Microsoft's Surface line of devices is due for an update, and rumors have been swirling about what the next iteration will bring. According to a report by Windows Central, Microsoft may have postponed the launch of a Surface Go 4 model with an ARM-based processor and instead opted for an Intel N200 processor, which is part of the former Jasper Lake family of low-power chips.
The report cites sources familiar with the matter, who claim that Microsoft was initially planning to release a Surface Go device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chipset, which is designed for entry-level PCs and Chromebooks.
However, due to unspecified reasons, the company may have decided to delay or cancel this project and focus on an Intel-based version instead. The Intel N200 processor is expected to offer better performance and battery life than the previous generation Pentium Gold 4425Y and Core m3-8100Y chips that powered the Surface Go 3.
The N200 chip is also compatible with Windows 11, which is set to launch later this year. The report suggests that the Surface Go 4 with an Intel N200 processor could be announced as soon as September.
Coming This Year Alongside a New Surface Pro
I reported in April that the device is in development alongside a new 11-inch variant of the Surface Pro. The 11-inch Surface Pro would be a smaller and more affordable version of the flagship Surface Pro 9, which was launched in October 2022 with a 13-inch display and Intel's 12th Gen Core processors. It is rumored the Surface Go 4 will also have an 11-inch display.
The Surface Go line of devices is aimed at the education and enterprise markets, offering a compact and affordable Windows tablet experience. The Surface Go 4 is expected to retain the same design and form factor as the previous models, with a 10.5-inch display, a kickstand, and support for accessories such as the Surface Pen and the Type Cover.
