On October 6th, Microsoft hosted perhaps the best event ever in the history of the company. During the Windows 10 Devices event in New York City, the software giant introduced a bunch of new devices more that it talked about its operating system.
As expected, Microsoft unveiled its new flagship of premium phones, including the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL handsets featuring the latest on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with 3GB of RAM, and of course Windows 10 Mobile, which brings amazing new features, such as Windows Hello and Continuum.
Also, there is a lower-end Lumia 550, which is a mid-range phone with great features. While it will come pre-loaded with Windows 10 Mobile and great hardware for its low price, the handset won't include support for Windows Hello or Continuum for phones.
Additionally, the company unveiled the Microsoft Band 2. This is the second generation of the fitness tracker with a lot of improvements. For starters, the band now features a gorgeous design with a curved display. The new band also comes with all the same sensors found in the previous generation, but with the addition of a barometer to measure elevation.
It's been a great year for the Surface Pro 3 and to continue with the momentum during the Windows 10 Devices event, Microsoft introduced a refreshed version of the tablet, the Surface Pro 4. Like its predecessor, the new tablet is beautiful all the way around. It features the same characteristics, such as design, size, and kickstand, but there is a lot more. The Surface Pro 4 is now thinner, lighter, and faster. Thanks to the latest Intel 6th Generation processors, Microsoft was able to build a more powerful tablet and with a thinner bezel, which allows the company to fit a larger 12.3-inch display with 60% more pixels.
Finally, the company introduced the Surface Book, which is the first laptop built by Microsoft. The craftsmanship of this device is amazing, and it packs a lot of power. The 13.5-inch display laptop has been designed to offer the best performance possible with an optional secondary custom graphic processor from NVIDIA. Perhaps one of the best features is that you can transform the laptop into a tablet by ejecting the display from its base. However, if you want the device to last the claimed 12 hours you will have to use the device in "draw" mode (flipping the screen around and inserting it back into the keyboard base). In tablet mode without the base, the Surface Book battery life will only last for about 3 to 4 hours.
As you can see, there is a lot going on. With so many new products with different models and different configurations, it's time to figure out how much money you will be spending to the get full experience for a particular device.
Note: Obviously, all our math here is being done in US Dollars, and it does not account for overseas variations, taxes or potential sales/bundles that may be offered. As a result, some of the figures here should be taken as a broad look at the costs, but regional variations will likely exist.
Let's do the math
Lumia 950, 950 XL, 550
Let's begin with the Lumia phones. The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will be available unlocked through the Microsoft online Store for $549 and $649 respectively. Up to here there are no surprises, but these new phones also support the new Windows 10 features, such as Continuum and Windows Hello. While the handsets come with the elements supporting Windows Hello, if you want to have the complete experience, you will also need to buy the optional Microsoft Display Dock for an extra $99.
In addition, if you want to use Continuum, but you don't have an extra display, keyboard and mouse, you'll have to buy them separately as well. You could be looking an extra $300 (if you choose a 1080p Dell 27 Monitor (S2715H)), and $99.95 for Microsoft Designer Bluetooth Desktop (keyboard and mouse).
If you want to get the full experience with the Lumia 950, you could be spending $549 for the phone, $99 for the Microsoft Display Dock, $300 for a 1080p monitor, and $99.95 for a keyboard and mouse combo. This brings up a total of $1,047.95 and if you want a wireless charger, you will have to spend an additional $45.99 which brings up for a grand total of 1,093.94, plus tax and shipping cost (if applicable).
For the Lumia 950 XL will be exactly the same, but we will have to add an extra $100, which is the difference in prices between the two phones. It could bring a grand total of 1,193.94, plus tax and shipping cost (if applicable).
Note: You can always connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to both phones and extend to an external display using Miracast technology with a $49.99 dongle, which you can also buy from the Microsoft Store.
Now, if you want to go with the Lumia 550, things are going to be a lot cheaper. Only $139, as this low-end handset doesn't support the security feature Windows Hello or Continuum.
Microsoft Band 2
The Microsoft Band 2 should be a little bit less scary on price. The new fitness tracker from Microsoft is going for $249.99, plus taxes and shipping cost (if applicable).
If you're planning to buy the Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL and use it with the Microsoft Band 2, you'll be spending approximately $798.99 or $898.99, depending on the model you get. However, if you also want the Continuum experience, and you need the accessories, you will be spending around 1,343.93 for the Lumia 950 + the Microsoft Band 2, and 1,443.93 for the Lumia 950 XL + the Microsoft Band 2.
Surface Pro 4
The Surface Pro 4 is a much powerful tablet than the Surface Pro 3, and just like its predecessor, the new device comes on different configurations to fit customer needs and budget.
Surface Pro 4 comes with three different Intel processor models with up to ten different configurations.
Surface Pro 4 starts at $899 for the Core M processor with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This is the entry-level model of the tablet, which by any means it will be as fast as the Core i5 or Core i7 models for performance intensive tasks, but it would probably be better on power consumption.
Now, while every new Surface will come bundled with the Surface Pen, users will still need to purchase the Type Cover separately. Microsoft is even offering two new covers: the traditional redesigned Surface Pro 4 Type Cover priced at $129.99, and the Surface Pro 4 Type Cover Fingerprint ID, which includes the fingerprint scanner for Windows Hello and it's priced at $159.99 (remember that Surface Pro 4 already includes a camera with support for Windows Hello). In addition, if you want to expand the tablet to an external monitor, connect to a network via Ethernet, or connect different USB peripherals, you'll need to purchase the optional Microsoft Surface Dock for $199.99.
As such, if you want the full Surface Pro 4 experience, then you'll need to spend $899, plus $129.99 for the Type Cover, which brings us a total of $1,028.99 for the Core M model. If you're also interested on the cover with the fingerprint scanner, your grand total will come to 1,058.99, plus $199.99 for the Surface Dock, which will come to a final grand total of 1,228.98 or 1,258.98 depending on the cover you choose.
Moving up, you can also get a more powerful Core i5 processor with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for $999. If you also want the new Type Cover without fingerprint scanner, your total will come up to $1,128.99 (or $1,328.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is priced at $1,299 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $1,428.99 (or $1,628.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is priced at $1,699 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $1,828.99 (or $2,028.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i5 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is priced at $1,499 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $1,628.99 (or $1,828.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i5 model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is priced at $1,899 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $2,028.99 (or $2,228.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i7 model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is priced at $1,599 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $1,728.99 (or $1,928.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i7 model with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is priced at $1,799 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $1,928.99 (or $2,128.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i7 model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage is priced at $2,199 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $2,328.99 (or $2,528.98 with the Surface Dock).
- The Core i7 model with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is priced at $2,699 and with the new Type Cover the final price comes up to $2,828.99 (or $3,028.98 with the Surface Dock).
It's interesting that this last configuration is actually more expensive than the Surface Book with the max hardware configuration. Yes, you are getting more storage, but with the Surface Book you will be getting a bigger screen, more graphics power, better battery life, and perhaps a better keyboard.
Keep in mind the pricing listed above was calculated with the Type Cover without fingerprint scanner. Most people won't need the extra functionality because the tablet itself comes with the Windows Hello feature built-in.
If you want the best Lumia phone, the new Microsoft Band 2, and the top of the line Surface Pro 4 with all the accessories, you'll be looking to spend a total of $4,472.91.
Surface Book
Finally, you can now also get the incredible Surface Book laptop, and just like the Surface Pro line, the new laptop comes in different configurations to fit different budgets.
Let's now look at how much money you will be spending on the ultimate laptop from Microsoft.
Surface Book has an entry level configuration featuring an Intel Core i5 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and without the discrete NVIDIA GeForce graphics. This model will cost you $1,499. Doubling the storage capacity to 256GB, will bring you to a total of $1,699.
If you're looking to get the optional NVIDIA graphics, you will need to get the Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but that one costs $1,899, which is an extra $200 from the same model with only Intel's graphics.
The Surface Book with a Core i7, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and NVIDIA's graphics will cost you $2,099. Finally, you can also pick the Core i7 with 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and NVIDIA's graphics for $2,699.
Remember that if you need the Microsoft Surface Dock to connect up to two 4K monitors or connect to a network via Ethernet, you'll need to spend an extra $199.99, which in the case of the top of the line Surface Book, the grand total will come to 2,898.99.
Note: Every Surface Book comes bundled with the Surface Pen.
The ultimate setup
Now, the question is: how much would the ultimate "Windows 10 devices" set up will cost?
If you wanted the best Lumia phone, Microsoft Band 2, the most productive Surface Pro 4, and the ultimate Surface Book with all the accessories, you would need to spend $7,371.9 (plus tax).
Keep in mind that we didn't include the cost for a protection plan for each device, which is yet another cost you would want to consider.
Wrapping things up
While the new Windows 10 devices from Microsoft are amazing, the experience will vary depending on your needs and budget. You can buy the base models at reasonable prices, but they can quickly go up as you add accessories or if you're looking for more powerful hardware.
Note: Prices shown in the article are based on specific choices from the Microsoft store, you can always shop around and get better deals. Also, these are just examples, and chances are that you might already have some items and accessories that will work with the new devices.
If money wasn't an issue, which would be your ultimate setup? What do you think about the prices? Let us know in the comments below.
