What you need to know
- Commercial customers will be able to order Microsoft's new Surface devices with Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- The Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, and Surface Go 3 will have options for either operating system.
- The consumer versions of new Surface hardware will ship with Windows 11.
Microsoft announced several new Surface devices yesterday, including the Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, and Surface Go 3. While all of these devices start shipping on October 5, 2021, which is the same date as the release of Windows 11, commercial customers will have the option to get the devices with Windows 11 or Windows 10.
"In light of the general availability of Windows 11, Oct. 5, 2021, commercial customers can choose to have Windows 10 or Windows 11 installed on new Surface devices including Surface Pro 8, Surface Laptop Studio, and Surface Go 3," says a Microsoft doc.
Having the option to receive devices with Windows 10 or Windows 11 should make things easier for IT admins. Microsoft explains:
The ability to get the OS version they need directly from Surface frees IT admins and partners from having to compile driver packs and re-image devices before distributing them to their users via Autopilot or Azure Active Directory domain join (AADJ). This simplified IT process includes delivery of shrink-wrapped devices already configured with the firmware and drivers built and tested for the OS you choose. Plus, customers will be able to download bare metal recovery (BMR) and .msi files from the Surface Recovery Image Download page.
Commercial customers can order devices through authorized Microsoft Surface resellers.
Consumer versions of new Surface devices will ship with Windows 11. If a person wants a new Surface device with Windows 10, they can go through an authorized Microsoft Surface reseller to purchase a commercial version of the device.
Microsoft's flagship 2-in-1 has a larger display and is faster than its predecessor. Commercial customers have the option to order it with Windows 10 or Windows 11.
The Surface Laptop Studio is a non-detachable 2-in-1 with a display that can be pulled into different modes. It's available with either Windows 10 or Windows 11 for commercial customers.
The Surface Go 3 is 60% faster than its predecessor. It's also available with Windows 10 or Windows 11 for commercial customers.
