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Microsoft’s Surface Headphones are a good first try
Microsoft is a software giant first and foremost. It's where it earned billions of dollars and created an empire that permeated almost every aspect of the corporate office. But it's also been diving head first into hardware from mice to the Xbox to the Surface tablets and laptops -- the tech company is no slouch when it comes to tangible items. So it should come as no surprise that it launched its own noise-canceling headphones.
Microsoft's Surface Go with LTE will be available November 20th
Microsoft is releasing the LTE version of its 10-inch Surface Go tablet later this month. It will be available in the US and Canada November 20th, and 21 other countries by November 22nd. Preorders open today in some markets.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 review: The sequel is better than the original
When Microsoft launched the original Surface Laptop last year, I was taken with its gorgeous, minimalist design. This year, I thought, the company can't possibly outdo itself on aesthetics. But then Microsoft went ahead and unveiled a matte-black option that somehow managed to look classier than the three earlier color options. Beyond its elegant exterior, though, the Surface Laptop 2 promises powerful performance upgrades and a long-lasting battery that substantiate its stylish package. Microsoft hasn't changed a whole lot with the new Surface Laptop, even sticking to the same proprietary power charger instead of adopting the more popular USB-C. But despite that inconvenience and some unfulfilled promises, the Surface Laptop 2 still shines.
The best laptops to give as gifts
Even at the cheaper end, laptops make for expensive gifts, and with tons of options out there, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Let us help simplify things for you. If you check out our 2018 holiday gift guide, you'll see we narrowed our shortlist to just half a dozen machines. Dell's latest XPS 13 is a terrific all-rounder if you're looking to buy someone a Windows laptop. AGigabyte's lightweight Aero 15X, meanwhile, is a solid choice for those who want to play games on the go. Our picks also include Microsoft's Surface Go, the ASUS Chromebook Flip and the updated MacBook Air, which is so new it hasn't even begun shipping yet. Whether you're buying for a gamer, a person with basic needs, or someone overdue for a new ultraportable, we think we've found someone for nearly everyone.
Surface Pro 6 review: Still the best 2-in-1 PC
Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 is the ideal hybrid tablet. It's a slate that can run all of the Windows apps you need, and together with its keyboard cover, it can also serve as a solid ultraportable laptop. But honestly, the same was true for last year's Surface Pro, a machine that was mostly a spec bump from 2015's Pro 5. This latest Surface isn't the major redesign we've been waiting for, but it's still a great option for anyone looking for a unique ultraportable PC. And at least it finally comes in black again. There is one wrinkle for Microsoft though: the Surface Go, its great new tablet PC. Now that there's a cheaper way to get most of the Surface experience, in a much smaller package, there may be less of a reason to spend extra for the Pro model.
Lenovo retakes the top spot in PC shipments
Happy days are here again for Lenovo, though not for most of the PC industry. The Chinese tech firm has reclaimed the top spot for PC shipments in both Gartner and IDC market share estimates for the third quarter of the year, pushing past HP to scoop up roughly 24 percent of the market. The analyst groups chalked up the growth to both the addition of Fujitsu, better business PC sales and a smarter North American strategy. For most others, though, the season was a mixed bag.
Chrome OS may be the 2-in-1 solution we've been waiting for
Tech's biggest companies are all about the 2-in-1. Google's latest effort is the Pixel Slate -- a tablet that becomes a sort-of laptop when you snap on its keyboard folio. This is a formula we've seen rise in popularity since the first Surface tablet. Think of the iPad Pro, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S4, HP's Envy x2 detachables and more. These devices are doing so well they're apparently all people want to buy anymore. According to IDC data, 2-in-1 shipments will grow by almost 10 percent this year while traditional PCs are expected to decline.
Pre-order Microsoft’s Surface Headphones on November 15th
Microsoft caught just about everyone by surprise when it announced new noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones earlier this month at its Surface launch event. The subdued white cans, priced at $350, are set to compete with the excellent Sony 1000XM3 and Bose Quiet Comfort II headphones. Microsoft has now revealed that pre-orders for the Surface Headphones will start on November 15th and ship on November 19th.
Microsoft Launcher for Android adds Timeline and new design
One of Microsoft's focal points at its Surface event Tuesday was on helping you move seamlessly between devices. As part of that effort, it's updating Microsoft Launcher on Android with some new features, including long-awaited Timeline support.
Leak reveals black Surface Laptop and Surface Pro
Those rumors of black Surface devices at Microsoft's impending October 2nd event might have some merit. WalkingCat (a historically good source of Microsoft scoops) has posted what appears to be a leaked press image showing matte black versions of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro, along with what's likely a refreshed Surface Studio. The leak doesn't include specs or any other details. All the devices look similar to their existing counterparts apart from the new hue, though, reinforcing claims that these would be spec bumps rather than major revisions.
What Microsoft might unveil at its Surface event (and what it should)
Microsoft's Surface lineup has gone from being a messy, nearly unusable experiment to some of the best PCs on the market. The Surface and Surface Pro helped popularize the idea of hybrid tablet PCs -- so much so that even Apple is trying to mimic it with the iPad Pro. The Surface Book proved a convertible workstation could take on the MacBook Pro. And the Surface Studio showed there's even room to innovate with an all-in-one machine. Even the Surface Laptop, the most traditional PC Microsoft has built, manages to stand out in the increasingly crowded ultraportable market. (There's also the upcoming Surface Hub 2, which looks like it could be a group-teleconferencing screen you'd actually want to use.)
Microsoft is hosting a Surface event in NYC on October 2nd
It's that time of the year again! Microsoft just sent out invites for its next major Surface hardware event on October 2nd. It'll be set in NYC, just like last year when it showed off the Surface Book 2. We're hearing there will be both updates to existing devices, as well as some new gadgetry. Perhaps we'll see a refresh for the Surface Laptop, which could use some updated hardware. Don't expect anything crazy like a Surface Phone, though. Microsoft's mobile strategy is still primarily focused on spreading to iOS and Android.
Surface Go review: The ideal cheap Windows tablet ... almost
The Surface Go is Microsoft's smallest and cheapest tablet yet, with specs that would make hardware nerds laugh. But in many ways, it brings Microsoft closer to its original dream for the Surface line: It's almost as light as an iPad, but it can also run most of the Windows apps you need. While the Surface Go certainly won't replace more powerful laptops, it's an intriguing option as a secondary device, especially at a low starting price of $399 (without a keyboard). Just be aware of its limitations.
Microsoft's strong quarter was powered by the cloud, Surface and Xbox
It's honestly getting a bit tough to write about Microsoft's quarterly earnings without sounding like a broken record. For years, its booming cloud business has pushed revenues higher, and the same is true for the past fourth quarter. The company reports that its revenue is up 17 percent from last year, reaching $30.1 billion compared to just $25.6 billion. Mostly, that's due to the continued strength of its cloud segment, which is up 23 percent ($9.6 billion) compared to last year. Additionally, its More Personal Computing group, which includes Windows, Surface and Xbox, increased by 17 percent ($10.8 billion). Drilling down a bit, the Surface line continued to have a strong year with 25 percent revenue growth, while gaming revenues increased by a surprising 39 percent. The company points to third-party titles as a big reason for the growth. But really, it's probably all about Fortnite.
Recommended Reading: Microsoft bets big on a smaller Surface
Surface Go is Microsoft's big bet on a tiny-computer future Lauren Goode, Wired Microsoft debuted its much-rumored smaller Surface device this week, hoping to tempt the Windows faithful with a compact $399 option. Wired has a detailed look at the Surface Go, including a chat with chief product officer Panos Panay.
Microsoft's $399 Surface Go is its smallest tablet yet
It's easy to think that Microsoft has given up on small tablets. In the three years since the release of the Surface 3, its last inexpensive iPad competitor, Microsoft shifted its attention towards larger and more powerful devices like the Surface Pro; the pro-grade Surface Book 2; and the traditional Surface Laptop. Along the way, the company even managed to rethink all-in-one desktops and collaboration displays. But it turns out Microsoft hasn't forgotten about smaller slates -- it was just developing one that could truly stand out. Enter the $399 Surface Go, the company's smallest and cheapest 10-inch tablet.
Microsoft's low-cost Surface may use a modest Pentium chip
It's no secret that Microsoft is working on a lower-priced Surface between leaks and FCC filings, but just what's going to power this 10-inch tablet? There might be a clue. WinFuture sources have claimed that the low-cost Surface will use Pentium Silver N5000 and Pentium Gold Y-series processors. That should make them considerably faster than the Atom-powered Surface 3 (admittedly not a difficult task), but you'll still have a strong incentive to buy a Surface Pro if you care about performance.
Microsoft might still be working on a pocket-sized Surface
Microsoft has been evidently working on a foldable tablet, code-named Andromeda, for a while now. It's supposed to focus on pen input and was rumored to hit the market as early as this year. Now, according to a leaked Microsoft document acquired by The Verge, it will likely be a pocket Surface device.
Microsoft will reportedly announce HoloLens 2 this year
It's been over three years since Microsoft unveiled HoloLens, its ambitious foray into the world of augmented reality goggles. Since then, the company has opened up its Mixed Reality platform to other manufacturers, which led to some intriguing VR headsets in 2017. Now, it's time for a true HoloLens successor. According to The Verge, we might finally see a HoloLens 2 by the end of the year. The news follows a report from Thurrott.com, which claimed the new headset, codenamed "Sydney," could be released in the first quarter of 2019.
Microsoft may release a lower-cost Surface tablet this year
Microsoft will try making another inexpensive tablet. Redmond is rumored to launch a new, cheaper slate to compete with the iPad this year, according to Bloomberg's sources. Like Apple's tablet, the device will have rounded corners and a 10-inch screen, along with a kickstand and a USB C port for charging and syncing. It'll cost around $400, or half that of a Surface Pro.
