Surface Neo: Microsoft redefines the world of computers again with the Surface Neo, its foldable Windows 10X tablet

The rumors were true, Microsoft has unveiled a foldable Surface device at its hardware launch event today in New York. Panos Panay demonstrated two foldable Surface devices on stage, but we are currently only classing one as a 2-in-1, albeit in a new form factor. Microsoft has called the device in question the Surface Neo, which it hopes will revolutionise the laptop market in the way that the Surface Pro series has done since its inception in 2012.

While the Surface series brought 2-in-1 computing into the mainstream, the Surface Neo will champion foldable computers, but not as Huawei or Samsung has with their foldable smartphones. Instead, the Surface Neo will be a PC, well of sorts. Running Windows 10X, previously known as Core OS online, Microsoft and Intel have partnered to bring the latter's upcoming Lakefield microarchitecture to the Neo, a version of which we may have seen on Geekbench last week. Intel will manufacture Lakefield chips on a 10 nm FinFET process and will combine one big Sunny Cove core and four LITTLE Tremont cores with Gen11 Graphics. According to Intel, Lakefield processors will have 5 W and 7 W thermal design powers (TDP), although Microsoft is yet to confirm which variant it will include in the Neo.

Microsoft also did not confirm whether Windows 10X will run x86 apps, although we would not yet rule that out considering that the Surface Neo will have an Intel Lakefield chip onboard. An accompanying launch video demonstrated the device being able to display apps on one screen or both while having at least two open side-by-side. Two big features of the Surface Neo will be its fold-out keyboard and Surface Slim Pen, the latter of which attaches to the rear of the device. The former allows the Surface Neo to be used as a more traditional laptop, with the exposed area of one of the two screens acting as a trackpad depending on where you place the keyboard.

The Surface Neo is also just 5.6 mm thick and weighs 655 g, while Panay claimed that Microsoft has integrated its thinnest display panel into the device too. He also stated that over 60 micro-coax cables connect the two screens, and that Microsoft has covered the device in Corning Gorilla glass. 

Sadly, the Surface Neo will not be available until late 2020, specifically during the holiday season according to Panay. There is no word yet on pricing either, but we shall keep you updated if we hear anything new before then.