On Oct. 6, Tuesday, software giant Microsoft has held an event to launch new devices that will run the Windows 10 operating system.
As part of the wide-range roll out of the new OS, the company has launched new Lumia handsets powered by Windows 10 Mobile, the Surface Pro 4 tablet and the biggest surprise among the devices, Microsoft's first laptop. The company does not deny that the new device is a direct competition to the Macbook Pro.
The 13-inch laptop, called Microsoft Surface Book, took the stage in the New York event early this week. The new device has 6 million pixels and is equipped with Intel's sixth generation processor, Skylake. Microsoft also boasts that the laptop is twice as fast as the MacBook Pro. "Ounce for ounce, pound for pound, this is the fastest 13-inch laptop ever made, anywhere, on any planet," Surface Computing vice-president Panos Panay said. Panay even directly stated that the laptop is better than the Macbook Pro.
So what factors set it apart from its rival? Techradar points out elements that makes the laptop more than just a duplicate of the MacBook Pro. The differences lie mostly with the screen's functions. Microsoft Surface Book offers users a touch screen feature, which the rival device does not provide. Apple users get touch screen either with the iPhone or iPad.
Microsoft Surface Book also boasts of a dynamic fulcrum hinge and muscle wire lock, which allows the laptop screen to detach from the keyboard easily. Thus, the new device has the portability of a tablet and the functionality of a laptop. And the removable screen is also able to interact with the Surface Pen, and users are able to use touch for interaction with the screen as well.
After the demonstration of the Surface Book has been presented, many audience members gave it a standing ovation. The Surface Book laptop has a battery that lasts for twelve hours, so there is no need to recharge the battery, as it is enough to last the day.
The new laptop is slated to go on sale beginning Oct. 26, Monday. The laptop retails for a price of $1499, reports Financial Review. As the first laptop in Microsoft's history, much is expected from the new device, and from initial reviews, it seems that Microsoft is confident to be able to deliver.
