Microsoft is planning to merge its Surface Pro X and Surface Pro “9” under the identical product line later this yr within the fall in an effort to assist normalize its Home windows on ARM choices. In accordance to my sources, the corporate will provide the Surface Pro 9 in each ARM and Intel configurations, with the ARM variant being powered by a customized Snapdragon 8cx Gen3 SoC, dubbed the Microsoft SQ3.
The transfer comes after the corporate introduced its first Home windows on ARM desktop PC within the type of a developer equipment dubbed “Venture Volterra,” which I’m instructed options the Snapdragon 8cx Gen3 SoC and contains the identical neural processing unit (NPU) AI options and energy that’s anticipated to ship within the Surface Pro 9 with ARM.
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Been listening to from my sources for some time now that MS is planning to merge the Surface Pro X under the primary Surface Pro line this fall, that means the Surface Pro “9” can be out there in each Intel and ARM flavors for the primary time. Massive milestone for WoA!August 28, 2022
On the Intel aspect, I hear the Surface Pro 9 will ship with Twelfth-generation chips, presumably of the P-series selection, which would offer a notable enhance in efficiency over the Surface Pro 8. I’m instructed there aren’t any plans to provide the Surface Pro 9 with AMD chips, although AMD choices will nonetheless be out there on the upcoming Surface Laptop computer 5.
Different additions to the Surface Pro 9 embody SKUs with 5G connectivity for the primary time on a Surface PC, and new Kind Cowl colours and designs. I’m not anticipating to see any main exterior design modifications to gadget, that means the Surface Pro 9 must be suitable with the identical Kind Cowl and Slim Pen equipment because the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Pro X.
It’s unclear what Microsoft is planning to do concerning the Surface Pro X chassis, which is barely thinner than the primary Surface Pro line. Will the corporate keep the thinner chassis for the Surface Pro 9 with ARM, or will it merely unify under the marginally thicker chassis for each ARM and Intel fashions? Solely time will inform.
Microsoft providing two totally different chips in a single product line is not something new. The corporate has been doing it with the Surface Laptop computer for the reason that 2019, the place it affords each Intel and AMD chips in the identical product.
Microsoft is predicted to unveil the Surface Pro 9, alongside a brand new Surface Studio and Surface Laptop computer within the subsequent handful of weeks. After all, these plans may change between now and these units being introduced.