Once a software-only company, Microsoft has changed its attitude in the last few years in many ways, and its Surface lineup – once the brand's cow's tail – is now recognized as one of the best expression that Windows hardware can have. While Surface Pros are among the most popular 2:1 devices for professional use, it was its smaller sibling, the versatile Go, which earned the Surface sub-brand mass-market appreciation, with enthusiastic reviews and an accessible entry price. Surface Go was a big success, and now Microsoft unveils the Go 2, with a slightly bigger screen thanks to smaller bezels (10.5" vs 10" of the previous model) and a $629 version with a more performing processor onboard, a new 8th Gen Core Intel m3. Battery life, which was a weak point of the previous model, has been increased to 10 hours.
Microsoft also launched Surface Book 3, the long-awaited update of its laptop/tablet for professionals and designers. Nothing changed in the form factor, which still looks pure genius years after its debut: Surface Book is basically a powerful tablet, which becomes even more powerful when attached to its keyboard. Microsoft says that under the hood, the new Book 3 is 50% more powerful than its predecessor from two years ago. It features faster SSDs, Nvidia GPU options and RAM up to 32gb, in 13.5" and 15" size options. There are two USB-A ports and a single USB-C port but with no Thunderbolt 3, which could have been useful to hook an external GPU when more power was needed. So far, Surface hasn't been Thunderbolt-friendly, since of security concerns, and so its lacks makes no news. Microsoft also announced Surface Dock 2. Surface Book 3 is available from $1,599.
Last but not least, audio devices! Microsoft launches second-generation Surface Headphones at $249, with touch controls, ANC, Bluetooth 5.0 and more or less the same sleek design seen on the original product.
There's some serious software integration also, with the advantage of Outlook for iOS reading mails for you, and voice dictation in the Office apps. For $199 you can now buy also Surface Earbuds, which are... true wireless earbuds from Microsoft, as you could imagine, powered by touch controls, easy access to digital assistants and “screen-free access to Office 365”, Microsoft says.