Microsoft Ditches Surface Book With New iPad Pro-Like Flagship Laptop

Microsoft is rumored to ditch the name Surface Book on its next laptop release. The software giant reportedly considers launching a new iPad Pro Like flagship laptop.

Microsoft could be aiming to remove the Surface Book name from its next line of laptop launch. Windows Central suggests that the company could consider naming the device Surface Laptop Studio or Surface Laptop Pro. Microsoft has named its flagship laptop lineup Surface Book since 2015.

According to the report, Microsoft may consider a non-detachable display design for the upcoming launch. The design is rumored to adopt the pull forward design or non-detachable display similar to the iPad Pro as well as the Surface Studio.

Such a design provides bigger room for hardware upgrades. The current Surface Book design only maxes out at four cores with its U-series processors falling behind the 6-core and 8-core processor power grade laptops. Although Microsoft has yet to confirm the details, a recent patent filing added substance to the rumors.

Digital Trends suggests that Microsoft may not yet consider the rumored Alder Lake chips to power the upcoming flagship laptop release. Due to the current chip shortage, users could expect the 11th generation Intel chip to power the upcoming iPad Pro-like Microsoft laptops.

Reports added that Microsoft is looking at the Ryzen processors as another option. This is due to the company’s effort to include the AMD chips in its next launch.

As Microsoft recently launched its major operating system update, the upcoming flagship laptop will be the first Surface to launch with Windows 11. Meaning the release will feature the latest hardware features that come along with the latest OS.

Among the new features is the dynamic refresh rate that saves battery life on a higher refresh rate display as well as the new haptic surface pen that simulates writing with different materials.

If Microsoft’s regular hardware release is to be considered, the public may expect the upcoming flagship device to launch in October. The software giant usually holds its hardware event in the fall.

Surface Book 3 currently sells at $1,599. Since the upcoming flagship laptop will be more powerful and will feature more upgrades, users may expect the device to sell at a similar or higher price.