How to watch and what to expect

Microsoft’s next Surface event is scheduled for September 22nd. The showcase will be more important than most to the Redmond giant for the simple reason that Windows 11 hits the market on October 5th. The company needs showcase hardware for its newest operating system. and in fact, at least four new Windows devices are expected, along with the next Android-based Surface Duo. Here’s how to watch it, and some of the rumors surrounding the entire line-up.

When is the Surface event?

The live stream begins at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time. For the sake of simplicity, some other major cities / time zones can turn on here:

• Chicago: 10 AM
• New York: 11 clock
• London: 4:00 p.m.
• Berlin: 17:00 o’clock
• Moscow: 6:00 p.m.
• New Delhi: 8:30 p.m.
• Singapore: 23 o’clock
• Sydney: 1AM

How can I track Surface launches?

There are two main ways to watch it: the Microsoft events page or the Surface YouTube channel.

Surface Pro 8

The Surface Pro 8 is probably the most anticipated Surface product. The Pro 7 dates back to October 2019, and since the series represents the core of the Surface universe, they’re often where Microsoft brings its A-Game. Corresponding The edge, the Pro 8 will switch to a larger display with smaller bezels, making it more competitive with Apple’s iPad Pro as well as other touchscreen PCs. The current Pro 7 has a 12.3-inch panel that is still smaller than the top-of-the-line iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch. GSMArena claims Microsoft is upgrading to a 13-inch 120Hz panel and prices could start at $ 800.

Rumor has it that Microsoft is adding Thunderbolt on at least one Pro 8 model and potentially dropping USB-A. That would make sense given the performance, data, and size advantages of Thunderbolt / USB-C connections. USB-C accessories are also very common in 2021, so few people will get upset.

One rumored feature that would give the Pro 8 an edge over most tablets – not just the iPad – is support for swappable SSDs. Microsoft already uses these on other Surface PCs like the Laptop 4, so it’s almost inevitable for pros.

Surface Book 4

The Surface Book 4 could steal the thunder of the pros this year. Traditionally, the gimmick for the Surface Book was the ability to remove the display and use it as a low-power tablet. As part of a radical redesign Windows headquarters says the laptop switches to a mechanism in which the display is pulled forward over the keyboard for tablet use.

Like the Pro 8, the Book 4 can accept refresh rates of up to 120 Hz and uses the dynamic refresh rate technology of Windows 11 to maintain performance and battery life. The faster response can be useful when drawing with an upgraded Surface Pen, which supposedly receives haptic feedback (vibration) as well as magnetic charging / attaching similar to the second generation Apple Pencil.

The Surface Go is Microsoft’s budget line of tablets with a smaller 10.5-inch screen and lower performance. While the first half of this equation is likely to remain static, it is rumored that at least one model will go beyond the Pentium Gold or Core M-series chips to use an Intel Core i3 processor.

Related: Your guide to the best tablets

Microsoft could also ditch configurations with slower eMMC storage and / or 4GB of RAM – archaic specs in a world where even many phones have 8GB of RAM.

Surface Pro X

Not much will change about the arm-based version of the Surface Pro. It should get a faster processor and possibly a 120Hz display like other Surface products, but otherwise don’t expect earth-shattering improvements. The Surface Pro X series didn’t exactly set the world on fire, partly because the performance of Windows on Arm can’t justify the series’ high price tag. Though a growing selection of native Arm apps and 64-bit emulation on Windows 11 could help improve the range’s value proposition. Unless you’re using 3D-heavy software, the new Pro X might be a solid tablet.

Surface Duo 2

Another Surface that didn’t cause an inferno is the Surface Duo, but the Duo 2 could change that. For example, it should be upgraded to a fast Snapdragon 888 processor and at the same time receive expected functions such as 5G and NFC. The rear camera array is expected to include wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle, and telephoto lenses, further helping it to be more competitive with other high-end Android devices.

There could be other caveats. Rumor has it that it ships with Android 11 rather than the upcoming Android 12, and it remains to be seen whether enough apps support the duo’s twin screens to offer a real edge over single-screen phones.

See also: Microsoft Surface Duo 2 – Everything We Know So Far

Microsoft seems to pay attention to at least tiny aspects of the design. It is assumed that the Duo 2’s fingerprint sensor is moved to the power button while the USB-C port is moved to the right side of the phone.

Microsoft Surface Event 2021: Wildcard Predictions

Microsoft announced new Surface Headphones during its 2020 event, so chances are they will see a refresh to keep up with the noise canceling cans from Sony and Bose. Less likely, but still plausible, is a tweaked version of the Surface Earbuds, which could be more engaging in fixing issues like microphone quality.

Microsoft has also not yet said when it will deliver the promised Android support in Windows 11. A preview of the Amazon Appstore is on the Microsoft Store, but it’s not working yet, and Microsoft has confirmed Android won’t be an option October 5. The event on September 22nd could hypothetically be used to announce a fixed date, which would make new Surface products even more attractive.

What would you like to see at Microsoft’s Surface Event 2021? Let us know in the comments.