I had the pleasure in taking part in a podcast last week with some of my team, Microsoft and Westcoast. This was aimed at demystifying Copilot+ PCs, part of which got us into the tech trenches of security and sustainability, two of the main reasons, organisations invest in Microsoft and Surface.
As such I thought I’d break out and do a spotlight on Microsoft’s Chip to Cloud Security approach.
Security is a critical consideration across any technology purchase and the laptops/tablets you buy should be no different. Whilst security can be layered on, it works best when it is built-in and part of what you buy. With Surface this is front and centre.
With cyber threats growing more sophisticated each day both at software and hardware layers, Microsoft has a bold and powerful stance: embedding security from chip design, supply chain, firmware/UEFI, Windows and of course the Cloud.
Microsoft Surface is more than a premium class device. Surface is a manifestation of Microsoft’s holistic, Zero Trust security philosophy. Secure by design and Secure by default.
Surface is also the only Windows OEM that controls and owns the entire security stack from the hardware, to the Windows OS to the Cloud Security like Defender.
Microsoft Surface Chip to Cloud Architecture.
Microsoft sets a compelling example of agile defense against emerging threats in what they term “From Chip to Cloud”.
What Does “Chip to Cloud” Mean?
At its core, “chip to cloud” is about ensuring security at every stage – from design, supply chains, the hardware integrated into the device to the operating system and finally, into the cloud where robust analytics and cloud defense form a huge part of the Surface blueprint (see above).
This approach means that when you first power on a Surface device, the user is protected. This starts at the hardware level and continues seamlessly into Windows, the software applications you run, and the cloud services you use.
The Microsoft Surface: A Manifestation of Microsoft’s Security Vision
Microsoft Surface is not just another OEM device. It is built by Microsoft at every level. Surface combines the very best of Microsoft’s technologies under one roof – Windows 11, Defender, and Microsoft 365 security to provide an enterprise-grade, secure experience.
Rather than just layers on, this is security by design built in and baked into every layer including the silicon.. The commitment to Zero Trust is evident, as every layer, whether hardware, firmware, or software, works in concert to provide continuous protection.
Key Takeaways:
Zero Trust Architecture: Every access point, both physical and digital, is continuously verified.
Full-Stack Security Ownership: With Microsoft owning the entire security architecture, the Surface delivers a unified defense that spans the entire ecosystem.
In Windows 11, hardware and software work together to reduce the attack surface, protect system integrity, and safeguard valuable data. New and enhanced features are designed with security by default which include running Win32 apps in isolation, token protection, passkeys, and Microsoft Intune Endpoint Privilege Management providing just some of the latest capabilities helping to shield from attacks.
Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business integrate with hardware-based features such as Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0, biometric scanners, and Windows presence sensing to enable easier, more secure sign-on and protection of your data and credentials. Microsoft are also closer than ever in moving to a Passwordless future.
It Starts with Silicon – the Pluton Security Processor
The journey of security begins at the hardware layer / the silicon. Newer devices are built in collaboration with Intel, Qualcomm and AMD, ensuring that their internal architecture is as robust and secure as possible. Newer devices will leverage Microsoft’s internally designed Pluton processor which can also act as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) and hardware root of trust further improving hardware based security.
Pluton Processor Architecture (c Microsoft
Microsoft Pluton security processor is a chip-to-cloud security technology built with Zero Trust principles at the core. Microsoft Pluton provides hardware-based root of trust, secure identity, secure attestation, and cryptographic services. Pluton technology is a combination of a secure subsystem, which is part of the System on Chip (SoC) and Microsoft authored software that runs on this integrated secure subsystem.
The way it works (simplified) is that when the system boots, Pluton hardware initialisation takes place by loading the Pluton firmware from the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) flash storage on the motherboard. During Windows 11 startup, the OS uses the latest available version of the Pluton firmware. If no newer firmware is available, Windows defaults to the version loaded during hardware initialisation. This diagram illustrates the process:
Pluton boot process in Windows 11 (c) Microsoft
Note: Microsoft Pluton is currently available on devices with AMD Ryzen® 6000, 7000, 8000, Ryzen AI and Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8cx Gen 3 and Snapdragon X series processors. Microsoft Pluton can be enabled on devices with Pluton capable processors running Windows 11, version 22H2 and later.
Highlights of Pluton.
Secure by Design at the Chip Level: Even if one component is challenged, the Zero Trust framework ensures there is backup protection within other layers—including during the manufacturing and supply chain process.
The Pluton Security Processor: Unlike traditional hardware security modules, Pluton is embedded right into the CPU. This integration provides hardware-based root of trust, secure identity, and cryptographic operations that are virtually immune to physical tampering. Such a design minimizes the risk of sensitive data extraction even when attackers try to bypass conventional boundaries.
Microsoft Pluton can be used as a TPM, or with a TPM. Although Pluton builds security directly into the CPU, Windows device manufacturers might choose to use discrete TPM as the default TPM, while having Pluton available to the system as a security processor for use cases beyond the TPM. Microsoft are adopting the latter for all new devices built. It’s also leveraged by the new Windows 365 Link Devices.
Preempting Advanced Threats: Learning from Spectre & Meltdown
Back in early 2018, vulnerabilities like Spectre and Meltdown demonstrated that even the most advanced processors could be exploited via speculative execution. Microsoft’s response was swift and agile:
Rapid Patch Deployment: Security updates were rolled out on the day of public disclosure, ensuring devices were immediately protected.
Agile Firmware Development: Microsoft built its own UEFI, reducing dependency on third-party providers. They even introduced secure programming languages like Rust to minimize vulnerabilities from the start.
Holistic Integration: By leveraging its full-stack ownership, Microsoft coordinated an end-to-end defense – from patching the OS to reinforcing the hardware.
This agility and forward-thinking approach are core to maintaining trust in a world where new threats emerge on a daily basis.
Moving forward, the March 2021 Security Signals report found that more than 80% of enterprises had experienced at least one firmware attack in the past two years.
OS and Cloud Defense: The Next Layers of Protection
Moving from hardware to software, Microsoft ensures that Surface devices benefit from Windows 11’s robust security features:
Operating System Security: Built-in features such as Windows Hello, TPM 2.0, and Secured-Core PC (with Pluton processors) protections safeguard the operating system, providing seamless defense as soon as the device boots up.
Cloud Integration: The cloud plays a critical role by delivering powerful analytics and AI-driven threat detection. Microsoft Defender continuously monitors devices and endpoints, ensuring that potential breaches are thwarted before they escalate.
Real-Time Intelligence: Integration with Microsoft 365 security tools like Microsoft Defender and cloud-based analytics means Surface devices receive continuous updates and proactive defenses regardless of where the device is located.
A Secure Ecosystem for the Future
What sets the Microsoft Surface apart is its integration into a broader ecosystem that is built from the ground up with security in mind. From hardware collaboration with Intel and silicon experts, the innovative use of the Pluton processor, to agile responses against threats like Spectre and Meltdown – all these measures come together in an environment where the chip is only the beginning. The real secret lies in how this interconnected world of Windows, Defender, and cloud-based intelligence creates a fortress that’s always one step ahead.
Microsoft Surface is not just the most secure Windows device you can buy it is the point into a cohesive zero trust security architecture that works tirelessly to protect your data, your device from hardware to Windows OS through Office apps and Microsoft 365 services and of course Defender.
Conclusion
Secure by design and Secure by default. Microsoft Surface exemplifies this chip-to-cloud approach by combining robust hardware protection with powerful OS and cloud defenses. With Zero Trust principles woven into every layer, Surface devices are designed not only to meet today’s challenges but to anticipate tomorrow’s threats.
Microsoft Surface isn’t just “the most Secure Windows device” on the market, it is part of Microsoft’s wider secure ecosystem that enables security from Chip-to-Cloud.
Microsoft has today announced new (smaller) Copilot+ PC Surface Pro and Laptop 13″ which amongst other things provide a more cost effective Windows-powered alternative to the Apple iPad Pro 11-inch which is also due to launch this week.
These devices focus on hypermobility, versatility, and durability as key user priorities based on extensive user feedback and end user device surveys and studies.
These new devices include a “more portable” 13-inch Surface Laptop and a 12-inch Surface Pro, both of which are smaller/lower-spec versions of Microsoft’s flagship Laptop and Pro.
Both are Copilot+PCs though and powered by an eight-core Snapdragon X Plus processor with an NPU rated at 45 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS).
New Surface Laptop (Left) and Pro (Right)
Both come with a base config of 16GB of RAM (the minimum required for a Copilot+ PC), 256GB or 512GB of UFS storage. They come in three colours, Platinum, Ocean and Violet, and Platinum.
Release date for orders is May 20, 2025, and pricing starts at $899.99 for Laptop and $799.99 for the Pro. Pre-orders are available now from Microsoft and major resellers and these will start shipping to consumers later this month and for Business customers in July.
These devices form part of Microsoft’s continuing efforts to really make their devices and experiences more accessible to more people bringing smaller, seeker devices along with much lower price points when compared to the larger Surface Laptop and Pro range without sacrificing on power, performance, and AI capability.
This latest update to the Surface line up is part of their new Copilot+ PC family, designed to handle the latest AI workloads that are flooding the market including Microsoft own Windows 11 inbox tools including Click-to-Do and Recall.
Different look and feel
These new devices sit in the middle of the Flagship Pro and Laptop and the Go range. They look sleeker and more modern too with rounder edges and softer sides. This means they will also feel like different devices but retain that premium Surface familiarity and build quality.
You will note from naming structure that these devices also fall in line to be part of the Pro and Laptop but at their very core show Microsoft’s initial take what it means to be a Copilot+ PC.
These are also the first Surface devices not to ship with the Surface Connect Port which has been a stable for Surface since the Surface Pro 4. Instead these now support USB-C PD chargers something Microsoft (along with many others) are shifting to from a standardisation, and sustainability perspective.
New Surface Pro12″
The new Surface Pro is a hybrid 2-in-1 as you’d expect with the usual gorgeous adjustable kickstand, offering a smaller alternative to the current 13-inch Surface Pro 11th Edition.
To keep the price down, this new 12″ version comes with the 8-core Snap-Dragon Plus processor (rather than the 10 or 12 core version), the touchscreen has a lower refresh rate, resolution, and contrast ratio compared to the flagship versions.
There’s also a new Surface Pro 12-inch Keyboard which is needed to turn Pro into a laptop, while the (also optional) Surface Slim Pen 2 enables the user to take notes on draw its display. Taking innovation from the Surface Laptop Studio, Slim Pen can now magnetically attach to the back of the new Surface Pro for safekeeping. Despite its compact footprint, it includes a full-size keyboard with backlit keys and a customizable touchpad
Where this device excels however is in battery life, with this being rated for 16 hours of local video playback per charge.
There is no compromise on connectivity, with 2x USB-C and a USB-A too. You also get Wi-Fi-7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
Size wise, this 12-inch Surface Pro measures 10.8 x 7.47 x 0.3 inches and weighs just 1.5 pounds, making it “the thinnest and lightest Copilot+ PC yet“.
New Surface Laptop
The new 13″ Surface Laptop, like the smaller Pro, features a downgraded 60Hz touchscreen display with lower resolution and contrast ratio and is powered by the 8-core Snap-Dragon Plus CPUs. Battery power is where this really shines with a 23 hours (rated) of local video playback per charge, compared to the Surface Laptop 7’s 20 hours.
There’s also no compromise on connectivity, with 2x USB-C and a USB-A too. You also get Wi-Fi-7, and Bluetooth 5.4.
Dimension wide, the new Surface Laptop measures 11.25 x 8.43 x 0.61 inches and weights 2.7 pounds – making it the “thinnest and lightest Surface Laptop yet” according to Microsoft.
Go or No Go?
The launch of the 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12″ Surface Pro, seems to signal the end of Microsoft’s “Go line”, and also confirms Microsoft’s commitment Windows on ARM over Intel x86-based processors. The most recent Surface Laptop Go 3, a 12.4-inch model, was powered by a 12th-gen Intel Core CPU.
Leveraging ARM based chipsets still provide the best power/performace/battery life ratios and by debuting with these again sets the differentiator and gold standard for what a Microsoft expect other Windows OEMs to follow up with.
The most sustainable and repairable Surface devices ever
Surface continues to deliver sustainability advancements. According to the Microsoft blog, the new Surface Laptop contains 100% recycled cobalt in the battery cell and 100% recycled rare earth metals in the magnets.
Microsoft have even given us a peak inside the Surface Laptop to see how just repairable they are.
Inside Surface Laptop
Microsoft has also redesigned internal components for easier access and replacement, extending the potential lifespan of these devices.
Many components can be replaced by authorised service providers or skilled technicians — supporting a more repairable, circular approach to device design.
Standardising the Copilot+PC experience
With these new devices, it means that all new Surface devices can now provide the same amount of NPU processing power (TOPS) across the fleet across-the-board meaning a great Copilot+ PC experiences.
It also means it enables all the latest native AI experiences in Windows 11, including Recall, Click-to-Do, as Microsoft continue to push the boundary of what it means to have a Copilot+ PC.
Final thoughts.
Microsoft’s original vision of “a computer in every home and on every desk” has evolved alongside the ever-changing landscape of computing. Today’s Microsoft knows that devices need to prioritise adaptability multi modal input and mobility, tailoring themselves to individual workflows rather than enforcing standardised interaction models.
With the end of support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025 (less than six months away), the time has come to embrace the next generation of computing for work and home with Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs.
According to a survey by Canalys, it was revealed that more than one-third (35%) of of Small and Medium sized businesses (SMB) clients either lack awareness of the Windows 10 end-of-service (EoS) deadline or have no firm plans of preparing for and dealing with this date – after which they will be forced to pay big money for security updates if they wish to continue using Windows 10.
The report states that within this 35%, 21% of SMB customers are aware of the upcoming Windows 10 EoS but still have no plans to upgrade, while 14% remain entirely unaware. This combination of unpreparedness and lack of awareness poses serious concerns, given the security and compliance risks of using unsupported systems post-EoS.
This impending end-date of Windows 10, together with the huge advances and benefit of Windows 11 and the new Copilot+ PC devices now flooding the market, should form the foundation for a transformative leap forward in security, performance, and productivity potential, making them the ideal choice for individuals and organisations alike.
Windows is not just an Operating System – it’s the foundation and access to what your device, applications, imagination and AI can do for you.
Windows and Surface: Secure from Chip to Cloud
Windows 11 is the most secure version of Windows ever, built from the ground up to meet evolving threats as part of the Microsoft Secure Future Initiative. Its advanced security features span from chip-level protection to cloud integration, ensuring comprehensive safety for your data and devices.
Chip to Cloud Security
Beyond security, Windows 11 delivers much faster boot times, instant-on technology, and much improved multitasking capabilities. Features like Snap Layouts and enhanced docking experiences streamline workflows, while AI-powered tools like Windows Copilot, AI Seach, Click To Do and Studio Effects elevate productivity to new heights.
The redesigned and refined modern user interface adapts seamlessly to modern devices, offering a fluid experience for creativity, gaming, and work.
The Role of Copilot+ PCs
Modern Windows 11 devices (like Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11) equipped with Copilot+ technology redefine what your device and applications can do. These devices combine cutting-edge hardware with local AI-driven features to enhance performance, security, and battery life. Copilot+ PCs are designed to handle demanding tasks with ease, ensuring smooth operation and extended uptime.
AI integration in Copilot+ PCs goes beyond productivity. From intelligent multitasking to personalized assistance, these devices empower users to achieve more with less effort. Whether you’re managing complex projects or exploring creative endeavors, Copilot+ PCs are your ultimate companion. As these become common place, every software vendor and application will start to leverage the power of local and on-chip AI to enhance their application experience on Copilot+ PCs.
Options for Windows 10 Users
With Windows 10 now 10 years old, Microsoft do have options for those who still need more time to migrate to Windows 11.
Extended Security Updates
Microsoft offers Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows 10. These are a cost option, but will provide critical security patches for up to three years after the end of support date in October 2025.
One positive though is that organisations that need to remain on Windows 10 but are using Intune or Windows Autopatch to manage your updates then Microsoft have kindly added a Windows 10ESU Cloud Managed licenses to the April 2025 Product Terms. These are aimed at organisations who are managing updates using Intune or Windows Autopatch and in return receive 25% discount from the regular ESUs
Windows 365 Cloud PC
Windows 365 Cloud PCs on the other hand allow organisations to repurpose existing Windows 10 devices, streaming Windows 11 from the cloud for a secure and modern computing experience.
For these scenarios, Microsoft also include Windows 10 ESU free of charge to ensure you continue to protect the base Windows 10 device used to access your Windows 365 Cloud PC from.
PlusMicrosoft are keen to support their commercial customers during these changing times, and have announced that from 1st May 2025, they are a 20% discount on all Windows 365 plans to new commercial customers.
Modernisation Benefits
Upgrading to Windows 11 or Copilot+ PCs isn’t just about staying secure—it’s about unlocking new possibilities and opportunities to modernise everything from device management, policy implementation, and system hardening improve user uptime and productivity, delivering faster ROI for businesses.
Windows 11 on Copilot+ PCs, provides significantly enhanced battery life and enables new and upcoming AI-driven features to ensure a seamless and efficient computing experience for years to come.
As we approach October 2025 – cosumers and organisations need to embrace the future with Windows 11 with Copilot+ PCs. Whether you’re upgrading your fleet or exploring cloud solutions, now is the time to prepare for a secure, innovative, and productive tomorrow.
Talk to your Microsoft Partner about device refresh, device recycle, Windows 11 migrations, Device as Service offering or how Cloud PC technology like Windows 365 and AVD forms part of your Windows and devices strategy.
This blog post looks back at the history and evolution of Microsoft Surface dating back to 2007 and the iconic Surface Table to today’s sleek and beautiful Surface Copilot+ PCs.
As Microsoft turned 50 last week, and I watched the “Copilot Show” on both my Surface Pro 11 and (for nostalgic reasons) Surface Pro 1, I thought I should revisit the twists and turns of Microsoft’s transformative and sometimes hero Surface line.
I’ve been a fan of Surface since I got my hands on the own first Surface devices – the Surface RT and Surface Pro 1 (which I bought in combo), but my journey began even before that with the original Surface, which was not a tablet but “a big ass interactive table”
2007: Where it started – The Surface Table
Back in 2007, I was working at RM Education (UK leading supplier of IT to education) and we were the Education UK launch partner for the original Surface Table computer.
Surface Table circa 2007
This early Surface was a huge 30-inch touch-screen display that delivered in the form of a coffee table style device. It showcased Microsoft’s leading edge PixelSense technology, which was used a combination of integrated sensors and no less than seven infrared cameras to track fingertips, objects and swiping motions. It also allowing for the concept of specialised tags (before QR codes were a thing) and objects to interact with images on the screen.
Surface Table Teaser 2007
This technology was totally breath-taking from an innovation perspective and aimed mainly at for businesses and education. It sold in the UK for more than £10,000 and we sold a handful or so of devices to leading tech innovator/showcase schools, colleges and Universities in UK. I also saw these pop up in flagship retail stores and even found one in a bar in Redmond, US.
2012: Surface RT – A conceptual leap forward
Fast forward to 2012 where Microsoft’s Chief Product Evangelist, Panos Panay, introduced the very original Surface tablet device (the Surface RT) to the world.
Surface Generations
This device marked the beginning of a new era for Microsoft with dedicated hardware and software that worked “in tandum” together, very much the approach and appeal that Apple had with the iPhone.
Touch-screen devices and tablets had existed in one form or another since the late 1980s, and Microsoft had been pitching pen input with heavy, bulky PCs which ran a modified version of Windows XP and Office XP in the form of Windows XP Tablet Edition. Again, RM Education were education launch partner for these back in 2004. I have covered this in a previous blog and mine still works!!
The original Surface device – the Surface RT came from “almost” nowhere. Though an innovative device for its time, it was really more of a proof of concept aimed at kickstarting a much-needed innovation push into end user laptops which were mainly (at the time), clunky and plastic clam shell laptops.
Surface RT never really succeeded as a mainstream device, due to its limited app support, mainly due to the reliance on the (at the time almost odd choice of) Arm processor. Despite Microsoft doing a good job of porting its own office apps, many others didn’t follow suite meaning the device suffered from a huge app shortage (sound familiar???).
Original Surface RT
Despite its initial shortcomings, Surface RT did introduce some significant hardware innovations like the integrated kickstand and type cover keyboard, which are still standout features on Surface Pro devices today. It also lit a light on what devices running ARM based chip-sets were and would be capable of.
Surface RT was, a great looking device for it’s time. It was impressively slim and light, came with full-size USB port and a microSD card slot. The device (bear in mind this was 2012), can with 2GB of memory, a 1.3GHz quad-core Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, integrated graphics and 64GB SSD storage which was little low even then.
The point of this was concept and a line in the sand that portable computing was about to get a reboot it….. and it did, kickstarting fresh innovation not only within Microsoft but across the wider manufacturers too.
2013: Surface Pro: The Game Changer
Then, around six months later in 2013, Microsoft launched the Surface Pro. This time it is not a prototype and far less of a Proof of Concept, shipping with a full-featured intel x86-based architecture. The Real Surface Pro was born.
The move to Intel hardware and Microsoft’s new Windows 8 Operating System (which was really designed for touch devices) was essential for the Surface on-going development. Surface Pro brought laptop-level functionality in a tablet form factor and the addition of the kick stand and Type Cover Keyboard made switching from Tablet to Laptop mode a breeze.
The original keyboard wasn’t great to be honest and took some time to adjust too as the keys we not physical keys and had no travel. The track pad was also really small. The Kickstand was super reliable and presented the device is a good angle to work on but was not adjustable and feels very simple in contract to the slickness of Surface Pro from around V4 onwards.
2014: Surface Pro Improvements
We saw Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 ship in 2014 as Microsoft continued to improve on the device, slowly taking user feedback and making subtle changes to demonstrate to Microsoft’s partners what was possible in detachable-tablet designs while attracting die-hard Windows fans.
This of course led to other OEMs closely watching the changes and innovation Microsoft were attempting with both Windows OS and Surface and the coming together of these technologies.
Surface Pro 4 (image (c))
It wasn’t really until Surface Pro 4 that commercial customers would take Surface seriously… It was here that Microsoft truly became an innovator and front liner in the Windows device’s market. Surface Pro 4 with Windows, innovated the development of Windows.
Windows Hello for Business – Windows 10/11
We saw Microsoft really prefect ink and pen and drove new security innovations too bringing the concept of (now a security stable) of Windows Hello for Business to Windows and the wider OEM space.
2015: Big and Mighty – Surface Book
Microsoft continued to innovate in this space with new and cutting edge devices. In 2015, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Book. This still a 2-in-1 but in new design that was much closer to the way a conventional laptop looked. The difference though was it had a fully detachable tablet screen.
Surface Book 2 with detachable screen
This design further bridged the gap between dedicated tablets and laptop devices. The Surface Book featured a flexible docking connection that let the screen completely separate from the base (which housed the keyboard) and function as a dedicated Surface tablet.
Surface Book 2 in Laptop Mode
There was a battery in both the base (keyboard unit) and screen, meaning you could detach and re-attach whilst the device was powered on and running applications. There was a dedicated “undock” key on the keyboard which ensured Windows was “ready” for the dock disconnect to work without interupring your session too.
Surface Book Undocking Process
It was super slick and another fleet of engineering marvel from Microsoft.
You could use the Tablet portion in standalone mode, which worked really well with the Surface Pen (massively perfected from the original Pro 1) and could even re-attatch the screen in either forward or backward-facing orientation (folding it over on itself). It was really popular device with Microsoft employees and partners in particular.
Microsoft continued to update Surface Book, with Surface Book 2 in 2017 and Surface Book 3 in 2020, both saw improvements to the docking mechanism and upraded performance including decicated GPUs which were housed in the keyboard portion of the Surface Book.
2016: Surface Hub: Echoes of the Original Surface Table
Microsoft launched the Original Surface Hub device in 2016. These came in 55″ and 84″ version and were large-format display screens that functioning like a high-tech whiteboard for conference rooms.
Surface Hub 55″ on Stand. These were also available in a huge 84 and ran Windows 10 “Team Edition”
This product continued the legacy of the original Surface table, packed with multitouch digitizer and a customised of version of Windows 10 designed for Surface Hub. The 84″ version was very heavy and retailed for around £24,000. It needed specialist partners to sell and install them and run (essentially) Windows 10 Store apps and Edge. The device had 10-point multi touch and supported cross tenant sign-in, supported MFA and gained support from third party apps such as AutoCAD and several leading education and training apps designed especially for Surface Hub.
2016 – Surface Studio – a thing of beauty is born
This remains the one device I have never owned and really wish I had. The Surface Studio, released in 2016, was an all-in-one PC with a gorgeous pull-forward display, appealing to creative professionals. It was a thing of beauty, and was very Apple Mac style.
The Surface Studio really was a groundbreaking all-in-one PC designed for creative professionals and also for organisations that really wanted a showcase device on their reception desks! Surface Studio features a unique Zero Gravity Hinge that allowed the 28-inch PixelSense display to be tilted to a flat position, similar to a drafting table. If you watched the Sayta Nadella keynote on Microsoft 50th Birthday, you would have noticed the gorgeous Surface Studio Sayta was working on.
Surface Studio was (well still is) gorgeous – with a high-resolution display of 4500 x 3000 pixels and supported both DCI-P3 and sRGB color spaces. It was super powerful too – equipped with powerful Intel Skylake processors and NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics meaning it could run professional-grade software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Autodesk with ease.
Microsoft released the Surface Studio 2 and later the Surface Studio 2S (sadly the last one). Its elegant design, versatile input options, and transformative experience made it a standout product in the Surface lineup and one that really does show the innovation and inventiveness that defined the Surface brand.
2017 – Surface Laptop is Born
The Surface Laptop was released in 2017 and echoed several of the Surface tablet’s design elements but without the detachable tablet capability. This appealed to Surface fans who needed a more traditional clam-shell style laptop and allowed Surface to compete in the fierce and competitive traditonal laptop space, accepting the fact that not everyone was a fan (I am) of the 2-in-1 form factor and didn’t see the need for pen and ink. That said, Surface Laptop has supported pen until the most recent verion (Laptop 7). The device still sports the 10-point mult-touch screen, something I find hard to believe is not standard on every laptop build….buy hey ho!
Surface Laptop 7
Microsoft say that the Surface Laptop is Microsoft’s most popular device. We have seen multiple updates year after year with Surface Laptop 7 (both Intel and Snapdragon Elite variants) being in the latest Copilot+PC devices (read more later).
2018 – Arrival of the Surface Go family
OK – so these were called the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go range.
The original Surface Go was launched in early 2018 and brought the same sleek design and style of the Surface Pro but in a mini version and offering standout value. By scaling back the processor to Intel’s Pentium Y range and swapping the solid-state drive for cheaper eMMC flash memory, Microsoft trimmed the Surface Go’s price to around £449 making it far more affordable than the regular Surface Pro. There were a few high spec options for another hundred pounds or so!
Surface Go weighs in at just 1.15 pounds (without keyboard) and featured a 10.1″ 10-point multi-touch pixel sense display screen. At just 9.65″ x 6.90″ x 0.33″ (245 mm x 175 mm x 8.30 mm) Surface Go was small and light enough to fit in a handbag, use on a train or plane tray table and even stick in your coat pocket.
The lowest spec (cheapest device) – with the Intel® Pentium® Gold Processor 4415Y was in most cases a little under-powered, however it served a good purpose and bridged a gap providing a capable device with the same gorgeous look at feel, combining size and usability with style in a super compact form factor. The device supported Windows Hello(r) for Business, Secure Book and TPM 2.0, and the same slick 10-point multi touch screen and pen support and came with its own (optional) mini type cover keyboard.
Surface Go 4 vs Surface Pro 11
Surface Go 2 got an upgrade the following year with the Surface Go 2 which introduced full better Processors (With the Intel 4425Y or 8th Gen Intel® Core m3 Processor).
We got Surface Go 3 and Go 4 (released in 2024), all of which also shipped with an LTE/4G version for great connectivity and on-the-go support.
The Surface Go range remains one of my favourite Surface devices when travelling on when on holiday (I just wish they had an ARM version to get more battery and performace):-)
Surface Laptop Go – a mini–Surface Laptop was launched in 2020. These weighed in at 2.45 lbs, were powered by 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor – 1035G1 making them really practical and supported up to 256GB SSD and 4 or 8GB RAM. These shipped with Windows Hello(r) with fingerprint reader and again TPM chip. They had a large trackpad, high quality keyboard, came in lots of colours and had a 12.4-inch 10-point multi- touch screen but no pen support.
Surface Laptop Go 3 – a great compact all rounder
Surface Laptop Go 2 and Laptop Go 3 (shown above) followed in each subsequent years with Laptop Go 3 being the current version. Surface Laptop Go weigh in 1.13 kg and claims up to 15 hours of battery (though I tend to get 7 to 8 of real usage)
These appeal to home users, students and info workers that favour portability and lightweight devices and tend to Dock to a screen when in the office.
2019 – Surface Pro X – Windows on Arm is back
In 2019, Surface Pro X was revealed. This was a super thin (thinnest Surface yet), modern (and in black) Surface Pro device, with up-rated keyboard, newly designed pen (Surface Slim Pen) and featured USB-C ports which for the first time supported both monitor connectivity and charging, along with the now standard Surface Connector port which still exists today in 2025 Surface devices.
Surface Pro X, brought back the Arm processor and an dmuch upgraded Windows on Arm (WoA) architecture which meant Surface Pro X could run both native Arm compiled applications as well as apps that were only available on x86 platforms using x86 emultion mode. Despite critisism, this actually ran really well most of the time and continued to improve as Microsoft enhanced the WoA architecture over the next few years.
The Surface Pro X, powered by Windows on ARM, represented a significant leap in mobile computing by blending the versatility of a tablet with the power of a full PC experience. Unlike traditional x86-based devices, ARM architecture offers remarkable efficiency, enabling longer battery life, instant-on responsiveness, and LTE/4G connectivity. This as important for anyone in a role that needed always-on seamless mobility and provided a far more secure way of connecting than coffee shop hot-spots and clunky VPNs.
Windows on Arm Growing App Eco system
The integration of ARM into Windows allows for optimised performance on custom silicon, reducing power consumption while maintaining productivity. This was different to the Surface RT days, as app developers were already making and optimising software for ARM, meaning the app-gap was less of an issue. As this gap in compatibility narrowed (and continues to), it makes the shift even more transformative and benefits more recognisable.
With its ultra-thin design, edge-to-edge display, and AI-enhanced performance, the Surface Pro X challenges the conventional notion of PC architecture and signals a future where portability and performance are no longer trade-offs but complementary strengths.
2019/2020: Surface Hub goes Slim with Surface Hub 2
The Surface Hub 2 was officially released in 2019. It introduced several key improvements over the original Surface Hub, which debuted in 2016. The Surface Hub 2 featured a much sleeker design (looked like a giant Surface Pro) was much, lighter weight, and a more versatile 50-inch display with 4K resolution, compared to the original’s larger and heavier models. It also supported multi-user login, allowing multiple people to collaborate seamlessly. A bigger 85″ inch version was also made available.
This device was designed to be modular, with removable processors for easier upgrades. These advancements made the Surface Hub 2 a more dynamic and adaptable tool for modern collaborative environments.
Additionally, the Surface Hub 2 was supposed to introduce (through a software update) the ability to rotate the screen between landscape and portrait modes, enhancing flexibility for different use cases – this unfortunately never came to Surface Hub 2, but did to Surface Hub 3 and to this existing version through a modular hardware upgrade transforming to the Surface Hub 3.
The Surface Hub 3 now has the option of running full Windows 11 or being configured as a Teams Room, running the full Teams Room OS.
2021: Surface Laptop Studio: Versatile & Powerful
In 2021, Microsoft introduced the Surface Laptop Studio, blending the convertible laptop concept of Surface Pro with a remixed version of the pull-forward display found on the gorgeous Surface Studio Desktop devices.
These were power horses, with the latest desktop class processors from intel (13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-13800H built on the Intel® Evo™ platform) and They were also the first Surface devices to feature their 14.4” PixelSense™ Flow Display with 2400 x 1600 resolution and up to 120Hz refresh rate and featured NVIDIAFootnote® RTX™ 2000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU with 8GB GDDR6 vRAM
The Surface Laptop Studio (model 2 shown)
This product essentially split the difference between the Surface Studio and Surface Book. The unique display orientation was ideal for drawing and writing notes on-screen with something other than the usual laptop or tablet modes. However, it introduced some awkward issues in using basic laptop features, like the keyboard and trackpad, which required switching back and forth between drawing and laptop modes which we a little cumbersome in use.
Microsoft also shipped a V2 of the Surface Laptop Studio but discontinued it in 2024 as part of their simplification and rationalisation of the portfolio.
2024: The New Age of Surface: Copilot+ PCs
In 2024, The AI Powered PC was born.
Microsoft introduced the latest evolution of the Surface lineup with Qualcomm, followed by Intel powered devices which, along with Windows 11 24 H2 brought new AI-enhanced features and apps which continue to evolve.
Part of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 range, these Copilot+ PCs showcase the latest AI capabilities and innovations, marking another significant shift for Microsoft as other OEM also are following with their own Copilot+ PCs.
Surface Pro 11 Copilot+PC with Flex Keyboard
Copilot + PCs have minimum specification of requiring a dedicated NPU capable of delivering more than 40 trillion AI operations per second (TOPS), 256 GB SSD storage and at least 16GB RAM (and Windows 11 24 H2).
This is the current generation of Surface devices…
What’s Next for Surface?
There are lots of rumours, but what we know is we are now in the era of the AI / Copilot+ PC. These next generation of devices are the only devices you will be buying in a few years time. If you are buying a new device today to last you for the next 3-5 years, make it a Copilot+PC.
From a form factor perspective, expect Surface Pro and Surface Laptop to continue to be mainstream from Microsoft. With regards the Laptop Go and Surface Go, I expect these to continue. You will see and hear lots of rumours this time of year new devices expected to be announced around May / June as usual.
Will we see the Surface Studio return, will we see Snapdragon chipsets in the Laptop Go or Surface Go family or will we see a new type of device emerge? One thing is sure – Surface contines to innovate the market. They may not be the number one OEM in terms of market share, but they innovate and set the stage for the best experience of Windows.
Microsoft are the only Windows device manufacturer that own the design, code stack and security layers from Chip to Cloud.
Surface has evolved from furniture to the tip of the spear of modern hybrid computing.
Which Surface device holds the most nostalgic value for you?
What innovations would you love to see in the next generation of Surface?
Surface Pro has always been about versatility and is the ultimate 2-in-1 device for business and consumers who want the flexibility and agility of a tablet and laptop in one.
Surface Pro can start as laptop, but when you detach the keyboard, you have a tablet, re-attach it and voilà – it is now a laptop again.
Over the years, the once flimsy feel keyboard of the first generation keyboards has got better and better to the point where it now competes in sense of feel, key travel and general use with even a laptop keyboard.
What if you could take this flexibility a step further?
IntroducingThe Surface Flex Keyboard?
Surface Flex Keyboard was released in 2024. It is a like a traditional Surface type cover but continues to work when you detach it. This enables a new style of working since you can use the Surface Flex Keyboard in detached mode thanks to the “auto-pairing” Bluetooth connectivity. This makes it great for flexibility, posture and helps you (if you want or need to) change your desk set-up.
Surface Pro Flex Keyboard
With Surface Flex Keyboard, pairing is instant and seamless. Simply connecting the keyboard pairs it instantly and when you detach the keyboard, you can keep working “with” the keyboard not attached.
Surface Pro Flex Keyboard
This means, whether you are taking notes in OneNote, mind-mapping in WhiteBoard or just repositioning your workspace/desk to be more ergonomic. This also works really well when you are working on a train or plane (or sofa) and need to reposition your device.
The best bit – you don’t need to buy the very latest Surface to use it. I’ve just got my hands on one this week whilst at MVP Summit in Seattle and am now using it with my two-year old Surface Pro 9.
Surface Flex Keyboard actually work with all Surfaces going back to the original Pro X which was released in 2019!
Seamless Connectivity, Premium Feeland Different usecases
The Flex Keyboard’s transition between physical and Bluetooth connections is seamless, making it feel like magic. As you’d expect, this is a premium accessory, and it shows. The keyboard really good travel, feels premium and even has the satisfying tactile bump and fast keyboard rebound, similar to that of a Surface Laptop or MacBook Air.
The base of the device is enforced with carbon fiber layers, reducing the bounciness / bendyness that users often criticised in the earlier days of Surface Pro. Oh – you also get a really great haptic touch-pad too which is smooth and precise, and can be adjusted and configured in the Windows Settings.
The keyboard comes in different colours and is wrapped in the usual beautiful soft Alcantara fabric
Compatibility and Value
Surface Flex Keyboard actually work with all Surfaces going back to the original Pro X which was released in 2019, making it a versatile option for new Surface Pro users or those that either need or want a new keyboard for their existing device.
The Surface Flex Keyboard costs from $249 currently in the US and I found them for around £225 in the UK at time of writing.
There seem to be good deal around at the moment but it’s a great keyboard and definitely recommend it for anyone who wants the latest and greatest.
Conclusion
Surface Flex Keyboard is an impressive addition to the Surface Pro “accessories” lineup and I totally love it. Yes they are pricey (but the non flex keyboard is too), but its seamless connectivity (with no manual pairing required), premium feel, and backward compatibility with older devices make it a compelling choice for Surface users new and existing.
You can now get Intel powered (as well as Snapdragon) powered Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 for business.
Image (c) Microsoft
Microsoft has given their Surface Copilot+PC the “Intel” treatment today with a new varient of their Copilot+ Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7. These follow the new sleeker design of the Snapdragon versions released last year.
Powered by Intel Lunar Lake processors, these are designed for business users who still need or want the latest Surface technology but prefer the power and versatility of an x86 processor over the Snapdragon ARM devices. Despite the huge amount of support that Windows on Arm (WoA) now has, there are still many legacy applications that aren’t compatible with Arm or don’t run well with x86/x64 emulation.
Adding new options to the current line up, these new Intel-driven Surface devices will coexist with the Snapdragon-powered cousins, will be exclusively available through Microsoft’s business online store and via Surface for Business commercial channels only.
Intel Inside!
Both the new Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 offer configurations with the Intel Core Ultra 5 or Ultra 7 series 2 processors. The Intel powered Surface Laptop 7 is available in 13.8in or 15in display options.
These can be then be configured with 16GB or 32GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB.
Being a Copilot + PC these also have dedicated NPUs, delivering 40 TOPS on the Ultra 5 varient and 48 TOPS on the Ultra 7 models.
Battery and Performance Boosts
The Intel powered Surface Laptop 7 for Business has over 20 hours battery life. Surface Pro 11 boasts over 14 hours!
Microsoft say these new devices deliver up to 26% faster performance when multi-tasking, up to 2x faster graphics performance, and 3x the battery life when on Teams calls.
The same, yet different!
While the Intel version of the Surface Pro 11 and Laptop 7 share many similarities with the Snapdragon cousins, the Intel versions come with a few subtle yet significant enhancements.
Both devices feature a much sought after anti-reflective screens to cut down on glare and reflection which should help improve remote and outside working. Surface Laptop 7 also. Comes with a card-reader variant (option), and the Surface Pro 11 gets a built-in NFC reader.
WiFi gets an upgrade too with support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, added ports and even customisae haptic typing alongside a slighly larger touchpad.
Last, but not least, Surface Laptop 7 will also be available in a 5G variant (coming later this year), a feature previously only available on the Surface Pro.
Unlike the Snapdragon versions, the Intel models come in either classic Platinum or Black only.
Anew Surface Dock too
Microsoft also introduced the “Surface USB4 Dock,” a more compact and budget-friendly version of the Surface Thunderbolt 4 Dock. Released last year.
Surface USB4 Dock
The USB4 Dock can output to two 4K displays, using both the HDMI and USB-C ports on the back.
This is priced at around £100 cheaper too, though does ship with a few less ports. This makes it an attractive option for organisations that need docking solutions and are keen to keep the brand consistent with the device. Here you get two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, along with a HDMI port and Ethernet jack.
There is no Surface Connector Port on this model.
Pricing
Pricing for the Intel varients of the Surface Pro 11 and Laptop 7 are more expensive that the Snapdragon counterparts.
The Snapdragon devices start from $1,099, whereas the Intel models kick off at $1,499.
Availability
Both the Intel-powered Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 are available for pre-order now.
Surface USB4 Dock is also available for pre order.
In this review I look at the Surface Laptop 7 which I’ve been using daily for the past 3 weeks. We look at ascetics, performance, battery life and more. It’s the first Copilot+PC from Microsoft which is set to yet again set the standards on the future of AI powered Windows devices!
I first got my hands on one of these devices last month at Microsoft Ignite 2024 in Chicago, where I had the pleasure to spend time with the global Surface Team in the community hub in the middle of the Ignite Expo Hall.
On show were the very latest Surface Copilot + PCs which feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon X powered devices that deliver over 45 Trillion Operations per Second (TOPS) of NPU power.
As part of the demo showcase, the devices were running the latest “insider” builds of Windows 11 where new innovative AI features within Windows, such as Recall and Click-To-Do, as well as updates to apps from leading developers including Adobe who were showcasing the next wave of innovation that is possible by harnessing the power of local NPUs on these new Copilot + PCs.
My History with Surface
I’ve been a fan of Surface many years, having owned, borrowed, or used numerous models since we transitioned to Surface around the Surface Pro 4 era. I even had a Surface Pro v1 and a Surface RT with Arm chipset running Windows 8 back in 2012 – devices I still have today in my “museum”.
As a Microsoft MVP, I’m also lucky to get access to demo and trial devices through the year which has given me some great perspectives of the continual evolution, advancements and innovation that Surface brings, not only to end user compute, but to the development and innovation of Windows.
Until recently, my daily device has been the Surface Pro 9 5G. This is a Qualcomm powered ARM device running Windows on Arm (WoA). I also have a smaller (Intel powered) Laptop Go, which I use when traveling light!
My latest laptop, and the focus of todays’ blog is the 13.8″ Surface Laptop 7. This is the latest generation of Copilot+ PCs. It is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Arm processor and it truly a thing of beauty!
Not only does Surface Laptop 7 look absolutely gorgeous, with its premium sleek black finish, but the ‘instant on’ feature and Windows Hello ESS (which stands for Enhanced Sign-in Security) means that I am signed in instantly – no delay, and no “looking for you”. You click the button; the device wakes up and you are in.
Windows Hello ESS uses specialized hardware and software components, including Virtualization Based Security (VBS) and Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM 2.0), to isolate and protect biometric data. This ensures that biometric data, like facial recognition or fingerprint information, is securely stored and processed
What are Copilot+ PCs?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon powered Copilot+ PC is designed to deliver an unparalleled user experience, combining cutting-edge technology with seamless performance and truly all day battery life combined with whisper quiet operation. These are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon Plus and Elite processors (Arm processors) and run Windows on ARM as the core Windows Operating System.
Windows has traditionally run on machines that are powered by x86 / x64 processors, but more recently, also runs on devices powered by Arm processors. That is the case for the current generation of Copilot+PCs like Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11.
Arm-powered devices are particularly interesting because the power-frugal nature of the Arm architecture enables these devices to offer longer battery life while delivering great performance. Arm Systems on Chip (SoC) often include other key features such as a powerful CPU, GPU, Wi-Fi & mobile data networks, as well as Neural Processor Units (NPUs) for accelerating AI workloads.
For most users, the differences between Windows on Arm and Windows running in x86/x64 are invisible other than the performance and efficiency improvements Arm based devices can bring to Windows.
The Laptop 7 I have been using is the 13.8 inch device with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD.
Surface Laptop 7: The Out of Box Experience
From the moment I unboxed the device it gleamed with the high quality, premium elegance that is Surface. People often ask me what it is about Surface that I love compared to “other” brands.
Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
You only have to hold and feel a Surface to fall in love with it. It is truly elegant and premium device in every way, but more importantly, Surface is designed to showcase the very best of the Windows and is always the innovator and leader upon which other OEMs are “inspired” to copy. From touch screen, 2-in-1,to pen and ink and Windows Hello, these features were all born with Surface. Copilot+ PCs are no different. The stage is set for the future of AI powered devices.
Next there is the sustainability factor. Surface is built from more recycled materials with the enclosure being constructed of >67.2% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum. Surface Laptop is another step toward Microsoft’s goal to be carbon negative, water positive, and achieve zero waste by 2030.
Surface Laptop 7: What’s under the hood?
This is a Surface through and through. High Quality, premium finish, and fantastically put together with the all the best hardware to make Windows shine.
Horse Power – Unlike the Surface Laptop 1-6, Laptop 7 is powered by ARM processors. Microsoft offer a choice of Snapdragon X Plus (10-core) or Snapdragon X Elite (12-core). The 15-inch version by comparison only offers the Snapdragon X Elite.
Connectivity: Surface Laptop 7 ships with the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, along with two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and and “old-skool” USB-A. There’s also a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSDXC card slot, and the standard Surface-Connect Port too! The device can be charged via the Surface Port and/or USB-C.
Cameras and Video: The “web-cam2 is a 1080p Full HD camera for your Teams or Webex calls and also incorporates the Windows Hello Biometric / Facial security. Video and images are enhanced by Windows Studio Effects powered by the Surface Laptop 7’s local NPU.
Audio: On board we get the usual Dual Studio Mics with AI powered voice focus, OmniSonic stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos® and support for Bluetooth LE Audio
Display – The screen on the 13.8″ Surface Laptop 7 supports a resolution of 2304 x 1536 with contrast ratio of 1400:1 and refresh rate of 120Hz. The screen is fully multi-point touch enabled and is finished with a coating of Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5. The is no Surface Pen support (but to be honest, the form factor doesn’t really lend itself to pen and ink).
Keyboard: Surface Laptop gives you a full size keyboard. The is plenty of travel in the keys and decent traction. The keys also have back-lighting with different levels of brightness. You also get a sizeable trackpad. You even get the Copilot Key 🙂
Surface Laptop 7: Secure from Chip to Cloud
Surface Laptop 7 (along with Surface Pro 11), powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon, are also examples of Microsoft’s commitment to robust security through their chip-to-cloud approach.
Central to this security architecture is the Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0, which provides a hardware-based root of trust, ensuring that sensitive data, such as encryption keys and user credentials, are securely stored and protected from tampering. This is complemented by Windows 11’s Secured-Core PC capabilities, which integrate hardware, firmware, and software protections to defend against sophisticated cyber threats and attacks.
Additionally, these devices feature Windows Hello face authentication with Enhanced Sign-in Security, offering seamless and secure biometric authentication. This leverages advanced facial recognition algorithms and hardware-level security to provide a fast and secure login experience.
Finally, Microsoft Defender is fully integrated at hardware and Operating System level to provide comprehensive enterprise protection against malware, viruses, and other cyber threats, further enhancing identity and privacy protection.
These features make Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 secure, reliable choices for users and organisations who need the highest levels of protection for their data and privacy.
App Support – Will my Apps Work with ARM?
In short yes (almost certainly).
Application compatibility with Windows on Arm has always been a concern and I have seen many people, and organisations avoid “non Intel” Windows devices for fear their app will not work.
Outside the original Surface RT, I have been using ARM based Surface devices since the Surface Pro X. Today, I am yet to encountered any apps that do not work on my ARM powered devices. Every applications I use (including some from Adobe) now have native ARM versions of their apps.
Prism Emulation works as a software simulator, just-in-time compiling blocks of x86 instructions into Arm64 instructions with optimisations to improve performance of the emitted Arm64 code.
For any app you encounter for where there is not an ARM-native app, Windows 11 leverages Microsoft’s PRISM emulator. This provides x86 and x64 emulation to run non-ARM native apps in emulation mode, which the Surface Laptop 7 runs perfectly well. The benefit of using (and having) native ARM applications however is to allow users to fully benefit from the power and battery efficiency that these devices offer over the intel variants.
Microsoft App Assure is a service designed to help organisations ensure their applications run smoothly on Windows 11, including those on ARM-based devices. With App Assure, Microsoft offers expert support to resolve any compatibility issues, providing peace of mind when transitioning or updating applications to run on ARM architecture. This support is crucial for organisations embracing the efficiency and performance benefits of Windows on ARM.
Printers and Peripherals – will they work on ARM?
In short – most will.
When considering a transition to Windows on ARM devices, one of the primary concerns is whether printers and other peripherals will work seamlessly. Personally I have no issues at all. I use a Surface Dock, blue tooth keyboard and mouse, USB external webcam and an Epson Ink Jet Printer. Most modern peripherals will work without issues.
Printers (well older ones) can be a little more challenging due to lack of driver support, but Microsoft is actively working to improve this by developing more ‘Class drivers’ for legacy hardware.
Whilst the situation is improving, organisations with older or specialised hardware (we see a lot in education and manufacturing) may find they need to still with Intel variants for now, or at least check compatibility before moving to Windows on ARM.
Microsoft's approach of replacing legacy drivers with "class drivers" is part of their broader strategy to simplify and standardise driver support across Windows devices, including ARM-based systems. Class drivers are intermediate drivers that provide a simple interface between a vendor-written "minidriver" and the Windows operating system. This means that instead of each hardware manufacturer creating and maintaining their own drivers, they can use a standardised class driver provided by Microsoft.
Better Together – Windows 11 and Copilot+PCs
Windows 24H2 (along with some new Windows features that are currently in Preview) are set to revolutionise the user experience with a suite of new AI-powered tools designed to enhance productivity and streamline tasks.
Among the most anticipated features is Windows Recall, which allows users to search for files, emails, and web pages by describing what they remember, rather than relying on keywords. This feature, powered by multiple AI models running locally on the device, aims to significantly reduce the time spent searching for information.
Windows Recall (Preview)
Click to Do enables quick actions with text or images found in Recall’s snapshots (or from any screen), making it easier to copy text or share images. This is similar to Google Circle-To-Do feature you might have on your smart phone!
Another exciting addition is the Windows Copilot Runtime, which integrates over 40 different AI models, including a Small Language Model (SLM) and an Optical Character Recogniser. These enable the new tools like Click-To-Do along with new Windows features such as Live Captions, Auto Super Resolution, Generative Fill and Windows Studio Effects.
These all work locally (using the NPU) without sending data to the cloud. These tools not only enhance accessibility and visual quality but also provide a seamless and efficient user experience.
This prevents the CPU getting overloaded and slowing down your device, making things like Teams call with video filters applied, much less processor intensive and better quality.
Surface Laptop 7: Value for Money
Pricing of course varies by region and also your sector. It also varies if you are a consumer or corporate, so if buying for work, speak to you Microsoft Surface Partner.
On Microsoft’s official website, pricing for Surface Laptop 7 starts at £944 (inc VAT).
The model I am using is the 13.8″, Snagdragon X Elite with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD which took the price up to just over £1,500.
In comparison (everyone always compares to Apple), the cost of the Mac Book Pro 14″ of close to equivalent spec is just shy of £2,000
Surface Laptop 7 – Summing it up
In the past few weeks, using Surface Laptop 7 has really enforced my love and passion for Surface and Windows on Arm powered devices and the future potential of Copilot+PCs.
Compared to a Intel Powered Surface Laptop 6, everything about this device feels faster and more responsive compared to any previous device (even my ARM powered Surface Pro 9) that I have used.
The device is lightening fast, silent (like it makes no noise at all) as it has no fans, and battery life averages over 17 hours of actual use between charges (and that is connected to an external screen too). I never take power supply when I go out.
The device wakes up and signs me in instantly when I lift the lid, thanks to Windows Hello ESS and when working, the device doesnt even apprear to get warm.
Video and Audfio Quality is enhanced by the new Windows Studio Effects in Windows 11, which leverages the NPU for superior audio quality and voice isolation and features like Eye Contact and local background blurring has a huge impact on video calls.
The new and exciting AI features like Microsoft Recall and Click- to-Do (in preview), along with the other Windows 11 enhancements are also great to use (these only run on Copilot+PCs today).
Writing by hand (on paper or digitally), remains a crucial skill even in the world of speech to text, AI, the keyboard and the smart phone. It is a proven scientific fact that writing provides significant cognitive benefits when compared to typing.
In this blog, I combine valuable insights from a research post on the cognitive benefits of handwriting and its vitality in education and learning in later years. I’ll also share my personal experiences on the use of Microsoft Surface Pro and “digital ink” which again summarises in my opinion, the importance of of writing (outside shopping lists!)
Proven Cognitive Benefits of Handwriting.
Handwriting, as opposed to typing, activates multiple brain regions. This leads to improved memory retention and cognitive function. Here are some key points:
Memory Retention
Writing by hand engages the brain in a way that typing does not, leading to better memory retention. This is because handwriting activates multiple brain regions, including those involved in thinking, language, and working memory.
Holding a pen with our fingers, pressing it on a surface, and moving our hands to create letters and words is a complex cognitive-motor skill that requires a lot of our attention… This deeper level of processing, which involves mapping sounds to letter formations, has been shown to support retention, reading, spelling and comprehension in children.
Mellissa Prunty | Occupational Therapy | Brunel University London
Enhanced Learning
Handwriting supports reading and spelling, especially in children and those with delayed learning conditions. It engages multiple senses, which helps in the learning process. When people write by hand, they are more likely to remember the information and understand it better. This is also one of the reasons hand-written flash cards work so well in revision or when preparing for a speech or presentation.
Brain Activation
Studies have shown that handwriting activates more areas of the brain compared to typing. This increased brain activity leads to better learning and memorization.
Cited from the article (reference link below) Researchers analysed brain scans of university students while they completed writing tasks. The study used electroencephalogram (EEG) techniques. It compared brain activity when students wrote Pictionary words with a digital pen on a touchscreen. This was contrasted with typing them on a keyboard.
“The most surprising thing was that the whole brain was active when they were writing by hand, [while] much smaller areas were active when they were typewriting. This suggests that when you are writing by hand you are using most of your brain to get the job done.”
The study further revealed that the brain regions engaged in handwriting communicated through brain waves linked with learning. Van der Meer adds, “There is a whole body of research that talks about alfa and theta oscillations in the brain that are beneficial for learning and remembering. We found those oscillations were active during handwriting but not during typewriting.”
Consequently, researchers are advocating for the preservation of handwriting skills (even writing with a digital pen) for modern note taking
Researchers advocate for maintaining handwriting in school due to its benefits for brain development. They argue that despite the rise of digital technology, handwriting should not be neglected in education – Digital ink on devices like Microsoft Surface devices (popular in education) make a huge difference.
It’s not just education either – using pen and ink, in interviews, meeting notes and idea generation also improves cognitive ability, improves memory and is said to increase imagination. Digital notes can also be stored and shared securely (unlike meeting notes in books or scraps of paper) and can even be converted to text or even read by your favourite AI tool 🙂
Surface Pro to the rescue?
I have covered this before in a previous blog post – link at the end. I firmly believe that organisations can leverage these findings and research. They can do this by deploying and using Microsoft Surface for their employees. Ok, so Microsoft are not the only manufacturer to offer pen support, but Microsoft Surface does it better than most. Ink support is built right into the Windows operating system and Surface Pen (the later generations) make inking natural and powerful with Surface Slim Pen 2 even providing haptic feedback when you write.
The use of digital inking with Windows 11 and Surface revolutionised the way we can take and share notes and collaborate in meetings.
Here are some key points from my previous blog post on this topic which I think are directly relevant here.
Efficiency and Flexibility: Digital ink allows for quick and efficient note-taking. Users can easily edit, organize, and share their notes. This flexibility is particularly useful in meetings where information needs to be captured and disseminated quickly.
Enhanced Collaboration: Using digital ink enables real-time collaboration (think digital whiteboards in meetings) and are more inclusive, since multiple users can contribute to a document or canvass at the same time, making it easier to brainstorm and share ideas. This collaborative approach enhances productivity and fosters creativity. The canvas is also shared in the meeting and doesn’t result in organisers taking photos of paper whiteboard and sharing in Teams Chats!
Integration with Other Tools: By investing and using Surface Pro devices with Surface Slim Pen 2 for digital ink, employees and students can integrate ink seamlessly with their other digital tools and platforms like Office apps like OneNote, Whiteboard and many many more. This integration allows users to incorporate multimedia elements into their notes, such as images, videos, and hyperlinks, making the notes more comprehensive and engaging.
Accessibility and Portability: Digital notes are easily accessible and can be stored in the cloud, allowing users to access them from any device, anywhere. This portability ensures that important information is always at hand, whether in the office or on the go.
Security: Writing customer notes, revision notes or research in paper books is fine – until you lose then, spill coffee (or beer) over them, or leave them on a train. Not only do you lose them, risk them getting in to the wrong hands or worse, you have no access to them. Using OneNote and Surface (with Pen and Ink) means your notes are always available to you in any app and any device – security and always!
Meeting Experience: Taking typed notes in meetings, often appears that we are “doing our emails” or not paying attention even if we are taking notes and actions. On the flip side, when we use a Surface Pro to take notes with digital ink, it’s less intrusive and it’s obvious we are taking notes. With the Surface in “mode”, other meeting participants don’t get a view of the back of our laptops and can see we are paying attention and just jotting down notes.
Copilot can help: Assuming your notes are eligible and can be read, Copilot can help summarise your notes, identify actions and even draft your follow up email using the notes your took in the meeting – try doing that when you write in a notebook!
### Conclusion Both handwriting and digital ink offer unique benefits that are essential in different contexts. Handwriting enhances cognitive function and learning, making it a valuable skill that should be preserved in education. On the other hand, digital ink provides efficiency, flexibility, and enhanced collaboration, making it an indispensable tool in modern meetings and professional settings. By combining the strengths of both methods, individuals can maximize their productivity and cognitive abilities.
“Statistically most studies on the relationship between handwriting and memory [including ones conducted in Japan, Norway, UK and US show that people are better at remembering things that they have written down, manually than typing on a keyboard.”
Naomi Susan Baron | Professor of linguistics| American University in Washington DC
Microsoft has released a bunch of firmware updates which should fix some annoying issues.
One of the great things about Microsoft owning the hardware and software eco system (in the realm of Surface and Windows), is the telemetry data they have across the board and the ownership they take across hardware and software.
According to Microsoft there’s been some issues affecting Surface Pro 8, Pro X and Laptop 6 which have (hopefully) been fixes with this latest update. Let’s dive into the specifics of what these updates address for each device.
Surface Pro 8 (Intel)
Some or the reported issues with Surface Pro 8 include issues with Surface Slim Pen, flickering screen issues when using the Surface Dock 2, and even issues with the built in USB-C ports. This update should fix all those ensuring a smoother and more reliable experience.
Surface Pro X (Qualcomm / ARM)
One of my favourite devices (big fan of Windows on ARM), but many users have reported camera issues with the camera app hanging or the camera locking and showing as not working until a reboot. There has also been issues regarding the keyboard when using in Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE). This firmware update addresses these issues.
Surface Laptop 6 (Intel)
A stable for many businesses, the Surface Laptop 6 has seen a number of odd issues particular with the fan and cooling system with reports of the laptop’s fans running excessively (and not turning off), even when the device isn’t under heavy load. This not only affects battery life but can also be quite distracting. This latest update should fix this issue by optimising the fan behavior and improving the system’s response to internal temperature changes, especially when connected to an external monitor and peripherals.
How to get the firmware updates
If you’ve been experiencing any of these issues with your Surface device, then updating your device is simple. In most cases these updates will be deployed as part of the regular patch schedule across your business, but if you need to check and deploy manually, then simply head over to Windows Update and download and install any pending updates for your device.
Windows OS and Surface firmware updates are essential for maintaining the performance and reliability of your Surface devices even if you are not experiencing any of the issues above.
Next week is Microsoft Build, and the day before (that’s Monday 20th May), Microsoft is set to host a significant event in-person in Seattle about the the future and of Windows, Surface and Copilot.
The event (which is not being live streamed unfortunately) takes place at 17:00 UK Time (10:00am Pacific Time) and will showcase (I hope filled with the famous Microsoft sizzle videos) the next wave of innovation for Surface, Windows and Copilot powered by new AI powered chipsets.
As usual Microsoft has not disclosed specific details about what is being announced, but there have been many “suggestive” leaks, predication’s and teases about what is coming. What we do know is that this will be a big and “special” announcement.
This year, Microsoft have already launched the first generation of new AI PC with the release of the Surface Pro 10 and The Surface Laptop 6 which were built on the new Intel AI Boost technology – which you can read more about here.
So what is being announced?
We know this is a pretty big announcement and we do know that this is the year of AI and the year of the AI PC, so we can expect some pretty exciting announcements. Despite the various leaks, we won’t know until Monday what is actually coming, but we do know that Microsoft’s previous product updates were only around the Intel based devices and their ARM powered devices haven’t yet received an update.
Windows Insiders will be well aware of the all the AI innovating coming to the next generation of Windows 11 so we can expect some new AI wow to be announced for Windows 11 as Microsoft gear up for the 24H2 update coming later this year.
Next Generation of Windows and Surface (and Copilot)
Given the new Qualcomm chipsets such as the Snapdragon Elite X, it would make sense for this to feature in the announcements. These new chipsets (which I discussed here) provide huge NPU capabilities which are needed to process AI workloads efficiently without sloooooooowing down the device so it will be exciting to see if these feature in the future of Surface and Windows!
Will Copilot work “locally/Offline?
What? Well today, all the AI and Copilot experiences we have seen with Windows 11 (and Microsoft 365 Copilot) take place in the cloud, but I also wonder if Microsoft will discuss their plans and advancements around local/on-device Generative AI experiences. With the newer AI Boost PCs from Intel, what is now available with Qualcomm and what Microsoft have in their arsenal with Copilot and OpenAI, it will be interesting to see what Microsoft can tell us about how they could de-couple the AI experiences, providing the ability to run local LLMs “on chip”. This of course is as much about the software (Windows OS) as it is the hardware that powers it.
What about Windows 365?
I hope so – since Windows 365 is very much part of the Windows story and I’m hoping we will hear some updates about what is coming to Windows 365. We have seen huge performance and boot time increases this year, innovation with Windows 365 Boot and Windows 365 Switch (i have covered this in another blog) so be great to see what is next for Windows 365. There were also many things announced over the past 12 months such as offline mode that haven’t yet made it to market – could this be finally coming?
The new Surface IT Toolkit which was officially released on April 25th 2024, promises to be a significant tool to help IT managing and optimise their coporate fleet of Surface devices.
We are excited to announce the Surface IT Toolkit, a modern desktop application that compiles essential commercial tools and streamlines the Surface device management experience for IT admins – all in a single application.
Microsoft.
Replacing an older mixture of admin tools, the refresh and centralising of these essential tools into a one application should simplify the deployment and management process, addressing the common challenge of using disparate tools across various locations and versions. This should greatly enhance efficiency and ease of use for IT admins.
What is in the Surface IT Toolkit?
The Surface Tool kit contains a number of new and updated apps. These are:
Data Eraser – Which is a NIST [Special Publication 800-88 Revision 1 NVM Express] compliant data erasure tool that also includes the ability to create certificates of sanitization for compliance and auditing. This is beneficial when repurposing, recycling, or retiring a device to guarantee that no sensitive data is left on it.
UEFI Configurator – enables IT to implement Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) UEFI configurations on Surface devices and peripherals such as Surface docks and other accessories. The UEFI configurator allows IT to efficiently and consistently manage and disable components at the firmware level. This enhances security and compliance by safeguarding against unauthorized modifications to device settings. For example it could be used to prevent the camera being used to comply with privacy in schools, or block USB ports being used to connect to external disks for data compliance.
Recovery Tool – This feature enables a full device reset, reverting it to its factory state for troubleshooting and re-building purposes. It also manages previously downloaded factory images for reuse, helping to resolve common issues and restore the device’s original performance. The latest update provides a new guided process and no longer requires the serial number to be entered. It also includes ability to build from new or build from an existing image.
Tool Library – The updated Tool Library houses the most recent versions of supplementary tools and installers for deployment to end users, offering IT descriptions of their functions and links to the most up-to-date documentation. This tools here include the Surface Asset Tag Tool, Surface Diagnostic Toolkit for Business, Surface Brightness Control Tool, among others.
Video: Install and using the Surface IT Toolkit
Here’s little video that shows the relevant webpages, installing the toolkit and first run experience and tools available.
Usng the Surface Tool Kit.
For more information from Microsoft on this – use the following link
How do I get the Surface IT Toolkit?
You can grab the IT Toolkit from Microsoft > here <.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 (released at tail end of 2023) is the latest addition to the Surface Go family, along with its sibling the Surface Go 4 (2-in-1). This gorgeous, light weight device is a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to delivering high-quality, agile, and aesthetically pleasing devices that offer great value for money.
Quality and Looks
Available in a wide choice of colours, Surface Laptop Go 3 sports a sleek and compact design that is both light weight, sturdy yet still premium. It features a premium aluminum chassis on the lid and keyboard deck, giving it a high-end look and feel, along with reposing touch screen (but no pen support), Secure Core Architecture and Windows Hello sign in via Fingerprint Reader. It is worth nothing that the Surface Laptop Go 3 is the only device in the Surface Family that lacks pen support and Windows Hello face recognition sign in.
Surface Laptop Go 3 is available in 4 colours – Platinum, Ice Blue, Sage and Sandstone.
Performance and Agility
The Surface Laptop Go 3 is equipped with an Intel 12th Gen processor, which provides a solid performance for everyday tasks. It’s available with up to 16GB of RAM (the model I have been using has 8GB) making it capable of handling multiple applications simultaneously without slowing down. It is a device capable of anything outside of intense gaming or complex video editing.
Despite its compact and lightweight size, Surface Laptop Go 3 doesn’t compromise on screen quality. It features a 12.4-inch touch screen with a resolution of 1536 by 1024, providing users with a bright and clear display for all their computing needs even outside.
Value for money
The Surface Laptop Go 3 brings, in my opinion, great performance and power in a sleek chassis given its price point. It it not as powerful as its bigger sibling, the Surface Laptop, but at price of around $799 you get a premium device, which is repairable, sustainable, great looking, lightweight, and practical for almost any task (work, school, or home).
Comparisons with Similar devices
When compared to similar devices, the Surface Laptop Go 3 holds its own in terms for premium feel and weight, though the slight price increase over the previous generation, and competitive nature of this market, does finds itself up against some very serious competition including last year’s Surface Laptop Go 2 and the Surface Go 3, which features a smaller chassis and a lower price point.
Using it on the Go
Using Surface Laptop Go 3 is great when on the move. The “almost” full size keyboard, makes it feel like you are working on a much larger device, but it is much lighter to carry around in a bag, use on the train, coffee shop or anywhere. To be honest, it’s a great device for working anywherem with more than enough horse power for work and home use.
Battery life is not as good as devices like the Surface Laptop or Surface Pro and lasted me a full 5 hours of constant use, including being on wireless, working in Outlook and PowerPoint, using Copilot and taking part in Teams Video Calls. I carry a USB charger with me for my phone and it’s great that I can also charge my Surface Laptop Go 3 with the same power-bank which easily gives me a full day’s work in the vent I cant get to a power outlet. For internet, I simply use free wi-fi where I am, or tether to my mobile which works great.
If you do need a device with 4G/5G built in, I’d suggest Surface Go or Surface Pro which provides options for eSIM or physical SIM.
Windows 365 – a great companion.
Using Surface Laptop 3 as a personal device (as I have here) with Windows 365 makes loads of sense here in this scenario, offering a seamless blend of seamless and secure connectivity to work resources without breaching corporate policy or compromising usability. Using Surface Laptop Go with my dedicated Cloud PC through Windows 365 is a game changer.
The video below shows me connecting my new personal Surface Laptop Go 3 to a monitor and keyboard and then using Windows 365 Switch to simply move to my highly available, secure, and persistent Cloud PC.
Moreover, the Single Sign-On (SSO) feature of Windows 365 adds another layer of security with convenience. With SSO, this means I simply launch the Windows App, (which then integrates with the task switcher in Windows 11. I sign-in with my company Entra ID SSO. This means I can simply sign-in to my personal device and then quickly to my company Windows 365 desktop to get access to my corporate desktop, applications, and resources and I don’t need to mix personal and work staff on the same device – meaning no annoying corporate policies on my personal device, no security / compliance risk for my company and only need to carry one device. The USB-C charging of the laptop is also great as I just plug into a monitor, use the keyboard and mouse and I’m off!
Conclusion
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is a device that offers a blend of value, quality, looks, and agility. While it faces stiff competition from similar devices, it stands out with its sleek design, solid performance, and quality build. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a casual user, the Surface Laptop Go 3 is a definitely a device worth considering.
