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New hardware, old design: Microsoft unveils Surface Book 3, Surface Go 2, Surface Earbuds and more
6.5.2020
Translation: machine translated
The Surface Book gets the latest Intel chip, while the compact Surface Go gets a larger display. There is also a new edition of the Surface Headphones and a new addition, the Earbuds.
It is definitely a little disappointing that Microsoft is still using the same design for the Surface Book after five years. Although you get a fully-fledged notebook and a fully-fledged tablet in one, the clunky hinge remains. But it's also not the only thing Microsoft unveiled on Thursday afternoon.
Surface Book 3
The Surface Book 3 is based on the latest tenth-generation Intel processor. The models cost between 1900 and 3600 francs, depending on the features. They start with the 13.5-inch display with 8 GB RAM, 256 GD SSD and i5 processor and range up to the 15-inch version with 32 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD and i7 processor. Microsoft continues to rely on the 15W variants for the latter, while 45W models are already installed in Macbook Pros.
The entry-level Surface Books have Intel's integrated Iris Plus graphics solution. For more money, you can get a GTX 1660Ti or even a Quadro RTX 3000 in the business devices. This graphics card is particularly aimed at designers who rely on 3D tools such as CAD. The two top models are each equipped with a 1 TB or 2 TB M.2-2280 SSD. Programmers in particular should be happy about this when compiling.
Microsoft claims that the new hardware provides a performance increase of 50 per cent compared to the previous models.
You will still be looking in vain for Thunderbolt 3 connections. It was announced in advance that the reason for this was due to security concerns. Instead, you get two USB-A ports and one USB-C port, which is also used for charging, a UHS-II SD card reader and the proprietary Surface Connect port.
Surface Go 2
The smaller Surface Go has not changed significantly either. The display has grown from 10 to 10.5 inches without changing the overall size. This means that the display edges have become slightly narrower. The resolution has been increased slightly to 1920 x 1280 pixels.
Thanks to new processors, Microsoft promises up to 64 per cent more performance compared to the first Surface Go. There is an Intel Pentium Gold in the entry-level model and an eighth-generation Core m3 in the most expensive model. In this case, expensive means 830 francs, while the cheapest model costs 470 francs. This is only enough for 4 GB RAM and 64 GB sMMC memory. The top model, on the other hand, has 8 GB RAM and a 128 GB SSD. A variant for business users with 4G and 256 GB memory will also follow.
The Typecovers from the first Surface Go are compatible. In addition to the Surface Connect port, the device has a USB-C port and a microSDXC card reader.
Surface Dock 2
The Surface Dock, which you can use to connect your notebook to monitors and peripherals, has also been updated. It has four USB-C ports that support up to two UHD monitors with 60 Hz. There are also two USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5 mm audio output. Fast charging is also available.
Surface Earbuds
The earbuds were first unveiled last autumn. Now the headphones focussed on business applications have officially been released. The large surface is used for touch operation, which you can use to control Office applications as well as Spotify and co. There is also a dictation function for Word, Outlook and PowerPoint.
Surface Headphones 2
Finally, Microsoft has launched a new version of the Surface Headphones. Here, too, the design has remained the same. However, the battery should last five hours longer and the Bluetooth codec aptX is now supported. There is also an upgrade to Bluetooth 5.0. The Surface Headphones still have active noise cancellation in 13 levels (ANC) and 40 mm drivers.
The headphones can now be rotated 180 degrees if you ever wear them around your neck.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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