Skip to main content

Microsoft to launch new flagship laptop this fall to replace the Surface Book

Microsoft could be shaking up its Surface hardware lineup a bit later this fall. New rumors suggest that Microsoft might possibly consider launching a new “flagship laptop” for this October, replacing a spot many expected to be held by the Surface Book 4.

It’s best to treat this lightly for now, but Windows Central reports that this new flagship laptop won’t come with the “Surface Book” name. Instead, the publication believes that it could be branded a “Surface Laptop Pro” or a “Surface Laptop Studio,” though the Surface Book 4 naming makes “most sense for now.”

Related Videos
Surface Book 3 sitting on the floor with screen open.

When it comes to the design of this new flagship Surface Laptop, you can expect Microsoft to go for a non-detachable display. Recent Microsoft patents hinted that the company was leaning this way with an iPad Pro-like pull-forward display, instead of a display that could be separated from the base.

Such a design change could allow for more powerful components like Nvidia’s latest RTX graphics under the hood of the device. That also could leave room for bigger changes, such as a new 14-inch display with a dynamic refresh rate of 90Hz or 120Hz, according to Windows Central.

Even the Surface Pen could see some changes. Microsoft had previously confirmed that Windows 11 supports stylus inputs with haptic feedback. A new Surface Pen bundled with the device might feature vibration motors so that the pen can simulate writing on different types of surfaces.

Other elements of this new Surface product are unknown. The CPU choice was not mentioned in the report. However, given the current chip shortages in the PC industry, it won’t be too surprising to see if Microsoft opts for Intel’s 11th generation processors instead of the new rumored Alder Lake chips. Even AMD could also be a choice, as Microsoft worked closely with the chipmaker to include Ryzen processors in the Surface Laptop 4.

It’s not currently known how much this new flagship device could cost, but considering the price of the Surface Book 3, it might be well over $1,000. A release date closer to October would also be more likely, as Microsoft usually holds its hardware events in the fall. It also would need such a flagship device to showcase the new Windows 11 operating system.

Editors' Recommendations

6 things I want to see in the new iMac
Apple's 24-inch M1 iMac is an all-in-one solution.

Apple’s 24-inch iMac got a major redesign in spring 2021, but it’s been a long two years with no updates to speak of since then. Many of us are impatiently waiting to see what comes next.

Now, though, rumors are swirling that a new version is coming this year. That means there’s a lot to look forward to -- and a lot of potential pitfalls that Apple needs to avoid. With so many possibilities floating around, here’s what we want to see in the next 24-inch iMac.
A decent price

Read more
The biggest Apple design fails and screw-ups of all time
Apple Pencil

Apple is world-famous for its design success stories, from the iMac G3 to all the best iPhones. But things don’t always go according to plan, even for the most design-savvy tech firm on the planet.

No, Apple has had its fair share of design howlers over the years. Here, we’ve rounded up eight of the most egregious design sins Apple has ever committed. It’s a good reminder that no one is above dropping a few absolute clunkers -- even Apple.
The butterfly keyboard

Read more
What is 5G? Speeds, coverage, comparisons, and more
The 5G UW icon on the Samsung Galaxy S23.

It's been years in the making, but 5G — the next big chapter in wireless technology — is finally approaching the mainstream. While we haven't yet reached the point where it's available everywhere, nearly all of the best smartphones are 5G-capable these days, and you're far more likely to see a 5G icon lit up on your phone than not.

There's more to 5G than just a fancy new number, though. The technology has been considerably more complicated for carriers to roll out since it covers a much wider range of frequencies than older 4G/LTE technology, with different trade-offs for each. It's also a much farther-reaching wireless technology, promising the kind of global connectivity that was once merely a dream found in futuristic sci-fi novels.

Read more