Everything Microsoft Just Announced at Its Surface Event

The big fall tech events just keep going. Subsequent to Apple, Google and Meta, Microsoft held an event today to showcase the latest updates Surface line of PC products. Beginning in 2012 with the original Surface tablet, the product line has expanded to include the Surface Pro tablet, Surface laptop, Surface Studio desktop, and other models.

The company introduced three major new products: the Surface Pro 9the Surface Laptop 5and the Surface Studio 2 Plus All-in-One. It also announced new creativity and productivity tools, including a AI-powered graphic design app and deepened its ties with Apple by adding iCloud Photos on Windows 11 and Apple Music on Xbox. A few new accessories to enhance hybrid meetings are also available, including an audio dock and presentation controller for Microsoft Teams. Read on for details.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and Pro 9 with 5G

For most of its decade-long lifespan, the Surface Pro has retained a consistent look and feel, with only minor changes in design, functionality, and features. The Surface Pro 9 doesn’t break that chain, but adds new CPU options and new colors to what I would call a mature product.

The biggest change overall is that the Intel-powered Surface Pro and ARM-powered Surface Pro X will be combined into a single product line. The Pro X was a spin-off that looked and felt very similar to the regular Surface Pro, but with a custom chip called the SQ, which was a collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm since the Pro X was built for broadband use.

The first two generations of Surface Pro X used chips called SQ 1 and SQ 2 respectively. Now the ARM-based version of the new Surface Pro 9 uses a chip called – you guessed it – SQ 3. While the Surface Pro X lineup on Always-on connectivity was established, it was still operating on 4G networks. The new version called Surface Pro 9 with 5G finally adds 5G support.

The Intel version of the Surface Pro is Wi-Fi only but adds new 12th Gen Intel processors for better performance. The palette of available colors has changed and now includes Platinum, Graphite, Sapphire and Forest. There’s also a special limited-edition blue floral pattern option for the tablet and keyboard cover.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

The new Surface Laptop 5 is very similar to the old Surface Laptop 4. Available in 13.5- and 15-inch sizes, the touchscreen laptops get a processor boost from 11th-gen Intel Core to 12th-gen Core chips, which should at least deliver better performance and slightly improved battery life. (There’s no AMD option this time.) It’s also moving to faster DDR5 memory, and its USB-C port now has Thunderbolt 4.

The rest of the package is almost identical to the 2021 models, including the 720p webcam. That’s disappointing since most competing laptops have switched to 1080p cameras for generally sharper and more detailed video conferencing.

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 Plus

Seemingly back from the dead – the last update was in 2018 – the “Plus” in Surface Studio 2 Plus refers to upgrades to newer CPUs, GPUs, ports and WiFi. However, the standout feature of the Studio range has always been the display, which in the Surface Studio 2 has become a pressure-sensitive, color-accurate 28-inch, hinged monitor that offers excellent positioning flexibility for design work.

But Microsoft stopped selling this older model at least a year ago, leaving it dormant with a 7th-gen Intel CPU and Nvidia GTX 10-series processor. So bringing it back to life required a modernization of the innards to bring it up to date with an 11th Gen CPU, RTX 3060 GPU and newer ports and wireless.

iCloud Photos on Windows 11, Apple Music on Xbox

Windows and Xbox users with Apple devices and services might appreciate one some new perks. Apple’s iCloud photo network will soon work with Microsoft’s updated Photos app, which is currently being tested. And earlier on Wednesday, Apple released one apple music App that works on Xbox video game consoles.

Previous agreements between the two companies have led to this Apple TV videos to Xboxas well as Sync contacts and calendars with Windows.

Microsoft Designer app powered by AI, other new Windows tools

The company also announced a new app called Microsoft Designer, which allows subscribers to the Microsoft 365 service to use artificial intelligence to create unique images based on inputs they type into the computer. The new feature uses the same AI technology as in Dall-E 2whose pictures have gone viral on the internet since its initial release earlier this year.

Microsoft has also expanded other tools for its Windows operating system, upgraded Image Creator to Bing to use AI, added the Microsoft Clipchamp video editing tool to the Office 365 suite, launched a website for developers called Microsoft Create, and a new shopping feature integrates the sidebar of the Edge browsers.

Microsoft Audio Dock and Microsoft Presenter Plus

Microsoft also has two new accessories to enhance the hybrid meeting experience. Microsoft Presenter Plus is the first presentation controller certified for Microsoft Teams. The Bluetooth remote handles all the usual presenter functions — advance slides, mute/unmute, screen pointer — but adds a Teams button to raise or lower your hand in meetings for easier interaction.

Then there’s the Microsoft Audio Dock, which is part speakerphone and part USB-C dock. Compatible with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet, the speaker features a 15-watt woofer and 5-watt tweeter (much more power than your laptop’s speakers) and two front-facing, noise-cancelling microphones. It has built-in volume, play/pause, and mute buttons, as well as a mute status light, so you’ll always know when your mic is on. Two USB-C ports, an HDMI 2.0 output, and a USB-A 3.2 port on the back allow you to connect dual displays, external storage, and other peripherals.