A year late, Surface Book 3 now available in the South Africa market

A year late, Surface Book 3 now available in the South Africa market

Surface Book 3 South Africa

Surface Book 3 is now officially available in South Africa and will retail at R37,999 for the least configuration. The highest configuration of 32GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage retails at R52,999. Consumers will be able to buy the device from Microsoft Surface authorized partner Incredible Connection stores.

The device comes in 13 and 15-inch display sizes with up to 512GB storage. It is powered by a 10th generation Intel quad-core processor and dedicated NVIDIA GeForce graphics. What Microsoft did with the device is to maintain the outlook of the Surface Book 2 but upgrade every internal aspect with the latest tech.

Watch the video below and check out the design and make of the Surface Book 3.

Microsoft announced the Book 3 in May 2020 and they went on sale in other markets in June. They also became available in the United Arab Emirates market in September 2020. So for the South African market, they are arriving almost a year later.

Interestingly, the devices are currently out of stock on the Incredible Connection online store with no details on when to expect new stock.

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Check out other stories making the news across Africa and Middle East region.

Microsoft Surface Go 2 available in South Africa, retails R8,999

Microsoft Surface Go 2 available in South Africa, retails R8,999

Microsoft Surface Go 2 South Africa

Microsoft Surface Go 2 is now available to businesses and consumers in the South African market. The device will retail at R8,999 and sold by Incredible Connection stores and Vodacom.

The device comes with a larger 10.5-inch display, improved battery life and a model with up to 64% faster performance.

Click to read about the technical specifications of the Surface Go 2 announced in May this year.

We’re excited to expand our Surface family with the addition of Surface Go 2 – our smallest and lightest two-in-one laptop says, Vithesh Reddy, Consumer and Channel Marketing Director at Microsoft South Africa. Its compact design and the versatility of a touchscreen and keyboard will appeal to businesses, schools, students and families, he continues.

He also adds that “Sharing Surface Go 2 with your family is seamless and secure. With parent-managed screen time limits, spending control and content filtering. Plus plenty of space for your photos, videos and music,” says Reddy.

The Surface Go 2 will start selling from the 22nd of October in South Africa.

Other Surface devices on sale by Incredible Connection Stores and Vodacom include the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7.

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Click to check out other stories making the news in the ecosystem across the region.

Surface Duo review roundup, this is what all your favourite YouTubers are saying

Surface Duo review roundup, this is what all your favourite YouTubers are saying

Today, Microsoft is shipping out its Surface Duo Android-powered dual-screen mobile device to customers. This means we will hear in-depth reviews about the device. Here is a Surface Duo review roundup from some of your favourite tech YouTubers.

Like every other device review, the Microsoft Surface Duo review reactions are mixed. Most are fascinated by the hardware and design concept. A lot of them believe there is room for improvement and look forward to the next generation device to correct these shortfalls. Every reviewer seems to focus on an area of the device.

Microsoft Surface Duo Review Roundup

Here are summaries from the lengthy videos. Do well to click and check out the full videos for their thoughts on the Surface Duo.

Surface Duo review MKBHD Microsoft
MKBHD

MKBHD: It is an amazing piece of hardware but … it’s a bit of a mixed bag. It is the first of a lot of things. I don’t think most people should buy this.
Overall, practicality suffering at the expense of folding in half is the thing that’s holding back all first-generation folding phones. And it is happening here with Surface Duo. When the fold is just another feature, that’s what i’m looking forwarding to.
But keep an eye on it, i really think they are on to something. I like the dual-screen thing … because the productivity, flow, compartmentalization of having two screens work, it’s real.
Click to check out the full review video.

Surface Duo review iJustine YouTube Microsoft
iJustine

iJustine: This has a great future. I don’t think this is perfect by any means, there are so many things they will need to make this better. For a first-gen, i’m pretty excited about what the Surface Duo can be.
Click to check out the full review video.

Surface Duo Daniel Rubino windows central Microsoft
Daniel Rubino – Windows Central

Daniel: Microsoft nailed the hardware. The battery life is actually pretty good, it isn’t a two-day device, it should last you a full day. The camera is actually better than i thought. Where it fails should be obvious, night time. It’s kind of surprising, i like the colour science that Microsoft has done. Images look really nice even though you don’t get a lot of details. The front-facing camera is also very good for selfies and video conferencing, which is the focus of this device.
The software is underbaked and Microsoft is going to have to work with Google to improve that and i expect they will. The OS is a little buggy, the hardware is missing a lot of stuff on it. This is early adopter stuff.

Click to check out the full review video.

More views …

Mr. Mobile Microsoft
Mr. Mobile

Michael Fisher: The Duo is more expensive than competing products. It is more ambitious as well. You probably shouldn’t buy one in its first generation, … almost every first-generation product is a risky buy.
The things i was most concerned about going into this review, have been the least of my worries. Pocketability is a pleasant suprise.
The lack of a cover display for notifictaions is solved by a smartwatch. The watches also let you tap to pay. You probably don’t need an outside display as you think.

Click to check out the full review video.

Brad Sam - Sams Report review
Brad Sam – Sams Report

Brad: The Surface Duo has average specs but opening it up is a lot of fun. The hinge is buttery smooth. Microsoft put in a lot of effort into this hardware. This device has a lot to offer and for the right user, this is going to be a fun thing to put in your pocket. When you hold it in your hands it is large, a big device, in a thin package.
There’s a lot that goes on with the OS though, that is something we should talk about. There are a lot of minor hiccups and jaddering that appear from time to time. There is definitely a learning curve. It is not a great smartphone for the price.
What you want this device for is to be your productivity hardware. Outlook is fantastic, Teams is fantastic. It is a great piece of hardware for getting work done.

Click to check out the full review video.

and even more reviews

Jenna Ezarik

Jenna: Lots of you asked different questions and i talk about them. I’m pretty impressed in the quality of the display. Compared to the iPhone this is very very clear. I think the hardware is there, the software needs some updates and improvements. It is a really cool device.

Click to check out the full review video of the device.

David Imel – Android Authority

David: The hardware is different from any other you’ve ever used. There is going to be a lot of tradeoffs if you make a device that is this thin.
The key problem is developers have to specifically implement the duo API into their app to get it to span correctly. Right now not even Google has done this. At the system level the duo thinks it is a tablet, the system registers it as one big display. The Microsoft Duo isn’t optimized yet. Microsoft needs a little bit more time to get the software under control.

Click to check out the full review video.

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It does things single devices can’t do, period – Panos, Watch Microsoft Surface Duo press event

It does things single devices can’t do, period – Panos, Watch Microsoft Surface Duo press event

At the Microsoft Surface Duo press event, Panos Panay, Microsoft Chief Product Officer talks about the device. He also shares in-depth demos, product design and engineering behind the Surface Duo.

Microsoft Surface Duo press event

A few days ago Microsoft held a private press event to finally outdoor its android powered Surface Duo mobile device. The company announced it last year and invited the developer community to realize its potential with it. The dual-screen mobile device is currently available for preorder.

Speaking about the device, a very pumped and teary Panos shared it has come to life in so many ways. We built it for Surface fans. For people who love Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook and more critically those who use Android and mobile apps in general.

I can’t stress the number of times he said i love this product [Surface Duo]. Ultimately, in building it, it was about productivity and creativity he shared. Another important thing was, it was designed to fit in the pocket he explains.

I love this product, it’s thin, it’s sleek, …
it is probably one of the sexiest devices we’ve built, …
it does things single screen devices can’t do period, we know that …

Panos Panay

Microsoft has released the full press event, watch it below.

Let’s know what you think about Microsoft’s re-entry into the Mobile device ecosystem. Do you think dual screens will become a thing?

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Surface Duo, Microsoft Android dual-screen mobile device available

Surface Duo, Microsoft Android dual-screen mobile device available

Surface Duo with Surface Slim Pen and Surface Earbuds

Today, Microsoft announces its Android Surface Duo mobile device is available for preorder. The device starts at $1399 and will be available in-store and online from September 10.

Here is a first look at the device.

Device specifications

The mobile device weighs 250 grams and has two 5.6″ PixelSense fusion AMOLED displays that open up to be 8.1″. It sports an 11MP adaptive camera that Microsoft says is optimized with AI for front and rear camera and video recording. The mobile device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB memory and will have storage variants of 128GB or 256GB. With the 256GB variant costing $100 more.

It comes preloaded with Android version 10 and preinstalled with most google and Microsoft apps, including Microsoft Surface Duo UI.

For inking, the Surface Duo works with other Microsoft Surface pens.

Microsoft notes the Surface Duo is available for preorder in the U.S. It doesn’t mention any specifics for other markets, except to check with your local commercial reseller.

What’s under the hood? Take a look into the new mobile device and what runs on the circuit board. The folks at TheVerge share a rich history on the device you should check out.

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Microsoft expands Surface devices into South Africa, launches Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3

Microsoft expands Surface devices into South Africa, launches Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3

Microsoft Surface South Africa surface pro 7

Microsoft announces the expansion of its Surface device range into the South Africa market. Starting with the introduction of Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 for both commercial and consumer customers.

Panos Panay, Microsoft Chief Product Officer, noted in May, Surface devices will be coming to South Africa.

The devices will be available for consumers to purchase from Incredible Connection stores and Vodacom starting July 29, 2020.

Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 continue the brand’s tradition. Of best-in-class productivity, security, mobility and speed, the company notes. It introduces new processors and modern connectivity options in a world of remote work and learning.

Rapid and continuous change define modern living and working – and the shift to remote working and education requires the right tools to stay productive and connected securely,” said Vithesh Reddy, Consumer and Channel Marketing Director at Microsoft South Africa.

Microsoft’s Surface family is designed for just that kind of versatility, portability and productivity, so people can work and play faster, better, and stay connected wherever they are. As with previous Surface devices, we have delivered best-in-class upgrades for our new additions to the family, to ensure that individuals and organisations have access to the optimal performance they need to achieve more in the office, classroom, or out in the field.”

The Surface Pro 7 takes Microsoft’s iconic 2-in-1 design to the next level, with a faster and more versatile device for professionals on the go. Powered by a 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, Fast Charging, all-day battery1 and Instant On, the Surface Pro 7 provides modern connectivity with USB-C™ and USB-A ports.

Access to the latest devices

Businesses and consumers across South Africa will also have access to the latest edition of Microsoft’s most beloved laptop series. The new Surface Laptop 3 makes a statement though a thin, light, and elegant design, offering rich tone-on-tone colour options and new metal keyboard finishes. Surface Laptop 3 is now available in two sizes – 13.5-inch and 15-inch and features a vibrant PixelSense™ Display touchscreen. 

The device delivers improved speed and performance with the latest 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, up to 11.5 hours battery life2, and Instant On. The Surface Laptop 3 15-inch consumer offering is powered by the AMD Ryzen™ Surface Edition processor.

The Surface family has always transcended market expectations. – Whether in the consumer or corporate segment. – Providing devices at the leading edge of innovation, and establishing new benchmarks for excellence,” said Reddy. 

At each iteration, we elevate the entire Microsoft ecosystem, ensuring our devices evolve into a line of products that cover the widest possible range of individual and business use cases – versatile, adaptable, powerful and secure to enable remote working or schooling.”

Adds Gary Pickford, CCO at Tarsus Distribution, “We’re excited to introduce the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7 products to the South African market, offering a new, Windows-powered alternative in the premium mobile segment. The models we are providing to our channel offer a blend of speed, style and versatility for notebook and tablet users looking for a Windows device with a high-quality finish and a device that balances security, aesthetics, speed and versatility.”

Pricing and Support

Recommended retail pricing for the Surface Pro 7 starts at R17 999.00. And the Surface Laptop 3 starts at R22 999.00.

The good things about the new market is that devices will come with support, warranties and extended warranties. To find out more about Microsoft Surface devices in South Africa, visit https://support.microsoft.com/en-ZA. Or call 0860 22 55 67 weekdays 9am9pm and weekends ​10am6pm.

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