Surface Devices Archives

Winsage

May 15, 2025

Microsoft Surface PCs with Arm-based AMD chip could arrive in 2026

Microsoft is set to introduce a new line of Surface PCs in 2026 featuring AMD's Arm-based chip, codenamed Sound Wave. The Sound Wave chip is expected to be an APU with six CPU cores (two for performance and four for efficiency) and an integrated GPU with four compute units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture, designed for a thermal envelope of 5-10W. This suggests a strategy for low-powered Surface PCs, potentially refreshing the Surface Go or Surface Hub models. This will be the first time since the Surface Laptop 4 that Microsoft incorporates an AMD processor into its Surface lineup. Recently, Microsoft launched new models, including a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface Laptop, powered by the Snapdragon X Plus, which may outperform the upcoming AMD Sound Wave chip.

Winsage

May 13, 2025

Windows 10 M365 apps to get security fixes into 2028

Microsoft will provide security updates for Windows 10 users until October 10, 2028, despite the end of official support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft 365 subscribers on Windows 10 will continue to receive security patches for applications like Word and Excel, but support will be limited to troubleshooting for those unable to upgrade to Windows 11. If issues arise that are exclusive to Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 and do not occur on Windows 11, users will be encouraged to upgrade. Transitioning to Windows 11 has faced resistance due to hardware requirements, particularly affecting users of older Surface devices. As of now, Windows 10 holds a 53 percent global desktop market share, while Windows 11 has 44 percent.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

A New Start Menu and More Major Upgrades Are Coming to Windows 11

Microsoft announced significant upgrades for Windows 11, including enhancements to the Start menu, Copilot AI, and utilities like Paint and the Snipping Tool. The Start menu will become larger, more customizable, and user-friendly, allowing users to view all apps at once, hide recommended shortcuts, and increase the size of the pinned apps panel. A "phone companion" feature will be integrated into the Start menu. These changes are expected to roll out to the Windows Insider channel within the next month. File Explorer will introduce AI actions for document summarization and image editing directly from the right-click menu. Notepad will gain AI text generation and summarization features, along with lightweight formatting options like bold, italic, lists, and Markdown support. Copilot Vision will allow users to interact with AI regarding on-screen content. Some features will debut on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chipsets, including an AI agent in Settings to assist users with adjustments and the Click to Do feature for scheduling meetings and launching Immersive Reader mode. The Photos app will introduce a relight feature for dynamic lighting control. Paint will gain capabilities for creating custom stickers from text prompts and an AI-powered object select tool. The Snipping Tool will receive enhancements like intelligent screenshot cropping, text extraction, and a color picker. The Narrator on Copilot+ PCs will be upgraded to provide rich descriptions of images.

Winsage

May 7, 2025

Microsoft Photos Can Relight Your Images

Microsoft has introduced new features for Windows 11 and its Copilot+ PCs, along with AI-ready Surface hardware. Key enhancements include: - Photos App: A relight feature for adding digital light sources, auto presets, and manual adjustments; new object selection capabilities in Paint; and improvements to the Snipping Tool with a text extractor and color picker. - Recall Feature: Helps users find content by retracing steps and describing memories, with strong privacy controls. - Improved Windows Search: Allows conversational queries with AI interpreting context for relevant results, aided by specialized chips in Copilot+ PCs. - Click to Do: Streamlines workflows with contextual shortcuts for actions within a single application. - Surface for Business Copilot+ PCs: Introduction of a 12-inch Surface Pro and a 13-inch Surface laptop featuring Snapdragon X Plus processors and advanced security tools. - Surface Laptop for Business: A 13-inch model with a thinner profile, anti-reflective touch screens, and an AI-enhanced camera. - Surface Pro for Business: A 12-inch versatile device that transitions between laptop and tablet modes, featuring an adjustable kickstand. - Availability: Software updates will start in April 2025, while new Surface devices will ship from July 22 in select markets.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft gives all Windows 10 users two new reasons to switch to Windows 11 now

Windows 10 will reach the end of support on October 14, 2025, leaving users vulnerable to cyber threats and software bugs. Microsoft has launched two new devices, the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, to encourage users to upgrade. The Surface Pro features a 12-inch screen, a Snapdragon X Plus processor, and a 2-in-1 form factor, while the Surface Laptop has a 13-inch screen and offers a 23-hour battery life. Both devices include access to Copilot+ PC experiences and are available for purchase starting at £799.

Winsage

April 9, 2025

Windows 10: Computer recycling at the end of support

Microsoft has issued guidance advising users to consider disposing of computers that cannot upgrade to Windows 11, as support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. The document suggests recycling old devices responsibly and mentions that Microsoft Surface devices can be sent in for recycling in certain states. The trade-in program is limited to specific countries and applies only when purchasing certain new Surface PCs. The document does not explicitly instruct customers to discard outdated devices but promotes new hardware sales. It also notes that alternatives like installing a Linux distribution on older hardware exist. The lack of security updates for unsupported systems will increase vulnerability to cyber threats.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Windows Central Podcast: A new era for Surface

The Windows Central Podcast discusses the latest developments in Windows 11, including new features from the Dev and Beta Channels and changes in system requirements. The hosts also consider the future of Surface devices amid significant changes in Microsoft's hardware strategy. Additionally, they explore Microsoft's announcement regarding Quantum chip technology and its potential impact. The podcast mentions HP's acquisition of Humane AI and its implications for the future of artificial intelligence in the business sector.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Unblockable ads now litter Microsoft’s Windows Surface app

Microsoft's Surface app has transformed into a marketplace filled with advertisements, overshadowing its original purpose of device management. Users encounter promotional offers, including a 30% discount on an Xbox controller, prominently displayed at the bottom of the interface. Ads are integrated into the app, raising concerns about user consent, and persist even with ad blockers in Microsoft Edge. The app now resembles a shopping platform, which may dishearten users who expected a streamlined experience. This shift reflects a broader trend in Microsoft's ecosystem of frequent marketing pushes across platforms, potentially affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Winsage

February 20, 2025

The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft’s Windows hardware enters a new era

The Surface division at Microsoft has experienced significant internal changes over the past 18 months, including the departure of Panos Panay and new leadership. This has led to a strategic refocusing of the Surface portfolio, moving away from experimental hardware designs to more conventional offerings aimed at a broader audience. The company has discontinued extravagant devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Duo, favoring products that resonate with business customers and general consumers. Last year, Microsoft introduced AI-powered Windows computers known as Copilot+ PCs, which emphasize continuity and refinement of established designs rather than radical innovations. The Copilot+ PC initiative has allowed Windows on Arm to demonstrate its viability, with Snapdragon chips competing effectively in the Windows ecosystem. Surface continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Windows ecosystem, but with a more cautious approach that prioritizes ecosystem health over creating new markets. Future form factor experimentation will likely be delegated to OEM partners, while Microsoft focuses on transitioning users to Windows 11 and promoting Copilot+ PCs. Stakeholders can expect a steady stream of sensible Surface devices and incremental updates in the near future.

Winsage

February 12, 2025

You Should Install This Windows Security Patch Right Away

Microsoft's February 2025 Patch Tuesday security update addresses 55 security vulnerabilities across the Windows platform, including: - 22 remote code execution vulnerabilities - 19 elevation of privilege vulnerabilities - 9 denial of service vulnerabilities - 3 spoofing vulnerabilities - 2 security feature bypass vulnerabilities - 1 information disclosure vulnerability Among these, four vulnerabilities are classified as critical zero-day vulnerabilities, with two requiring immediate attention. 1. CVE-2025-21194: A security feature bypass vulnerability related to Microsoft Surface devices, potentially allowing unauthorized access to Windows virtual machines. 2. CVE-2025-21377: An NTLM hash disclosure spoofing vulnerability that could allow attackers to retrieve plain-text passwords by interacting with a malicious file. The other two zero-day vulnerabilities confirmed to be actively exploited are: 1. CVE-2025-21391: A Windows storage elevation of privilege vulnerability that enables deletion of targeted files on a user's computer. 2. CVE-2025-21418: A vulnerability that allows attackers to gain elevated system privileges within Windows. Users are advised to install the patch promptly to protect their systems.