Microsoft to unveil new Surface devices at October launch event – but what’s coming?

Microsoft is set to hold an October 31 launch event in London, with a new Surface Book – potentially dubbed the Surface Book 2 – expected to launch alongside an updated Surface Pro device.

The Redmond-based tech giant has revealed that its annual two-day Future Decoded event will take place in the English capital later this year, running from October 31 to November 1.

What’s really interesting for gadget buffs, though, is that Surface chief Panos Panay will be holding a keynote to open the event, with “at least one” new device set to be unveiled.

That’s according to The Verge and Microsoft insider Tom Warren, who cite “sources familiar with the company’s plans” as confirming the new hardware.

A successor to the excellent Surface Book is one of the Windows 10 devices expected to be unveiled, with a Surface Pro LTE model another hot tip to be launched.

Microsoft has made no secret of its plan for ‘always on’ LTE laptops, with the company recently revealing to Trusted Reviews that a range of Snapdragon 835 powered devices would come to market this autumn priced at between $600-$800 (around £500-£700 by the time you account for the taxman’s various bells and whistles).

So what can we expect from the new 2017 Surface Book?

Well, an upgrade to the latest Intel 8th-gen CPUs is a dead cert, as are updated graphics. Display improvements are also likely, and there’s always the chance that Microsoft with switch things up and tweak the device’s design as well.

Dark horse candidates for a refresh this October are the Microsoft Surface Hub and the Surface Studio, though the latter was such a major reveal in 2016 we think an update this soon is unlikely.

Whatever the case, provided the report is accurate – and Warren has a pristine track record when it comes to all things MS – it looks like Microsoft has some new Surface devices ready to ship just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Plus, Microsoft’s history of launches strongly supports a major October Surface reveal, and the presence of Panos Panay would essentially confirm the new hardware.

Watch this space, as we’ll be covering all the latest developments live from the ground in London.

What do you think Microsoft will launch at its October 31 event? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.