New Microsoft Surface Products Pack A Big Punch

Microsoft released updated versions of some of their most popular Surface devices over the last few months. Whether you're looking for a phone that doubles its size as a tablet or a premium 2-in-1 computer that can handle everything from video games to video editing, Microsoft has you covered.

Here are a few of Microsoft's latest hardware updates.

In an update to the Surface Duo phone, released in 2019, Microsoft recently announced the Surface Duo 2. This dual-screen foldable phone runs an optimized version of Android 11 that optimizes the two-screen experience. And unlike its predecessor, the Duo 2 features NFC (for wireless payments), new cameras, 5G support, and a speedy Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip. 

The phone's hardware features a 5.8-inch screen, or when both screens are used in tablet mode, 8.3 inches. And while the phone has two batteries with a combined 3,577mAH, which isn't great. Some testing places the battery life at not much more than 5 hours. 

So how much will the Surface Duo 2 set you back? As of this writing, the phone starts at $1,500 with 128GB of internal memory, making it one of the more expensive smartphones on the market. If you buy the 256GB model, the price jumps to $1,600. These prices reflect the price for the unlocked version of the phone. 

Finally, you can accessorize your new Duo 2 with a $40 protective bumper and the Surface Slim Pen 2 for $130. But if you get the pen, you'll probably want the Duo 2 Pen Cover that costs $65. 

In the Surface Pro's first update since 2019, Microsoft celebrates the new Surface Pro 8 as the perfect mixing of a Windows 11 laptop and a 13-inch touchscreen tablet. Unlike most 2-in-1s, the Pro 8 features a detachable keyboard when using the device in tablet mode. 

Looking at the tech specs, you can easily see how powerful the Pro 8 really is. It comes with a whopping 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and a Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7. In other words, this laptop/tablet combo packs a big punch. Even more impressive, though, is Microsoft's claim of up to 16 hours of battery life with "typical device usage." The one setting that seems to affect battery life the most is the screen refresh rate. For the longest battery life, a 60Hz screen refresh rate is the best. But for those playing video games or other graphic-centric tasks, boosting the refresh rate to 120Hz will give the best experience but drain the battery the fastest. Most reviewers appeared to get between 10-15 hours of usage. 

Microsoft packed the Surface Pro 8 with other goodies. For example, users will be pleased to find two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports to connect to external displays and transfer data at high speeds. You can also choose between 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM, depending on how you'll be using the Pro 8. For more graphics-intensive tasks, like video editing, 32GB is highly recommended. 

How much will the Surface Pro 8 set you back? The tablet starts at $1,100 and goes as high as $2,600 if you opt for the maximum 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD storage. 

If you're looking for a highly portable 2-in-1 computer that can handle all your everyday tasks like email, homework, web surfing, and video games. This affordable computer features a 10.5-inch touchscreen, Windows 11 Home in S mode, and a battery life that affords users up to 11 hours of normal usage. 

Under the hood, the Go 3 sports some impressive specs. This includes up to 128GB of SSD storage. There's an option for 64GB of eMMC storage, but it may struggle with performance. The Go 3 also features 8GB of RAM. While that seems low compared to the Surface Pro 3, this computer is geared towards the average user, not professionals using programs heavy on graphics. 

The Go 3 has one USB-C port, so you'll be using only one peripheral at a time. However, because it also features the Surface Connect Port, you can still charge the Go 3 using the USB-C port. 

But it does have a 3.5mm headphone jack and a MicroSD card slot for expanding storage. 

For all you creatives out there that work in graphic design, video editing, or production, this next laptop is designed with you in mind. The Surface Laptop Studio gives users a generous 14.4-inch touch display with 2400 x 1600 pixels. The touch screen is very responsive with its 120HZ refresh rate. This means that scrolling is silky smooth, improved pen input, and overall improved touch interactions. A unique feature of the Studio is that you can pull the screen forward so it's easier to interact with while drawing, editing, and so forth. 

The Studio is sold in several configurations to fit each user's unique needs. The cheapest model available has 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage, and an Intel Iris Xe graphics card. This model costs $1,600. You can get up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, which is removable. It also features a Core i7 chip and Nvidia GPU. The model with these specs will set you back $2,700. For users that want more, Microsoft has an option for $3,100 that includes 2TB of SSD storage and the Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics card. 

The impressive specs mentioned above mean that the Surface Laptop Studio can easily handle all of your everyday tasks, like email, heavy web browsing, Zoom, and so forth. Even when running multiple apps at the same time, the Studio performs well. 

One feature many reviewers note is lacking is the Studio's battery. The battery is smaller than other computers of a similar size. Part of the problem is that the Studio does not feature Dynamic Refresh Rate. This is where the screen will toggle between 60HZ and 120HZ, depending on your usage. This can save a lot of battery power. Most reviewers got around 5 hours of use. 

With the new updates to their existing product lines, Microsoft remains a major player in the computer, tablet, and mobile phone arena. Even the lower-priced line of Surface tablets has impressive specs that the average user will find perfect for their needs. At the other end of the spectrum, the Surface products oriented towards professionals offer more flexibility and power to meet the most demanding users' needs.

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References: Microsoft