Tag: Surface Pro X

Surface Pro X begins testing new July firmware update for Insiders

Surface Pro X owners can snag a firmware update for their 2-in-1 device if it’s on an Insider build of Windows 10. We saw the update on a device in the Beta ring, but there’s a chance that the update is avaialble on other Insider rings as well.

We can confirm that the update, dated July 24th, updates the UEFI from 3.510.140.0 to the newer 3.517.140.0.

The firmware update doesn’t have a changelog at this point, but that’s normal for firmware updates for devices on Insider builds. A full changelog should become available once the firmware update becomes generally avaialble. While not set in stone, updates like this generally roll out a few weeks after they hit the Beta Insider ring.

Firmware updates don’t usually include new features, so it’s likely just a stability and performance update, though there’s a chance that it’s related to the new AI feature for eye contact during video calls.

The Surface Pro X will soon help you pretend to pay attention to calls

After first announcing it last year, Microsoft has started rolling out the Surface Pro X’s highly-anticipated Eye Contact feature as part of its latest Windows 10 Insider Preview. The AI-powered software uses the tablet’s custom SQ1 ARM processor to make it look like your eyes are always directly looking at the camera while video chatting.

The feature is available with any app that works with the Surface Pro X’s front-facing camera, so you can use it with non-Microsoft apps like Zoom and Google Meet. However, you can’t take advantage of the feature while the tablet is oriented vertically. 

Because the software depends on Microsoft’s custom silicon, it’s unclear if the company will make the feature available on x86-based PCs. That said, Microsoft is not the only company working on this type of functionality. With the iOS 13 betas, Apple started testing a similar FaceTime Attention Correction feature. The company ultimately shelved the feature before releasing the operating system to the public. However, as The Verge notes, Attention Correction is one of the enhancements Apple says iOS 14 will include when it comes out later this year. 

If you don’t own a Surface Pro X, there’s still a good reason to check out the latest Windows 10 preview build. The update includes a nifty tweak to how the Alt + Tab shortcut works. By default, pressing the two keys will let you see all of your browser tabs alongside open app windows. If having the option to switch between all your tabs at once is jarring, you can tweak the feature to show only your most recent three or five tabs instead, or none at all. 

Surface Pro X teardown finds a new high in ‘repairability’ for Microsoft

Microsoft’s Surface Pro X is even more repair-friendly than the Surface Laptop 3, getting a bigger thumbs-up from the teardown experts over at iFixit.

While iFixit scored the Surface Laptop 3 as a 5 out of 10 when it came to repairs, the freshly unleashed Surface Pro X managed to creep ahead with a 6 out of 10.

The most positive facet was the SSD being ‘truly user-replaceable’ as it’s accessed without having to remove the screen, and can be taken out with just a SIM eject pin (and a T3 Torx screwdriver is needed to undo a single screw).

“That’s awesome to see in such a slim form factor,” enthuses iFixit, while observing that the solid-state drive is the same model used in the Surface Laptop 3, and so standardization across the range means it’s easier for third-parties to support repairs on these devices.

Screen pass

All the screws used in the Surface Pro X are standard Torx affairs, and the iFixit team were particularly impressed with how easily the display came out, with no globs of glue holding the screen in place (rather there’s foam adhesive which can be cut easily enough, without requiring any heating and possible accidents with cracked displays).

There’s even a tongue-in-cheek mention of a celebratory dance and the fact that “we never thought we’d get into a Surface Pro this easily”.

The caveats here are that iFixit noted that almost all repairs do require removal of the screen – and it still isn’t a trivial matter – plus the battery remains firmly glued in, so there’s no change here.

Still, Microsoft is clearly moving in the right direction with this and the Surface Laptop 3, and is certainly a long way away from the days when iFixit wanted to give the Surface Laptop 2 a negative score for repairability.

Related product: Microsoft Surface Pro X

Our Verdict:

☆☆☆☆☆

The Surface Pro X is an astoundingly impressive looking and feeling Windows tablet – possibly the best yet in that department. Still, while we understand Microsoft’s faith in its new ARM processor, we’ve yet to see an ARM-based Windows device perform to expectations for the price it will cost you. Consider us impressed, though cautiously optimistic.

FOR Refinement of Surface Pro design

Fantastically bright and vibrant display

Brilliant Surface Pen implementation

AGAINST ARM CPU is worrisome

No more microSD slot