Upgraded fondleslab and laptops limited to business buyers only, for now
Microsoft unveiled the newest Surface gear at a virtual press conference on Thursday. The devices included an upgraded tablet and business laptops, both of which Redmond promises are designed to use artificial intelligence (AI) for almost anything.
Intel's so-called AI PC chip, the H-Series Core Ultra processor from the Meteor Lake family, which has an integrated neural processing unit (NPU), powers all of the devices that were unveiled today. These chips are not inexpensive; the tablet and laptop models range in price from $1,199 for a minimal setup to $3,000, without accessories.
The Surface Pro 10 tablet with base specifications (specs PDF) has a 13-inch LCD screen, an Ultra 5 135U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB hard drive. An further $500 will be required to upgrade to an Ultra 7 165U processor, and the most expensive computer, with 64GB of RAM and a terabyte of storage, will come to $2,799 in all.
Although hubs are available as accessories, the tablet comes with a charging plug and two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 connections. For safer logins, the Pro also features an integrated NFC reader with the ability to add a 5G card. Microsoft states that the base device weights 1.94 lbs (879 g) and has a battery life of 19 hours.
To operate the system, you will still need a keyboard, which costs an additional $139 or $279 if you want a nicer trackpad and pen. Microsoft announced during the unveiling that the keyboard has been overhauled with a bolder typeface and improved backlighting, which many Surface users had previously reported as a problem.
In order to maintain the speaker in focus at all times, Redmond has also included a wide-angle 114° camera that leverages artificial intelligence (AI).
Furthermore, for traditionalists
Improved cameras are another feature of the Surface 6 touchscreen laptops [specs PDF], which are available in 13.5 and 15-inch sizes. Redmond says that the AI image upgrades created by Windows Studio Effects running in the NPU will simplify video meetings.
A single Thunderbolt 4 port, a regular USB 3.1 slot, and a 3.5mm socket are included in the 13.5-inch model, while a second Thunderbolt port and an optional smartcard security reader (available only to US and Canadian consumers) are added to the 15-inch model.
The 13.5-inch and 15-inch variants have respective weights of 3.06 lbs (1.38 kg) and 3.70 lbs (1.68 kg). Redmond states that the batteries should last for 19 hours under typical use and that the chassis design permits Intel's CPUs to operate at maximum speed without overheating.
Microsoft claims that the Surface Pro 10 will be composed of 72% recycled materials in an homage to environmentalists; nevertheless, this figure falls to little more than 25% of the Surface 6 laptop series. They say that the QR codes included with key parts will make fixing these expensive pieces of equipment much simpler.
Starting on April 9, corporate clients will be the only ones who can purchase the new line, either directly or through resellers. Anticipated are consumer versions of the latest kit will be announced in May.
Everything pertaining to AI
Although a Surface hardware update has been anticipated The focus of Microsoft's event today was AI, more especially Copilot.
The package will include the specific Copilot key that may be used to activate the machine learning system that is integrated into a growing number of Microsoft apps, as anticipated. Based on the promotional video that you can view below, it appears that Copilot will take the position of the PrtSc, or right Control key.
As Copilot expanded throughout additional Microsoft product categories, Redmond was eager to showcase the capabilities of the kit. OneNote meeting minutes were taken, Copilot was used to compile action items and complete tasks in real time, and business documents were created using basic prompts.
Naturally, considering its $10 billion investment in OpenAI, Microsoft wants as many people to use Copilot as possible. Copilot is going all out, as Redmond stated at the Ignite conference in November, but Microsoft has informed shareholders that there won't be a quick cash grab from the technology for some time.
With Windows 11 supporting the Surface refresh, Redmond has an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of Copilot on hardware engineered to support AI workloads. Although there are other Intel Ultra-powered laptops available, it will be fascinating to see if Redmond can convince customers of the Copilot benefit..
Incredible to think about the possibilities that these advancements open up.
ReplyDelete