Featured Image credit/Surface Book 4 Concept: Ryan Smalley
While some eagerly await a Surface Book upgrade, Microsoft may pivot entirely with a new ‘Pro’ device in the Fall.
A few weeks ago, we reported on a patent Microsoft received approval on that highlighted a swiveling screen mounted on a two-point hinge setup with ‘stabilizing’ and friction assembly akin to the Sony VAIO Duo or even an iPad Pro Magic Keyboard attachment.
With the patent only being granted a few weeks ago, we dismissed its appearance as a viable product released by Microsoft anytime soon. However, according to Windows Central, the company could be set to release a “non-detachable display” laptop in the coming months.
Aside from the brief Windows Central source-confirmation, there isn’t much more to the story of a new Surface device. Speculatively speaking, the innovative design, based on the recent patent, would allow Microsoft to beef up its processor and graphics card game without having to engineer specs around the detaching fulcrum hinge of the previous Surface Book designs.
Other rumors coming from Windows Central include a nestling 14-inch screen to fit in between the current 13.5 and 15-inch options available for Surface Books as well as larger trackpad, the inclusion of RTX graphics, and possibly variable high refresh rate panels.
Microsoft may also be updating its Surface Pen once again, this time, to include haptic feedback to support the latest version of Windows 11 features as previously discussed during the company’s Windows event this past summer.
With there being no other leaks beyond the patent, there is no project name to lean on when describing the new laptop, which has left Windows Central simply calling it the Surface Book 4 for the time being, but the publication believes it could retail with a ‘Pro’ or ‘Studio’ moniker in the Fall.
As with most Surface releases, fans will have to wait until later this year to see if and when Microsoft rolls out its new line of Surface devices. With the release of Windows 11 marked for an October/November release window, it’s presumed that if this new device ships, it’ll be among the first to ship with Windows 11 out of the box.
