Surface PCs Archives

Winsage

August 4, 2025

Windows 11 bug that “unexpectedly” trolled Apple squashed by Microsoft — Vista startup sound removed

The Windows Vista boot chime has been officially retired from Windows 11. A bug caused the Vista sound to play during the startup of Windows 11, which Microsoft acknowledged in June and confirmed it was a bug, not an intentional feature. The issue was resolved in Windows 11 Build 27913, which stated that the unexpected use of the Vista boot sound was fixed. Microsoft first introduced startup sounds with Windows 3.1, and they were omitted in Windows 8, but a startup sound was reinstated for Windows 11.

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 12, 2025

Windows Central Podcast: All about new (smaller) Surface PCs

This week's episode of the Windows Central Podcast features Daniel and Zac discussing Microsoft's launch of Surface PCs, including initial impressions of the new 12-inch Surface Pro and its integration into the Surface lineup. They also share insights on upcoming features for Windows 11, including an AI agent in the Settings menu and an updated Start menu.

Winsage

May 6, 2025

Microsoft introduces Surface PCs that run AI models and cost less than earlier versions

Microsoft introduced two next-generation Copilot+ PCs, the Surface Pro convertible tablet and a traditional Surface Laptop, designed to operate AI models without internet connectivity. The Surface Laptop starts at 9, while the Surface Pro starts at 9, both reflecting a 0 reduction from last year's models. They are powered by an Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chip with eight cores and have slightly reduced screen sizes of 12 inches for the Pro and 13 inches for the Laptop. The Surface Laptop now supports up to 16 hours of web browsing, an increase from 13 hours. The new machines run on Windows 11 and feature AI-enhanced capabilities, including a Recall function and improved file search. Preorders began on Tuesday for a release on May 20, with color options of platinum, ocean, and violet. Microsoft reported a nearly 75% year-over-year increase in Windows 11 commercial deployments.

Winsage

April 12, 2025

Microsoft is finally ready to ship Windows Recall after almost year long delay

Microsoft's Recall app is set for release within the Windows 11 Release Preview channel, with a potential rollout beginning as early as May. The feature captures and stores snapshots of user activities to enhance productivity. Although initially planned for a June 2024 launch with Snapdragon Copilot+ PCs, the timeline has shifted, and all Copilot+ PCs are now expected to receive Windows Recall in early 2025. At launch, the app may still carry a "preview" label, and it includes enhanced security measures such as robust encryption and mandatory Microsoft Account and Windows Hello Bio-authentication for setup. Recall is optional, allowing users to disable or uninstall it if desired. Additionally, Microsoft may introduce two new smaller Surface PCs with Copilot+ capabilities next month.

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

March 31, 2025

Windows 11 setup bypass blocked, smaller Surface Pro confirmed, and Amazon raises concerns over Xbox & Surface returns

Microsoft is expected to unveil a smaller Surface Pro powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X platform, aimed at competing with the iPad Pro, featuring a premium metal chassis and high-quality display, with pricing projected to start between 0 and 0. Additionally, Microsoft plans to introduce a smaller Surface Laptop. The company has blocked a bypass that allowed users to set up Windows 11 PCs without a Microsoft account, which has led to the emergence of a new method involving the command prompt during setup. Certain configurations of the Surface Laptop 7 and the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 have been flagged by Amazon as frequently returned items. Bill Gates has stated that AI will replace humans "for most things," while identifying coders, energy specialists, and biologists as professions likely to remain safe from automation.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

Exclusive report: What’s next for Surface in 2025, including a possible 11-inch mini Surface Laptop?

Surface introduced the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 in March, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors and anti-reflective screens. Microsoft later announced the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 with Qualcomm Snapdragon X SoCs. New iterations of the Surface Pro, Surface Laptop, and Surface Laptop Studio are expected, including a Surface Laptop with an Intel Lunar Lake processor and a potential new 11-inch device powered by a Snapdragon X Plus SoC. The upcoming Surface devices may include features like a card reader and 5G connectivity. Copilot+ features are anticipated to extend to the Surface Laptop Studio, requiring a neural processing unit (NPU) with 40+ TOPS. A new Surface Dock is also expected, with details yet to be revealed. The new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop are likely to launch in the first quarter of 2025, with additional products potentially released from spring to fall.