Microsoft Surface Laptop-Tablet hybrid is undoubtedly one of the tech scenes latest trend with manufacturers like Lenovo, HP and even Apple copying the Surface’s form and design. This week, the Redmond-based company has unveiled two new Surface models that could very well put Microsoft back on the list of the coolest tech companies in the world.

First one up is the Surface Pro 4, which as the name suggests will replace the company’s current Surface Pro 3. The new Hybrid will of course run on Windows 10 and now features a thinner and even more powerful processor.

The device has the same form factor as its predecessor with a 12.3-inch display with a slightly higher resolution at 2736 x 1824 pixels with 10-point multi-touch. In terms of performance, the Surface Pro 4 comes with the latest Intel Core processors, up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of on-board storage.

As for the rest of its specs, Microsoft has added an 8MP+5MP camera combo, stereo speakers with Dolby Audio, stereo microphone, an ambient light sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a full-size USB 3.0, a microSD card reader, headset port, a Mini DisplayPort and the Surface connect port for the keyboard accessory.

And speaking of accessories, the Surface Pro 4 can come with quite a number of add-ons including the new Type Cover with Fingerprint ID feature and the Surface Dock that turns the device into a desktop PC. Microsoft promises up to 9 hours of battery for the Surface Pro 4, which is now available for pre-order on the company’s website starting at $899.

For those who want more power and a traditional form factor of a laptop, Microsoft has also unveiled what a lot of people might call the “MacBook Pro” killer – the Surface Book.

The Surface Book comes with a 13.5-inch display that boasts a resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels (~267ppi) and adopts the more traditional detachable keyboard setup found in a lot of hybrids like Asus’ Transformer Books and Acer’s Switch models.

The hinge on the device looks a lot like the one that the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro but Microsoft calls it the Fulcrum hinge. The Surface Book can come with either an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor with up to 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GPU and up to 1TB of storage.

It also comes with the same set of sensors and connectivity features as the Surface Pro 4. It will also have the same 8MP+5MP camera combo, dual microphones, two full-size USB 3.0 ports, a full-size SD card reader and front-facing speaker with Dolby audio.

Microsoft claims the Surface Book will last up to 12 hours on a single charge and will come with a Surface Pen out of the box. It’s also now available for pre-order on Microsoft’s website starting at $1499.

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Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 is the tech giant’s best definition of what a 2-in-1 is, but it maybe a little too expensive for everybody’s taste (and budget). The company has tried to augment the supply gap in the past by creating its RT line of tablets. However, due to its OS-limitations, it didn’t quite meet the expectations of its creators.

Well, it looks like Microsoft is turning a new leaf with the Surface 3. The company’s newest tablet features a new Intel Atom chip and unlike its RT predecessors runs on a full version of Windows.

The machine boasts a 10.8-inch display (3:2 aspect ratio), at least 2GB of RAM and 64GB of on-board storage for the base model. The tablet will also work with the same types of accessories such as the type cover and Surface Pen just like in the Pro version.

In terms of ports, the Surface 3 has a micro USB charging port, a full-size USB port, a microSD card reader and a mini-display port. An LTE version is also in the works that will support nano SIM cards. As with other Surface tablets, the Surface 3 will also be equipped with a kickstand, though it will be a toned down version with only 3 levels of adjustment.

Microsoft is targeting utilitarian consumers such as students and as such will offer the Surface 3 at a very competitive price of $499 once it becomes available next month.

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Microsoft’s “small gathering” event this week all pointed to the direction of the Surface Mini but contrary to people’s expectations the Mini tablet was a no show. Apparently, or at least according to a report by Bloomberg, Microsoft actually planned to unveil the Surface Mini during their event two days ago but company execs decided to pull the plug at the last minute.

According to the report, Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella and EVP Stephen Elop decided to hold back the announcement of the Surface Mini saying that the device didn’t have any special features that differentiated it from other small-sized tablets in the market.

Earlier rumours indicate that the Mini will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset that lead people to believe that the device won’t run on a full version of Windows and instead will have Windows RT.

Having said this, it might have been the right move for Microsoft to withhold the announcement of the Surface Mini. A number of the company’s hardware partners for Windows 8.1 including Acer, Toshiba and Dell to name a few have small-sized tablets with 7- or 8-inch displays that run on the full version of Windows 8.1, so placing a Windows RT-running Surface Mini besides these devices will certainly make it a less attractive option for consumers.

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Microsoft’s “small gathering” event yesterday didn’t really turn out the way most people were expecting. While everyone was hoping for the unveiling of a Surface Mini, the Redmond company instead did the opposite by announcing a bigger Surface Pro 3 tablet.

Just like its predecessors, the Surface Pro 3 is designed to be a replacement for the laptop offering superb performance in a tablet form factor. But unlike the first two Surface Pros, it looks like Microsoft has finally did it and created something that can possibly replace the laptop with a convertible.

The tablet is powered by Intel’s fourth generation Core processors (from i3 to i7) with 64GB to 512GB SSD and either 4GB or 8GB of RAM. It also comes with a bigger and brighter 12-inch ClearType screen that has a resolution of 2160 x 1440 pixels, which according to Microsoft says the new screen is 38% bigger and has 50% more pixels than its predecessor.

Microsoft has also improved the Surface Pro’s kickstand. In contrast to the last year’s model that has a two-stage kickstand, the Surface Pro 3 uses a multi-position kickstand featuring a friction-hinge that lets users adjust the angle of the stand up to 150 degrees. There’s also a full-size USB 3.0 port, a Mini DisplayPort and a microSD card reader.

The new Surface Pro 3 also utilizes a new fan technology that is 30% more efficient than previous cooling solutions. This new cooling system has also allowed Microsoft to make the tablet even thinner than its predecessor.

Lastly, the accessories department is also getting some upgrades. For starters, the new click-in keyboards now come in five different colours and have 63% bigger track-pads. There will also be a docking station that will go on sale in the coming months as well as a Surface Pen.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 3 will be available starting tomorrow in the US and into other markets including Australia, different parts of Europe and Asia for around $799.

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People are already expecting the reveal of the Microsoft’s new Surface Mini tablet at the companys  “small gathering” event next week and yet there are new rumours popping up that the small tablet won’t be alone in making a debut.

A recent support article on Microsoft’s website might have accidentally revealed the existence of the third generation Surface Pro tablet. This information ties in with an earlier report by CNET about an Intel-powered tablet will reportedly be announced during the event next week.

"The update for Windows 8.1 will add support to the Surface Pro 3 Camera."

Although the reference to the Surface Pro 3 can just be a typographical error, the article on Microsoft’s website has already been taken down which in a way suggests that the post might have been published prematurely and could well be the real thing.

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The recent launch of the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 has cemented Microsoft’s dedication to its Surface line of tablets. And it appears that the Redmond company still has bigger plans for the tablet line.

According to a report by GeekWire, the head of the Microsoft Surface team Panos Panay has stated that the company is looking and currently working on tablets with different screen sizes and aspect ratios when the press asked if Microsoft is working on a Surface Mini tablet.

Panay also confirmed that an LTE version of the Surface 2 will soon be heading to AT&T in the US and Vodafone in Europe early next year. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the Surface Pro 2 as it won’t be getting an LTE upgrade next year.

Having said this, it’s very likely that we’ll be seeing more Surface tablet models in the future. And who knows, Microsoft might even offer budget tablets that go with smaller screen sizes.

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The first generation Microsoft Surface tablets isn’t really what you would call the game changer that Microsoft has imagined it to be and yet the Redmond company is still placing its bets on its Surface line of tablets as it released two new models – the Surface 2  and Surface Pro 2 in an event in New York City.

Both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 have almost identical looks including the magnesium body and form factor from the previous generation.  But in terms of performance and other stuff under the hood, the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 are distinctly different from their predecessors.

For starters, the Surface 2, which replaces the Surface RT now packs a high-resolution 10.6-inch 1080p ClearType display as well as a two-stage kickstand that is said to make the tablet more comfortable to use as a laptop. It also now has an Nvidia Tegra 4 chip over the Tegra 3 on the Surface RT. It also now has a USB 3.0 port and according to Microsoft should run three to four times faster than the original and should last up to 25 percent longer.

The Surface 2 also comes equipped with a 5MP rear snapper and a 3.5MP front-facing, which are both capable of recording 1080p videos. The tablet will run on Windows RT 8.1 and promises improved performance, usability and personalization. Microsoft is also adding 200GB of SkyDrive storage, free for two years.

The Surface Pro 2 on the other hand will replace the original Surface Pro as the flagship tablet of Microsoft. The tablet still comes with a stylus and the same 10.6-inch 1080p display.

Microsoft has equipped the Surface Pro 2 with Intel’s new Haswell processors, which reportedly increases performance by 20% and battery efficiency by a whopping 75%. The tablet will have at least 64GB (up to 512GB) of on-board storage and 4GB of RAM (up to 8GB).

In terms of connectivity, the Surface Pro 2 will have three USB 2.0 ports, one USB 3.0 port, a mini Display port, Ethernet, audio in/out, a charging port and the same two-stage kickstand found on the Surface 2.

It will also be compatible with a number of accessories including the improved Microsoft Touch Cover 2 and Type Cover 2, which now have backlit keys, a docking station that transforms the Surface 2 into a full-fledged desktop complete with the ability to connect with an external monitor, Ethernet, speakers and power supply and the Power Cover which increases the tablet’s battery life with its 30-watt built-in battery.

The Microsoft Surface 2 will retail for $449 while the Surface Pro 2 will sell for $899. Both models will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow and will hit store shelves by October 22 in 21 markets.

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