Microsoft today announced the latest products and tech in its Surface line of consumer tablets and laptops, including the Surface Book 3, starting at $1,599; the Surface Go 2, starting at $399.99; the Surface Headphones 2, priced at $249; and the release date for its take on the wireless earbud, Surface Earbuds, which are available May 12 for $199.
Here are the prices, specs and release dates you need to know.
Surface Book 3
The new Surface Book looks like the previous model on the outside, available in 13.5-inch and 15-inch models, but comes with some powerful new internal additions. The new model of this tablet/laptop hybrid has Intel’s brand-new 10th Gen processors — Core i5 or Core i7 for the 13.5-inch model, and a default Core i7 for the 15-inch. Both models offer up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD, although the 15-inch model goes as high as 2TB when sold within the US.
According to Microsoft, that all adds up to as high as 50% more performance than the Surface Book 2 has to offer, at least for the 15-inch model, which offers 17.5 hours of battery life.
Surface Book 3 Specs
Here are the main specs to know about the new Surface Book 3.
- 13.5″ Display: 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) resolution
- 15″ Display: 3240 x 2160 (260 PPI) resolution
- Processor: Intel 10th Gen Core i5 / Core i7
- Graphics: Iris Plus (13.5″ model) / Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti (15″)
- OS: Windows 10 Pro and Home
- Memory: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB (13.5″) / 16GB or 32GB (15″)
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSD (13.5″) / 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe SSD (15″)
- Battery: 15.5 hours (13.5″) / 17.5 hours (15″)
The 13.5-inch model starts at $1,599, and the 15-inch model starts at $2,299. They’ll both be available in the US and Canada on May 21.
Need to see how the Surface Book 3 stacks up to the last model? Take a tour through the entire Surface line with Tech.co’s handy guide
Surface Go 2
The Surface Go 2 is getting a bit bigger, with a 10.5-inch display, up from the previous tablet model’s 10 inches. The base model has an Intel Pentium Gold processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC SSD, although an upgrade to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD is also available. You can also opt for a higher powered model, with an 8th Gen Core m3, which defaults to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD.
A bigger Surface Go demands a larger battery, so the Surface Go 2 can now run for up to 10 hours per charge, although this is at “typical device usage,” so your battery life may vary.
Surface Go 2 Specs
Here’s the information about the latest Surface Go’s specs.
- Display: 10.5 inches, 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI) resolution
- Dimensions: 9.65 inches x 6.9 inches x 0.33 inches
- Processor: Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4425Y / 8th Gen Intel Core m3
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
- OS: Windows 10 Home in S mode / Windows 10 Pro
- Memory: 4GB/8GB RAM
- Storage: 64GB eMMC, 128GB SSD
- Cameras: 5MP front-facing, 8MP rear-facing
- Battery: Up to 10 hours
The device comes with a 24 W power supply and one-year warranty. The Pentium Gold model starts at $399.99, and with the upgrade to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD, it’ll cost $549. The Core m3 model will cost $629.
You don’t have long to wait: The Surface Go 2 will be available May 12.
If you need a new tablet, check out the Surface Go’s competitors with Tech.co’s guide to the top business tablets
Surface Headphones 2
The new Surface Headphones 2 are pretty similar to the old ones: 13 levels of noise cancellation are available, the controls are the same, and it’s available in the original Light Gray. However, it also comes in a new Matte Black and the battery life has jumped up from 15 hours to 20. Better yet, the price tag has dropped a whole $100, and the Headphones will now cost just $249.
The controls include a power button, mute button, volume dial (located on the right ear), noise cancellation dial (on the left ear), and a touch interface on both ear cups. Enable the Swift Pair feature, and you’ll be able to connect the headphones to your Windows 10 device straight out of the box.
Surface Headphones 2 Specs
Here’s what to know.
- Dimensions: 8.03″ x 7.68″ x 1.89″
- Colors: Light Gray, Matte Black
- Frequency response: 20–20kHz
- Noise cancellation: Up to 30 dB (active), up to 40 dB (passive)
- Speaker: 40mm Free Edge
- Time to full charge: Under 2 hours
- Battery: Up to 20 hours
- USB cord length: 1.5 m
- Audio cord length: 1.2 m
- Compatibility: Windows 10, iOS, Android, MacOS
The box ships with Surface Headphones 2, a carrying case, USB cable, audio cable, and quick start guide. They’ll cost $249, and are available starting May 12.
Surface Earbuds
Microsoft’s long path towards getting its own wireless earbuds on shelves is nearly over. The company first announced the new devices in early October 2019. Now, it has a new price and a release date: They’ll cost $199 and they’ll ship on May 12.
That price is down $50 from when they were first announced, in deference to the rest of the wireless earbud market (and undercutting AirPods Pro by $50). The new earbuds are designed for use with Microsoft products and software, integrating with apps including PowerPoint. There’s no noise cancellation ability, though, so that compatability with Microsoft is probably the biggest selling point.
Surface Earbud Specs
Here’s what to know.
- Single earbud dimensions: 0.98″ x 0.78″
- Charging case dimensions: 2.96″ x 1.31″ x 0.98″
- Weight: Each earbud is 7.2 g with ear tip; charging case is 40 g without earbuds
- Frequency response: 20–20kHz
- Microphone: 2 microphones per earbud
- Speaker: 13.6mm driver
- Charge time: 10-min charge for up to 1 hour of battery life
- Battery: 8 hours, 24 hours with charge case
- Cord: USB-A to USB-C cord (1 meter)
- Compatibility: Windows 10 or later, Android 4.4 or later, iOS 9 or later, Bluetooth 4.1/4.2
The box includes two Surface Earbuds, a charging case, three pairs of silicone ear tips, the charge cable, and a quick start guide, along with the expected safety and warranty documents.
Should You Upgrade?
Are these new devices worth picking up? In most cases, it depends on how you feel about the previous models.
Take the Surface Book 3: 50% more performance over the previous model is a big jump, and should certainly be enough to entice anyone who may have been on the fence about a Surface Book upgrade. But if the design of the two-in-one device bugged you before, it’s staying exactly the same.
The main draw for getting the Surface Headphones 2, however, is their extra five hours of battery life and a lower price. They’re likely not worth getting if you’re happy with your current headphones, but are certainly an option if you’re in the market.
Headphones aside, the new lineup’s specs are a noticeable improvement over previous Surface gadgets, so if you’re a big Microsoft Surface fan, this is nothing but good news.