Yeah I know, Late to the party... Been a busy month so far...
#MicrosoftSurface #Microsoft #Technology
Earlier this month Microsoft held a Windows 10 Press Event Showcasing its new Windows 10 devices. Think of this as Microsoft's version of the Google Nexus unveiling event. Microsoft isn't really known for making hardware as they are mainly a software company, but with the production of the Microsoft Xbox (family) and the Surface Tablet (mainly the Surface pro 3), they are starting to make waves in the hardware field.
What was shown off?
- HoloLens - Microsoft HoloLens is basically an AR (Augmented Reality) computer. Its a real interesting concept. Microsoft demo'd a game during their press event. This wearable computer goes way beyond gaming though and I think that's where this project will really shine. Check out Microsoft's promo video for HoloLens.
- Surface Pro 4 - This is the 4th generation of the Surface Pro 4. Its sleeker, faster prettier, and thinner. All of this and no drawbacks,
- Nokia Lumia 950 and 950XL - If you thought that the Window's phone line was dead... Think again. Microsoft is striking back at the competition with 2 well 3 new lumia devices.
- Surface Book - Just like Microsoft reinvented the tablet game with their Surface tablets, they intend of doing it to the Laptop space with their first laptop PC the Surface Book.
- Microsoft Band 2 - Microsoft took their aging band and upgraded it in pretty much every way.
Meet the Surface Pro 4
Product Description
" Meet Surface Pro 4, the tablet that can replace your laptop. Featuring Windows 10 Pro, 6th Generation Intel® Core™ m, Core™ i5 and Core™ i7 processors, and a 12.3-inch PixelSense™ Display, Surface Pro 4 helps you power through everything you need to do. Starting at just $899, it’s thinner, lighter and faster than any previous Surface Pro model." - Microsoft
Key Specs:
- Display - 12.3-Inch PixelSense (2736x1824 | 267ppi) 1300:1 Contrast Ratio | 3:2 Aspect Ratio | 10-point multitouch w/ GPU-based processing
- Processor 6th generation Intel Core M3, Core i5, or Core i7
- GPU - Intel HD Graphics 515 (Intel Core M3) | Intel HD Graphics 520 (Intel Core i5) | Intel Iris Graphics 540 (Intel Core i7)
- RAM - 4GB, 8GB, 16GB
- Storage - Solid-State Drive PCIe 3.0: 128GB, 256GB. 512GB, 1TB
- Pen - Surface Pen - 1,024 level of pressure sensitivity | Magnetic Storage
- Network - 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compatible | Bluetooth 4.0 LE wireless technology
- Camera - Windows Hello face-authentication camera (Front Facing) | 8MP Rear-Facing auto-focus camera, w/ 1080p video recording.
- Audio - Stereo Microphones | Stereo Dolby Speakers
- Ports - Full-Size USB 3.0 | Mini Display Port | microSD Card Reader | Stereo Headphones , Microphone jack | Type Cover | Surface Connect for power & Docking
- Sensors - Ambient Light Sensor | Accelerometer | Gyroscope | Magnetometer
- Power Supply - 24W power supply (Intel Core M3) | 36W power supply w/ USB charging port (Intel Core i5 & i7)
Pricing
- $899 for the Core M3 model (128GB 6th generation Intel Core M3 w/ 4GB of RAM)
- Core i5 Models are; $999 (128GB 6th generation Intel Core i5 w/ 4GB of RAM) and $1,299 (256GB 6th generation Intel Core i5 w/ 8GB of RAM)
- Core i7 Models are; $1,599 (256 GB 6th Generation Intel Core i7 w/ 8GB of RAM) , $1,799 (256 GB 6th Generation Intel Core i7 w/ 16 GB of RAM) , $2,199 (512 GB 6th Generation Intel Core i7 w/ 16GB of RAM)
Thoughts:
Microsoft has done it again and released another Surface Pro device that is actually better than the previous one. While it is not leaps ahead of the Surface pro 3 it does improve on it. Honestly though Microsoft is still doing some things wrong. Mainly shipping the device without the Type Cover, and the Pricing. Yes I understand that this is a top of the line product produced by Microsoft but 1K for a core i5 model w/ out the keyboard is a little much. they should start the i5 at $799 w/o the keyboard and $850 with Keyboard. Otherwise this is a great device. Personally I would buy a surface pro 3 and get the new type cover keyboard for more reasonable pricing.....
Meet the Lumia 950 & 950XL
Product Description
" The company also reinforced its commitment to mobile with the introduction of Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, the first Windows 10 Lumia phones and newest premium phones from Microsoft. With more people using multiple devices throughout their day, Windows 10 provides a familiar and consistent experience that enables a seamless and productive transition from one device to another, whether PCs, tablets or the new phones. With Continuum capability for phones enhanced by the new Microsoft Display Dock accessory, connect the phone to a monitor and transform it for larger-screen entertainment, or add a keyboard and mouse to work like a PC with Windows 10 apps like Microsoft Office, while simultaneously taking calls or performing other tasks6. With the latest-generation PureView cameras with 20-megapixel sensors, triple LED natural flash and 4K video capture, the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL enable faster focus and crisper images and videos even in challenging conditions. Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will become available in select markets in November; local retailers or operators can give pricing and availability. - Microsoft (Press Release)
In other words...
The Lumia 950 and 950XL are Microsoft's new flagship phones.
Key Specs: (950XL)
- Display - 5.7" QuadHD AMOLED (16:9, 2560x1440, 518ppi) Multi-Touch
- Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor featuring Octa-Core CPU and 64-bit capabilities
- Memory - RAM: 3GB, ROM: 32GB w/ up to 200GB of expandable storage via MicroSD
- Camera - Rear-Facing PureView camera with a 20MP high sensitivity sensor (ISO up to 12800), Zeiss optics, 5th generation OIS, Triple LED natural flash, and 4K video recording. Front-Facing 5MP wide-angle camera with 1080p video recording.
- Connectivity - Wi-Fi, WLAN IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
- Battery - 3340mAh Removable battery
- USB Type C - Fast Charging & Wireless Charging
- Sensors - Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, Barometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity Sensor
Key Specs: (950)
- Display - 5.2-inch Quad HD AMOLED Cornering Gorilla Glass 3 (2560x1440 | 564ppi)
- Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 Hexa-Core CPUs and 64-bit support
- Memory - 3GB of RAM | 32GB of ROM w/ Expandable Storage up to 200GB via MicroSD
- Battery - 3000mAh removable battery w/ USB-Type-C Fast-Charging & Wireless Charging
- Camera - Same as the XL Model
- Network - Same as the XL Model
Meet the Lumia 550
Product Description
" Lumia 550, Microsoft’s most affordable 4G LTE smartphone running Windows 10, also joins the Lumia family7. For people who value affordability, uncompromised quality and signature Microsoft services, Lumia 550 combines superfast Internet, the latest Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ quad-core processor with ultrafast LTE speeds, and the best of Microsoft services for just $139. Lumia 550 will begin rolling out in select European markets in December, with additional markets to follow.- Microsoft
Key Specs:
- Display - 4.7-inch HD Display (1280x720 | 315ppi)
- Processor - Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 (Quad-Core CPU running up to 1.1GHz
- Storage - 8GB of ROM and 200GB of expandable storage via MicroSD
- Battery - Removable 2100mAh
- Camera - 2MP Front-Facing camera | 5MP Rear facing camera
- Network - Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) b/g/n | Bluetooth 4.1 LE | Nano SIM
- Price - its only $139
Meet the Surface Book
Product Description
"Building on its track record of pioneering new categories, Microsoft is redefining the laptop with the new Surface Book — a powerful, high-performance laptop with stunning craftsmanship and incredibly accurate and responsive pen and touch support. Ultrathin, Surface Book combines the impressive power of 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 and Core™ i7 processors with up to 12 hours of battery life4. The 13.5-inch optically bonded PixelSense Display delivers a high-contrast 267 dpi display with improved latency and parallax, making it not just beautiful to look at but natural and fluid to write on. The screen also detaches, so it can be used like a clipboard to sketch, take notes and benefit from Windows programs like Microsoft Edge. An optional discrete GPU allows Surface Book to harness the full power of hardware-accelerated graphics for seamless video editing, fast rendering or immersive gaming. Surface Book starts at $1,499." - Microsoft (Press Release)
Key Specs:
- Display - 13.5-inch PixelSense (3000x2000 | 267ppi | 1700:1 Contrast Ratio | 3:2 Aspect Ratio | 10-point multitouch)
- Processors - 6th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7
- GPU - Intel HD Graphics 520 and Optional NVIDIA GeForce Graphics Processor w/ dedicated 1GB GDDR5 high-speed memory.
- Memory / Storage - 8 or 16 GB or RAM | SSD 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Keyboard / Touchpad - Full-Sized, Integrated, Backlit Keyboard w/ 1.6mm Key Travel
Pricing
- Core i5s w/ 8GB of RAM (128GB $1499, 256GB $1699, 256GB w/ NVIDIA Graphics $1899)
- Core i7s w/ 8GB of RAM (256GB $2099, 512GB $2699 w/ 16GB or RAM)
Thoughts:
Overall Microsoft had a really strong showing for their new devices. It seem that everything that they announced is direct competition to a product that is already out there. That all gravy and all but what they didn't seem to do is have a more reasonable price margin. For example the Mac Book Pro w/ Core i5 will run you $1599 while the similarly spec'd Surface Book will run you 1699. Or a Mac Book Air w/ core i5 will run you $1199 and the Surface Pro 4 w/o Keyboard will run you $1299. While the price difference isn't that great and the chips in the new surface products are newer, faster, and more efficient; Microsoft should have taken pricing a little more seriously and try to top its major competitors. I'm curious to see how the Lumia will compare to the Moto G or how the Lumia 950 & 950 XL will match up to the iPhone 6s and 6sPlus.
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