Visitors check out the Surface Book laptop at the Microsoft stand at the 2016 CeBIT digital technology trade fair on the fair's opening day on March 14, 2016 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo : Getty Images/Sean Gallup)
Following the success of its Surface 2-in-1 devices, Microsoft said to be working to develop an all-in-one (AIO) PC under the Surface brand. According to industry sources, the device is likely to be launched at the earliest in the third quarter of 2016.
The new AIO PC will be an alternative for customers yearning for a new 2-in-1, but are not willing to wait for the launch of the Surface Book 2. Hence, rather than allowing its customers to go for Apple and Lenovo products, the Redmond-based tech giant would like to have a share of the pie, Digitimes reported.
Although the demand for AIO PC is currently on a decline globally, the number of units sold is still considerable. During the current year, the global shipment of the PC variants plunged from 14 million units to 12.6 million, findings of a survey undertaken by Digitimes Research revealed. Microsoft is of the view that the launch of the Surface AIO PC will have a strong impact on the AIO PC market worldwide.
Speculations are rife that the Microsoft Surface Book 2 will only arrive by 2017, especially due to hardware and software issues. However, Microsoft is yet to comment on the release date of the device.
There are speculations that the Surface Book 2 will arrive by March 2017. It is said that Microsoft is waiting for Intel's Kaby Lake processor, which will help the Redmond tech giant to offer advanced features on the device.
The launch of the Surface Book 2 may also be delayed since the Windows 10 Redstone 2 version is currently under development. According to rumors, Microsoft intends to incorporate the new OS into the device, as it is said to introduce features apt for mobile devices like tablets.
In the meantime, the Redmond tech giant is endeavoring to draw in students to the Surface Pro 4 by offering an Xbox One console along with the device, The Verge reported. Microsoft is offering a $300 discount on the two devices, provided they are purchased together.
According to Terry Myerson, Windows and devices chief at Microsoft, basically a free Xbox One is offered for purchase of every Surface Pro 4. The free Xbox promo has already begun and it will run until August 14.
Watch the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 review below:
