It was over ten years ago that Microsoft released its innovative Surface Windows based tablet.

Since 2012, each yearly released model has remained consistent and even had a few ‘Surface’ variations thrown in to the mix such as the Surface Studio and Surface Laptop.

But, this years offering is something different.

Gone is the Intel processor and in is AI via Windows CoPilot.

A 13 inch OLED screen with a bezel that is just right. You’re not going to accidentally touch the screen by picking it up via its edge, but its not too thick to lessen the screen real estate.

The Surface Gen 11 is not 4K, clocking in at a mere 2880 x 1920 (267 PPI). But it does have Dolby Vision.

There’s two cameras, front being ‘Windows Hello’ compatible with a 1440p Quad HD and the rear at 10MP.

Under the hood the model reviewed is a 512GB storage with 16GB RAM.

As mentioned the Intel processor we have become used to and rely upon in almost every Windows based device has been replaced with an ARM chip, the Snapdragon X Elite.

The reasoning for this is more slated to battery life, and wow what a battery duration this Gen 11 Surface has.

You’ll get around 14 hours of total media streaming. So if you’re out and about or just snuggled up in bed you can marathon a series without worrying about the Surface giving up on you.

On standby you’re going to have weeks upon weeks of battery and for mid to light use (you know, boring work stuff) easily up to 3 – 4 days.

Gaming on the other hand is something a bit different.

Clearly if you’re a hardened PC gamer, a Surface tablet may not be on your radar.
If a Surface is to be an all-rounder for you, expect this new model to be selective in what it can run.

With the Intel processors now gone, not every Steam game will work.

If you like the old days of gaming, emulators do not seem to run either.

While your PC games library maybe the envy of all, you’ll find a very small percentage of those are going to load up.

This was surprising, as Steam released their Steam Deck a while back, purportedly allowing games to run on ARM devices, but for this new gen of Surface, not so much.

Xbox Cloud gaming, yep you’re good. But for this you do need to have an Xbox subscription and you only get what is available on Xbox Game Pass. Plus you can’t play locally, you’ll need WiFi.

To use Windows effectively on a tablet you’ll need a stylus… and a keyboard.

While the Surface has always been touch screen, but since Windows 8, there has not been a tablet friendly Windows to use via touch.

The Windows based on-screen keyboard is clunky and really needs an overhaul – plus it takes up half the screen.

There is a Surface Gen 11 keyboard and stylus combo, but this is sold separately.

The Surface Gen 11 comes with differing storage options. Whichever storage option you go for, you’re stuck with. The review model had 512GB which is likely to be enough for most. You also have cloud based services, which of course require a subscription and you’ll need an internet connection to access.

This is where Microsoft have made it a bit confusing. Behind the back kickstand you’ll find your SSD.
It’s also user removable too and just flicks out. But don’t think you can go to a store and buy a larger SSD. Nope. The ease of removal is simply for repairs – not for us the consumer.

Throughout all past models there was a microSD slot just behind the kick stand. This is no more.

What you buy is what you get.

The Surface Gen 11 is minimal on it’s ports. There’s two USB-C ports and the universal Surface magnetic charger socket.

If you’re still using USB-A accessories on your existing PC, you’ll need adaptors.

Windows CoPilot is built-in. A handy tool that can assist you in writing and imagery generation.

Very similar to the other AI services out there on the web, but this now a part of your operating system.

If you use it and how you use it, whether it be creating unique artwork, reports or web search it is entirely up to you. But bear in mind that this too will require an active internet connection.

This year’s Surface is a mixed bag with a super long-life battery which makes the Surface Gen 11 optimal for portability, but it takes away some functionality that we as PC users have become accustomed to (with the exclusion of Intel).

We know Windows can run on ARM, just look at the varied array of handheld gaming PCs that are available.

The Surface Gen 11 is ideal if you’re likely to use it to stream media, for work stuff or school / University and maybe some light content creation, but anything above and beyond that you’ll need something a bit more gruntier.

The Surface Gen 11 is reliable, great for pick up and go, but I feel this years Surface maybe trying to implement innovation that its target market isn’t ready for.

The post Microsoft Surface Gen 11 Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Microsoft are showing that they are a serious player in the hardware market with their releases of Surface laptops and tablets.

The newly released Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a near-to high end content creators dream.

Sure, it is a Windows based laptop, but the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a laptop with a difference. The 14.4 inch PixelSense touch screen can unclip from the magnetic back and be slanted forward over the chiclet keyboard giving you use of the trackpad and of course moving the screen front and centre.

This second edition of the Surface Laptop Studio sees some very nice spec bumps from the previous model, and via the Microsoft website you can configure your specs to your liking, at a cost.

The review model STG Play received has a 1TB SSD (this is swappable), an impressive NVIDIA RTX 4060 graphics card and a whopping 64GB of RAM.

You have side ports, that being two USB-C and a single USB-A. The charger is the Microsoft Surface universal magnetic cable with quick release.

To process all of your digital goodness is the latest Intel i7 13th Gen. For day to day tasks the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is lightning fast. But I highly doubt you will ever buy one of these for mundane things like spreadsheets, word processing and emailing… the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has got some growl under the hood and ready to go for high end graphics rendering and gaming.

The LED backlit LCD screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and has a total resolution of 2400 x 1600 (200 PPI). Not bad, but also not 4K. And no OLED, which given the price tag is a little bit head scratching.

Nonetheless it does have the inner specs to handle almost anything you throw at at it.

Given that the screen can be moved forward and tilted make the Surface Laptop Studio 2 the perfect device for digital creation. Whether you’re a graphic designer, professional photographer or similar, having that movable screen transforms this laptop in to something like a Wacom tablet.

And if you’re going to down tools and get your game on, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has got you sorted there too.

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 has 8GB on-board RAM and beefy enough to be handle high-end PC games.

Borderlands 3 ran superbly with no compromise to the game’s inner graphic settings. Forza Motorsport also purred along nicely with the heavier resource chomper, Alan Wake II being the last game tested, and while this also ran well, it was on Alan Wake II that the laptop tended to heat up a bit.

If you’re going to cloud game your Xbox library, there’s no issue here whatsoever, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has way more specs than you need for that.

One core missing piece with the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a stylus.

While having a screen that can unclip and move forward is great – not having an included stylus in the box is questionable. Sure you can get one, it’s called the Surface Pen and is sold separately, but if you’re in the market for one of these and have the budget for it, as well as given the price point, I feel that it should be absolutely included.

Battery life is damn good. You can expect around 18 hours of consistent use for ‘everyday’ use. Everyday use excludes high end content creation and gaming.

The likes of Forza and Alan Wake II were heavy hitters on battery consumption, seeing the Surface Laptop Studio 2 take a 40% hit from a full charge after a couple of hours of play.

Rendering out a 30 minute 4K videos was not only real quick, it didn’t hit the battery too badly, shaving only 7% from a full charge.

But with all of this super power, highly spec’d goodness we get to the price tag. This specific model reviewed will not see you get any change from $6.5K (NZD).

Yep the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a super pricey investment.

You could weigh it up that it is future proofed, and it is, taking this review model in mind, the inner config is going to see you right for years to come, but I still can’t help feeling that it is over priced.

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 has packed on some pounds too. Weighing in to the ring at 2KGs which almost offsets the size of the laptop and it’s portability.

If, like me, you tend to use a laptop like a desktop, then weight is a no-issue.

Overall, I have much love for the Surface Laptop Studio 2. It’s unique, intuitive and excellently designed while being a powerhouse when it comes to work or play. Just be prepared to pay the big dollars to own one of these.

The post Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

This week Microsoft shared their vision for the next era of the Windows PC, where the PC and the cloud intersect and tap into innovative AI technology that unlocks new experiences.

So that each of us can participate, be seen, heard and express our creativity.

For nearly 40 years, the Windows PC has held a place at the center of our lives. It’s contributed to new levels of productivity, kept us all connected, and unlocked our creativity and potential through innovations that couldn’t have been imagined when Microsoft first began this journey. Just think about how far personal computing has come and how people interact with it.

From the very first text-based keyboard input to the precision of point and click with the mouse, up to today, where touch, voice, pen and gestures all help people use the Windows PC more naturally and intuitively. From its inception, Surface has been a catalyst for that change.

For the past 10 years, Surface has challenged the convention of the PC – through innovative form factors and new interaction models that transformed what the industry expects from a laptop, desktop, tablet and mobile productivity device. More importantly, Surface and Windows helped remove barriers, empowering each of us to connect, create, work, learn and play in ways that are new and natural. Bringing the best of Microsoft together on a single device.

As a team, Microsoft are proud of where they’ve been, but their focus is on where they’re going. With Windows 11, new Surface products and new apps and experiences like Microsoft Designer and Image Creator, they take the next step in their journey.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Surface Pro began as the first of its category – a tablet that can replace your laptop, offering touch, ink, a full-size precision touchpad, and a productive keyboard finely crafted and satisfying to touch. Over the years it’s been refined, tuned and perfected. In that same time, we’ve seen the category take off. Today, you don’t have to go far to see competing interpretations. Microsoft take great pride in their ability to inspire and push the industry forward. Still, there’s a reason why Surface Pro remains the 2-in-1 to beat, and it comes back to the original vision the team shared a decade ago that merged the benefits of a powerful laptop, versatile tablet and ink-ready studio. Now, Surface Pro 9 raises the bar again.

Surface Pro 9 is crafted with high-grade aluminum casing in a new set of beautiful, anodized colours. On one side you see the iconic built-in kickstand and on the other a gorgeous 13-inch PixelSense display.

A Surface display is more than a sheet of glass. It’s a canvas, a journal, a notepad, an editing bay and a cinema screen. It’s a vibrant sheet of pixels that transforms into the combination of experiences that keep you informed, productive, entertained and connected. With incredible levels of quality, performance and versatility, the edge-to-edge display on Surface Pro 9 is stunning. With up to 120Hz refresh rate and a wide range of colours, visual stories are true to life. Underneath the display is an HD camera, Omnisonic speakers, directional microphones and their custom G6 chip that takes inking to the next level with tactile signals. Combined with the new Ink Focus in Microsoft OneNote, or the new GoodNotes app coming in early 2023 to Windows 11, digital ink on the screen feels like writing with pen and paper.

Beneath the iconic exterior, Surface Pro has always been about performance. Surface Pro 9 offers a choice between processors – 12th Gen Intel Core processor built on the Intel Evo platform with Thunderbolt 4, or Microsoft SQ3 powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon with 5G connectivity. In either case, you’re getting the same iconic Surface Pro form, great performance, all-day battery life and Secured-core capabilities. The choice comes down to the combination of scenarios that are most critical to you and how you work, create and connect.

The latest 12th Gen Intel Core processor offers incredible power and performance. Verified as an Intel Evo device, it’s ready for real-world multi-tasking, full desktop productivity, all-day battery life and intense workloads – with up to 50% more performance than Surface Pro 8. Thunderbolt 4 enables rapid data transfer, docking to multiple 4K displays, or supporting an eGPU set-up.

The Microsoft SQ3 processor provides fast 5G connectivity, and ultra-long battery life – up to 19 hours. Additionally, it unlocks new AI features made possible through an entirely new Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that transforms how you connect with the people in your life. Capable of more than 15 trillion calculations per second, the NPU in Surface Pro 9 drives new experiences with Windows Studio effects.

To help celebrate 10 years of Surface, Microsoft have partnered with London-based global design house “Liberty” to bring art and technology together to create a special-edition Surface Pro keyboard and laser-etched Surface Pro 9 with an exclusive pattern in a vibrant blue floral inspired by the Windows 11 Bloom – available in select markets, only at Liberty and Microsoft Stores while supplies last. The elegantly patterned engraving and matching keyboard stand out, and the pair represents something special.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

Seven years ago, Microsoft applied their learnings and experiences from Surface Pro to a more conventional device category, the laptop. Almost immediately, Surface Laptop became our most loved Surface. In the years since, it’s continued to earn this position. Whether creating, communicating or connecting, people delight in how Surface Laptop helps them immediately get into their flow. From the effortless opening and fast log-in with Windows Hello, to the touchscreen, precision touchpad and perfect typing experience, Surface Laptop 5 offers the craftsmanship, comfort and capabilities to jump in and produce your best work.

Surface Laptop 5 is sleek and elegant, providing all-day battery life. It now offers the latest 12th Gen Intel Core processor, Thunderbolt 4 and is co-engineered and verified as an Intel Evo device for the first time, making the Surface Laptop 5 over 50% more powerful than its predecessor.

Surface Laptop 5’s signature 3:2 PixelSense display comes in 13.5-inch or 15-inch options, each with Dolby Vision IQ, giving you the best possible picture, with vivid colours and sharp contrast in any lighting conditions. The speakers are perfectly tuned and offer Dolby Atmos 3D spatial processing to fully immerse you in your content. The front-facing HD camera and Studio Microphones capture you in true-to-life fashion, even adjusting camera exposure in any lighting environment.

From new anodized aluminum colours to new capabilities, Surface Laptop 5 gives customers more of what they’ve always loved about this product.

Microsoft Surface Studio 2

ln the fall of 2016 Microsoft unveiled the first Surface Studio. It was unlike anything else, and instantly captured people’s imaginations. With the large and vibrant 28-inch 3:2 display, and stylish form, this product turned heads. When Microsoft showed how the Zero Gravity Hinge could transform the display into the ultimate creative canvas, people were stunned. Even today, Surface Studio has the unique ability to draw people in.

As work environments have evolved in recent years, there’s been a strong ongoing demand for this elegant, powerful and versatile product. To meet demand, Microsoft have rearchitected their Surface Studio processing engine utilizing an updated Intel Core i7 H Series processor, with up to 50% faster CPU performance.

They’ve designed NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 discrete graphics to double the graphics performance, achieving the most realistic ray-traced graphics when you craft 3D designs or render models. Also they’ve enhanced and modernized the display, cameras, Studio Mics and ports – including USB-C with Thunderbolt 4. With Windows 11, Surface Studio 2+ also meets Secured-core PC standards.

For availability of all new Surface devices in your region see the official Microsoft website.

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Students, teachers, professional people and those that want a light thin on-the-go laptop then Microsoft might have the answer.

Their new Surface Laptop Go 2 has a colour range to suit most tastes and is an entry level point to the Surface range.

Varying models are on offer, from 128GB to 256GB SSD and 4GB to 8GB RAM (memory).

Microsoft sent over their 256GB, 8GB RAM model for me to give it a try out.

Interestingly the Surface Laptop Go 2 has a USB-A port. Something not found on its bigger sibling, the Surface Laptop Studio. Combined with that is a single USB-C and 3.5 mm headphone socket.

The charger is the universal Surface magnetic charger.

Under the hood, there’s 8GB RAM on the review device I received and Intels i5 processor. Graphics are rendered with Intel’s Iris X.

The Iris X is designed for low battery consumption and sure, it’s not a sooped up NVIDIA GC – but the Iris X is not to be sniffed at.

It can actually punch above its weight when it comes to 4K video editing, high graphic content creation and to a point, gaming.

High performance games will not run too well on the Surface Laptop Go 2, but this is not down to the GC (graphics card) as such. The 8GB RAM and i5 processor add to the limitations.

That’s not to say you cannot game on it though. The likes of the most recent Tomb Raider ran okay with nothing turned down. Diablo Immortal performed exceedingly well, although the laptop did get a bit warm and the Surface Laptop Go 2 was perfect for Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Editing and producing 4K video was a little slower to render out, but the tiny yet mighty Surface Laptop Go 2 did it without complaint.

The 12.4 inch touch screen is super sharp, but not 4K – it comes in at 1536 x 1024 with a 148 PPI.

If you’re a creative and want something that’s going to do the job without needing to fork out on a ridiculous price tag the Surface Laptop Go 2 will see you right.

This said it’s not going to be much of a player in the likes of eSports or high calibre gaming, and if you’re a fan of spreadsheets, documents and ‘fun’ stuff like that – the Surface Laptop Go 2 is perfect at the right price.

And as for the battery life – 13 hours of normal use, streaming media, light to mid content creation and admin stuff. Anything heavier is going to decrease that timeframe. Playing on Game Pass / Xbox Cloud for example for three hours shaved around 40% from the full charge.

But for most users who would be in the market for a Surface Laptop Go 2 the battery is exceptional and is going to get you through a day real easy without being tied to a cable.

So for reliability, mid-range performance, grab a Surface Laptop and go.

The post Surface Laptop Go 2 Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Microsoft has announced the new Surface Laptop Go 2 which offers updated features and specs that light up the diverse set of experiences that have come to define the Windows 11 PC.

The new Surface Laptop Go 2 is crafted to deliver Surface signature premium design and features in an ultra-portable format.

Jump right into the flow with an effortless lift of the lid, Instant On, and Windows Hello through the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. Featuring a vibrant 3:2, 12.4” PixelSense touch display and an improved HD camera and dual Studio Mics, users can look and sound their best when making video calls.

The first-class Surface typing experience is uncompromised with 30% more key travel than a MacBook Air and complemented by the large precision trackpad.

Surface Laptop Go 2 weighs only 2.48 pounds and packs in the power of the Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor.

With all-day battery life and fast charging – Surface Laptop Go 2 is the perfect companion for class, the office, the coffee shop, or wherever life takes you.

“When we first introduced Surface Laptop Go, the world was navigating profound changes in the way each of us connects both to people and experiences. The Windows PC became more essential than ever for work, school, play, and social connection. We are now pleased to bring the new Surface Laptop Go 2 to New Zealand. Whether you’re seeking the perfect product to take with you on vacation, or a premium device for the upcoming school year, Surface Laptop Go 2 is everything you need in a package that is light, reliable, elegant, and more secure. In a time when we expect more from our PCs, Surface Laptop Go 2 is here to deliver on that expectation at an incredible price for everyone.” said Aman Sangar, Microsoft.

Microsoft continues to explore unique and premium experiences, with materials and device color becoming a defining characteristic of Surface Laptop Go 2. Surface Laptop Go 2 is now available in a fresh Sage color, a calming yet edgy addition to the Surface color palette. Inspired by subtle nature tones, Sage carries green and gray notes with a hint of blue. Surface Laptop Go 2 will also be available in Ice Blue, Sandstone, and Platinum, all in a durable, cool metal finish.

While fashioning a beautiful product, Microsoft remained committed to sustainability.

In addition to SSD, replaceable components now include the C-Cover (Keyset and Trackpad), AB Cover (Display) and battery, and Surflink cable helping to extend the use of the device.

Beneath the sleek exterior, Surface Laptop Go 2 is the first Intel-based secured-core PC from Surface.

With innovation from chip to cloud, customers at home or work can enjoy new levels of security. Whether deploying for a large-scale enterprise or your home business, Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a lightweight, manageable, and functional device for any employee.

The device is available for pre-orders starting 2 June 2022 via authorized retailers and the Microsoft Online Store.

The post Introducing Surface Laptop Go 2 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

It’s a tablet, a laptop and so much more in between – Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio is a content creators dream and a versatile gaming device.

First off, it is a laptop with a vibrant touch screen coming in at 14.4 inches (2400 x 1600 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate, ideal for games.

Under the hood is 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD storage.

Graphics are powered by a NVIDIA GeForce 3050 RTX and Intel’s i7 (11th gen) crunching the data at 3.0 GHz to 4.8 GHz at maximum.

Now, sure this is good enough for an all-rounder laptop.

A device that you can play and work on. But Microsoft didn’t stop there, instead they have produced a laptop like no other.

Remaining true to the Surface range, which started its life out in the mid 2000’s as a full sized coffee table, the Surface Laptop Studio’s screen can be adjusted on a tilt hinge to either come forward, hiding the chiclet keyboard, or go the full monty and lay flat on top of the keyboard and trackpad thus becoming a tablet.

You can even flip it and reverse it.

Underneath the front of the Surface Laptop Studio is the housing for the Surface Pen which magnetically.

For the content creators amongst us the finely nibbed Pen enables delicate detail to be dealt in creative software. Or alternatively, in tablet mode you can use the Surface Pen as a mouse on-screen.

Given that the Surface Laptop Studio comes equipped with a rather decent NVIDIA graphics card, it can play a few things real well.

For those that Cloud their Xbox, you’ll not even see the Laptop Studio break a sweat and if it’s the latest and greatest you’re wanting to smash through, you betcha this small powerhouse can do it.

Borderlands 3, Forza Horizon 5, God of War and Call of Duty: Vanguard all played extremely well without any need for toning down in-game settings.

While Borderlands 3 and Horizon had the Laptop Studio purring, God of War and Vanguard did get the fans going a wee bit.

Microsoft have also added one killer battery. They state that you’ll get up to 9 hours for ‘general use’. Sure, that’s about a normal working day, give or take.

Does it really last the distance though?

Yep it does. For general use, creating content, browsing and music streaming the Surface Laptop Studio got me close to 11 hours on a full charge.

Gaming on the other hand was shorter, as expected, but varied.

To average it was 4 to 5 hours. God of War being the greediest energy gobbler just short of 4 hours.

That’s a really good run and actually alot more than some dedicated gaming laptops can offer.

If there was a downside to the Surface Laptop Studio it would have to be weight.

A chunk of this I can only attribute to the mega battery, but it’s is a hefty beast at 3KG.

It’s also slim on ports.

There’s only x2 USB-C on the left and a 3.5mm headphone jack with the universal Surface magnetic charging port to the right. If you’re looking for a standard USB port, well, there is one, but it’s only for charging and that is located on the charging brick.

The Surface Laptop Studio is also a wee bit pricey – so may not be in everyone’s budget. But you do get what you pay for and this laptop is truly one of a kind to suit all tastes and conditions.

It’s the perfect hybrid of ultimate productivity that is as versatile as you need it be at the bend of the screen.

The post Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Microsoft has just launched its most powerful Surface yet, the Surface Laptop Studio.

Built as the ideal product for developers, designers and gamers, this laptop reimagines flexibility and gives you the freedom to work how you choose, bringing you the power of a desktop, the portability of a laptop and a creative studio all in one.

Featuring a new ultra-durable Dynamic Woven Hinge, the laptop allows itself to flow from one mode to the next with ease – these modes include Laptop mode, Stage mode and Studio mode.

Also compatible with the Slim Pen 2 and paired with 11th Gen Intel Core H35 processors and either 3050ti or A2000 NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs, not to mention the 14.4” PixelSense touchscreen display, the Surface Laptop Studio has the capability to complete any task with ease.

The device also features built-in storage and charging for the Surface Slim Pen 2 underneath the keyboard.

The Surface Laptop Studio is available in store and online at electronic and tech stores nationwide.

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What started out as an interactive (and super expensive) coffee table back in 2008, Microsoft’s Surface tablet hybrid has been around since 2012.

Nine years in, the Surface range has adapted and expanded to all users, so here and now we have the Surface Go3.

Slated more towards students and lighter PC users that need Windows on the go, the Surface Go3 has Intel’s latest (11th gen) i3 processors coupled with 256GB internal storage and 8GB RAM.

Lay it flat on a table, desk or lap or use the kick-stand and prop it upright for video calls, media binging or viewing presentations, the Surface Go3 is as versatile as it is functional.

A little known feature of the Surface tablets is that under the back flap there’s a microSD slot.

I’m happy to see that Microsoft has retained this in the Go3. So for a few extra dollars you can expand your internal storage by getting yourself an external card.

As the base model has 128GB you may want to expand.

Ports are minimal but you do get some. There’s the magnetic charger slot, a 3.5mm mic or headphone jack and one USB-C socket. Via the USB-C port you can add an external monitor (with an adaptor not included, or a monitor that supports USB-C directly).

The Surface Go3, as mentioned, is built for lighter use, students, teachers, administrative workers and the pricing of the Go3 also reflects the lesser capacity.

Microsoft have added in enough RAM to see you multitasking like a pro. The Intel Iris on-board graphics chip is enough for all media to display, except for basically any form of gaming.

Out of the box with the lighter, crispier Windows 11 Home Edition, Microsoft’s newest operating system, the Surface Go3 is super light, vivid with a high-res (1920×1080) 10.5 inch PixelSense touchscreen and dual audio.

The screen does have a chunky bezel to it though.

Video calls or conferencing will see you at your full HD glory. Both front and back camera’s come in at 1080p.

To give yourself the full laptop experience you can get a (separately sold) magnetic clip-on softly textured and styled chiclet keyboard. I recommend getting one actually.

The keyboard will use the Surface’s battery to power it’s backlight yet doesn’t impede the battery life whatsoever. For note taking or finer touch ups you can also pair it with Microsoft’s Surface Pen (sold separately).

But the best feature of the Go3 is the battery. On a single charge you’ll get up to 11 hours use.

In my time with the Go3 the base unit that STG received I was able to get more than the stated maximum. After 15 hours from a full charge I had 3% remaining. This was in constant use for browsing, media streaming and even writing this review.

Using the universal Surface magnetic charger, from flat to full takes around 20 – 30 minutes.

Given the current state of working and learning from home (at the time of writing this review) Microsoft offer up a super reliable Windows based tablet that’s as multifunctional as it is portable.

As an entry point in to Surface computing the Go3 ticks most boxes for me and is always ready to ‘go’ when you are.

The post Microsoft Surface Go3 Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Microsoft just revealed info on their new Surface devices and PC accessories to diversify the Surface range for 2021 through to 2022.

On the threshold of Windows 11, this is the largest update to the Surface portfolio in its history.

With PixelSense displays, new pen technology, premium mics and cameras, powerful silicon, and versatile form factors, the new Surface devices are designed to take Windows innovation to the next level.

First up is the Surface Pro 8, bringing an entirely modernised redesign to the most powerful Pro.

Get more screen on a high-resolution 13-inch display, with curvature updated to refine its profile and maintain an ultra-portable form factor.

Surface Pro 8 features 11th Gen Intel Core processors, new port selection (notably two Thunderbolt ports), and next-step advancement on cameras and speakers. Its new Type Cover will pair perfectly with the Surface Slim Pen 2, with built-in storage and wireless charging.

Surface Go 3 is the most portable Surface touchscreen 2-in-1, utilising the same Surface Go design with more horsepower.

A next evolution in the Surface Go product line has faster Intel Core processors, all-day battery life, and built in Microsoft security. Optimised for digital pen and touch, the tablet-to-laptop versatility makes this device ideal for everyday tasks, homework, and play.

Surface Go 3 will be available from 5 October 2021.

If you’re wanting the full laptop experience there’s the Surface Laptop Studio which brings an evolution of Surface Book, a device with three different postures.

Easily transitioning from workstation mode, stage mode, and studio mode, the Surface Laptop Studio reimagines versatility and enables you to work the way you want. Surface Laptop Studio also comes with built-in storage and charging for Surface Slim Pen 2 under the keyboard.

Surface Laptop Studio will be available in early 2022.

Microsoft also announced several new accessories, including the Surface Slim Pen 2 which has improved haptics and interaction feedback, giving you the feel of pen on paper.

It can be stored and charged within compatible Surface devices, making inking easier anywhere.

Surface Slim Pen 2 will be available from 4 November 2021.

 The Surface Adaptive Kit helps users adapt their Surface. While this tool can be used by anyone looking to adapt their Surface, the Surface Adaptive Kit was created to adapt Surface devices to those with low vision, blindness, and/or limited strength.

For use with all Windows based devices, the Ocean Plastic Mouse is a small step forward in Microsoft’s larger sustainability journey.

The shell is made with 20% recycled ocean plastic, a breakthrough in materials technology that begins with the removal of plastic waste from oceans and waterways. This product’s small box is 100% recyclable and is NZ$39.95.

The Ocean Plastic Mouse will be available at the Microsoft Store from 5 October 2021.

And lastly, the Microsoft Modern USB-C Headset is certified for Microsoft Teams with high-quality audio and voice. Having a super lightweight design, meeting controls, and easy setup helps you stay connected and focused all day long.

*Microsoft Modern USB-C Headset will be available from 30 September 2021 at Microsoft Store and for purchase at selected retailers.

The post Microsoft’s New Surface Devices appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Work faster, play smarter. Microsoft’s mid range Surface Laptop 4 has the goods to keep you going and going and going.

The small form factor laptop comes in at 13.5 inches and super light-weight for a simple pick up and go.

STG received a unit for Microsoft for review – and from the moment it arrived it has been a surprise.

Minimally boxed, there’s the power cable magnet connector which is proprietary with all Surface devices and a small Warranty manual.

Inside the Surface Laptop 4 there’s enough for the multi-task wizard through to the casual gamer.

Now, Microsoft do state, and correctly so, that the Surface Laptop 4 is not a gaming laptop.

Built with an 11th gen Intel processor which is Intel’s latest and greatest crunches data @ 2.40 GHz and is optimized for power sustainability.

Couple that with a middle of the road maximum of 8GB and you’re set for work, study, content creation and more. A generous 512GB SSD is installed to see you right for all your folders and files on the go when there’s no WiFi available to access cloud storage.

The Surface Laptop 4 is equipped with a FHD (2256 x 1504) touch screen.

The likes of Adobe’s Creative Cloud ran smoothly.

Using Photoshop and Premier on the review unit didn’t see any issues, or even an accelerated heat disperse.

Now, gaming. The Surface Laptop 4 has a built-in Iris (on-board) graphics chip. No high quality visuals for gaming to be had here.

However, surprisingly, I was able to get the likes of Borderlands 3 to run on this small beast, albeit with shading and graphics settings toned down.

If you’re a light gamer and aren’t in need of the hard-core juicy eye candy when gaming and don’t necessarily need to have your games run at their optimal settings you’ll be fine.

For eSports gamers that play DOTA, League of Legends or Fortnite these also run fine via the client software. PUBG struggled.

The major point of note for the Surface Laptop 4 is the battery.

In an exclusive briefing session that I was invited to Microsoft stated that the battery in this device can last up to 17 hours of continuous use.

This is of course dependent on what you run on your Surface Laptop 4.

When I was experimenting with gaming I got 7 hours – that’s amazing, as the bigger gaming specific laptops will only handy around 3 hours before they scream out for their life.

Content creation (editing a 4K video) and using Photoshop saw the laptop last an impressive 12 and a half hours from a full charge.

If you’re in the market for one of these for general admin, study or streaming then you’ll certainly get that 12 hours use, maybe a tad more.

Looking chic, smooth and thin the Surface Laptop 4 has the goods at a mid-range level that when compared to some of last year’s offerings for the more kitted out laptops is almost on par.

Microsoft have aimed to keep ports to minimum but thankfully for most of us they included one USB 3.0 socket and a USB-C (this also supports dual screen) and lastly a 3.5mm headphone socket.

The only drawback is the price.

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