Microsoft's Surface and AI Event: What's in Store for 2023?

Politics, News Sept. 21, 2023, 4:32 a.m.

Microsofts September event anticipates Surface Laptop Studio 2, Surface Laptop Go 3, Surface Go 4 for commercial users, Windows 11 23H2 update, AI-powered Windows Copilot, Paint improvements, and potential Surface Pro 10.

Microsoft's Surface and AI Event: What to Expect and How to Stay Updated

Microsoft's highly anticipated Surface and AI event is just around the corner, scheduled for September 21. While the tech giant has been tight-lipped about its offerings, there have been numerous leaks and rumors hinting at what we can expect. From new devices to software developments, this event promises to be an exciting showcase of Microsoft's innovations.

One of the most eagerly awaited products is the Surface Laptop Studio 2, which has already been the subject of numerous leaks. While the design seems to retain the 2-in-1 form factor, there may be some surprises in store. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 appears to resemble its predecessor closely, down to retaining all its ports, including two Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a Surface Connect port for charging. However, leaks suggest that two new ports might have been added - a USB-A port and a microSD card slot.

The most significant changes are expected under the hood, with the laptop receiving a major upgrade, possibly powered by Intel's latest processors. It's rumored that there will be at least two spec configurations, with the possibility of up to four. The base configuration is likely to include an impressive Intel CPU, the Core i7-13700H, coupled with integrated Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a modest 256GB SSD. However, the real excitement centers around the inclusion of Nvidia's latest graphics cards, including models equipped with the RTX 4050 and the mobile version of the RTX 4060. These configurations could offer up to 64GB of memory and a spacious 1TB SSD storage.

On the CPU side, it seems Microsoft may no longer offer an Intel Core i5 model, resulting in more uniform processor options across all configurations, with the top-tier chip being the Core i7-13800H.

If the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is indeed announced on September 21, it's likely to hit the market shortly after. Leakers are speculating an October 3 release date, though pricing details remain a mystery.

Another product expected to grace the event stage is the Surface Laptop Go 3, Microsoft's budget-friendly laptop. While the exact release date is unknown, rumors suggest it might launch on the same day as the Laptop Studio, on October 3. Notably, Microsoft is rumored to be discontinuing the cheapest model of this laptop, which currently features a mere 4GB of RAM. This means that the entry-level model will likely come with better specs.

Early predictions point to the Surface Laptop Go 3 sporting a last-gen Intel Core i5 processor and offering either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, with a maximum of 256GB of SSD storage. There could be a model with a larger 512GB SSD, though it's expected to come at a controversial $1,199 price point. In terms of design, not much appears to have changed, although there might be improvements in the internal layout to support more replaceable components. While surprises are always possible, the Surface Laptop Go 3 seems more like a refresh than a groundbreaking new product.

Two years after the Surface Go 3, the fourth iteration of the 2-in-1 laptop is highly anticipated this year. However, it appears this time it may be exclusively targeted at commercial customers, with no consumer release planned. The exterior design of the Surface Go 4 is expected to remain largely unchanged, but Microsoft seems to be following the trend of improving repairability by making more components replaceable.

Regarding specifications, the Surface Go 4 is rumored to feature an Intel N200 chip, a significant upgrade from the Core i3-10100Y found in the Surface Go 3. The base configuration is expected to start with 8GB of memory and 64GB of storage, with the possibility of multiple storage options, including 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.

The event is not limited to Surface devices; Microsoft is likely to delve into its software developments as well. One of the notable updates anticipated is the Windows 11 23H2 update, which promises to be an AI bonanza. Windows Copilot, an AI-powered "virtual assistant" integrated into Windows, is expected to make its debut. It goes beyond Bing Chat, which is accessible through the search bar, and is designed to assist users across all apps and programs. It can help users troubleshoot issues and customize their PC experience. Furthermore, it can interact with app content, rewriting or summarizing it for users.

Windows Copilot is also set to be available for Microsoft 365, primarily for enterprise clients. It aims to accelerate tasks like Excel data analysis and email composition. Bing Chat Enterprise may also be mentioned, with improvements in data protection for commercial users. Moreover, Windows Copilot is poised to gain access to third-party plugins, potentially opening up new possibilities for developers to integrate it into their software.

Microsoft's exploration of generative AI extends to its long-standing app, Paint. The once-basic application is rumored to support text-to-image prompts driven by AI, allowing users to create images from scratch. Additionally, Windows staples like Snipping Tool and Photos might receive updates, such as the ability to add background blur to photos and the ability to copy text from screenshots.

While the Surface Laptop Studio 2 takes center stage, there's a possibility that the Microsoft Surface Pro 10 might also make its debut. However, information about this device has been relatively scarce compared to other potential releases. While the design seems to remain largely unchanged, a welcome change might be the introduction of different sizes, possibly 11 inches or 13 inches.

The specifications of the Surface Pro 10 remain a mystery, with uncertainty regarding whether it will feature ARM or Intel variants. If it goes with Intel, an upgrade to 13th-gen processors is a plausible expectation.

Despite the Surface Laptop 5 being less than a year old, Microsoft has a history of launching new Surface Laptops annually. Consequently, we may witness the arrival of the Surface Laptop 6 in 2023. Leaked specs for two rumored Surface Laptop 6 configurations have surfaced. The smaller 13.5-inch version could offer either an Intel Core i5-1335U or an Intel Core i7-1355U processor, integrated Iris Xe graphics, and RAM options ranging from 8 to 16GB, with storage options of 256GB to 512GB. The larger 15-inch version appears to be locked to a Core i7-1355U CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics, with more robust RAM and storage choices: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB storage.

Overall, Microsoft's mysterious event is set to captivate tech enthusiasts and consumers alike. The event will take place on September 21 at 10 AM ET, and while Microsoft won't be live streaming it, they'll make it available on their official website at 1 PM ET. If you can't wait, rest assured that we'll be covering the event live, providing you with all the updates and insights well before Microsoft uploads the keynotes to their website. Simply check back on Thursday and follow our live coverage to stay up-to-date with all the exciting announcements.