Microsoft is poised to launch a brand new device at their event in New York on the 2nd of May. And, as with almost all device launches, the leaks have begun to trickle out. Well, gush out, actually as two Twitter users (well-known for their tech leaks) share images of Microsoft’s brand new laptop.
It’s called the Surface Laptop and if that name gets you excited, you might want to hold your horses.
Surface Laptop: 13.5-in PixelSense display, 4 colors (Platinum/Burgundy/Cobalt Blue/Graphite Gold), Alcantara-covered keyboard, Windows 10 S pic.twitter.com/AEAAhYPgQN
— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) May 2, 2017
Microsoft Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S pic.twitter.com/h42uQfZfT8
— Evan Blass (@evleaks) May 2, 2017
Thanks to leakers Evan Blass (@evleaks) and WalkingCat (@h0x0d) we have a clear look at Microsoft’s new devices. However, it probably isn’t going to be the high-end laptop of your dreams, despite its gorgeous looks.
According to the leaks, this new laptop will run on something called Windows 10 S. For those who are unfamiliar, this version of Windows 10 has also been called Windows 10 Cloud and is supposed to be Microsoft’s answer to Google’s Chrome OS. In other words, it’s sort of like the new Windows RT that’s supposed to be a cloud-optimised version of Windows.
As far as hardware specs go, it looks like Microsoft will offer it with an alcantara keyboard similar to the one you’d get on the high-end Surface Pro 4 keyboard. WalkingCat has also said that the laptop will weigh 2.76 pounds (about 1.25kg) with a thickness of 14.47mm at the back and 9.9mm at the front. Its display has also been rumoured to feature 3.4 million pixels spread out over a 13.5-inch PixelSense panel with an aspect ratio of 3:2. It will also come in four colours: platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue, and graphite gold.
If you look at the images, the laptop’s I/O feels a little outdated for a 2017 device. It’s got one USB Type-A, a mini DisplayPort and what looks like a conventional Surface power connector. No USB Type-C to be found. I suppose that’s good for now because you likely won’t need dongles, but I think a single USB Type-C port would be a lot more versatile than a single USB Type-A port.
Beyond that, there isn’t much information. Although this looks like a high-end device, we don’t really expect it to be a Surface Book replacement. In the end, it will all come down to the operating system and if Microsoft can come up with a compelling enough service to move units. Well, we will know soon enough.
What do you guys think of the Surface Laptop? Let me know in the comments below.
