Microsoft 2020 hardware updates include Surface Go 2, Surface Book3, Surface Dock 2, Surface headphones 2 and Surface Earbuds. They are available on pre-order from Microsoft or its authorised resellers.
The Microsoft 2020 hardware updates include
- Go 2: same lightweight, compact design with a larger 10.5” PixelSense display, longer battery life and up to a 64% performance increase
- Book 3: Available in 13” or 15”. The latter has up to 50% performance increase and 17.5-hours of battery life
- Dock 2: Delivers faster charging, higher data transfer rates and enterprise management tools.
- Headphones 2: Same style and even better sound quality and 13 levels of ambient noise control.
- Earbuds: in-ear, touch and voice controls, users can start a phone call, change songs, or instantly play Spotify from an Android phone with a triple tap on either earbud.
GadgetGuy is a review-led site (and Surface aficionados having owned them all from the original version), so we look forward to testing these new devices.
Surface Go 2 highlights
- 10.5” 1920 x 1280, 220ppi, 3:2, 1500:1, Gorilla Glass 3 screen
- Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y (4/64 Wi-Fi) or 8th Gen Core m3 processor (8/128 LTE)
- 4 or 8GB RAM and 64GB eMMC or 128GB SSD
- Wi-Fi 6 AX, BT 5.0,
- LTE Sim, GPS, NFC version
- Ports: USB-C, Surface Connect (Ribbon), 3.5mm combo audio, Micro-SDXC port
- 5MP/IR Windows Hello/Skype fixed focus front camera and dual studio mics
- 8MP rear Auto-focus 1080@30fps video
- 10-hour battery
- 245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm x 544/553 (Wi-Fi/LTE)
- Optional Keyboard Type Cover ($199.95), Pen ($139.95) and a range of accessories
- Price: 4/64/Wi-Fi $629 and 8/128/Wi-Fi $879 and 8/128/LTE $1199
- Website here
Why buy it?
A full Windows environment in a convenient 10.5” table perfect for travel, content consumption and education. USB-C features Alt DP and all USB-C dock conveniences. Runs all Windows programs like Microsoft 265 (15-month subscription 1-user $99 and 6-user $129).
Surface Book 3 Highlights (choice of 13.5 or 15” – the latter where different is shown in brackets)
- 13.5” 3000×2000, 267ppi, 3:2, 1600:1, Gorilla Glass 5 (15” 3240×2160, 260ppi)
- Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G7 Processor or Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i7-1065G7 Processor (15” is i7 only)
- i5 gets Intel Iris Plus Graphics, i7 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q Design w/4GB GDDR5 (15” i7 gets NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q Design w/6GB GDDR6)
- 8/16/32GB 3733Mhz LPDDR4x (15” is 16/32GB)
- 256/512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSD
- Wi-Fi 6 AX, BT V5.0
- 2xUSB-A 3.1 Gen 2, 1xUSB-C (3.1 Gen 2 PD 3.0), 3.5mm combo audio, 2 Surface Conect ports (base and tablet), Full SDXC
- 15.5 hours typical use (17.5 hours) I5/65W, i7/102W (15” i7/127W) charger
- 312 x 232 x 13-23 mm x 1.534.1.642g (15” i7 343x251x15-23 mm x 1.905g)
- Options: Pen $139.95 (keyboard provided)
- Price 13.5”
- i5/8/256 $2649
- i7/16/256 $2299
- i7/32/512 $4149
- i7/32GB/1TB $4499
- Price 15”
- i7/16/256 $3699
- i7/32/512 $4439
- i7/32GB/1TB $4759
- Website here
Why buy it?
Amazingly powerful processors and graphics for graphic design, app development, video and social content creation. Supports 2x4K@60Hz external monitors (via USB-C or Dock 2)
Surface Dock 2
Like the Dock 1 but updated. Still uses the Surface Connect Ribbon. We assume that the ports will all share 10Gbps, but there are no specs yet.
- 2 x USB-C
- 2 x USB-A
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 3.5mm combo audio port
- 2 x USB-C for monitor output (supports 4K@60Hz) – you monitor needs to support this or use USB-C to HDMI/DP adaptors
- $419.95
USB-C Travel Hub
- USB-C port
- USB-A
- Ethernet
- HDMI and VGA
- USB-C port upstream port to connect to the Surface device (not Surface Connect)
- There is no mention of power pass through – we assume not
- Price TBA
Surface Earbuds
- 13.6mm driver (large)
- Weight per bud 7.2g (average)
- Battery 8 hour plus 16 in the USB-C charge case (good)
- SBC and aptX
- FR 20Hz-20kHz
- Dual mics per bud
- IPX4 sweat resistant
- $319.95
- Website here
Why buy it?
We have not heard them yet, so we can’t tell you if there are better buds out there. But they are designed for Windows (but will work on Android and iOS)
Surface headphones 2
We quite liked Surface Headphones 1, but they were outclassed by Sennheiser, Sony, Bose and Jabra.
- 40mm free edge drivers
- SPL 115dB
- 30dB Active noise cancellation – 13 levels
- 20 hours ANC playback and two-hour charge
- USB-C and 3.5mm inputs (not sure if the USB-C has a DAC)
- Website here
- $399.95
You buy these for the Surface Style and that they are for Windows, especially voice dictation for Word, Outlook, and more.
Microsoft PC Accessories
The Microsoft Ergonomic Desktop reduces fatigue and delivers exceptional comfort and control with a split keyboard design featuring a cushioned palm rest and an ultra-precise mouse with cushioned thumb rest.
The Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop gives you a full-sized keyset in a slim and modern design and a compact, stylish mouse that fits comfortably in your hand.
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