It’s tech season and several companies are announcing shiny new gadgets. Microsoft is the latest company to do so. At its Surface Event 2019 on October 2, Microsoft announced its new Surface Laptop 3 that introduces new key design updates and a new size.

Since Microsoft launched its Surface Laptop line, it was a popular choice for those looking for a premium MacBook type design with Windows. However, the last generation’s Surface Laptop 2 lacked USB-C, an omission that Surface users made sure to highlight. This year, the Surface Laptop 3 line-up packs a USB-C port for all the modern peripherals.

The Surface Laptop 13.5-inch model has a 2256 x 1504-pixel display and keeps the 3:2 aspect ratio as before and there’s USB-C along with a regular USB-A input and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The laptops look cleaner as there are no speaker grills on this year’s Surface Laptops. The sound fires up from behind the keyboard. The trackpad is now 20% larger than the previous generation.

Increased reparability

In addition, Microsoft also engineered the

new Surface line-up with reparability in mind. With a few tools, the entire top

of the machine (where the keyboard rests) can be lifted off, exposing the

laptop’s insides.

The device comes in cobalt blue, platinum,

sandstone and black. The sandstone and black versions come in aluminium while

the cobalt blue and platinum are available in an Alcantara fabric.

The new 13.5-inch variant uses Intel’s, 10th generation, quad-core, 10nm, i5 or i7 processors for more performance than last gen. Microsoft claims that its new 13.5-inch Surface Laptop is 3 times as powerful than a MacBook Air.

15-inch Surface Laptop 3

Microsoft also introduced a new 15-inch variant with 2496 x 1664 resolution with the same 3:2 aspect ratio for those who want more screen real estate. Instead of an Intel-based processor for its larger-screened variant, Microsoft worked with AMD to create a custom Ryzen Surface Edition processor.

Each 15-inch device will come with either a Ryzen 5 or 7 processor with custom Vega 9 or 11 graphics chips. Microsoft worked with AMD to boost the Vega graphics cores for what they call “the fastest graphics performance on any laptop in its class.”

The 15-inch device mimics the input/output (I/O) on the smaller model with a single USB-C port, one USB-A port, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Surface Connect port. However, unlike the other device, it is only available in aluminium in two colours, black and platinum.

The Surface Laptop 3s are getting fast

charging this year. The devices support an 80% charge in less than an hour.

The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 3 will start at US$999 and the 15-inch model will start at US$1199. Pre-orders started on October 2 and the devices will be released on October 22.

— Written by Renor C.