As the maker of the worlds most popular desktop OS, you’d be forgiven that Microsoft also makes hardware, and it’s coming to Australia soon. Microsoft has today announced that the Surface Go 2, Surface Book 3, Surface Headphones 2, and Surface Earbuds are all now available to pre-order in Australia.
Surface Go 2
In terms of popularity the Surface Go 2 is getting all the buzz as the follow-up to the successful Surface Go, released a couple of years back. The new Surface Go 2 looks to retain all that made the Surface Go special, including some sharp pricing, with the base model priced from $629.
The Surface Go 2 comes with a slightly larger 10.5-inch FullHD resolution screen than its predecessor, but the same compact body. It includes options for either an 8th gen Intel Pentium or M3 processor, and up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage.
Microsoft has included 5MP Front and rear facing cameras on the Surface Go 2, an important factor for those video conference calls.
The tablet comes with a bunch of accessory options, including detachable Type-covers, Sleeves and the Surface Pen which is a great for your budding artists.
You can pre-order the Surface Go 2 now, with orders shipping from May 12th according to their website.
Surface Book 3
If the budget Surface Go 2 isn’t for you, then the Surface Book 3, Microsofts most powerful Surface laptop yet should be more to your taste. The detachable device lets you use it as a laptop or tablet, and is available in 13.5” or 15” sizes, both with a high-resolution touchscreen.
Microsoft is spruiking ‘desktop-level performance’ for the Surface Book 3, and is giving options for 10th Generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage on board. The improved processor offers great performance benefits including up up to 17.5 hours of battery life. Surface Book 3 also includes an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card on the i7 models for any gamers out there.
There’s plenty of ports, including USB-C and a headphone jack, all in a simple, yet elegant design.
Surface Book 3 is due to start shipping on May 21st according to the Microsoft Website, so you still have time to finalise your config before you order.
Surface Headphones 2
For audiophiles, the Microsoft Surface Headphones were a surprise delight, and they’re following up with a second generation, which will start shipping from June 5th in Australia for $399.95.
At that price, you expect a lot of bang for your buck and Microsoft seem keen to deliver, including 40 mm Free Edge drivers and Active Noise Cancellation so you can enjoy your music without interruption for up to 20 hours.
Microsoft has refined their original design, with the ear cup now swivelling up to 180-degress to make it more comfortable when you’re wearing them around your neck.
Microsoft has also added a stunning matte black colour option alongside their classic Platinum on their site and it’s a good choice, because they look great.
Surface Earbuds
While they covered the over-ear cans nicely with the Surface Headphones, the totally wireless earbud range is now covered with the Surface Earbuds.
The ultra-comforable earbuds sit in your ear and offer touch controls at your fingertips so you can listen to music while working out, or continue a conference call on the go.
The sound quality promises to be good with a 13.6 mm driver offering ‘Omnisonic sound’ according to Microsoft, and dual microphones in each earbud.
There’s long battery life too with 8 hours of continuous listening time on a single charge, plus another two 8-hour charges with the charging case which can be charged via USB-C or wirelessly.
You’ll be able to get you hands on the Surface Earbuds from May 12th for $319.95. You can check them out on the Microsoft Australia website.
That’s a lot of new hardware to unpack, but if you see something you like it’s all available to pre-order now through the Microsoft Australia online store, or via commercial authorised resellers, and authorised retailers.