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The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft's Windows hardware enters a new era
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.
Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it's running out of time to solve it
Winsage
February 4, 2025

Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it’s running out of time to solve it

Windows 10 will reach its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, after nearly a decade since its launch in July 2015. PCs running Windows 10 will continue to function but will no longer receive security updates unless users opt for an Extended Security Updates (ESU) subscription. Without an ESU subscription, vulnerabilities discovered after October 2025 will remain unaddressed. Approximately 60% of PCs worldwide are still using Windows 10, and if the current upgrade pace continues, about 38% of PCs will still be running Windows 10 by the end of 2025, equating to over 500 million devices. Users with older hardware, corporate environments, and Windows 10 loyalists may face challenges in transitioning to Windows 11. Microsoft has provided options for extended support, particularly for enterprise customers, but general consumers may be less inclined to pay for updates.
Exclusive report: What's next for Surface in 2025, including a possible 11-inch mini Surface Laptop?
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.
Alt Tab causes low FPS in games on PC [Fix]
Winsage
December 5, 2024

Alt Tab causes low FPS in games on PC [Fix]

The Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut is widely used for navigating between applications on Windows computers, but gamers have reported a drop in frames per second (FPS) when using it during gameplay. To address low FPS when using Alt-Tab on Windows 10 or 11, users can consider the following solutions: 1. Adjust system settings for best performance by accessing the Settings menu, navigating to System > About, and selecting Adjust for best performance in the Performance section. 2. Disable unnecessary startup apps and the weather widget using Task Manager. 3. Troubleshoot in a Clean Boot state to identify any third-party background services causing the issue. 4. Perform a clean installation of the graphics card driver using the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) tool. 5. Uninstall any recent Windows updates that may have caused performance issues. 6. Reset the PC to factory default settings while keeping personal files, ensuring to back up important data beforehand. Alt-Tabbing itself is not detrimental, but a lack of smoothness may be due to insufficient RAM, which can be monitored via Task Manager. Closing unnecessary background applications may help improve performance.
Google says Quick Share is coming to Windows on ARM, including Snapdragon laptops
Winsage
November 12, 2024

Google says Quick Share is coming to Windows on ARM, including Snapdragon laptops

Google has launched its Quick Share app for ARM-powered Windows devices, allowing file transfers between Android and Windows systems. The app is available for manual download from Google's website and is compatible with ARM-based devices running Windows 11 and later. Quick Share enables simultaneous file transfers across multiple devices, including those not owned by the user. However, it is not yet a native ARM64 application, requiring emulation for installation. Some users have reported installation errors, particularly on devices like the Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Elite. Google is expected to release a proper download soon, and updates will focus on bug fixes rather than new features.
Google's answer to AirDrop looks like it's on the way to Windows on Arm PCs powered by Snapdragon X
Winsage
November 12, 2024

Google’s answer to AirDrop looks like it’s on the way to Windows on Arm PCs powered by Snapdragon X

Google's Quick Share for Windows is set to launch on Windows on Arm PCs, allowing seamless sharing of photos, videos, and files between Android and Windows platforms. Currently, Quick Share does not support Arm-equipped PCs, which includes many AI devices using Snapdragon X Elite chips. A Google webpage briefly indicated support for Windows on Arm but reverted to stating it is not compatible. Quick Share is designed for 64-bit Windows 10 or later and was previously known as Nearby Share. It aims to create a unified sharing experience across Android devices and Windows PCs, competing with solutions like Phone Link.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 review: A new generation of Windows computers
Winsage
November 3, 2024

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 review: A new generation of Windows computers

The Surface Pro 8 has design shortcomings, particularly in its 'lapability' due to its kickstand. The Surface Pro 11 features upgrades such as new Snapdragon hardware, improved battery life, and enhanced processing power. It represents a shift towards ARM technology, offering advantages like superior battery life, rapid boot times, enhanced security, and low power consumption. The Surface Pro 11 has display options of LCD or OLED, both with a resolution of 2,880x1,920 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. It includes excellent stereo speakers, a 1440p ultrawide webcam, and effective microphone setup for video conferencing. The device handles daily tasks well but is heavier than competitors. It has limited ports and a familiar design aesthetic. The Snapdragon X Plus model with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage is priced at ₹1,34,999, while the total cost with the keyboard and Slim Pen is ₹1,64,899. Battery life averages around 12-13 hours, which is less than some competitors. The base model offers a good price-to-performance ratio, with the Snapdragon X Elite model priced at ₹1,85,999.
Innovative AR Laptop Cancelled to Make way for Microsoft Windows AR Software - XR Today
Winsage
October 9, 2024

Innovative AR Laptop Cancelled to Make way for Microsoft Windows AR Software – XR Today

Sightful has shifted its strategic focus from developing the ‘Spacetop’ AR laptop to creating AR software for Windows, aiming to integrate augmented reality with advanced AI capabilities like Microsoft's Copilot. The company will refund deposits for the Spacetop G1 laptop, which was priced at ,900, as development has been paused. The new software will initially support specific models of Xreal AR display glasses and will launch in early 2025, with no plans for compatibility with other AR glasses. CEO Tamir Berliner noted that the decision was influenced by Microsoft's announcements regarding AI integration in computers. Microsoft is also focusing on software solutions, having discontinued the HoloLens 2 and laid off 20 employees at Sightful as part of a strategic shift to prioritize AR software development.
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