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Microsoft Unveils Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 6 (venturebeat.com)

Posted by msmash on from the new-hardware-lineup dept.

Microsoft said Tuesday it was refreshing the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro lineups with new models that offer updated specs and a black color option. The price tags have changed slightly: the Surface Laptop 2 starts at $999 (same as the Surface Laptop) while the Surface Pro 6 starts at $899 (up $100 from its predecessor). From a report: Both devices come with 8th-generation Intel Core processors (upgradeable all the way up to quad-core) and start at 128GB of SSD storage (upgradable to 1TB). The Surface Laptop 2 starts at 8GB of RAM (upgradeable to 16GB) while the Surface Pro 6 still comes with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM. Panos Panay, head of engineering for all of Microsoft's devices, said the Surface Laptop 2 is 85 percent faster than the original Surface Laptop. He also mentioned that the screen features more than 3.4 million pixels, a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, and happens to be the lightest touchscreen panel on the market. Panay said the Surface Pro 6 is 67 percent more powerful than its predecessor (which oddly enough was just called Surface Pro). Surface Pro 6 still gets 13.5 hours of battery life, weighs 1.7 pounds, and has a 267ppi screen with "the highest contrast ratio" Microsoft has ever delivered.

62 comments

  1. Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    with new models that offer updated specs and a black color option

    Updated specs? I thought that updated designs came with downgraded specs.

    Oooh, black. I have never seen a black laptop before. I hope they apply for a design patent.

    What passes as News for Nerds nowadays.

    1. Re:Nothing new here. by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1

      Well, downgraded is the new upgrade. After all, Daddy Nadella doesn't want us using local procession power and storage, only the "cloud." Dumb terminals with a GUI are the new modern.

    2. Re:Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Procession power? Like in a funeral procession, right?

    3. Re:Nothing new here. by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1

      Processing. (damn autocorrect)

    4. Re:Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But at least "Daddy" Nadella (gross) is actually literate in English. Same can't be said for you.

    5. Re:Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like this (and yes, it was plagiarised for Knight Rider)

    6. Re: Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I love how u Google shills try in vain to hang from Microsoft the very essence of what every google product and service actually is. Your attempt at redirection is amateur and sad. Swillden get in here and set me straight.

    7. Re:Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, downgraded is the new upgrade. After all, Daddy Nadella doesn't want us using local procession power and storage

      So why did they increase it on this model? If they didn't want you to use it they would decrease it. Slashdot anti-MS idiot logic at its finest.

    8. Re:Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Maybe if you weren't typing on a shitty refurbished dell keyboard that wouldn't happen.

    9. Re:Nothing new here. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes, nothing to say about this ad placement. MS released a new lineup of notebooks ... nothing new, absolutely, Microsoft finally managed to put its OS to Netbook laptop. Yes, this news definitely worth of attention!

  2. *YAWN* at Smurface by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 0, Redundant

    More non-upgradeable junk, glued or taped shut. High-end Thinkpad, Dell business/gov't grade laptop, or go home.

    The laptops I'm writing about can also be had for under $500 as refurbs/lease returns.

    1. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cool story, bro. I'm sure everyone at Microsoft is now scrambling out of worry from this post.

    2. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And people who have to do productive things that actually use computers for better purpose than games use Windows and Surface.

    3. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1

      I use computers for productive purposes -- I use Windows 7 and Linux. My data is mine, not to be shared and cared with Microsoft, Apple, Google or anyone else on the "clown."

    4. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by rickb928 · · Score: 1

      Actually, my favorite game works terrifically on my Surface Pro 3. And my Surface Pro 3 works very well thank you.

      Yeah, it's a great game.

      --
      deleting the extra space after periods so i can stay relevant, yeah.
    5. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So load ubuntu on a surface? Why are you neckbearding about your OS preference on a sub about a hardware platforms upgrade?

      And wake up to Windows 10 LTSB.

    6. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Because the hardware is sealed, unrepairable, environmentally irresponsible shit designed to be tossed out if it breaks, making more e-waste. Fuck any company that promotes this model.

    7. Re: *YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cool story, broseph! Tell me more about how ecologically awesome you are.

    8. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Smurface sales have been pretty stagnant. Sheep who want a dumb terminal go for Chromebooks instead. Richer sheep go Apple.

      And cheap sheep go for refurbished dell junk.

    9. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by exomondo · · Score: 2

      So load ubuntu on a surface?

      I think that's probably one of the more interesting things here, for all the years and years of paranoia and fear-mongering posts here about how Microsoft is the devil and will use SecureBoot to lock out alternative operating systems not only has that not happened but even now at the 6th generation of Microsoft's own hardware you can still disable SecureBoot and install Linux. Not only did the conspiracy theories not come to pass with OEMs but it didn't even happen with Microsoft's own Surface devices.

    10. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting. I like the unrepairable part. How comes I did get a screen replacement, from a third party even, for my Surface Pro 3? Hm... Ah, you talk bullshit.

    11. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      All I see is small, sleek, nicely finished, and incredibly light allowing me to carry it anywhere without thought.

      So rather than fuck the company, fuck me instead. I as the end user promote this model.

    12. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      or go home.

      That's a great idea. I'll need to go home and get the Thinkbrick because it's so heavy I didn't bother carrying it with me in the first place.

    13. Re:*YAWN* at Smurface by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You do have the option to haul your full-sized tower to do work.

  3. Article Source by RickyShade · · Score: 1

    This venturebeat website is incredibly annoying.

    1. Re:Article Source by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which is why the current editors like it so much.

  4. creimer is fat and a gay! Everybody say yay! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    creimer is updating the specs on his wang. Instead of being 3/4th of an inch, it will now be 7/8th of an inch.

  5. Sweet by 110010001000 · · Score: 2

    More hardware that people won't buy. $1000 laptops with 8 GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Welcome to 2018.

    1. Re:Sweet by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Yep. Just picked up a refurb Dell 7240(?) with this kind of spec for $275. Perfect condition, upgradeable RAM and storage, removable battery, not sealed junk like MS and Crapple.

    2. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Except a 7240 does not have 16GB of RAM and has a Haswell processor. So it's only similar in specs if you're a dumbass. Also the 7240 when lauched was more expensive then what is being sold here. Comparing the price of a refurbed, 4.5 year old product to something new is dumb as fuck.

    3. Re:Sweet by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 2

      Haswell at least has drivers for Win 7. It's also fast enough for 99% of work and supports 16GB of RAM (it's upgradeable, not sealed trash). Comparing price is valid if a refurb does the same fuckin thing as a Smurface.

    4. Re:Sweet by Misagon · · Score: 4, Interesting

      What counts is not how old something is but how much you can yet get out of it.

      With multiple USB-A ports and a keyboard that does not suck, I think also I would be more productive and less frustrated with that four-year old Dell than with a MS Surface.

      And BTW, the Dell can be upgraded to 16 GB RAM because it takes DDR3 SODIMM's, whereas you can not upgrade four-year old MS Surface which is glued together and has soldered-in RAM.

      --
      "We mustn't be caught by surprise by our own advancing technology" -- Aldous Huxley
    5. Re:Sweet by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1

      This. For a different example, in many ways, a early 2000s or late 90s Camry is a better car than the latest overweight cutie-utie or SUV sold today.

    6. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Surface 6 with 16 GB of RAM, faster processor, better GPU, more disk space and better display is still cheaper than the 7240 was when new. I can also get a refurbed EeePC for $20 but that hardly means anything.

    7. Re: Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You keep getting your ass handed to you yet you come back for more. Kudos to you, swilldenâ(TM)s shadow account!

    8. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And in the most important ways like safety it is garbage compared to modern cars.

      You're comparing a heavy, bulky workstation laptop to a light, portable, touchscreen system...it's obviously a flawed comparison because it's so easy to just say you only need the things on the one you're advocating for and don't need the things on the one you're comparing it to. Are you really that stupid?

    9. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yep, a machine with those specs can be bought with half the price. With MS's track record on Surface device quality, or lack of it, their price should actually be much lower than other manufactures.

    10. Re:Sweet by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      As someone who ditched a Dell 4 years ago for a Surface Pro 3, I have been far more productive carrying around a device with this form factor and connection options than I ever was with an old chunky heavy laptop that spent a lot of time at home rather than on the road with me.

      If you're buying a Surface Pro as a small workstation you're an idiot.
      If you're comparing it to a full feature laptop then you likewise significantly missed the point. I suggest you scroll down further in the anouncment since there's a product more suitable to your needs.

    11. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      More hardware that people won't buy. $1000 laptops with 8 GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Welcome to 2018.

      Thank you...

      The average Apple customer is the new desired audience for any piece of tech these days...
          even though they represent a fraction of the market, they are clearly willing and able to pay more for less... the only question is...
          how much less and how much more... companies are searching for Apples golden formula, so they know just how deep to insert the buttplug and
          just how much voltage put give it... all in the misguided holy quest for the almighty APPLE dollar

      The way they let themselves be exploited is a paradise for any company... normal rational people are not nearly as profitable

      the Surface line is nothing but an attempt at tempting the average Apple cultist iSheep and their need for exploitation.

    12. Re:Sweet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If your laptop is too heavy for you, perhaps a little time at the gym will benefit you in this and other ways. Your girlfriend / boyfriend will thank you also.

    13. Re:Sweet by fyzikapan · · Score: 1

      Some people just like high quality screens, decent keyboards, and non-shit touchpads.

      It's not about getting less. Your average office worker isn't going to notice 8 GB of RAM vs 16. They sure as hell will notice when the screen is only viewable from straight on, the touchpad isn't responsive, and the keyboard is a mushy mess, though.

  6. Just attractive monikers for CEO's by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Really thin notebooks are more for being attractive and portable then being performance systems. Its interesting that USB C remains a missing port that could make these devices more useful. The base specs are really bad so the base price unfortunately isn't a spec'd unit most would want. Its like buying a really nice Italian sports car with a 1.5 liter turbo in it. Yeah it looks nice, but that's about it.

    1. Re:Just attractive monikers for CEO's by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1

      This being said, at least they're not USB-C only like Apple. Putting eveything on USB-C is insane. And the magnetic charger is better than a fragile-ass USB-C cord or a barrel connector that can pull a computer off a table.

    2. Re:Just attractive monikers for CEO's by jezwel · · Score: 1

      Its like buying a really nice Italian sports car with a 1.5 liter turbo in it. Yeah it looks nice, but that's about it.

      I dunno, there's some pretty potent beasts out there with an engine like what you're talking about.

      But yes, Surface devices for our org are purely for people that get hand held IT support anyway, the rest of us plebs make do with something a lot more capable but less shiny...

  7. Next week's announcements: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 6 systems all failing with same driver issues. Microsoft blames Intel for bad CPUs; other manufacturers say they've had no problems whatsoever.

    1. Re:Next week's announcements: by rickb928 · · Score: 1

      Oh wow. Like iPhone XS etc...

      --
      deleting the extra space after periods so i can stay relevant, yeah.
  8. Doesn't matter how great if they have Windows 10 by mykepredko · · Score: 0

    I won't consider them.

    --
    Mimetics Inc. Twitter
  9. 67% by jetkust · · Score: 1

    Is the processor 67% more powerful or was he talking about the kickstand?

  10. No USB-C in 2018. by Jahoda · · Score: 1

    Instead dependent on the totally proprietary surface dock port, and over priced surface dock.

    Have you ever managed a fleet of surfaces with bad ports? I do, and that's why we're replacing out surface books at this organization with laptops that use, you know, industry standards.

  11. Re:Doesn't matter how great if they have Windows 1 by Jahoda · · Score: 1

    I won't consider them.

    Well, bad news for you then, because Microsoft, Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo don't give a shit what you do or don't consider. This is what we use when we want support for NVMe and a host of other mandatory technologies here in almost-2019.

  12. Phantom touches & dead zones by ReneR · · Score: 1

    Did I recently mention the common N-Trig touchscreen phantom touches and dead zone problem? https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

  13. $999, expensive!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They will be obsolete and slower sooner.

    The people is using PCs with > 2 TB of Hard Disk and 32 or 64 GiB of memory.

  14. "Mandatory technologies" NOT available on Linux? by mykepredko · · Score: 2

    Wow.

    I'll still stick with Linux.

    --
    Mimetics Inc. Twitter
  15. Re:"Mandatory technologies" NOT available on Linux by Jahoda · · Score: 0

    Huhr duhr ok Mr. Linux, enjoy your toys while the rest of us work.

  16. No USB-C by xeoron · · Score: 1

    I am surprised they are still not opting for at least 1 port now that Intel is licensing the tech for free to people.

  17. Re: "Mandatory technologies" NOT available on Linu by nnull · · Score: 2

    Hurrr durrr ok. I do work on Linux and so does my entire facility. Even my laptop is Linux.

  18. Re:Doesn't matter how great if they have Windows 1 by exomondo · · Score: 2

    I won't consider them.

    This is still one of the biggest problems for Linux, no matter how easy it is to install the general populace is still made up of people like you that can't comprehend installing a different operating system or not using the system as it came out of the box.

  19. meh.. by lusid1 · · Score: 1

    16gb of RAM max? 2011 just won't go away.

  20. What a joke by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Base models comes with 8GB and 128GB HD - what year is this? This reminds me of a bait-and-switch scam - and one reason why we won't be supporting these any time soon. Microsoft still has a lot to learn.