Microsoft takes another shot at the Windows-on-Arm thing with a revamped Surface Pro X powered by new SQ2 silicon
- Reference: 1601562607
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/10/01/surface_pro_x_sq2/
- Source link:
At launch the Pro X was an undeniably [2]attractive bit of kit . Slimmer than a normal Surface Pro, the pricey hardware finally made Windows on Arm make a bit more sense, so long as you stuck to 32-bit Intel-based code. 64-bit was (and still is) a no-no. Sadly, however, performance was somewhat lacklustre compared to its cheaper, Intel-based siblings when in emulation mode and Arm-native versions of the company's apps were notable by their absence.
The X's follow-up arrives as Windows bigwig Panos Panay [3]promised fans that 64-bit Intel emulation was on the way, with its army of Windows Insider enthusiasts due to be on the receiving end in November.
The new configuration for the X will include Microsoft's SQ2 processor, an imaginative increment from the SQ1 found in the first iteration. The jumped-up Snapdragon "will enable increased performance and incredible battery life," squeaked Qualcomm.
Hmmm. We're not entirely sure we'd describe "up to 15 hours of battery life" as particularly "incredible" nowadays. Impressive, for sure, but the usual caveats can be found lurking in the small print, such as "Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage, and other factors".
Still, the X24 LTE modem is a nice thing to have and some additional keyboards have been added to the line-up, including Platinum, Ice Blue, and Poppy Red. All feature the same built-in storage and charging for the Surface Slim Pen.
That SQ2 goodness will cost, however, even if it can come in a platinum coloured case (rather than the black of the SQ1, which remains available). Starting at £1,549 for the 16GB version, and rising to £1,849 if you double the storage to 512GB, this remains a flagship in the Surface fondleslab range.
Microsoft will have some more, but not all (looking at you, Office), of its apps native on the platform. It will also face stiff competition in the form of [4]Apple's Arm-powered hardware .
Apple will be supporting x86_64 code from the get-go (unlike Microsoft) on its latest and greatest. It also claims that fanbois will face minimal disruption during the transition away from Intel hardware, something that even the most forgiving of Surface Pro X users would struggle to insist. ®
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[1] https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/surface-pro-x/8QG3BMRHNWHK
[2] https://www.theregister.com/2019/10/18/surface_pro_x_hands_on/
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/01/microsoft_lends_arm_a_hand/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2020/06/23/apple_armed_for_x86_rebellion/
[5] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
One of the medium-whigs of our company wanted ...
Ahhh ...
Memories of a time long gone.
In another life many years go, I was in charge of first tier IT support at a government office, task which also involved taking care of everything from basic IT supplies to keeping the local file server in shape and backed up to putting together the yearly budget for which I was responsible.
The director in charge, who most of the time called me to his office to clear his porn filled IE cache or find a lost file, once called me to ask about getting him a brand new and very expensive laptop to take to meetings.
He thought he looked bad because "he was the only asshole there without a laptop" .
I skipped mentioning his frank self-awareness but timidly made a reference to his sub-optimal computer skills, at the same time comparing the cost of the new toy he wanted to the three office PC I could buy for the same amount.
But he insisted.
So I told him that he would have to ask for it in writing and with proper justification because there was no way I could possibly justify such a purchase to the powers higher up.
Needless to say, I never got the note asking for the kit but suffered for it for a good while.
O.
Re: "frank self-awareness"
> I skipped mentioning his frank self-awareness
You're a better man than I. I'm afraid I would have no such degree of control should the opportunity ever arise to respond to such a low and slow pitch.
A virtual pint for priming the pump, so to speak ->
One of the medium-whigs of our company wanted a detachable (a laptop that can be made into a tablet by removing the keyboard), since she saw someone at a meeting with such a device, and she found that they are cool, and now she wanted a new toy for herself.
We did some research, and found that there is no native Office for Arm-powered Surfaces. Thus, the medium-whig got an Intel-powered Surface.
No native Office in a work environment? We are not going to ask for additional trouble.