Surface laptop fans have been through several unpleasant surprises in recent months. The uncertainty surrounding the future of Microsoft’s notebook line, especially after the departure of Panos Panay, has left many wondering if the division will follow the same path as Windows Phone. Despite Panay’s departure, Microsoft has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to the Surface. It’s clear that the company has gone ahead with a streamlining of its Surface line offerings in order to focus on core products, which could explain the limited activity from the Surface team during 2023.
So despite minor changes in specs, Microsoft did not make new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models this year, the best sellers of Surface. Windows Central sources say that Microsoft is planning substantial updates for these two series. The relevant updates are expected to include significant upgrades such as improved design, new features and next-generation Intel 14th-Gen and Qualcomm X Series processors. The new devices, expected to be announced in the spring, are being touted as Microsoft’s first next-generation PCs for the AI era. For the first time, both Surface Pro and Surface Laptop will be offered with Intel and Arm options, each equipped with next-generation NPU (neural processing unit) technology.
The Arm versions, which will be powered by a custom variant of Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Series chips, are causing particular excitement. Microsoft internally refers to these next-generation Arm devices as “CADMUS” computers. The new PCs are specifically designed for the upcoming version of Windows, codenamed Hudson Valley, and will incorporate many of the next-generation artificial intelligence experiences that Microsoft is developing for the 2024 version of Windows. Microsoft is positioning CADMUS PCs as a strong competitor to Apple Silicon, with comparable battery life, performance and security.
The upcoming Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are expected to be among the first CADMUS PCs to hit the market next year, ahead of the new version of Windows scheduled for later in 2024. The Surface Laptop 6 is set to undergo a design refresh, with thinner bezels, rounded screen corners and additional ports. This marks the first design refresh for the Surface Laptop line in many years. The Surface Laptop 6 will continue to be offered in two sizes, but the smaller model will have a slightly larger 13.8-inch display, up from the 13.5-inch display of the Surface Laptop 5.
The larger model will retain the 15-inch display. The Surface Laptop 6 will also offer a wider range of ports, including two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and the Surface Connect magnetic charging port. Other additions include a tactile touchpad (likely equipped with Sensel technology) and a dedicated Copilot button on the Touch keyboard for easy access to Windows Copilot.
The Surface Laptop 6 is shaping up to be a major update to Microsoft’s lineup, primarily aimed at competing with the MacBook Air. On the other hand, the upcoming Surface Pro is also set to receive a major update, though not as extensive as the Surface Laptop 6. The most notable improvements for the Surface Pro 10 are mostly related to its display. This is expected to be brighter and support HDR content, providing a more vivid and dynamic viewing experience. It will also feature a new anti-reflective coating, which will help minimize reflections and improve visibility in various lighting conditions. Additionally, the display will feature rounded corners, adding a modern touch to the design.
These improvements aim to elevate the user experience and set new standards for the Surface Pro series.
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