There have been rumours year after year hinting that Microsoft is developing a dual-screen device, but that ends in 2019. The company revealed Surface Neo during its Surface event yesterday, stating that it will only be available in 2020.
The Surface Neo uses the thinnest LCD ever made and it’s only 5.6mm thick. Weighing around 650g, the device is surrounded by Gorilla Glass and sports a 360-degree hinge connecting its dual 9-inch displays. There’s also stylus support for the device, where the stylus can be magnetically attached to the back of the Surface Neo and charges automatically.
Apart from the stylus, Microsoft also has a keyboard that attach to the back of the device magnetically. It can be folded out — positioning it on top of the screen — and also pulled out so that users can enjoy the full experience of the dual-screen device.
The Surface Neo is powered by an Intel Lakefield processor and runs on Windows 10X, a software made to accommodate for dual-screen devices. Users can either use a single app which can be expanded to both screens, or there can be one app on each side. When both screens are being used but users also need to use the keyboard, the app or website opened in the bottom screen (the one occupied by the keyboard) will automatically shift to the top screen, creating a split screen effect. According to the lead engineer Carmen Zlateff, the device will support “all apps” including Microsoft Office.
Microsoft says that the Surface Neo will be coming holiday 2020, and the keyboard and stylus will not be included.