Microsoft normally releases Surface hardware on an unconventional cadence, with some devices hitting store shelves in spring or fall, while others getting specs bump smack in the middle of summer.
But one device that has been out of the picture is the Surface Laptop 4.
Expected to be released sometimes in 2020, the global pandemic halted those plans. And since then, Redmond has been completely mum on when this device or even others in the Surface family will make their way out.
Now, while Microsoft may not be talking, there are hints that this delayed machine is nearing launch.
And it looks like Redmond is bringing AMD along for the ride.
A Geekbench listing has surfaced unveiling a variant powered by a custom AMD Ryzen 5 3590U Surface Edition CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads, clocked at 2.20GHz. The listing is actually a placeholder, as the Ryzen 5 3580U does not have 6 cores and 12 threads.
However, it definitely seems like Microsoft is moving beyond Intel for newer Surface hardware.
Presumably, when the Surface Laptop 4 does ship, it will come with a more modern AMD processor in the form of Ryzen 5 4600U, or even the Ryzen 7 3780U onboard. That is, if we go by the chips that AMD has been dropping into current devices.
Do take note that Microsoft has not confirmed that it is going to sell a Surface Laptop 4 anytime soon, so take the above as speculation.
But fingers crossed for a 2021 release.
