Microsoft launches first laptop (sort of…)

The tech giant has unveiled the Surface Book – an update to its Surface tablet that can act as a laptop or as a standalone touchscreen.

By Angus Montgomery October 7, 2015 4:37 pm October 7, 2015 4:37 pm

Microsoft has unveiled its first-ever laptop – the Surface Book – as well as a series of new phones and other devices designed for its Windows 10 operating system.

The new Surface Book follows Microsoft’s Surface Tablet, which was launched in 2012 in a bid to take on Apple’s iPad.

Although it’s described as a laptop, the new Surface book comes with a removable touchscreen, which Microsoft says can be “quickly and easily detached to use like a clipboard”.

It also features a 13.5-inch screen with a high-contrast display.

Microsoft says the new device builds on the company’s “track record of pioneering new categories” and aims to “redefine the laptop”.

Alongside the Surface Book, Microsoft has also released the Surface Pro 4 – the latest version of its tablet.

The updated tablet has a 12.3 inch display and is 8.4mm thick.

Microsoft has also introduced the new Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones.

Microsoft took over the Lumia phone brand from Nokia in 2013. The £4.6 billion buyout saw Microsoft acquire the Finnish company’s mobile phone and smartphone businesses, as well as its internal design team.

Microsoft says the new Lumia models “reinforce [our] commitment to mobile”.

Alongside its computer and mobile device launches, Microsoft also unveiled its Band 2 – an update to its fitness wearable.

It also announced that its HoloLens holographic headset, which was unveiled at the start of the year, is now being made available to developers.