Image credits: microsoft
What’s a Surface event without Panos Panay? Microsoft answered an existential question today during its Windows event in New York City. In the absence of longtime division chief Panay (whose departure was announced abruptly earlier this week), CEO Satya Nadella took to the stage to fire off the big guns. But the real star of today’s show was the hardware, specifically the Surface Laptop Go 3 and Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Fifteen months after the Laptop Go 2 debuted with a new fingerprint reader, a successor has arrived with new internals. This system features a 12th generation Intel Core i5 CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Microsoft compared its performance to the original Surface Laptop Go, which debuted in late 2020, and says it’s 88% faster.
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Surface-Go-4-for-Business-Image-1.png)
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Surface-Go-4-for-Business-Image-1.png)
Image credits: microsoft
As the name suggests, portability is very important here. He weighs just under 2.5 pounds, which is pretty good for a 12.4-inch machine. Naturally, this is a touchscreen like the rest of the product. He features two studio microphones combined with Dolby Atmos-tuned speakers. Microsoft also promises his 15 hours of life on a single charge.
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Surface-Laptop-Studio-2-Image-1.jpg)
![](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Surface-Laptop-Studio-2-Image-1.jpg)
Image credits: microsoft
The new Laptop Studio measures 14.4 inches. Powered by 13th generation Intel Core H-class processor. This system comes with optional Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, 4060, or RTX 2000 graphics. It features two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, one old-school USB-A port, and a microSD card reader. This signifies that the Surface series accepts the Creative Pro category. From the looks of it, this is a robust and balanced system.
Both systems are currently available for pre-order and are expected to begin shipping on October 3rd. Laptop Go 3 starts at $799 and Laptop Studio 2 costs $1,999.
device arrives In the midst of news coverage Panay left the department due to budget cuts and the cancellation of an experimental Surface device.