Microsoft Announces Surface Event On October 2nd, Could Launch New Dual-Screen Tablet/Laptop Hybrid

Microsoft announced it will be holding a Surface hardware event in New York City on October 2nd, which could be where the company unveils its dual-screen Surface laptop / tablet hybrid that's been in development for more than two years. As The Verge reports, the new dual-screen device, codenamed "Centaurus," is "designed to be the hero device for a wave of new dual-screen tablet / laptop hybrids that we're expecting to see throughout 2020." From the report: Microsoft demonstrated this new device during an internal meeting earlier this year, signaling that work on the prototype has progressed to the point where it's nearing release. Still, it's not certain that Microsoft will show off this new hardware in October or even launch it. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella famously killed off the Surface Mini just weeks before its scheduled unveiling. If Microsoft does plan to show this dual-screen Surface device, then it won't be ready to ship immediately. Sources familiar with Microsoft's plans tell The Verge that the company is currently targeting a 2020 release date for its dual-screen Surface.

Alongside Centaurus, Microsoft will likely refresh other Surface devices. The Surface Book is long overdue an update, and Microsoft's Surface Laptop and Surface Pro hardware could finally see the addition of USB-C ports this year. Even Microsoft's Surface Go tablet is more than a year old now and could see a minor refresh.

Sweet!

[110010001000]

More electronic junk that no one buys.

Re:

[youngone]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Microsoft don't invent new things.
When they try they fail, and have to wait for someone else to do it better, so that they can copy whatever actually works.

Re:

[weilawei]

Will this come with literally nonexistent key travel and be basically impossible to use for a full workday?

They're facing some stiff competition from Apple in that market.

Re: Surface Build Quality.

[Kaex]

This alone makes it a non starter for me.

But why?

[holiggan]

Why is the Surface Book due to a rehresh? Does it strain under the typical workloads of 2019?
And the Surface Go? Apart from a few design decisions (bezel size for example), does it need a big refresh?
How much performance do we need after all? I struggle to understand how a Surface Book 2 might need a refresh, given the behemont it is.

Re:

[AHuxley]

More RAM, better CPU, better GPU, great looking display for photographers.. more DPI... The CPU can support crypto better/faster, different new math/code better.
Front and rear cameras..
Wait what new again?

Re: But why?

[maxrate]

I agree - itâ(TM)s natural to release an upgraded spec model, but the summary is written as if the machine is archaic. I own one and itâ(TM)s a powerhouse notebook for when I bought it a year ago. No different from any up-to-spec machine a year after the purchase date!

Microsoft Courier?

[Misagon]

Are we finally going to see something like Microsoft Courier [youtube.com]?
(Called Codex [youtube.com] in early development)

Or are we going to see yet another tablet PC with an even worse keyboard attachment than what the Surface line already has?
Or some other short-lived special device that isn't actually compatible with mainstream MS Windows?
TFA hints at the latter being the most probable .... :(

Re:

[chrish]

I've been sarcastically predicting a MacBook design that's actually just two iPads connected via a bespoke Jony Ives hinge, but I guess that ship has sailed.

Top iPad is the display, bottom is dedicated to a keyboard, maybe a dynamic area like the current MacBook Pro TouchBar. They could make a MacBook Pro design for this just by swapping the top iPad for an iPad Pro. Finally, a Mac laptop that's so thin it won't sit on your lap without falling over!

I can't believe Microsoft is going to scoop them on this.

DS

[MancunianMaskMan]

Looks like the Nintendo DS has grown up, alongside its users. My own daughter was mad keen on a DS and i had to do some running around back in the day, to get one in the face of supply shortages. She is at uni now but won't be queuing up for this one.. she's got a ThinkPad.

I for one predict significantly less interest for the Surface Centaur compared to the DS: that device was true genius.

Re:

[sd4f]

I don't think Microsoft is really intent on going 'all in' on a dual screen device, but rather throwing it out there and seeing what sticks. MS in many respects is trying to pick up the pieces from their failed mobile efforts, so I think they're approaching from the side of their strengths, and working on providing windows devices which are smaller and possibly better to use on the go. Arguably, google and apple are both trying to achieve similar things, but coming in from the opposite end, as their strengt

Sounds nice ...

[nospam007]

...on the surface.

I guess users will be thrilled.
Both of them.

These announcements....

[thereddaikon]

of dual screen laptops with no physical keyboard worry me. Its the exact opposite direction the laptop market should be going in. Yes Star Trek style LCARS touchscreen everything looks cool but they also aren't a one size fits all solution. Sometimes, most times, mechanical buttons and switches are better. Touch screen interfaces are fine for smartphones and tablets, devices designed for consumption and not creation. They are not good ideas for devices meant for creation. Nobody wants to make spreadsheets or write code using a touchscreen. Nobody wants to sail a ship or fly a plane with one either.

We've gotten to the point where laptops are thinner than makes sense. Where practical real world performance hasn't changed in 5+ years because the designs are so thermally constricted that the processors within can't get anywhere close to their full potential or risk damage. We should be building laptops to meet their market segment as best as possible. That means consumer grade toys and fashion items can be razor thin and compromised if that's what people want. But business grade should be reliable and serviceable first. Workstations should have ample cooling and expandability. And the really low end models should be replaced with tablets.

Re:

[ypctx]

And when they finally release a business-grade laptop, it has a numerical keyboard, which requires the main keyboard being shifted to the left side. So - at least when you are a touch typist - when working with the laptop on your lap or on a plane, you have to be twisted to the left.

I wish at least some of the hardware laptop designers where coders and that at least some of them did know how to actually use the keyboard, i.e. touch-typing.

And yes Apple, I'm also looking at your "touch-bar". No tactile

Sounds good but..

[presearch]

...everything Microsoft ends in heartbreak.