What you need to know
- Microsoft's new Surface Pro X has a custom chipset.
- The Microsoft SQ1 chipset combines Snapdragon mobile hardware with AI.
- The chip has 7 watts of power.
Microsoft announced the Surface Pro X at the October Surface event. The device marks the next step in the Surface line and runs on an ARM processor rather than the Intel chips that we've seen so far on the Surface Pro line. The Surface Pro X runs on a custom chipset called the Microsoft SQ1 that combines Snapdragon hardware with AI. The end result is a chipset that has 7 watts of power that is three times more powerful than the Surface Pro 6's chipset.
So the ARM chip is a custom one built in partnership with Microsoft + Qualcomm. It's called the SQ1. It has 7-watts of power, and also features a redesigned GPU.
— Zac Bowden (@zacbowden) October 2, 2019
"This product has three times more performance per watt than the Surface Pro 6."
For everyday users, the important thing about this chipset is that the Surface Pro X is thin, light, and powerful while also getting excellent battery life. The Surface Pro X is the first device made by Microsoft to run Windows 10 on ARM, and the Surface team has combined custom hardware to try to deliver the best experience possible.
Windows 10 on ARM
Microsoft Surface Pro X
The lightest and thinnest Pro available
Available in a few different configurations, the thinnest and lightest Surface Pro to date is now available for preorder. Itis expected to be released November 5, 2019.
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