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It's not uncommon for tech companies to put out products that never get a sequel, either because it didn't become popular or didn't sell well or even both. Sometimes, those one-off products don't even get their due support as far as customer service or, in the case of computing devices, software updates go. Consumers look for signs that a company is invested in a product beyond just launching and selling and then forgetting about it. Microsoft's latest business move might exactly be that sign that the company is in for the long haul when it comes to its most ambitious Android smartphone yet.

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Apple's decision to ditch Intel in the long run for its own ARM-based silicon was naturally received with mixed reactions and opinions. While the benefits on power efficiency are almost unquestioned, there have naturally been concerns over performance, especially when trying to support Mac software not yet built for the new chips. There will naturally be a need for some sort of CPU emulation, a piece of software formally known as Rosetta. Emulation incurs some performance penalty but if "accidental" benchmarks are any indication, Mac users might have very little to worry about.

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If the rumors are correct, we might finally be hearing the official word on the Surface Duo in a few weeks. While the hardware is pretty much already known, save for confirmation of those specs, the software is still pretty much a mystery outside of the parts that Microsoft tried (and partly failed) to show off. Now one more part of that end user experience is being leaked and it's one that tries to take advantage of the device's unique form factor that you won't find in most Android devices.

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It seems that CPU giant Intel's empire is once again besieged. From critical hardware flaws to Apple's upcoming ARM-based Macs, Intel is slowly but surely being forced to come to terms with a future where it will be forced to rub shoulders with its rivals from all fronts. Even long-time partner Microsoft is cozying up with long-time rival AMD for the former's Surface line of laptops. It's probably not that surprising considering how popular the AMD Surface Laptop 3 apparently was.

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There may have been some collective disappointment when Microsoft once again put on hold the realization of its long-overdue Courier device, a.k.a. the Surface Neo. It still plans on dipping its toes and testing the waters of the dual-screen device category but with a less ambitious yet still novel Surface Duo. It was rumored that, contrary to the company's plans last year, this Android phone and tablet in one will be launching earlier than planned and now it seems that it will indeed be the case to beat Samsung at its own game.

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Some were disappointed in hearing about the Surface Duo's 2019 specs but that might be missing the point of the device entirely. In addition to having been in development way back in 2019, the dual-screen Android phone from Microsoft is focusing on a different metric for success. It is, in effect, promising a totally new mobile experience and it apparently won't stop just at the two screens. Even the Surface Pen stylus could offer something few can, including Samsung.

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You talked, Microsoft listened, and so here comes the Surface Go 2 tablet to leave you no excuse for not putting a slim slice of Windows 10 in your bag. The headline number is, of course, the $399.99 starting price. The reality, as I discovered, is that Microsoft's tablet isn't quite the no-brainer bargain it bills itself as.

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Depending on who you ask, the latest iteration of the Surface Go might be a disappointment or a perfect upgrade. The base model, while retaining the affordable price tag, remains underwhelming while the configuration you'll probably want is slightly beyond reach and retains enough bezels to make it still look outdated. For iFixit, though, the Surface Go 2 is a rather significant and totally surprising improvement, making it slightly easier to repair even if it still remains low in the grand scheme of things.

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Today quite a few of the Surface Duo's specifications were revealed in a major leak, starting with processor, ending with RAM - and Android, of course. This device was first revealed by Microsoft as a dual-screen book-like Android machine of sorts, back at a Surface event in October of the year 2019. It was one of two new oddities the company showed as "one more thing" sort of reveals. The other was called Surface Neo.

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Microsoft just announced some new Surface devices but it is hardly done facing problems with its older, existing computers. Earlier this year, what was supposed to be its most repairable and upgradable laptop (which is still not that easy to repair anyway) was reportedly cracking its screen for no immediately apparent reason. Microsoft was, fortunately, more responsive to this than Surface Pro 7 shutdown problems and while its official diagnosis is literally unbelievable, it is at least offering to repair those mysteriously cracked screens at no extra charge.

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Fans of dual-screen devices, take heart. Microsoft has not yet abandoned its lofty dreams. The Surface Neo, along with the host of dual-screen Windows 10X devices may have been delayed to 2021 or even indefinitely but it seems that its other novel device may still happen this year. That is, of course, the Surface Duo phone that is reportedly still happening. Whether it will still have the same impact in the market is now in question even more than before and will mostly depend on how much interest Microsoft has gotten from Android app developers.

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Microsoft's Surface Go 2 is an opportunity for a do-over, taking what people loved about the original compact Windows 10 tablet and polishing off some of the rougher edges. Announced today alongside the Surface Book 3, it keeps its $399.99 starting price and the design, but Microsoft has been picking off the top items on its to-do list.

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