Microsoft Surface Book 3 Release Date: Should the Third Entry Include Forego the USB-C for the Thunderbolt 3?

As we trudge along towards Fall, the narrative surrounding the Surface Book 3 is slowly picking up pace. Amidst the rumors and speculations surrounding the device, however, Microsoft is still silent about details regarding its specs.

But that doesn’t stop the tech ecosystem from making predictions what’s going to be outfitted for the Surface Book 3. Arguably the most requested and significant improvement for the third iteration is the foregoing of the USB-C 3.1 port seen in the second entry and replace it with the Thunderbolt 3, Digital Trends reported. With most of Microsoft’s competition already shifting to this port, the Surface Book 3 could stand to gain from this upgrade for the device to be compatible with various accessories and to increase data speeds.

Under the hood of the Surface Book 3, it’s expected that both GPU and CPU will see an improvement to keep up with the current trend. While nothing has been confirmed so far, it’s likely that the CPU will come from AMD on account that the company is making big waves in recent months with its new hardware. What’s more, Microsoft and Intel’s relationship are supposedly on “shaky ground” although it’s unclear why this is since both companies have been working together for years, Petri reported.

The GPU might also come from AMD given what they’ve shown during CES 2019. Of course, it’s important to remember that this is merely speculation at this point and is not facts yet. As for the battery of the Surface Book 3, Microsoft should be looking to upgrade this aspect as well even though the second entry can go up to 17 hours before it finally runs out of juice.

Gaming and creative processes are heavy energy consumers, both of which are the usual activity seen in the predecessor of Surface Book 3. Improvement in battery life would a welcome upgrade for users, especially for those who are constantly on the road. As for its price, rumors are suggesting that it won’t stray too far away from the cost of the second iteration, although this could prove off the mark if major upgrades are outfitted for the upcoming device. As it stands, the 13.5-inch model is at $1,200, and the 15-inch variant is at $2,500. Expect to see the price range hover within these figures.