Microsoft has launched new, faster versions of its popular Surface Pro, Surface Laptop and large Surface Studio PCs.
The new models, announced in New York on Tuesday, continue Microsoft’s premium PC line, introducing Intel’s latest 8th-generation Core i5 and i7 processors to match competitors such as Apple’s MacBook Pros, Huawei’s MateBook X Pro and Dell’s XPS 13.
The Surface Pro 6 starts at £749, with options for the quad-core Core i5 and i7 processors topping out at £2,149, which Microsoft says is 67% faster than the previous Surface Pro 5. It maintains the same detachable 2-in-1 form factor pioneered by the original Surface in 2012, and adds a black paint option – a departure from recent models that have shipped in grey magnesium only.
The much anticipated update to support the modern USB-C port failed to materialise, despite Microsoft shipping the Surface Book 2 and Surface Go with USB-C this year. Instead the Surface Pro 6 has the same Surface Connector, mini DisplayPort and USB-A sockets.
“We understand the way people work and live is changing, with different areas of our lives are blending together, and the need to spend our valuable time on the things that really matter is increasing,” said Panos Panay, chief product officer for Microsoft. “To do this, the technology needs to fade to the background so you can get into your most creative state, your flow.”
The Surface Laptop 2 also receives the same Intel processors, with options for i5 and i7 chips starting at £949 and topping out at £2,529, as well as the new black paint option. The Surface Laptop 2 also lacks USB-C, keeping the Surface Connector for power, mini DisplayPort and a USB-A port.
Alongside the portable machines, Microsoft also launched an update of its large all-in-one PC with a large 28in articulating screen, the Surface Studio 2, starting at $3,499 in the US.
Microsoft said that with the new 8th-generation Intel processors, 50% faster graphics and all-flash SSD storage, the Surface Studio 2 is the “most powerful Surface ever”. It maintains the Surface Pen stylus and Surface Dial rotary control accessory support for interacting directly with the touchscreen, which can still fold all the way to the desk. The Surface Studio 2 will first be available in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with other markets coming later.
Microsoft also launched a set of wireless noise-cancelling headphones called the Surface Headphones to directly compete with Bose’s successful QC35 and Apple’s Beats headphones. The grey Bluetooth headphones have rotary controllers on each ear cup, which can control noise cancelling as well as volume, and support for Microsoft’s Cortana . They will cost $350 in the US and will come to the US and UK before Christmas.
