Microsoft considered Surface Laptop with two USB Type-C ports
The Surface Laptop sounds like a confusing proposition. It runs Windows 10 S, which is a lesser version of Windows 10 that competes with Chrome OS, yet it kicks off at $999, which is way above what you'd expect to pay for a Chromebook. It has premium aspirations, featuring an attractive build and high-end hardware, yet it does not come with a single USB Type-C port, like other devices in this segment do.
That last part has some people scratching their heads, because Microsoft has managed to fit a full-sized USB port in that slim profile. USB Type-C would have made more sense, but it chose not to include a single port. However, the software giant has, at least, considered that option at some point in the development process.
It will cost $49 to upgrade a Window 10 S device to Windows 10 Pro, but not everyone will need to pay [Update]
If you decide to buy Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop for $999, but would prefer to have Windows 10 Pro on it, rather than the slightly crippled Windows 10 S, the good news is you can upgrade to that version.
The not so good news is it will cost you $49 to do so. Well, it will cost some buyers anyway, others will get the upgrade for free, if they act quickly.
Microsoft's new Surface Laptop runs Windows 10 S and starts at $999
Microsoft is trying to shake things up in the education market with the new Windows 10 S and Surface Laptop. And it's approaching things from two different directions. While the former is a lighter, less complex and easier to manage version of Windows 10 that's meant to compete with Chrome OS, the first Surface laptop, which it's using to showcase this operating system, is not actually a Chromebook competitor.
The Surface Laptop is a device aimed at college students and other prospective buyers looking for a Surface-branded laptop. So it features a high-end build, speedy internals, and, like you would expect, it has the price to match its premium aspirations too, kicking off at $999. In a sense, it's closer to the Apple MacBook Air than your typical Chromebook -- yet it runs a "lesser" version of Windows 10. Interesting, isn't it?
On the eve of Microsoft's education event, the Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S leaks
Tomorrow in New York City, Microsoft will be holding an event that seems to be geared towards education -- the Windows-maker has been sharing the #MicrosoftEDU hashtag. With Chromebooks gaining in popularity, especially in the school segment, it has been rumored that the company will be revealing a new version of Windows 10 that only runs apps from the Windows Store -- similar to the much-maligned Windows RT. This would, in theory, remove many malware threats, making it a safer platform -- similar to the benefit of Chrome OS.
On the eve of this event, a Twitter user named WalkingCat, using the handle @h0x0d, has leaked some images and details regarding what he/she alleges is the upcoming Surface Laptop that will be revealed tomorrow. The leaker alleges that the laptop will be 14.47mm at its thickest in the rear, and it will taper down to 9.9mm towards the front. It will reportedly be quite light at a mere 2.76 pounds. The 13.5 inch display will have 3.4 million pixels. Oh, and that new version of the operating system? It will be called Windows 10 S and not "Cloud."
SteelSeries launches QcK Prism dual-surface RGB illuminated premium gaming mousepad
When you are a PC gamer that seemingly already owns everything for gaming, what is left to buy? Besides your hardcore gaming rig, you probably already have a mechanical keyboard, mouse, and headset, right? Heck, you may even have a fancy mousepad. But does your pad even glow, bro?
Today, SteelSeries launches the QcK Prism dual-surface RGB illuminated premium gaming mousepad. Yeah, it is a gaming mousepad that glows thanks to RGB lighting. While not the first RGB mousepad, SteelSeries says it is the first-ever dual-sided variant. You see, one side is cloth, while the other is hard plastic.
Microsoft shows off Edge's battery usage improvements in Windows 10 Creators Update
The war over which web browser offers the best battery life to laptop users has been waging for some time. Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge have all been battling it out, and with the release of Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft thinks it's time to show off the improvements that have been made to its browser.
In Microsoft's own tests -- involving streaming video on a Surface Book -- Edge lasted for over three hours longer than Chrome, and nearly five hours longer than Firefox. These are figures that will almost certainly be disputed in further tests by Mozilla and Google, but for now, Microsoft is giving Edge its moment in the spotlight at the top of the performance pile: 77 percent longer battery life than Mozilla Firefox, and 35 percent longer than Google Chrome.
Microsoft Surface beats Apple iPad in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power
According to a recent J.D. Power study (2017 U.S. Tablet Satisfaction), Microsoft's Surface tablets have beaten Apple's iPad in overall customer satisfaction. This is significant, as it is the first time it has ever happened. The Windows-maker had not been able to topple Apple in this regard, so surely there is some champagne-popping going on at Microsoft headquarters.
While high satisfaction is definitely something to be proud of, the study is arguably flawed. Why do I say this? The Surface tablets are an entirely different product class than the iPad. True, they are both "tablets" as they are rectangular and feature touch screens, but Microsoft's offerings are desktop and laptop replacements -- Apple's tablet products are primarily secondary devices. It simply doesn't make sense to compare them.
Inateck adds to its range of laptop protection [Review]
Inateck has for a long time been producing good quality, reasonably priced sleeves and cases for laptops and tablets. It's now added to its selection with two new offerings.
There's not a great deal to say about the Inateck LC1302, it's a simple neoprene sleeve designed to fit 13-inch laptops and notebooks or larger tablets like the Surface Pro. A wide opening zipper allows for easy access, waterproof material keeps the contents safe from rain and spillages, and three layers of fabric protect from shocks.
Apple admits Mac Pro failure, will redesign the computer
Back in 2013, Apple released a seemingly revolutionary desktop computer -- the cylindrical Mac Pro. It was beautiful and powerful, although it did resemble a garbage can. The problem? Apple neglected the computer, letting it stagnate. Then, in 2016, it released new MacBook Pro laptops, but many professionals panned the device for being under-powered. Ultimately, it seemed like Apple didn't care about professionals.
Not so fast. Apple not caring about professionals? Blasphemy. True, the company's profits largely don't come from "Pro" machines nowadays, but it historically has catered to creative professionals, such as hardcore photographers, videographers, and designers. Today, John Gruber of Daring Fireball shares an interesting interview with Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, who drops a bombshell -- the Mac Pro is getting a redesign! The company is even looking to release a new dedicated display -- a good idea after the LG monitor fiasco.
Microsoft's Mac to Surface Assistant makes it easier to switch to a Surface
Moving from one operating system to another -- be it Windows to Linux, Mac to Windows or whatever -- can be fraught with tension. Microsoft wants to make life easier for anyone who has decided to ditch their Mac, by releasing the Mac to Surface Assistant to help migrate data to a new Surface Pro, Surface Book or Surface Studio.
For some time, Microsoft has featured detailed instructions on the Surface support pages that explain how to backup and transfer different types of data from one computer to another. With the Mac to Surface Assistant, however, all of this is taken care of by a wizard-led interface.
Microsoft Surface gets Wake on LAN support with Dock, Docking Station and Ethernet Adapter
To make it easier for enterprises to install Windows 10 updates and perform maintenance tasks during off-hours, Microsoft has introduced Wake on LAN support on Surface devices connected to wired networks through a Surface Dock, Surface Docking Station or Surface Ethernet Adapter.
The Wake on LAN support can be leveraged through device management tools like System Center Configuration Manager, and is available for the Surface 3, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book, paired with any of the aforementioned accessories.
PCs still at risk from end-of-life programs
The latest software vulnerability report from Secunia Research at Flexera Software reveals that the average US private PC user has 75 installed programs on their PC, 7.4 percent of which are no longer patched by the vendor.
More detailed analysis of the findings shows that 7.5 percent of users had unpatched Windows operating systems in the final quarter of 2016, up from 6.1 percent in Q3 of 2016 and down from 9.9 percent in Q4, 2015.
Chuwi's Hi13 Windows 10 hybrid retails for $369, promises Ubuntu support
The Chuwi Hi13 is a very interesting proposition in the Windows tablet market. It has a display similar to that of the Microsoft Surface Book, support for a detachable keyboard and stylus, expansion ports, and competitive internals, but, unlike the devices that it has in its crosshairs, it features a really attractive price tag.
When I discussed the Hi13 earlier this year, I mentioned that Chuwi expected to sell the device for around $500 or less, which seemed like a fair price considering everything that it has to offer. However, as it turns out, the Hi13 will actually retail for much less -- $369 to be exact. The value proposition is hard to beat.
Brexit forces Microsoft to push up Surface Book price by £150
The UK's decision to leave the European Union continues to hit the pockets of consumers. The latest victim of Brexit is Microsoft's Surface Book, with every model in the range hit with a £150 price hike.
While not a direct response to the Brexit vote itself, the resulting drop in the value of the pound has already seen many companies push up prices to compensate. We've already seen Apple increase the cost of apps in the UK by 25 percent, and Microsoft has already increased the price of enterprise software. Representing an 11 percent price jump, the new Surface Book price tag makes the already-expensive laptop even less attractive to would be buyers.
Microsoft enhances Bing weather experience with improved visuals and ski resort snow reports
If you want to know the current weather, you can simply gaze out a window. If you want to know the weather beyond the moment, however, there are many sources from where you can get it. Some folks will turn on the television or radio, but in the computer age, there are far more convenient ways, such as mobile apps and search engines.
One such search engine that can present you with the weather is Bing. Today, Microsoft is improving the weather functionality of its search engine by offering improved visuals. As you can see in the image above, it is much more pleasing than Google's. In addition, Bing is now offering ski resort snow reports for skiers and snowboarders.
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