Microsoft intends to revive the Surface line. There will be new devices, new processors and apologies from USB-C

We already know Microsoft's plans for the next year with respect to the Surface product line. According to assumptions, it will be much more interesting than in recent months. The new products will again have a significant impact on the PC market.

The past year was mainly the time of tidying up the Surface device line. The equipment has been slightly refreshed, their manufacturer focused on replacing the components with more modern ones. The approach to changes was so conservative that even the implementation of USB-C ports in Surface PCs was not decided - still focusing on the proprietary Surface Connect interface.

The next year and the beginning of 2020 will be much more interesting. Microsoft is working on completely new Surfaces, which, for the second time, are to set standards for the company's partners involved in the production of Windows hardware. This information comes from the book "Beneath a Surface", which premiered yesterday. Written by Brad Sams - one of the best-informed journalists focusing on Microsoft. So although this information is not official, it should be treated as reliable.

The first task: to civilize the market of All-in-One desktops.

Surface Studio is a device designed for a niche audience. However, I am afraid - although we have no hard data - that he sold much below expectations, despite being a device for specialists. Microsoft is not going to give up this line of computers. Quite I want to use it to popularize something more than just the possibility of easily converting AiO desktop into a desktop tablet for work.

Surface Studio users have begged Microsoft with various official communication channels to put on the market itself an excellent monitor for this device, without the section constituting the right computer. The company will partially respond to this demand: such a monitor will not be available for sale. This, however, does not mean that you will need to buy a new one as the computer itself will get old.

The next generation Surface Studio is to allow the replacement of the conversion part. In other words, when over the years the computing power of this equipment ceases to be satisfactory, it is sufficient to substitute the module with integrated circuits alone. The perfect PixelSense display will give us served.

The next-generation Surface Studio is the only one to appear not in the next year, but only in 2020.

Task two: try to become independent of Intel.

All Surface devices use Intel core processors. For some time Microsoft has been trying - with very modest successes - to promote other manufacturers of integrated circuits. Unfortunately, for now, notebooks of partners with ARM systems from Qualcomm and the full Windows 10 are selling poorly. Microsoft itself also uses AMD components only on Xbox gaming consoles. The latter is expected to change.

Microsoft is planning to evaluate the AMD chips that are to be released this year to be used in Surface Laptop computers . The decision has not yet been made and depends on the possibilities of the mentioned chips. However, there is a high probability that Microsoft's flagship notebook will use a processor other than Intel Core.

Task three: try to create two new categories of hardware.

Microsoft is working on two completely new devices. The first of them, which is to be announced early next year, Brad Sams does not know much. This is supposed to be an ambient computing equipment, i.e. a device, to categories which can also include Amazon Echo or Lenovo Smart Display. It is supposed to work with a mobile phone and, among other things , help in the introduction of text and navigation . It is doubtful that it would consist of Cortana - Microsoft's voice assistant has been pushed to the side of the development path, and the partners using it did not sell at all. However, this is just speculation.

The second of them is already mythical for fans of Windows 10 Mobile Andromeda. So wrongly announced by enthusiasts the great return of phones with Windows. I have some bad news for this group: Andromeda will not fit in your pocket. This device is designed to resemble the reference Tiger Rapid design from Intel. So be a folding tablet with two displays. It is not clear whether this second display - as Intel proposes - will be from e-paper, or will adopt a more traditional form.

Task three: apologize to USB-C.

Microsoft argued its sluggishness in introducing USB-C to its devices with the requirements of corporate clients. So those who buy equipment and accessories in large volumes and expect that the accessories will be compatible with the latest generation of equipment. According to Microsoft, exchanging ports for newer ones is a big inconvenience for such a client, connected with the need to buy new chargers or docking stations.

However, the future Pro Surface Pro will eventually receive a USB-C connector. The tablet is also looking forward to a display with narrower frames than the current one, and is looking forward to several minor improvements.

Now it remains to check how much the Surface brand will have an impact on the market for 2019.

Her biggest but also the only success was to popularize a new type of device, which are hybrid tablets. Today, almost every major manufacturer of personal electronics has a tablet that can be easily converted into a laptop - and vice versa. These devices also sell very well.

Surface Studio, Surface Laptop and Surface Book - although they are very good equipment - have not changed anything on the market. It is hard not to support the attempt to weaken Intel's dominance on the market, as well as the desire to make AiO computers more profitable. However, it is only time to show whether future ideas of Microsoft will find imitators with partners and competitors. I have big doubts about it.

Microsoft intends to revive the Surface line. There will be new devices, new processors and apologies from USB-C