Microsoft Surface event takes place later tonight (Image: MICROSOFT)
UPDATE 9: Microsoft’s Surface event has now concluded.
The American tech giant announced the Surface Laptop 2, Surface Pro 6, Surface Studio 2 and surprised us all by debuting Surface Headphones.
Surface Laptop 2 and the Surface Pro 6 can be pre-ordered right now ahead of their respective releases on October 16.
The Surface Laptop 2 will start at $999 while the entry-level model of the Surface Pro 6 comes in at $899.
Meanwhile, the Surface Studio 2 starts at $3,499.
The base variant comes with an 8th generation Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.
However the product can be maxed out for $4,799 that will tout the same processor but feature 32GB of RAM and 2TB of internal memory.
Pre-orders for the Surface Studio 2 start today in the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
However Microsoft has not yet detailed when UK customers can order the product.
The Surface Headphones do not currently have a price or release date and cannot be pre-ordered on Microsoft’s website.
Inside the headphones are 40mm drivers that should deliver quality audio (Image: Microsoft)
UPDATE 8: Surface Headphones have been announced by Microsoft at its hardware event in New York City.
The over-ear headphones are wireless and boast noise-cancelling technology.
Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana is also supported with the new accessory.
Inside the headphones are 40mm drivers that should deliver quality audio.
The accessory has four noise-canceling microphones that should block out background noise.
Microsoft insisted the new headphones are coming soon.
However, the company did reveal both the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 6 can be pre-ordered from today.
The price of the Surface Headphones was not immediately announced by Microsoft (Image: Microsoft)
UPDATE 7: Microsoft has announced the Surface Studio 2.
Although the externals of the device look very similar to the previous generation model, the panel of the hardware is 38 percent brighter and offers 22 percent more contrast.
The promotional video for the new product insists it is the “fastest Surface ever”.
Surface Studio 2 will include a 2TB SSD and come with NVIDIA Pascal graphics.
Microsoft is insisting the Surface Studio 2 offers “best-in-class ink latency”, 4096 levels of pressure and tilt sensitivity.
UPDATE 6: As rumours beforehand suggested, the Surface Pro 6 will feature a USB-A port and not USB-C.
The Surface Laptop 2 will also forgo a USB-C socket in favour of USB-A.
UPDATE 5: Microsoft has announced the Surface Laptop 2.
As was leaked earlier, the device is available in a new black variant.
The new laptop offers a 1,500:1 contrast ratio and Microsoft insists the hardware is 85 percent faster than the first Surface Laptop.
The Surface Laptop 2 is capable of achieving up to 14.5 hours of video playback on a single charge, according to the firm.
The Surface Laptop 2 will start at $999 and will launch on October 16.
Meanwhile the Surface Pro 6 will come in at $899 and will be available on the same date.
The base Surface Pro 6 will come with an 8th generation Intel Core i5.
The panel of the Surface Studio 2 is 38 percent brighter and offers 22 percent more contrast (Image: Microsoft)
UPDATE 4: Microsoft has announced the next generation of the Surface Pro.
Dubbed the Surface Pro 6, the device will boast Intel’s 8th generation chips.
The device will be available in a new black colour that was previously rumoured.
Microsoft claims the new version of the Surface Pro is 67 percent faster than its predecessor.
The Surface Pro 6 will feature a USB-A port and not USB-C (Image: Microsoft)
The display boasts a density of 267-pixels-per-inch and comes with up to 16GB of RAM.
And 1TB of SSD storage can be configured on the hardware.
It has also been claimed the Surface Pro 6 is capable of delivering up to 13.5 hours of battery on a single charge.
Type covers will come in black, blue, red and grey finishes.
The Surface Laptop 2 will start at $999 and will launch on October 16 (Image: Microsoft)
UPDATE 3: Microsoft has announced the Windows 10 October 2018 Update will be available to users starting from today.
The new upgrade brings a host of new functionality such as the “new clipboard experience” that will harness cloud technology to make copy and paste more seamless than ever.
Discussing the new feature back in May, Microsoft said: “Copy paste – it’s something we all do, probably multiple times a day.
“But what do you do if you need to copy the same few things again and again? How do you copy content across your devices?
“We’re addressing that and taking the clipboard to the next level – simply press WIN+V and you’ll be presented with our brand-new clipboard experience!”
File Explorer also gains a new Dark Theme as part of the new rollout.
The American tech company had previously insisted such a feature was a “top request” from its huge user base.
Microsoft said: “We’re excited to announce that Dark Theme support for File Explorer is ready for the next major release of Windows.
“Adding a dark theme to File Explorer has long been a top Insider request. Some users find that a dark theme is easier on the eyes.
“Others simply like the fresh, new look. But while dark mode has been available in Windows for some time, it hasn’t applied to File Explorer, until now.”
It appears Microsoft’s Surface products could be set for a new black colour option (Image: Twitter @h0x0d)
UPDATE 2: Unfortunately Microsoft is not live streaming this evening’s Surface event.
That means you will not be able to follow all the announcements live online.
However, Express.co.uk will be covering the showcase and updating this page throughout the 45-minute exhibition.
UPDATE ONE: It appears Microsoft’s Surface products could be set for a new black colour option.
An event listing recently appeared online where the American tech giant said the surface was going “back to black”.
And alleged images have since emerged of a Surface Pro, Surface Laptop and a Surface Studio sporting a darker coat of paint, courtesy of Twitter user WalkingCat.
The Surface Laptop is currently available in platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue and graphite gold colour options.
Meanwhile, the Surface Pro is currently only available in a silver variant.
However, its keyboard accessory comes in cobalt blue, burgundy and platinum finishes.
A new Surface Book could be unveiled later today (Image: MICROSOFT)
ORIGINAL STORY: Microsoft is holding an event in New York City tonight at 9pm BST that is set to lift the lid on a host of new Surface hardware.
Rumours have been rife that swathe of portable PCs will be revealed during the major keynote including an update to the Surface Laptop and popular Surface Pro.
Along with new devices, the US firm could also reveal more news about its latest Windows 10 October upgrade which is expected to roll out in the coming weeks.
Here is Express.co.uk’s list of everything the American tech company could show off during its showcase.
Microsoft Surface event (Image: MICROSOFT)
NEW SURFACE LAPTOP
The Surface Laptop released in June last year and Microsoft positioned the device as being thin, lightweight and incredibly capable.
The hardware was recognisable for its Alcantara fabric keyboard that was available in a variety of different colour options.
Surface Laptop is presumed to be getting a refresh – the current models for sale come with a 7th generation Intel Core i5 or i7 chip.
But a number of other laptops are using the chip manufacturers 8th generation of hardware and Microsoft is likely to update the internals of its product to match its competitors.
While many were hoping the new Surface Laptop would tout USB-C connectivity, Windows 10 fans may have been dealt a divisive blow with rumours suggesting the hardware will once again come with a USB-A socket.
A new Surface Pro may get unveiled in New York (Image: MICROSOFT)
MySmartPrice recently posted alleged images of new Surface Laptop units that retained the older USB format, suggesting fans of the product may have to wait a little longer until the connectivity arrives.
The supposed Surface Laptop was also seen sporting a Mini DisplayPort, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port for charging.
Images posted from the outlet also appeared to show the Surface Laptop in a new black colour.
The product is currently only available in platinum, burgundy, cobalt blue and graphite gold colour options.
It is currently unknown what the pricing structure of the new laptops will be if they are announced tomorrow.
Surface Laptop currently starts at £649 that will include 4GB of RAM, an Intel Core m3 processor and 128GB of internal storage.
However, the device can cost a whopping £2,699 if customers opt to maximise the specifications.
The most premium Surface Laptop comes with 16GB of RAM, a 7th generation Intel Core i7 and 1TB of memory.
SURFACE PRO 6
Microsoft’s ultra-portable Surface Pro is another device that’s expected to be upgraded at tonight’s event.
This popular, portable and hugely powerful tablet easily converts into a fully functional laptop via the Surface Keyboard.
Rumours suggest the design won’t change dramatically but fans can expect to see more power under the hood and the addition of a black colour scheme.
Reports suggest that a major redesigned is scheduled for next year so today’s news could be an incremental update.
The Surface Studio is set for an upgrade (Image: MICROSOFT )
SURFACE STUDIO 2
Microsoft caused quite a stir when it launched the giant Surface Studio back in 2016.
The original Studio features a fully adjustable 28-inch PixelSense Display which Microsoft boasts provides a huge canvas for all kinds of work.
Now this giant device could get a refresh with more power tucked under the hood.
One rumour that suggests a new Studio is inbound as the older models are now sold out on Microsoft’s own store.
This could be a big indication that something new is coming later today.
Microsoft Surface event (Image: MICROSOFT)
WINDOWS 10 UPDATE
We could find out more about this new version of Windows later today.
The American tech giant recently discussed one of the headline features that will arrive with the new version.
Dubbed the “new clipboard experience”, users will be able to copy and paste across devices using cloud technologies.
And items can be pinned to a clipboard, meaning it can be accessed quicker than ever.
Additionally, the File Explorer app will receive a Dark Theme as part of the forthcoming rollout.
Microsoft insisted such a feature was a “top request” from users.
The American company declared: “We’re excited to announce that Dark Theme support for File Explorer is ready for the next major release of Windows.
“Adding a dark theme to File Explorer has long been a top Insider request. Some users find that a dark theme is easier on the eyes.
“Others simply like the fresh, new look. But while dark mode has been available in Windows for some time, it hasn’t applied to File Explorer, until now.”