As part of June 2014 Patch Tuesday, Microsoft has rolled out firmware updates for both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2. The original Surface and Surface Pro did not receive any firmware updates today.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen firmware updates for the Surface tablets. In fact, the last firmware update rolled out in March. The wait is now over. The firmware update for the Surface 2 enhances overall system stability, including boot and reboot scenarios, compatibility with the Surface Power Cover, and increased battery life when the device is not in use.
The firmware updates also enhance the charging behavior of the Power Cover as well as improves the battery life of the Power Cover. The update also provides enhanced support for external displays, improves the Miracast experience, and enhances the overall system stability while reducing power consumption in many scenarios.
Here is the complete change log for the Surface 2 firmware updates, rolling out now:
- Surface 2 UEFI (v4.21.500.0) update enhances overall system stability, including boot and reboot scenarios, compatibility with Surface Power Cover, and increased battery life when Surface 2 is not in use.
- System Aggregator Firmware (v1.0.50500.0) update enhances the charging behavior of the Power Cover.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v2.0.595.0) update improves battery life when using the Power Cover with Surface 2.
- Surface Platform Power Driver (v2.0.557.0) update improves battery life when used with the Surface Power Cover.
- Audio Driver Set (v 9.17.13.2819) and Display Driver Set (v 9.17.13.2818). This update provides enhanced support for external displays, improves the Miracast experience, and enhances the overall system stability while reducing power consumption in many scenarios.
- Surface Accessory Device (v2.0.583.0) update enhances the experience when using a Surface Cover.
The Surface 2 4G also received a firmware update improving the Wireless Network Controller (v14.62.28061.10179) and Bluetooth radio (v14.62.28061.10179). This update simplifies and improves tethering for Surface 2 4G LTE.
The Surface Pro 2, on the other hand, received firmware updates today enhancing system stability with microSD products, improves compatibility with Power Cover, and increases the reliability of sleep state transitions. The update also provides support for PXE boot with the new Surface Ethernet Adapter. Sleep state transitions when a Surface Cover is attached has also been improved. Miracast wireless display experience and display stability have also been enhanced.
Here is the complete change log for the Surface Pro 2 firmware updates, rolling out now:
- Surface Pro UEFI (v2.4.950.0) and Surface Pro Embedded Controller Firmware (v24.1.50.0) updates enhance system stability with microSD products, improves compatibility with Power Cover, and increases the reliability of sleep state transitions. Surface Pro UEFI update also provides support for PXE boot with the new Surface Ethernet Adapter.
- Surface Pro System Aggregator Firmware (v2.4.350.0) update improves sleep state transitions when a Surface Cover is attached.
- Surface Accessory Device (v2.0.287.0) update improves sleep state transitions when a Surface Cover is attached.
- Surface Power Cover Firmware Update (v2.0.288.0) improves reliability when the Power Cover is attached to Surface and folded behind Surface.
- HD Graphics Family (v10.18.10.3496) update improves Miracast wireless display experience and enhances display stability.
Head over to Windows Update right now to snag these firmware updates. Let us know if you experience any new issues. We’re curious to see if these firmware updates address the nagging WiFi issue plaguing the Surface Pro 2.
Further reading: Microsoft, Patch Tuesday, Surface 2
