New Microsoft Surface 2019 devices

Surface 2019 devices

Microsoft’s new Surface 2019 devices include Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, Surface Studio 2 and Surface Headphones. It also previewed the Windows 10 October 2018 Update and innovative new Office 365 features.

The Surface Pro 6 and Laptop 2 are available for pre-order for delivery around 16 October. The Studio 2 is due in mid-November. The Surface Headphones will be later this year. Read on for the full  Microsoft Surface 2019 devices.

Surface Pro 6 Australian site here

This is an evolution of the successful Surface Pro 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. It has a new Black or the mag-alloy platinum.

  • Intel 8th Generation Core i5-8250U or i7-8650U with Intel UHD graphics 620
  • 12.3”, 2736 x 1824, 3:2 display
  • Up to 13.5 hours of local video playback
  • 8/16GB RAM and up to 1TB SSD
  • USB-A 3.0 port (not USB-C or Thunderbolt 3)
  • Mini-Display Port
  • Surface Connect port (Power and Data)
  • 3.5mm headphone
  • Micro-SD slot
Surface 2019 devices

I use a Surface Pro 5, and it is a quality device. Lack of USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 for more expansion is disappointing. You will still need to use the $299.95 Surface Dock via the Surface Connection port that supports power, data and dual 1080p monitors.

Price includes free Australia wide delivery

  • i5/8/128GB is $1,349 plus optional keyboard and pen
  • i7/16/256GB is $2,299 – ditto
  • i7/16/512GB is $2,879 (add $580 for 1TB) – ditto

The recently released Surface Go 10”  is still current and from all reports is selling well.

Surface Laptop 2 (Australian site here)

Again an evolution in Platinum, Burgundy, Cobalt Blue and Black with Alcantara covered keyboard.

Basic specs are identical to the Pro 6.

  • 13.5, 2256 x 1504, 3:2 display
  • Up to 14.5 hours video playback
Surface 2019 devices

Price

  • i5/8/256GB is $1,999 plus optional pen
  • i7/8/256GB is $2,499 – ditto
  • i7/16/512GB is $3,299 – ditto

Studio 2 (Australian site here)

The Surface studio cries out, “You have arrived”. It is a gorgeous piece of kit with what amounts to a 28” tablet on a zero-gravity touch stand.

  • 28”, 4500 x 3000, 3:2 sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid individually colour-calibrated display
  • Supports up to two 4K external displays
  • Choice of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5 memory
  • Intel 7th Generation i7-7820HQ
  • 4 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB-C, 3.5mm audio, SD card reader, Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wi-Fi AC and Bluetooth 4
Surface 2019 devices

Price

  • i7/16/1TB $5,499
  • i7/32/1TB is $6,599
  • i7/32/2TB is $7,499

Surface headphones (US Site here)

  • Adjustable noise cancellation (13-levels up to 30dB ANC)
  • Built-in Cortana – touch and voice control
  • Bluetooth (version not specified)
  • SPL 115D-dB
  • FR 20Hz-20kHZ
  • 2 x 40mm drivers and 8 x microphones
  • Up to 15-hours battery ad 2-hour charge from USB-C connector
  • 3.5mm audio connector
  • 290g approx and Light Grey
  • Price and Availability TBA
Surface 2019 devices

Why would you buy any of the Surface 2019 devices?

The answer comes down to Surface hardware quality and Windows 10. That is not to take away from excellent hardware from HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and ASUS that also run Windows 10. Some of these devices well surpass the Surface products!

And Microsoft is perfectly happy with that. Surface are ‘reference’ devices in the same way Google’s Pixel is for Android smartphones. Competition is healthy, and Windows OEMs have devices from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Full-fat Windows 10 gives access to a huge range of peripherals. It joins networks, finds devices on the network, and runs all Windows software either from the Windows Store or via third-parties. It commands more than 85% of all PCs (hybrids, laptops, desktops, servers) compared to macOS at 10% market share. Ironically it is closest to ‘open-source’ (apart from Linux that is true open source) allowing everyone to contribute to a vast, open Windows ecosystem of devices, apps, software etc.

Because Windows is a service, it is always up to date for the life of the device. The October update adds:

  • Your Phone App: Access your Android’s SMS and photos on your computer
  • Timeline on Phone: Access your computer’s docs and searches on your phone
  • PowerPoint + Digital Pen: Design your slides with a digital pen
  • Microsoft Edge Learning Tools: A complete suite of learning tools

The Windows RS5 Feature Update to Game Bar and Game Mode includes:

  • Revised layout: A cleaner, more minimal layout.
  • New audio controls: The new audio control panel gives more control without leaving a game.
  • Game bar is now an app: Access to Game bar through the desktop, apps, the Start menu, or taskbar.
  • Fewer gaming interruptions. Enabling Game Mode now suppresses Windows Update driver installs and blocks Windows Update interruptions such as restart notifications while gaming.

GadgetGuy’s take.  Surface 2019 devices are an evolution but not enough revolution

I use the original Surface Pro, had a Pro 3 (another journalist uses it now), a Pro 4 and a Pro 5. I also use a Surface Book 1 and coveted a Surface Studio.

They are well designed, have the best screens, very reliable and still the iconic original design that changed Windows PCs.

Perhaps because I know the hardware so well I am a little disappointed that there is no USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 on the Pro or Laptop – it would have made great hardware spectacular.

And the reason for this oversight remains obscure. After all the 15” Surface Book 2 and the recently released 10” Surface Go have USB-C ports that let you charge your laptop or another device, transfer files, and connect to external displays, all without needing different cables.

But the old Mortein ad for Louie the Fly said, “When you are on a good thing, stick to it”. Microsoft sets its path, as Apple does. Prices are at the premium end.

https://youtu.be/SWjg8ck_Qf4

Surface 2019 devices, Surface 2019 devices, Surface 2019 devices