Microsoft has recently announced that it will be launching two new, lower-end models in the Surface ecosystem. Although cheaper than the current models in the range, it’s clear from the recommended retail pricing that these will not be the budget models some users desired. However, both models have plenty to offer in specifications.
Priced at $1,199, the Surface Book 2 will have the same Intel Core i5 7300U dual-core and 8GB of RAM as the current existing i5 Pro model with 128GB of storage in comparison to the 256GB of the original. Elsewhere, the specifications remain the same, including the SD card, Surface Dock I/O ports, a 13.5-inch 3000 x 2000 resolution display and the 23mm chassis.
The new Surface Laptop will also be released at an entry-level price of $799. As can be expected from this reduction in price, performance and storage on this model will both be taking a hit; however, since it’s aimed more toward students and home users, it still offers a satisfactory performance. This budget model features the new Core m3-7Y30, 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The 13.5-inch 2256 x 1504 resolution touchscreen display will remain the same as the previous model. The new Surface Laptop will also come with Windows 10 S while the Surface Book 2 comes with Windows 10 Pro.
Microsoft Launches New Surface Models
Speaking of Windows 10 S, Microsoft has recently announced that it will be dropping this restricted O/S by discontinuing it as a standalone version of Windows. The 10 S system was launched last May to provide a cheaper alternative to other versions of Windows that also offered better performance over its lifetime. Even though it is being dropped as a separate operating system, more releases are expected to come in the S Mode, and users will have the opportunity to upgrade to the full Windows O/S, which will range in price from $0 to $49 depending on the model.
The next major update from Microsoft Office, the 2019 suite, will be available for purchase in the second half of 2018. In a recent announcement published on its official blog, the company wrote: “Office 2019 will ship in H2 of 2018. Previews of the new apps and servers will start shipping in the second quarter of 2018.” However, Office 2019 will only be compatible with the Windows 10 operating system, which is part of the plan to coordinate updates between the two products.
The new Office 2019 suite will include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Skype apps for business among others and support for Windows 10 will extended to enterprise and education customers. However, PC users who want to upgrade standalone Office apps like Word will only be able to do so with either Windows 10 as their O/S or through the next Long-Term Servicing Windows Server.
