microsoftsurfacebook
Latest
Microsoft hikes UK Surface prices because Brexit
Thanks to the Brexit vote, the weakened pound is causing many companies to adjust prices to cover the shortfall, and today you can add Microsoft to that list. The cost of the company's enterprise software and cloud services increased at the start of the year, but this morning Microsoft quietly hiked prices of some of its consumer devices and software too, as spotted by a TechCrunch tipster.
Surface Book review (2016): The laptop to beat doesn't come cheap
Last year, when Microsoft introduced its first-ever laptop, the Surface Book, the company proclaimed that this was the "ultimate laptop." And it was -- mostly. This two-in-one notebook offered long battery life, with a distinctive, well-constructed case, a comfortable keyboard, fast performance and a detachable display that worked well as a standalone pen tablet. Starting today, the company is shipping a refreshed version, and it's mostly more of the same. The biggest changes are under the hood, with Microsoft claiming twice the graphics performance, a second fan and a larger battery, rated for either 12 or 16 hours, depending on the configuration. It's more of a good thing, but do you need that kind of horsepower enough to spend $2,399 and up on one of these newer models?
New in our buyer's guide: The Xbox One wireless adapter and more!
Before we set about reviewing all the phones announced at Mobile World Congress last month, we decided to give our gaming and audio buyer's guides a refresh. In addition to culling some older products, we're inducting a few new ones. The most recognizable of the bunch is perhaps the Xbox One wireless adapter, though you might also be familiar with the wireless Bragi Dash earbuds that we reviewed recently. Rounding out the list, we've added Master & Dynamic's $549 MW60 wireless over-ears -- for those who can afford it. Check out our full guide here, and stay tuned for further updates in the coming months.
Microsoft's Surface Book arrives in the UK for £1,299 and up
If you reserved a Surface Book after Microsoft opened pre-orders last month, then you're no doubt eagerly awaiting a courier's knock. Not nearly so organised? Well, not to worry, as we're here to remind you Microsoft's dual-personality device officially launches in the UK today. Part tablet, mostly laptop, the Surface Book is now available through Microsoft's store and at various other retailers, including Amazon, Currys / PC World and John Lewis. Bidding opens at £1,299 for the base, Core i5 model, but if you really want to make your wallet squeal, there's always the top-end configuration with Core i7 processor and dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GPU for a cool £2,249.
Microsoft's Surface Book now up for UK pre-order from £1,299
In the Surface Book, Microsoft finally delivered a tablet that can replace your laptop. Or is it a laptop that can replace your tablet? Whichever way you look at it, Microsoft is gearing up to bring its premium, kooky-hinged device to several more countries after launching it first in North America this past autumn. It just so happens the UK is one of these countries, with Surface Book pre-orders opening up today ahead of the official launch on February 18th.
Surface Book review: The ultimate laptop, even if it isn't perfect
For years, Microsoft has been telling us that the future of PCs was actually the tablet. The Surface Pro in particular is powerful enough that it could truly keep pace with your laptop, and Microsoft hasn't been shy about comparing it to the MacBook Air. The message seemed clear: The Surface Pro was like a notebook, only better. And yet, immediately after unveiling the Surface Pro 4 at a keynote earlier this month, Microsoft unleashed one last surprise: the Surface Book. At first glance, it's a traditional 13-inch notebook, with a premium design, long battery life and the sort of performance you'll find in only a handful of other laptops, like the MacBook Pro. Unlike a Mac, though, you can remove the screen, turning it into a shockingly light, 1.6-pound tablet -- one that happens to pack a notebook-grade Intel Core processor. This, according to Microsoft, is the "ultimate laptop."
Microsoft's 'Device Night' lets you go hands-on with its new products
Microsoft has a handful of new devices and wants you to experience them as soon as possible. Similar to what it is doing with HoloLens, the company's taking recently announced products like its Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, Lumia 950 XL and second-gen Microsoft Band on a tour across the US and Canada. But unlike the mixed reality headset's event, this one will be open to the general public, not only developers. Aside from being able to try out the hardware, Microsoft's also going to have Q&A sessions, giveaways and, of course, food and drinks. The 2015 Device Night kicks off in Boston and San Francisco on October 19th, followed by cities including Philadelphia, Vancouver, Dallas, Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Chicago. You'll need to register before attending, which you can do right here.
Here's our first look at the Surface Book, Microsoft's answer to the MacBook Pro
Wow. Microsoft finally did it. After years of rumors and speculation the company finally unveiled its very own laptop. Not a tablet that could replace a laptop (although there's that too), but a bona fide laptop, with an attached keyboard. Well, almost. The Surface Book, at first glance, looks like a traditional clamshell notebook with a touchscreen. In fact, though, it's more like a lovechild between the Surface and Lenovo's Yoga line. Which is to say, it has a removable display that supports pen input but, if you reattach the screen facing away from the keyboard, you can also fold it down into tablet mode. Oh, and on the inside, it has enough horsepower to take on the MacBook Pro.
Microsoft's Surface Book is its first (and 'ultimate') laptop
And then Microsoft dropped a bombshell on stage. "What if you wanted a Surface -- but you wanted a laptop Surface, something with a bigger screen, something with the perfect typing experience of a laptop?" Microsoft's Panos Panay asked at the company's Windows 10 devices event. "We made the ultimate laptop; we made Surface Book." That's right, it's Microsoft's first in-house laptop -- with a 267 ppi, 13.5-inch display, a sixth-generation Intel Core processor, up to 16GB of RAM and a claimed 12-hour battery life. Microsoft is calling it the "ultimate" laptop ...but just like every other Surface in the product line, it's still a detachable, convertible PC.
