Microsoft Surface Pro 9: Intel Alder Lake P series and Qualcomm Snapdragon8cx Gen 3 processors are headed to next-generation 2-in-1 convertibles
September 14, 2022 By Jozeph P
(Image Credit Google)
Microsoft is reportedly settling on powerful Alder Lake P series processors to power the Intel version the Surface Pro 9. The Surface Pro 9 5G will be the successor to the Surface Pro X, and it will include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Generation 3, an SoC that has four ARM Cortex-X1 cores. Both models will have 120 Hz displays, which is a departure from the Surface Pro X.
Microsoft launched Project Volterra earlier this year. This mini-PC runs Windows on ARM and is stackable. Project Volterra, which is believed to run the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 processor, is more Microsoft's version the Apple Developer Transition Kit(DTK) than its Apple M1-based Mac Mini.
Rich Woods claims that the Surface Pro 9 will become Microsoft's second device using the Snapdragon 8cx Generation 3. However, it is still branded as the Microsoft SQ3. The Managing Editor of XDA Developers had previously implied that Microsoft's next-generation Surface Pro X wouldn't rely on the Snapdragon8cx Gen 3 chipset, with it only recently'starting shipping in the ThinkPad X13s.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 is powered by four ARM Cortex X1 CPU cores at 2.99 GHz.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 features four times as many prime cores than the Snapdragon 888 series, but uses older technology than the Cortex X2 core in both the Snapdragon8 Gen 1 or the Snapdragon8 Plus Gen 1. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 also has four Cortex A78 cores that run at 2.4 GHz. This is the same as the Snapdragon 888. The Microsoft SQ3 is expected to deliver significant performance improvements over the Microsoft SQ2. This is effectively a repackaged Microsoft SQ1.
The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chip is included to enable 5G connectivity. This will be the first Surface device to achieve this feat. Contrary to this, all Surface Pro X models have only 4G modems. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 supports the Snapdragon X55 and Snapdragon X62, but does not include a 5G modem. The Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 also supports variable refresh rate technology, and can power displays at 120 FPS. The Surface Pro 9 5G should also feature a 120Hz display, which Microsoft calls a "PixelSense flow touch display".
Woods claims that the Surface Pro 9 will feature Intel Alder P series processors. These 28-W parts can also be found on ultraportable devices such as the and XPS 13 Plus. In addition, Dell chose to equip the XPS 13 2-in-1 (9315t), with the lower Alder Lake-U series processors. This will be in conjunction with the Surface Laptop 5 or the Surface Studio 3.
Microsoft may also unveil the Surface Gaming Laptop, details of which has leaked yesterday.
By Jozeph P
Journalism explorer, tech Enthusiast. Love to read and write.
