I spent last week on the beach enjoying the sunny skies in the south of England (no sarcasm this time). It was nothing short of brilliant while I was away Microsoft Surface. Prices have gone up for the “current” generation, which bodes poorly for the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8.
Microsoft is set to announce Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 soon, but also simply raised the prices of the current generation of Surface hardware.
With Microsoft’s flagship operating system and flagship PCs on the fence, it’s hard to see a way forward for either.
Already a Terrible time to buy a surfacebut this is more so after almost outrageous price hikes. At such a time The Surface is losing the budget wars to Apple and the MacBook NeoMicrosoft is going in the wrong direction.
I have argued in previous publications Windows Wrap that Microsoft finally read the room. I still believe this is mostly the case, but there is still some internal strife.
If you take a look at the biggest stories of the past week, you’ll see a mix of good and bad news.
The Biggest News Stories
Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8: What we already know
Microsoft’s MacBook Neo answer: a controller and some subscriptions
Windows 11 modders thrive because Microsoft isn’t listening
The Windows 11 Start menu is finally faster and more flexible
Earning Microsoft Rewards points may get harder next month
Surface prices are rising as the RAM crisis hits every model
Scratch-free surface
Microsoft’s Surface events were one of the most exciting times of the year for the Windows Central team. Our Slack channels were abuzz with news of announcements or surprises.
We could always count on “one more thing” on the scene from Microsoft. Over the years, I’ve spent the weeks between Surface announcements and product launches researching devices, researching previews and reviews, and creating guides for our readers.
I doubt it will be the same this year. Obviously, we will cover all the devices and make sure you know everything about them. I just don’t expect the buzz that’s there.
A stripped down lineup from Intel and without the most powerful chips Qualcomm it won’t move the needle all the way. If the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 8 are too expensive, they may be lacking in the eyes of many.
I hope I’m wrong. I want to be impressed with Surface equipment this spring. Fingers crossed that Microsoft has something hidden.
Shopping with Sean
With desktop prices on the rise and the next generation of Microsoft devices still on the horizon, you’ll have to look elsewhere to find a value deal.
The ASUS Zenbook A16 remains a strong contender for laptop of the year. This is one of the first computers with a Snapdragon X2 processor inside. Since the next wave Desktop PCs will not have Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme optionsThe Zenbook A16 will continue to stand out even after Microsoft introduces new hardware.
If you’re looking to spend less on a laptop, the HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 is a great option right now thanks to a $250 discount.
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