Surface Neo Archives

Winsage

August 14, 2025

I used Microsoft’s elusive ‘Surface Neo’ dual-screen Windows PC — its biggest-ever hardware failure

The Surface Neo was unveiled in October 2019 with a planned release for the holiday season of 2020 but was postponed indefinitely in 2021. It features a design that combines metal, glass, and polycarbonate, with two 9-inch LCD displays at a resolution of 1920x1440. The device is 5.6mm thick and supports multiple usage modes, including dual-screen and laptop configurations. It was designed to work with accessories like the Surface Slim Pen and a magnetic keyboard, although the keyboard has smaller keys and shallow key travel. The Surface Neo is powered by an Intel Lakefield chip, which struggles with performance and thermal throttling. The unfinished Windows 10X operating system showcased potential for multitasking but lacked a robust selection of applications. Ultimately, the Surface Neo represents a missed opportunity in the tech landscape.

Winsage

March 30, 2025

Revisiting Microsoft’s biggest canceled devices — from revolutionary phones to dual-screen PCs

Microsoft has scrapped several notable hardware projects over the years, including: - Microsoft Courier (2010): A dual-screen device with a 5.5-inch FHD LCD display and 3D Touch technology, shelved in 2014 due to complexities and costs. - Surface Mini (2014): An 8-inch Windows RT tablet designed for touch and pen input, canceled shortly before its announcement due to a shift away from Windows RT. - Xbox Joule (2014): A fitness watch intended to sync with Microsoft Kinect, canceled in early 2014 before the launch of Microsoft Band. - Microsoft Band 3 (2016): A refined wearable with improved features, canceled as Microsoft exited the fitness wearables market. - Surface Andromeda (2018): A dual-screen phone designed for pen and digital ink capabilities, shelved in 2018, with its hardware repurposed for Surface Duo. - Surface Neo (2021): A dual-screen computer with two 9-inch screens, canceled in 2021 alongside the discontinuation of Windows 10X. - Surface Cronos (2022): A planned mid-range variant of Surface Duo, canceled as Microsoft shifted focus away from new phone hardware.

Winsage

May 15, 2024

Microsoft’s quest for short-term $$$ is doing long-term damage to Windows, Surface, Xbox, and beyond

- Microsoft under CEO Satya Nadella has experienced a remarkable turnaround, focusing on artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Copilot. - Despite the success in AI, there have been missed opportunities and strategic missteps, including the demise of Windows Phone and underinvestment in security measures. - Microsoft's hardware ventures like Surface and Windows Phone have faced setbacks, leading to skepticism about the future of these products. - The Xbox division at Microsoft is facing challenges due to corporate strategies focused on short-term financial gains, which could potentially undermine its momentum. - Microsoft's pattern of behavior, including rapid acquisitions and layoffs, has created a legacy of distrust among customers and industry insiders.