 74 percent GPU performance is promised by Microsoft.

< img src = "/wp-content/uploads/dc8276e8d564b1382a84f4552220db72.jpg" /> Surface Pro 8 (Image: Microsoft)

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The “new” Surface Go 3

The rumor mill was completely right with the 3rd generation Surface Go: The inexpensive entry-level Surface “retains its compact design with a 10.5 inch PixelSense touch display”, only the available CPUs have been adapted: With Pentium Gold 6400Y and Core i3-10100Y there are newer SKUs that are still based on the Amber Lake Y platform. They replace the Pentium Gold 4425Y (Amber Lake) and the m3-8100Y, which were based on the same architecture.

The comparison of the four SKUs shows: The Core i3 is faster with a higher turbo, the Pentium Gold 6500Y, however, more or less like the Core m3-8100Y. The new small option is still faster than before with the Pentium Gold 4425Y. Microsoft promises up to 60 percent more performance “thanks to the 10th generation Core”. Thanks to higher efficiency as a result of optimized 14 nm production, Microsoft is promising 11 instead of 10 hours of battery life in the future.

The new Surface Go 3 can be pre-ordered in Germany with immediate effect and will be launched on October 5th at the start of Windows 11 with Windows 11. Prices start at 439 euros, which is 20 euros below the entry-level price of the Surface Go 2 with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage. Most recently, however, this generation was available from 379 euros. An LTE variant should be available at a later date.

The “new” Surface Pro X

Keyword LTE variant. Microsoft has not reissued the Surface Pro X with ARM SoC “SQ2” from Qualcomm, but the manufacturer would have been able to surprise with a successor to the second generation Snapdragon 8cx. Microsoft touched the Surface Pro X at the start of Windows 11 anyway: With the Surface Pro X WiFi, there will also be a model without an LTE modem in the future, which will be offered at a lower price. However, Microsoft has not yet communicated how much cheaper for the German market. For this device, the market launch in Germany will not take place until 2022. There is no 120 Hertz based on the old version.

The new haptic Surface Slim Pen 2

The Surface Pro X stays as it is. The Surface Slim Pen with its particularly slim silhouette, which was first introduced in 2019 with the Surface Pro X, is being redesigned. Surface Pro X owners of all people cannot benefit from this.

The Surface Slim Pen 2 uses the new functions of Windows 11 and Microsoft's new “G6 processor” in Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio to give the user haptic feedback via a built-in “motor”. This should convey an even more natural feeling when writing or drawing as well as when using gestures.

The Surface Slim Pen 2 will Magnetically attached to the Surface Laptop Studio or stored and charged in the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard. Customers can get the Slim Pen 2 and the unchanged Signature Keyboard in a bundle for 279.99 euros. The Surface Slim Pen 2 can also be purchased separately from October 21 and costs 129.99 euros – that's 30 euros less than before.

The completely new Surface Adaptive Kit

Completely new and not on the screen at all in advance Leaker is the new Surface Adaptive Kit, which makes it possible for people with disabilities to adapt their Surface device not only via software, but also in hardware.

The kit includes labels for keycaps, labels for the visually impaired, connection indicators and device openers to make finding, opening and using devices easier. The Adaptive Kit will be available later this year.