JANUARY 2020 • TECH ADVISOR 43Why? Because tapping on glass loses its appeal
beyond banging out a quick text message. Actual work
requires a keyboard with travel, in much the same way
that we wear comfortable, cushioned shoes for walking
or running. The Neo’s keyboard is emblematic of what
Microsoft is trying to achieve: flexibility.
We’ve previously told you what microprocessor
diversity means for Microsoft, as well as its chip
partners Qualcomm, AMD, and Intel. What we thought
then was that Qualcomm would enable all-day battery
life (which emerged as the Surface Pro X), AMD
would pump up the Surface’s graphics firepower (the
15in Surface Laptop 3), and Intel would power, well
everything else. What we missed was Intel’s Lakefield,
the compact, stacked-chip architecture which we
already knew would be the foundation of dual-screen
displays. That, of course, became the Surface Neo,
Microsoft’s dual-screen device.
You don’t use chips, though. You use devices.
What those four different chip platforms enable – and
not just for Microsoft, but for every other PC maker
too – is the ability to design in different computing
modalities for different people, something we’ve seen
Microsoft strive for in the past.
Modalities – the different ways in which users
interact with Windows and other Microsoft services- is Microsoft’s stock in trade. Some people prefer a
desktop. Others, a traditional clamshell laptop. Tablets
appeal to others. Microsoft tried and failed to make
Windows Phones a thing, but ultimately decided to
use apps and services as a proxy to push users back
within the Microsoft fold.
JANUARY 2020 • TECH ADVISOR 43Why? Because tapping on glass loses its appeal
beyond banging out a quick text message. Actual work
requires a keyboard with travel, in much the same way
that we wear comfortable, cushioned shoes for walking
or running. The Neo’s keyboard is emblematic of what
Microsoft is trying to achieve: flexibility.
We’ve previously told you what microprocessor
diversitymeansforMicrosoft,aswellasitschip
partnersQualcomm, AMD, and Intel. What we thought
then was that Qualcomm would enable all-day battery
life (which emerged as the Surface Pro X), AMD
would pump up the Surface’s graphics firepower (the
15in Surface Laptop 3), and Intel would power, well
everything else. What we missed was Intel’s Lakefield,
the compact, stacked-chip architecture which we
already knew would be the foundation of dual-screen
displays. That, of course, became the Surface Neo,
Microsoft’s dual-screen device.
Youdon’tusechips,though.Youusedevices.
Whatthose four different chip platforms enable – and
not just for Microsoft, but for every other PC maker
too – is the ability to design in different computing
modalities for different people, something we’ve seen
Microsoft strive for in the past.
Modalities – the different ways in which users
interact with Windows and other Microsoft services
- is Microsoft’s stock in trade. Some people prefer a
desktop. Others, a traditional clamshell laptop. Tablets
appeal to others. Microsoft tried and failed to make
WindowsPhonesa thing,butultimatelydecidedto
useapps and services as a proxy to push users back
within the Microsoft fold.