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Microsoft. - Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 12:00 PM
Here's everything we know about Surface Neo
Microsoft is building a dual-screen Surface PC that runs a new variant of
Windows known as Windows 10X that will be launching to the public at the end of
2020. Right now, information around the Surface Neo is light, and that seems to
be a deliberate move by to keep fans interested, and also not to give
competitors an advantage by beating them to market.
So, to keep everything it all in one handy place, we've written up everything
we know about the Surface Neo.
Surface Neo hardware
Surface Neo is a device that features two LCDs that are joined together by a
unique hinge design that allows the screens to be used together via
multitasking or individually. It's designed like a book, but can be used in
many different postures such as a laptop or tablet when needed as well. The
displays themselves are 9-inches each, which totals 13.1-inches of screen
real-estate when both are in use together.
When closed, the device is 11.2mm thin, making both halves 5.6mm when open.
It's also 655 grams, which is a little on the heavier side but adds to the
overall premium feel of the device. On the outside, the device is covered in
glass, which is a departure from other Surface products that historically use
magnesium or aluminum.
The Neo also has a Windows Hello IR set up along the top bezel on the left side
of the device, as well as a front-facing camera to go with it. On the left side
of the device are the power and volume buttons, with a single USB-C port
located near the hinge on the right side of the device.
On the inside, the Surface Neo is rocking an Intel Lakefield processor, along
with an LTE modem for always-connected capabilities. We don't know anything
about RAM or Storage at this time, although it's safe to assume it'll be
available in your traditional 8GB/16GB RAM configurations along with
128GB/256GB of storage.
I'm told that the Surface Neo's hardware is pretty much done, and isn't going
to change between now and when it ships at the end of the year.
Surface Neo software
On the software side of things, the Surface Neo is running a new version of
Windows called Windows 10X. This is a new modern OS from Microsoft that's
designed for lightweight computing and modern experiences no matter the device.
It guts legacy components and features, which means everything from the Windows
Shell to the underlying OS has been rebuilt with modern technologies, while
still maintaining legacy app support for those who need it.
Windows 10X on foldable PCs features an enhanced UI designed with touch as a
primary method of input. It has a minimized taskbar that can be swiped up to
reveal your running and pinned apps, including the usual Start and Task View
buttons. Tapping on an app icon from either display will launch that app on the
display you're interacting with, and can be spanned to utilize both screens by
dragging the app to the center bezel.
There's a new Action Center that puts more emphasis on quick actions, with the
ability to jump into specific actions for further control without leaving the
Action Center at all. It's also designed in such a way that mimics a control
center, with notifications housed above it in a separate box. This new Action
Center includes things like volume controls, power options, battery percentage,
and music controls.
Because Windows 10X is still Windows, it can run all your usual Windows
programs, including those from outside the Microsoft Store. Microsoft
categorizes the Surface Neo as a PC, and as such, will allow you to run those
PC apps when required. But since Windows 10X is a modern OS, those legacy
applications operate through a container. This container contains a stripped
back version of legacy Windows 10 to power Win32 programs, and places the
application on the modern Windows 10X desktop as if it were a native app.
Unlike legacy applications, modern UWP and web apps run natively on Windows
10X. Microsoft has been working hard to make sure there's no noticeable
difference in performance between legacy apps and modern apps. Still, there
might be a slight delay when launching a legacy app if no other legacy apps are
running. Because of how containerization works, Win32 apps on Windows 10X are
sandboxed and cannot affect the overall system. This means programs that affect
system files or partition hard drives won't be allowed.
Surface Neo will also feature faster updates thanks to Windows 10X, with
feature updates taking less than 90 seconds to reboot once a feature update is
ready to do so.
I understand that the Surface Neo will ship with the 20H1 release of Windows,
which is expected to be finalized in the spring of 2020. This is typical for a
Surface device launching in the fall; all fall 2019 Surface PCs are launching
with the 19H1 release, for example.
Surface Neo accessories
In addition to the hardware itself, Microsoft also unveiled two accessories
that pair with the Surface Neo. The first of which is a magnetic keyboard that
attaches to the display and allows you to type with tactile feedback, just like
on a laptop with a dedicated keyboard. The keyboard can also attach to the
outside of the device, which is where it can wirelessly charge when not in use.
The other accessory is the new Surface Pen, which also wirelessly charges on
the back of the device.
The keyboard accessory, when attached to the display, enables "Wonderbar" that
essentially turns half of the display into an enhanced TouchBar. You can find
emoji, control functions, and even use a virtual trackpad.
Surface Neo release date
Microsoft has said that the Surface Neo is expected to launch Holiday 2020,
which means the Surface Neo is under a year from public release. However, the
Surface Neo may be made available to developers much earlier than that,
possibly at Build 2020 in May as a way to entice developers to update their
apps to support new dual-screen experiences.
Microsoft says it will have more to share regarding the developer story for
Surface Neo in the coming weeks.
https://www.windowscentral.com/surface-neo
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info
