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Microsoft designed Windows 10X for dual-screen PCs

by Mark Tyson on 3 October 2019, 11:41

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Surface, Windows 10

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Earlier you may have looked over the details, images and video of the new Microsoft Surface Neo. While we had some good info about this upcoming product, from both Microsoft and Intel, it is still quite a way from release (Holiday 2020). Such dual-screen Windows devices are set to feature more heavily at trade shows like CES and Computex going forward - heading straight to your wish lists, product makers will hope. Microsoft says that the likes of Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo already have similar - but different - products in the pipeline varying by size, design and specs. However, they will all have one thing in common, they will run Windows 10X.

Microsoft says that Windows 10X is "the best of Windows 10 built to enable unique experiences on multi-posture dual-screen PCs". It is Windows 10, in the same way that the OS on Xbox Ones, and the HoloLens is: it uses "one core" technologies. So it won't be an upgrade option for existing Windows 10 devices, it will simply complement and co-exist.

From the Surface Event last night and the video clips featuring the Surface Neo, you might already have an idea of the main adaptations within Windows 10X. Microsoft says the UI will be immediately familiar and usable for Windows 10 users but it will come into its own as users manipulate their new dual-screen foldable device into various postures. It then delivers "more flexible experiences with a wide range of input types and hardware postures all while managing Windows applications and how they use the battery," relays an official blog post about Windows 10X. Importantly Windows 10X allows you to make use of the breadth of Windows and Win32 applications.

Microsoft envisions the flexibility of Windows 10X being very welcome with its commercial customers. It outlines a use-case where a mobile professional can look at multiple charts and data over a unified but partitioned display. Other more specific examples are; viewing a presentation on one screen while on a call and seeing the meeting participants in full video on the other, or having a reference article open while commenting on a document.

Windows 10X will arrive on dual-screen and foldable devices from Autumn next year - including the new Surface Neo and partner devices, all ready at retailers in time for Xmas.

HEXUS Forums :: 15 Comments

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Posted by aniilv - Thu 03 Oct 2019 11:45
Oh, here we go again. First was win8 with its stupid touch screen controls on non touch screens, now this…
Posted by AGTDenton - Thu 03 Oct 2019 13:08
RE: the YT video, just who writes their scripts, these presentations are so cringeworthy to watch
Posted by KultiVator - Thu 03 Oct 2019 15:06
I've always found Panos Panay's style of presenting quite odd… he sort of gives off attitude but doesn't back it up with much of the detail that you'd expect for the Surface category of products (which I like, as I spent my own cash on a Surface Pro… but feel they're overpriced for what they are).

In short, Panay should probably stop trying to ape certain aspects of an Apple launch and just cover the products themselves off in a way that does them justice.

I came away from the launch event feeling quite underwhelmed about this year's Surface line-up, only really curious to see how a Ryzen-based Surface might perform. The Surface Neo and Duo do look interesting, but after the hype settled, I'm left wondering who it's aimed at, as the Surface Pro is none too bulky and can already devote half a screen to almost any app already for multi-tasking & cross-referencing.
Posted by LSG501 - Thu 03 Oct 2019 16:49
KultiVator
The Surface Neo and Duo do look interesting, but after the hype settled, I'm left wondering who it's aimed at.
Someone like me :P As someone who is a designer and goes to meetings etc I can see a usage for it but it is very much price dependent, it needs to be affordable or people just won't buy it as there are cheaper options like (as much as I'm not a fan of apple) the iPad mini.

Even now I am still wanting a device like old courier concept by MS, the neo is basically the hardware part of this and assuming MS can get the software and develop to support the form factor it ‘could’ become incredibly useful for business meetings, especially if it's always on with mobile internet (no idea why they didn't use arm in the neo…) as well.

In essence the neo (and the duo for that matter) could be seen as a digital version of an old fashion paper organiser/journal etc, it will kind of have that tactile feel of a book when reading books/magazines (assuming it will be set up as a page per screen) so imo would be quite nice for that too.
Posted by KultiVator - Thu 03 Oct 2019 17:47
LSG501
Someone like me :P As someone who is a designer and goes to meetings etc.

That's a key part of my usage case - but my (Vector) design software works best across a single large screen - and the Surface Pro is a much better fit for that than a split-screen setup (with some border in the middle). Similarly for Mindmapping and notetaking in meetings, I like the larger screen of the Surface Pro (handwriting with a stylus on a small screen is not that convenient - with the Surface stylus lacking the fine writing of an ink/gel pen - resulting in most people writing larger on-screen).

For me, the form-factor and looks are novel and dual-screen outlook workflow does look both slick and impressive - but I'm struggling with the practicalities given the small screen size. Something with a pair of folding Surface Pro 13" screens would have me all over it though!

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