Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 review - A premium, powerful, and ultra-light laptop for professionals

In November last year, Microsoft refreshed two of its Surface lineup in Malaysia, one of which is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 that we're reviewing today. Practically identical to its predecessor, the only changes are internal, with all the Surface Laptop 5 models now being powered by the 12th Gen Alder Lake Intel processors. Furthermore, unlike the Surface Laptop 4, there's no option for an AMD Ryzen chipset.

It's slightly more expensive too, with a starting price of RM5299 for the 13.5-inch variant. And all the way up to RM9985 for the most specced out 15-inch variant. So, is this the perfect laptop for your needs and field of work? Well, let's find out together, shall we?

The Surface Laptop 5 with its packaging box

The back design is minimalistic, with the Microsoft logo in the middle

Firstly, you should know that the Surface Laptop 5 comes in two sizes, which are 13.5-inch and 15-inch. For our review, we got the highest-end 15-inch variant in Matte Black with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD storage. Regardless of size, the Surface Laptop 5 features a super lightweight yet premium body and other specifications that we will go further in-depth on later.

In terms of design, the Surface Laptop 5 is externally indistinguishable from its predecessor, with Microsoft seemingly adhering to the 'if it ain't broken, don't fix it' school of thought. That's not necessarily a bad thing though, as the all-aluminium build is stellar and exudes a premium feel. It's sturdy with zero chassis flex, has a lid that can be opened with just one finger, and comes with an Alcantara option for the keyboard deck for those who prefer that texture.

Yet, the laptop is still ultra-light at just 1.57kg, something that's pretty impressive for a 15-inch laptop. Moreover, the 15-inch and 13.5-inch versions feature a minimalistic and sleek industrial design with nothing but the Microsoft logo in Chrome on the lid.

As for our Matte Black review unit, it looks gorgeous and super clean, perfect for a laptop that's meant for work. Well, that is until you use it for an extended period. The matte finish is, unfortunately, quite a fingerprint magnet. Also, this is the only colour available in Malaysia, even if you opt for the same high-end specs. The lesser variants do come in either Matte Black or Platinum colours though. Interestingly, the Alcantara keyboard deck option is only available for the entry-level 13.5-inch model.

The bottom of the laptop is also minimalistic

The Surface Laptop 5 is 14.7mm thin despite rocking a 15-inch display

With the Surface Laptop 5 retaining the same outer design, it inherited the same drawbacks as the Surface Laptop 4 in terms of I/O ports. Or more accurately, the lack of them. On the left side, all you can find is one USB-A port, one USB-C port, and an audio jack. Thankfully, the USB-C has now been upgraded to Thunderbolt 4.0, fixing one of the gripes many had with the Surface Laptop 4. Data transfer speed is now considerably faster, and users have more options in terms of external display connections. Of course, it also supports power delivery, which is always a plus.

At its right, there's a Surface Connect port, which can be used for power (a full recharge usually takes around 2 hours), various docks or adapters. It's flat and works magnetically, making it easy to swap the connectors when needed. Furthermore, it ensures that you won't damage your device if you accidentally trip on the cable, which prevented us from damaging this review unit multiple times during testing.

The I/O of the Surface Laptop 5 is rather lacklustre for a 15-inch laptop

The screen is bright and crisp for work as well as for watching content

Moving towards the display, the Surface Laptop 5 has a 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen panel (2496 x 1664 pixels, 201 PPI) that can be tilted up to 135 degrees. The laptop doesn't have an included stylus, but you can directly use any Surface Pen without pairing it. Besides that, its 3:2 aspect ratio is perfect for productivity as it gives more vertical space to work with. However, the surrounding bezels, especially the bottom, are fast getting outdated in this day and age.

Moving on, the webcam above the screen can record videos in 720p resolution and is serviceable for video calls, though admittedly rather disappointing at this price point. Speaking of which, you can expect good audio quality during video or voice calls thanks to the laptop's dual far-field studio mics. On the plus side, the webcam does have IR for Windows Hello facial recognition that works flawlessly and is extremely fast.

The IR scanner on the webcam works flawlessly

The Surface Laptop 5 has a fantastic keyboard and trackpad

The Surface Laptop 5 has a fantastic keyboard, one of the best I've used on a lightweight Windows machine. Typing on the device is a pleasure with well-spaced keys, satisfying travel and excellent feedback. The touchpad is great too, and supports precision gestures, though it's a bit small for my liking, especially for a 15-inch laptop.

Now, let's move on to performance. As mentioned, the Surface Laptop 5 is equipped with Intel 12th Gen processors in both sizes. Our review unit is powered by the 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U under the hood, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. Based on the PCMark 10 and 3DMark benchmark results below, it's clear that the Surface Laptop 5 is meant for productivity and not much else. And for that, the laptop is more than capable and works extremely well.

However, its lack of a dedicated graphics card means that it's not suitable for content creation. As you can see from the 3DMark benchmark results, it has below-par graphical performance. That being said, you can still run some light games, such as Dota 2 or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, at respectable frame rates.

Speaking of performance, the laptop is silent even when pushed to its limits. With the fan noise being close to non-existent, it's definitely welcomed for a work laptop. I've been writing all my TechNave articles, performing light photo editing and consuming multimedia content with the Surface Laptop 5 with no issues, truly enjoying my experience throughout the process.

As for the battery life, the Surface Laptop 5's 47.4Wh battery allegedly lasts up to 17 hours. Of course, like all manufacturer claims, that's quite a stretch. I've mostly gotten around 7.5 hours with the screen at half brightness, which is pretty good for a Windows machine. But your mileage may vary, as it's dependent on how you use your device.

All in all, the Surface Laptop 5 is a premium device with a matching price tag that ticks all the right boxes for its business target audience. With that being said, you should consider whether to opt for the previous generation Surface Laptop 4 instead, as it offers 90 per cent of the same experience for a lower price. However, you do lose out on the versatility of the Thunderbolt 4 port and the superior performance of the Intel Alder Lake chip.

Moving forward, if we were to recommend further improvements for the lineup in the future, it would be adding more I/O ports and reducing the size of the bezels around the display. Speaking of which, a higher refresh rate screen would be welcomed too.

So, what do you guys think of the Surface Laptop 5? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and stay tuned to TechNave for more reviews and the latest trending tech news!

Pros: Premium build quality, excellent keyboard, super light for a 15-inch laptop at 1.57kg, long-lasting battery life, touchscreen and Thunderbolt 4 support

Cons: Needs more I/O ports, average 720p webcam

Conclusion: An excellent laptop for the business-class target audience, exuding class with its premium build quality


Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Malaysia release: 11th-gen Intel Core i5 and 8GB from RM3488

Microsoft Malaysia today announced the release of its Surface Laptop Go 2 lineup for our local market via commercial authorised resellers and authorised retailers. Offering a few upgrades over its predecessor, the most notable feature has got to be the better and more efficient 11th-gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor under the hood.

Furthermore, similar to the original Surface Laptop Go, the device still retains a 12.4-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels. Moreover, it has the same 3:2 aspect ratio and maximum brightness of 330 nits, with a 720p webcam located at its top bezel.

Microsoft also touted how the device was carefully crafted to deliver Surface’s signature premium design and features in an ultra-portable format. Users can jump right into the flow with an effortless lift of the lid, Instant On, and Windows Hello through the fingerprint reader integrated into the power button.

Other notable specs include dual Studio Mics, large precision trackpad and a rather light 1.127kg weight. In terms of battery life, Microsoft is claiming that the laptop can last ‘all-day’ with its official website asserting it could last up to 13.5 hours of use.

However, unlike the international-release which we covered previously, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is only available in two variants in our country. The Intel Core-i5 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD retails at RM3488 while the 256GB SSD configuration is priced at RM3788. Both variants has a new Platinum colour, which is a durable, cool metal finish.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 is available for purchase via commercial authorized reseller, Maxis; and authorized retailers such as  All IT, Gloo by SNS Network, Harvey Norman, PC Image, Senheng, and TMT by Thundermatch. If you grab one from now until 31 July 2022 or while stocks last, these authorised retailers will be giving away additional free gifts worth up to RM590.

So, what do you guys think of the Surface Laptop Go 2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest trending tech news in Malaysia and beyond!


Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 release: 11th-gen Intel Core i5 and 12.4-inch touchscreen display from ~RM2631

Microsoft yesterday announced the release of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 which offers a few upgrades over its predecessor. The most notable upgrade has got to be the better and more efficient 11th-gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor under the hood.

Just like the original Surface Laptop Go, the device still retains a 12.4-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels. Moreover, it has the same 3:2 aspect ratio and maximum brightness of 330 nits, with a 720p webcam located at its top bezel.

However, unlike its predecessor, the Surface Laptop Go 2 has no 64GB storage option, with the basic variant having a 128GB SSD instead. Users can opt for the 256GB variant if they require more storage. There’s also no dedicated GPU, with the device only featuring Intel Iris XE Graphics.

In terms of memory, users can only choose either to get a 4 or 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM. Other differences from the original Surface Laptop Go is the ‘sage’ colour option which is a new edition alongside the Ice Blue, Sandstone and Platinum colours.

According to the product page, Microsoft also claimed that this new laptop has a ‘quieter, improved thermals that make it easier to focus’. Windows 11 will also come pre-installed on the Surface Laptop Go 2, as expected from a Microsoft device.

For now, the device will only be available for pre-order starting 6 June 2022 in Australia and starting 7 June 2022 in the United States and United Kingdom. Here are the retail prices for the device:

Microsoft has yet to announce when the Surface Laptop Go 2 will be made available in the global market, including in Malaysia. However, based on previous releases, the laptop will most likely to come to our shores soon.

So, what do you guys think of the Surface Laptop Go 2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for the latest trending tech news!


Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review - A sleek, portable laptop for productivity on the go

The Microsoft Surface lineup has come a long way since its debut a decade ago, with Microsoft now having an offering at essentially every form factor and price point. As for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 that we're reviewing today, it sits somewhere between the Surface Go 3 tablet and the Surface Laptop 4, which is rather apt given how the laptop seems to be a 'fusion' between the two.

With a starting price of RM3588, it’s also the most affordable laptop in the Surface series. So, is this the perfect laptop for you? Well, let’s dive in and find out together, shall we?

The back design is clean and minimalistic

At first glance, the Surface Laptop Go 2 looks indistinguishable from its predecessor and may be mistaken for the bigger, more powerful Surface Laptop 4 if not for its compact size. It sports a sleek, minimalistic design with nothing but the Microsoft logo in chrome at its rear, which is consistent with the rest of the Surface lineup.

Despite being Microsoft’s most affordable laptop, the Surface Laptop Go 2 still exudes a premium feel thanks to its excellent build quality that's unmatched at this price range. It's sturdy with close to zero chassis flex, the deck and lid are made out of aluminium and it's so well-engineered that you can open the laptop's lid with one finger.

The side profile of the Surface Laptop Go 2

The only part that is not so premium is the laptop's polycarbonate bottom, though I think that's a fair trade-off as it keeps the laptop super light at only 1.127kg. Specifically, the material is made out of a polycarbonate composite resin with glass fibre and 30% post-consumer recycled content. This is part of Microsoft's sustainability initiative, as the parts can easily be replaced by users, which improves the Surface Laptop Go 2's repairability immensely too.

In Malaysia, the laptop is available in a singular "Platinum" colour option, which Microsoft dubs "a durable, cool metal finish". Personally, I'm a big fan of this colour though admittedly, more colour variants would definitely be welcomed.

Moving on to the display, the Surface Laptop Go 2 retains the same screen as its predecessor, which is a 12.4-inch Pixel-Sense display with a resolution of 1536 x 1024 pixels. It also sports a 3:2 aspect ratio that’s perfect for productivity as it gives more vertical space to work with, though the bottom bezel is rather too thick for my liking.

The display is vibrant and has no ghosting or colour-shifting issues

The screen is not exactly the sharpest display on the planet, but it's colour-accurate and well-calibrated enough that I was confident in using it for photo editing. The 330 nits brightness is pretty standard at this price and is sufficient most of the time unless you’re using the laptop outdoors in direct sunlight.

Moreover, the touch input works perfectly too, though do note that the display is not compatible with Microsoft’s Surface Pens for stylus input. To complement the screen, Microsoft included Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Audio Premium which can get pretty loud and has above-average sound quality. It's definitely not as good as the bigger Surface Laptop 4's speakers, but that's to be expected for a device with the Surface Laptop Go 2's compact size.

The right side houses 1x USB-A, 1x USB-C and a 3.5mm audio jack

The proprietary Surface Connect port is on the right side

In terms of I/O, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is equipped with a standard set of ports, which is more than enough for most users. On the left side of the device, there’s a USB 3.2 Type-A port, a USB Type-C port (with power delivery) and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Meanwhile, on the right side, there’s the proprietary Surface Connect port for you to charge the laptop using the included 39W power adapter. It has a magnetic mechanism, which will ensure that you won't damage your device if you accidentally trip on the cable, which saved me from damaging this review unit several times during my testing.

The Surface Laptop Go 2 has an excellent keyboard

A closer look at the trackpad, which utilises a diving board design

For a compact laptop, the Surface Laptop Go 2 has a stellar keyboard, which is by far one of the best at this price point. Typing on the device is a pleasure with well-spaced keys, satisfying travel and excellent feedback. The only downside is that there's no backlight. As for the touchpad, it supports precision gestures and works perfectly fine, albeit it is a bit small for my liking.

Moving on, the webcam above the screen can record videos in 720p resolution and is serviceable for video calls. Speaking of which, you can expect good audio quality during video or voice calls thanks to the laptop's dual far-field studio mics. Since the webcam doesn't have IR, you can't log in to the laptop with face recognition. Thankfully, there's a fingerprint scanner embedded in the keyboard for you to still use Windows Hello for easy log in.

There's a fingerprint scanner embedded into the power button

Now, let's move on to performance. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is definitely an upgrade from its predecessor thanks to the Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 processor, which is quite powerful for a laptop in this form factor. Besides that, you also get 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of SSD storage. This review unit came with 128GB of storage, which is quite limiting, though thankfully, you can upgrade it in the future as it's easily swappable.

What's not upgradable is the 8GB LPDDR4x RAM, which is fast becoming the bare minimum memory requirement these days. Nevertheless, these specs should be enough for productivity tasks such as typing documents, creating PowerPoint presentations and browsing the web (unless you're the type of person who opens 100 Chrome tabs at once). For the past month or so, I've been writing my articles and performing light photo editing on this device with no issues.

Don't expect to be playing AAA games though as there's no dedicated GPU, but that's expected for this price range. Nevertheless, the Intel Iris Xe graphics should be enough to run games such as Dota 2 or Counter-Strike at a respectable frame rate. Do note that the bottom of the laptop can get quite warm when pushed to the limits and the fan noise can get quite annoying but things never got too uncomfortable during my testing.

The laptop can run light games such as Dota 2 pretty well

In terms of battery, the Surface Laptop Go 2 has a 41Wh cell that Microsoft claims can last up to 13.5 hours of typical device usage. Like most manufacturers out there, that claim is quite a stretch. I've mostly gotten around 7 hours with the screen at half brightness, which itself is pretty good for a Windows machine, more so at this compact size.

Overall, I'm pleasantly impressed with the Surface Laptop Go 2, especially for its premium quality build that's one of the best in this price range. The compact size and light weight also stays true to its 'Go' moniker as this is definitely a laptop suitable for those who want to be productive while on the go.

That being said, the screen is rather average and there are definitely other laptops out there with comparable specs but sport a better display in this price range. If you don't really prioritise portability and build quality, then the ASUS Vivobook 15X OLED might be the better choice.

If you're interested in purchasing the Surface Laptop Go 2, do visit your nearest IT World or Gloo concept stores. You can also browse the online IT World Education Store and Gloo Education Store to find out more about the laptop as well as the stores' other offerings.

So, what do you guys think of the Surface Laptop Go 2? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more tech reviews and news such as this!

Pros: Premium build quality, excellent keyboard, replaceable SSD and super light at 1.127kg

Cons: Keyboard is not backlit, average screen and webcam

Conclusion: A capable and portable laptop for those who want to be productive while on the move, with one of the best build qualities in its price range


ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 camera samples show pretty good quality for a below RM800 smartphone

In our recent hands-on with the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 we managed to get up close and personal with this next value buster smartphone. Going back to their basics of making good feature devices for value-busting prices, the ZenFone Max Pro M1 is set to be another disruptive device for Malaysia's market considering that it not only has the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, a full HD+ fullview display and a massive 5000 mAh battery but also because the price is expected to be a value-busting below RM800.

While the combination of the latest midrange processor, 2nd generation 5 magnet speaker with built-in NXP Smart Amplifier,  stock Android and big battery should ensure that you get a capable and great sounding gaming device that can keep going, the 16MP cameras of the ZenFone Max Pro M1 don't bring down the device in any way. You can see this for yourself in the camera samples below:

More bokeh or depth of field effects but this time in low-light conditions

Clear details even at night with a moving vehicle

If you're interested in attending the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 launch set for 31 May 2018, you can register at their Facebook page for possible freebies and a closer look at the smartphone. Coming in black and silver, the device is also expected to be sold online as well via Lazada so you can probably also do that if you can't make it. We'll be there to check it out, so stay tuned to TechNave.com


Microsoft Surface Laptop Go Malaysia pre-order: up to 16GB RAM and 10th Gen Intel Core i5, price starting from RM2758

Today, Microsoft Malaysia has announced that the new Surface Laptop Go pre-order has begun. With the starting price of RM2758, it will be available to purchase on selected authorized resellers and retailers across the nation. For the official offline sale, it will begin on 24 November 2020.

If you're curious about the tech specs, the Surface Laptop Go features an Intel 10th Gen i5 quad-core processor, up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB storage. The PixelSense screen panel measures 12.4-inches, alongside the usual standard trackpad and keyboard with 1.3mm key travel distance. For ports, there are USB A and USB C ports, as well as an audio jack and Surface connector.

It's also worth mentioning that the Surface Laptop Go sports a Fingerprint Power Button with One Touch sign-in through Windows Hello. Microsoft 365 is pre-installed and the speakers are supported by Dolby Audio system. The battery life can stand for up to 13 hours. There are other memory capacities and a Surface For Business variant (which features Autopilot, Surface Enterprise Management Mode and Microsoft Intune) if you want, which you can refer to the table below.

Surface Laptop Go is available for pre-orders starting 5 November 2020 via commercial authorised resellers such as SoftwareONE and Prestariang Systems Sdn Bhd, as well as authorised retailers such as All IT, Gloo by SNS, Harvey Norman, Lazada-Microsoft Authorised store, PC Image, Senheng, Shopee-Microsoft Authorised store and TMT by Thundermatch. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Laptop Go Malaysia release: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and up to 256GB SSD from RM2758

Microsoft Malaysia has officially announced the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go, which is available starting from today onwards from Shopee, Lazada, as well as all authorized dealers across Malaysia starting from the price of RM2758. However, if you’re keen on getting the aforementioned laptop for business, you can get the Surface Laptop Go for Business package starting from RM3780 which includes various enterprise-exclusive features such as Surface Enterprise Management Mode, Microsoft Intune, as well as enterprise-grade security.

As for the tech specs, the laptop comes equipped with a 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 256GB SSD, 12.4-inch touchscreen display and up to 13 hours of battery life. As for the features, it comes equipped with fast charging, Fingerprint Power Button with One Touch sign-in via Windows Hello, as well as a 720p HD webcam.

With all that said, would you be interested in getting the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Laptop SE release: Intel Celeron CPU, up to 128GB storage, Windows 11 SE, and more from ~RM1038

In October, Microsoft launch a new version of Windows for the first time in years. Windows 11 is far from perfect and we expect things like performance issues and bugs to keep appearing. But Microsoft is ready to push for a wider adoption via new Surface laptops.

Yesterday, the company officially unveiled its Microsoft Surface Laptop SE. This is a laptop intended for school kids and it comes with the new Windows 11 SE (more on that in a bit). The laptop features an 11.6-inch display (1366x768), a 720p webcam, and stereo speakers - everything you need for an online class. It also has accessibility tools for kids that may have vision, hearing, or speech problems.

For hardware, the Surface Laptop SE comes in two variants. The first one packs an Intel Celeron N4010 inside, with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Another variant comes with the Intel Celeron 4120 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Both have an estimated battery life of around 16 hours, which should comfortably last for an entire day.

Now let's talk about Windows 11 SE. This can be considered a cut-down version of Windows 11 with features and apps that are tailored for educational purposes. It's also cloud-first with all the Microsoft Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel available. IT admins can also have easier device deployment.

In terms of price, the Microsoft Surface Laptop SE will retail from USD250 (~RM1038). But it's currently unknown if this model will be available in Malaysia. Would you get one for your kid if it does? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Malaysia Pre-Order: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti & Intel Iris Xe graphics, starting from RM7399

Back in January, Microsoft Malaysia released the Surface Pro 8 pre-order from RM4950 and it's now the Surface Laptop Studio's turn. Coming into Malaysia from a starting price of RM7399, the pre-order has already begun from 15 February via commercial authorised resellers and authorised retailers.

The Surface Laptop Studio was revealed globally back in September 2021 but to refresh your memory, the device was built for developers, creative pros, designers, and gamers as a portable desktop and a creative studio. Users can use it in Laptop Mode for work, Stage Mode for gaming, streaming, docking or presenting to clients, and Studio Mode for writing, sketching and other creative tasks.

In addition, the Surface Slim Pen 2 is stored underneath the keyboard, where it magnetically attaches and charges for easy access. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate and you can find a quad Omnisonic speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support. Under the hood, the Surface Laptop Studio features DirectX 12 Ultimate, NVIDIA GeForce 3050 Ti GPU and an 11th Gen Intel Core H35 processor.

The Surface Laptop Studio and Surface Pro 8 will be available from 8 March and 15 February respectively via commercial authorized resellers, Maxis; and authorized retailers such as All IT, Gloo by SNS Network, Harvey Norman, Lazada-Microsoft Authorised store, PC Image, Senheng, Shopee-Microsoft Authorised store and TMT by Thundermatch. Below is the table for the price referencing:

Surface Laptop Studio Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 16GB, 256GB SSD

Surface Laptop Studio Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB, 512GB SSD

Surface Laptop Studio Intel Core i5, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, 32GB, 1TB SSD (Exclusive to Harvey Norman)

Surface Pro 8 Intel Core i5, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Platinum

Surface Pro 8 Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB, 256GB SSD, Black

Surface Pro 8 Intel Evo Core i5, 16GB, 256GB SSD, Black (Exclusive to Harvey Norman)

Surface Pro 8 Intel Evo Core i7, 16GB, 256GB SSD, Black

Surface Pro 8 Intel Evo Core i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Black

Last but not least, Malaysians can also now visit the new Microsoft Concierge at Harvey Norman Pavilion Bukit Jalil Lot 1.01.00 & 1.02.00, Level 1 Pavilion Bukit Jalil & Gloo Low Yat (SNS Network) Lot G-008, Ground Floor, Plaza Low Yat every Wednesday – Sunday, 11 AM - 8 PM. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Malaysia release: now available nationwide starting from RM7399

Today, Microsoft Malaysia has finally launched the Surface Laptop Studio in Malaysia. In case you missed it, the latest Surface Laptop Studio was initially on pre-order but you may now get your hands on it at every commercial authorized reseller and authorized retailer from a starting price of RM7399.

To recap, the Surface Laptop Studio is available for purchase via a commercial authorized reseller, Maxis; and authorized retailers such as All IT, Gloo by SNS Network, Harvey Norman, Lazada-Microsoft Authorised store, PC Image, Senheng, Shopee-Microsoft Authorised store and TMT by Thundermatch. Alongside the Surface Laptop Studio, Microsoft Malaysia also recently introduced three new additions to the Surface lineup - the Surface Pro 8, Surface Pro 7+, and the Surface Pro X (WiFi).

The RM7399 model is using an Intel Core i5 + Iris Xe Graphics (16GB + 256GB) but if you want a higher variant, you can go for the Surface Laptop Studio with Intel Core i7 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (16GB + 512GB) at RM9399 or an Intel Core i7 + NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti (32GB + 1TB) at RM11,999. The highest variant is only exclusive to Harvey Norman.

Microsoft is also collaborating with Gloo by SNS Network and Harvey Norman to offer a new Microsoft Concierge service in Low Yat Plaza and Pavilion Bukit Jalil 2. Everyone can now visit the new Microsoft Concierge at Harvey Norman Pavilion Bukit Jalil and Gloo Low Yat (SNS Network) every Wednesday – Sunday, 11 AM to 8 PM.

To read the full tech specs and features of the latest Surface Laptop Studio, you can visit our news coverage right over here. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio release: A new laptop-tablet hybrid with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti, starting from ~RM6711

Among the many Microsoft products that were showcased a few hours ago, Microsoft was proud to announce the Surface Laptop Studio as the most powerful Surface they have ever built. Compared to the predecessor, the Surface Laptop Studio got a major redesign especially the display. Let's see what does it have in store for us.

From the product teaser video, the most evident change is the display that isn't removable anymore. In fact, it can be now pulled forward and Microsoft is calling it studio mode thanks to the Dynamic Woven Hinge. It may look like a regular tablet mode but Microsoft wants to avoid that for a good reason, as it isn't compact as you think. Nevertheless, studio mode allows the user to do creative writing, sketching and even gaming.

Like the Surface Pro 8, the 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow display supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision. You can also find the latest 11th Gen i5 or i7 processors, alongside Intel Iris Xe graphics or an NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU with 4GB of VRAM (for i7). The RAM capacity is huge too with either 16GB or 32GB, there's also 2TB of SSD storage that is removable.

Another expected feature is none other than the Thunderbolt 4 ports (2x), Surface Connect charging port and thankfully, an audio jack port. With this, you can pair it up with 4K monitors and potentially turn this laptop into a full-fledged gaming PC. It's interesting that Microsoft is indirectly changing the direction because the Surface lineup has never been linked to gaming over the years.

The Surface Laptop Studio pre-order has already begun in the US and the starting price is $1599.99 (~RM6711). Would be really cool if Microsoft Malaysia imports this into the Malaysian market but we can't imagine how much the local price set will be. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio will not have a detachable screen

When it comes to laptops, Microsoft has some excellent compact models that come with detachable screens. This includes models like the Surface Book 3, which was launched here in June 2020. However, the company might be switching tracks for this year's model of the Surface Book series.

According to Windows Central (via Wccftech), Microsoft might name the new model as Surface Laptop Pro or Surface Laptop Studio. Moreover, the company could be looking to ditch the detachable display for this model. It should also be retaining the 13.5-inch or 15-inch PixelSense display, but feature a larger trackpad.

Possible design for this new model (image from PATENTSCOPE)

Besides that, the transition to a regular clamshell display could result in other changes. Specifically, the source suggests that Microsoft could go for higher refresh rates for the display, as well as a more powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU. There's also a chance that Microsoft would release a new Microsoft Surface Pen with haptic feedback.

Microsoft seems to be taking its time with the new model. But since leaks are starting to appear, this so-called Surface Laptop Pro could still launch within 2021. With that said, what can Microsoft improve on with its laptops? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more updates about this.


Microsoft Surface Laptop pre-order available now from RM4499

Today, Microsoft has announced that the Surface Laptop is available for pre-order now for Malaysians at its official online store in Lazada. All local Surface authorized retailers and official Microsoft stores will officially start selling it on 7 February 2018 from a starting price of RM4499. Below is the specification list.

The Surface Laptop will be available in Platinum colour, along with its keyboard in Alcantara material which sports a quiet and responsive keyset, a large precision trackpad, and soft palm rest for a new level of typing comfort. But that's not all, customers who pre-order it will also be granted a free JBL T450BT wireless on-ear headphones and a 1-year subscription to Office 365 Personal starting from 10 January - 6 February, while stocks last.

Shipping with Windows 10 S, the device is streamlined for security and superior performance, as it can start up and run faster with InstantOn and an OS optimized for sustained performance. Applications that are downloaded from the Windows Store are first verified for security, and then locally run in a safe “container” to ensure that Windows 10 S offers the power of full-featured applications.

Surface Laptop and Surface accessories will be available in the following configurations and locations in Malaysia.

For more information, kindly visit the official Microsoft Surface page here and stay tuned for more Microsoft news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Music Kit turns your Surface 2 tablet into a DJ Remixer

Diversifying what you can do with your Microsoft Surface 2 or Surface Pro 2 tablet is Microsoft's new touch covers, one of which is the new Surface Remix Project which has resulted in the Surface Music Kit cover. Compatible with the Microsoft Surface 2, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro tablets, the customized touch cover features a set of sliders and buttons similar to those on a DJ's mixing table. When attached to the aforementioned tablets, the accompanying mixing app installs automatically, allowing you to mix a song complete with vocals, drums, bass and keyboards as well as other templates. The custom cover is pressure sensitive so you can have a more intuitive experience controlling beats, instruments and vocals. The app syncs beats per minute automatically and also provides mixing recommendations while also exporting resulting mixes into MP3, WAV or WMA formats. DJ and Linkin Park member Joe Hahn has also been invited to act as the Surface Remix project product ambassador while the #RemixProject competition has a free Surface 2 + Surface Music Kit combo for creative Vine video submissions on remixing your life. Microsoft eventually hopes to see other Touch Cover possibilities come from this with many interesting creations already in development which you can see from the videos below:


Microsoft Surface Pro 2 tablet officially announced

We've been hearing rumours about the Intel Haswell refresh of Microsoft's Surface tablet range for months, so it comes as no surprise when Microsoft officially announced the new Surface Pro 2 tablet. While the new version packs in a better 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor it also adds in tech specs and features which include 64GB, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options, 4GB to 8GB of RAM and a 10.6-inch full HD ClearType HD display. The new Intel Haswell chips increase battery life by up to 75% and the Surface Pro 2 adds on new cover options such as the Power Cover which includes a 30wh battery to help extend battery life even further.

Other new accessories include the Surface Docking station which can power two monitors and offers 3 USB 2.0 ports, 1 USB 3.0 port, a mini DisplayPort, Ethernet and audio in/out jacks. The Surface Pro 2 offers a microSD slot, USB 3.0 port and a mini DisplayPort. Apart from the energy savings, the Surface Pro 2 chips can now process 6K video footage. The standard Type cover has been revamped to the Type Cover 2 which is thinner, has more colours and is backlit. Malaysia pricing for the Surface Pro 2 should start from $899 (RM2820) and come bundled with 200GB worth of SkyDrive cloud storage for two years along with a year's worth of international Skype calls. Malaysia release dates are expected from 22 October 2013 but for more information, check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 site.


ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1's starting price could be just RM699

Previously, we teased that the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 is below RM800 and considering its specs, the price value is really a good catch there. But recently, someone in Lazada  actually leaked an "official" price online before it was taken down, revealing the 3GB + 32GB model is RM699, while the 4GB + 64GB is RM799.

On the other hand, it seems that ZenFone 5 price leak is also seen on the screenshot below with a RM1299 price tag, but of course, that has been taken down too and according to sources, the ZenFone 5 will come in a later date after the ZenFone Max Pro M1's debut tomorrow. The ZenFone Max Pro M1 will be officially launched on 1 June 2018.

To be released as a budget-friendly mid-range, it features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor, a 5000mAh battery pack and more and it's capable of taking good photos too. You can check out our photo samples right here and stay tuned for our official coverage tomorrow at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Pro 3 officially announced, due in August 2014 but no Surface Mini

In Microsoft's recent "small gathering" the company went on to reveal the largest Surface tablet to date with the official announcement of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet. While we thought the "small gathering" hint was pointing at a Surface Mini tablet it was in fact about the Surface Pro 3, which is probably the thinnest tablet in the Surface range. Going for a magnesium casing like the Surface Pro 2, this super thin tablet features a 12-inch display but is 100g lighter than the Surface Pro 2. The bigger screen has a resolution of 2160 x 1440 resulting in 216ppi pixel density.

Other tech specs and features include an Intel Core i7 processor, HD 4400 graphics, 8GB RAM and 64GB to 512GB storage. You can opt for the more affordable Intel Core i3 or i5 processors if you want. The tablet is thin and nearly silent thanks to fanless cooling design with up to 9 hours battery life on a single charge. The accessories have also received an upgrade as the Surface Pro 3 comes with a Surface Pen stylus while the Type Cover detachable keyboard dock has a larger touchpad.

Pricing for the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 is set at $799 (RM2572) for the Intel Core i3 version with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, $1299 (RM4182) for the Core i5 version with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage while the Core i7 version will come in at $1549 (RM4987) for 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage or $1949 (RM6274) with 512GB of storage. No specific Malaysia release dates or pricing just yet but it is expected in August 2014. For now, check out the videos of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 below:


Microsoft Surface Pro 4 coming to Malaysia on 19 November 2015

The Microsoft Surface Pro 4 is officially coming to Malaysia on 19 November 2015 (tomorrow!). We've just received the invite and will be there to check out all the tech specs and details but for now here they are below:


Microsoft Surface Pro 4 launched in Malaysia from RM3999

Microsoft Malaysia have just launched their Microsoft Surface Pro 4 tablet from RM3999, to be mad available today from Lazada.com.my and various retailers. Featuring Windows 10 Pro and the 6th Generation Intel Core m, Core i5 and Core i7, at 8.4mm thin the tablet is the thinnest and lightest Surface yet. Stand-out tech specs and features include a 12.3-inch PixelSense display complete with Surface Pro 4 Type Cover (RM529) keyboard and Surface Pen (RM259) stylus. Check out the full tech specs below:

Our hands-on with the Surface Pro 4 revealed a really light device that can do heavy processing if need be. The Surface Pro 4 Type Cover keys are fairly clicky and backlit while the glass covered trackpad is surprisingly smooth and comfortable to use. The Surface Pen attaches magnetically to the side of the tablet and works very accurately, which should keep the designers and digital artists happy.

The star of the Surface Pro 4 remains the Surface Pen stylus. Pressure sensitive and equipped with an internal battery that lasts a year, the Surface Pen is surprisingly easy to use. It even comes with and automatic digital eraser which works automatically when you touch the screen with the eraser-end of the Surface Pen.

On hand for the event was Malaysian grafiti artist Muhamad Fakhrul Akmal (mile09) and savant artist Delwin Cheah who designed works of art with the Surface Pro 4.

(from left to right) Michal Golebiewski, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia, Delwin Cheah, savant artist, Lawrence Cheah, Delwin's father and Bruce Howe, General Manager, Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft Malaysia showing off art designed using the Surface Pro 4.

(from left to right) Bruce Howe, General Manager, Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft Malaysia, Muhammad Fakhrul Akmal, grafiti artist and Michal Golebiewski, Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia showing off grafitti art designed using the Surface Pro 4.


Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ Malaysia release: Up to i7 processor, up to 32GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD from RM4115

Microsoft has officially announced that the Surface Pro 7+ is officially available in Malaysia starting from the price of RM4115. The products will be available for purchase in Malaysia via Surface Commercial Authorized Resellers.

In terms of the tech specs, the Surface Pro 7+ comes equipped with up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM, as well as up to 1TB SSD. As for the battery, the product is able to withstand up to 15 hours of continuous use before needing to recharge and it’s also very lightweight which makes it suitable for those who are constantly on the go.

Other than that, there’s the Surface Hub 2S 85-inch which comes with a 4K PixelSense touch and ink enable display that’s priced from RM105969. The Surface Hub has an 85-inch touch and ink enabled display that will typically be used in classrooms or meetings and it lets users write, sketch, play videos and more on it.

The Surface Hub 2S 85-inch will be available for orders starting from today onwards, and it’ll be shipped starting on 1 March 2021 onwards. With all that said, what are your thoughts on the Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ and Surface HUB 2S 85-inch? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Pro 8 Malaysia pre-order: 11th Gen Intel Core CPU, 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen, and 16-hour battery life from RM4950

If you're looking for a new 2-in-1 laptop, check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. It was introduced way back in September 2021 but is finally making its way here. Now, you can pre-order this laptop from the Microsoft Malaysia website.

Earlier today, the Surface Pro 8 was announced on the Microsoft Malaysia website. The laptop is currently available for pre-order starting on 20 January 2022 via local partners like Lazada, Shopee, and more. This laptop comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core CPU, up to 16GB of RAM, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. It also has an SSD for high-speed storage, with capacities of up to 512GB. There are five configurations available, so you can pick them based on your requirements. Refer to the table below for pricing details.

The biggest upgrade in the Microsoft Surface Pro series would be the display. Specifically, the Surface Pro 8 comes with a 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen that has a refresh rate of 120Hz. Besides that, this 2-in-1 laptop comes with a built-in 5MP webcam, 10MP rear camera, Thunderbolt 4 support, and has Windows 11 pre-installed. As for the battery life, Microsoft claims that this PC can last up to 16 hours.

So, is anyone planning to get this laptop? What do you like most about 2-in-1 devices like the Surface Pro 8? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more product launches and pre-orders like this.


Microsoft Surface Pro 8 release: up to 120Hz refresh rate & 32GB of RAM, starting from ~RM4614

A few hours ago, Microsoft held an event and announced multiple products. One of the products is none other than the Surface Pro lineup - the Surface Pro 8. Here's what went down from the presentation.

According to The Verge, they said that the Surface Pro 8 is the Surface Pro that they have been waiting for. For starters, the PixelSense Flow Display is just 13-inches but also supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and Adaptive Colour Technology. On paper, it is "the most technically advanced display" that Microsoft has ever built.

The Surface Pro 8's display default setting is 60Hz but thanks to the Dynamic Refresh Rate feature, it allows the tablet to switch the refresh rate seamlessly depending on the activity. Compared to its predecessor, its display is 11% larger, 12.5% brighter and 11% higher resolution. It may seem like a small number, but it's quite a feat in terms of tech.

For the rest of the tech specs and features, the tablet sports up to an 11th Gen quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. With the latest gen in hand, the Surface Pro 8 is said to be 40% better in CPU performance and 74% faster in GPU. Microsoft will also release an 11th Gen Intel Core i5, Intel Core i3 and LTE versions. In addition, the battery life is said to last up to 16 hours on average.

Moreover, the Surface Pro 8 can supports multiple 4K displays thanks to the newly integrated Thunderbolt 4 ports and it has two of them, alongside a Surface Connect charging port. As for accessories, the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 won't come in the box. The latter is improved with a new built-in haptic motor alongside a redesigned tip for reducing latency and increasing accuracy.

In terms of price, the Surface Pro 8 costs a hefty starting price of $1099,99 (~RM4614) and will start shipping on 5 October 2021 in the West. There's no word yet if Microsoft Malaysia plans to import this but we shall wait and see. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Pro 8 review - A premium and portable 2-in-1 powerhouse for professionals

Since its debut back in 2013, the Microsoft Surface Pro lineup has pretty much changed the way we see 2-in-1 devices. While not perfect, the original Surface Pro proved that it is possible to have a full Windows desktop experience on a compact tablet form factor.

Now some 9 years later, Microsoft has refined the lineup with the release of the Surface Pro 8 - the tech giant's most powerful 2-in-1 device yet. However, at a hefty starting price of RM4950, and up to RM8750 for its most specced out variant (without the keyboard case and stylus), is the Surface Pro 8 worth it? Well, let's find out together, shall we?

The packaging of the Surface Pro 8 and its accessories.

At first glance, the Surface Pro 8 looks very similar to its predecessors. The iconic built-in kickstand is still there, assuringly sturdy and surprisingly robust with its solid metal hinge.

The kickstand is adjustable to your preferred viewing angle, from fully vertical to just slightly raised off the surface you put it on. However, like previous Surface Pros, it's not that comfortable or stable when placed on your lap, unlike a traditional laptop.

The device comes in either a platinum or graphite colour option, and we got the latter as our review unit. I think that this colour option looks better than the two, plus the matte finish makes it easy to grip the Surface Pro 8 when used in tablet mode.

Furthermore, its elegant and sleek design exudes a premium feel that matches the Surface Pro 8's magnesium alloy body. The device's 891g weight is also manageable in tablet mode. But it can get quite tiring holding it for an extended period.

In front, the Surface Pro 8 sports a gorgeous 13-inch display with a 2880x1920 resolution. It has a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3:2 aspect ratio, perfect for productivity. However, you have to live with thick black bars when watching videos.

The black bars are also quite distracting and noticeable since it's an LCD screen. Hence, the blacks aren't as deep as on an OLED display. Nevertheless, the Surface Pro 8's display is still stellar, and its 120Hz refresh rate also makes the device feels super smooth.

Most videos will have these huge black bars due to the 3:2 aspect ratio.

To complement the display, Microsoft included dual 2W Dual Atmos stereo speakers. Viewing content from the usual apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime was awesome. Besides that, the display also supports pen input, preferably with the Surface Slim Pen 2.

Speaking of which, there are two accessories for the Surface Pro 8, the aforementioned Slim Pen 2 and the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard. Well, both are optional. But using the device without the accessories, especially the latter, just doesn't make sense.

Plainly speaking, the Signature Keyboard is what makes the Surface Pro 8 a 2-in-1 device. It is compatible with the Surface Pro X Keyboard if you're looking to save a few bucks. However, I do recommend getting the Signature Keyboard. It is hands down one of the best keyboard cases available on any device so far. Its trackpad is one of the best on any Windows device!

Typing on the Signature Keyboard is a pleasure with decent key travel. Its full-size keyboard also makes the Surface Pro 8 feel like an actual laptop. Moreover, the keyboard is backlit and coated with a soft-touch Alcantara fabric that feels super nice and premium.

The Signature Keyboard with Slim Pen 2 bundle for the Surface Pro 8.

The Surface Pro 8, along with its must-have accessories.

The Signature Keyboard also has a built-in slot for the Slim Pen 2 that charges it. You can even prop it up to hide the stylus and have a slightly angled keyboard. This makes for better typing ergonomics.

As for the Slim Pen 2, it has a flat design that feels more natural for writing. There's also a physical button that will provide quick access to specific apps or tools when pressed.

The 120Hz display definitely helps make the Slim Pen 2 feel like an actual pen, with no noticeable input lag when scribbling on the screen. Microsoft claims that the stylus supports 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity, and it definitely feels so when we use it.

In terms of pricing, the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard would cost you RM699, while the Slim Pen 2 is RM499. There is also a bundle option for both bundled at RM1099, which we received together with our review unit.

In terms of I/O, the Surface Pro 8 has two Type-C Thunderbolt 4 ports with power delivery, so you can charge your device through either port. But for optimum charging, do use the proprietary adapter that connects to the Surface Connect port.

The Surface Connect adapter also has a magnetic mechanism, which will ensure that you won't damage your device if you accidentally trip on the cable. You can also find a 3.5mm headphone jack and a Surface Type Cover port to attach the optional keyboard.

Besides that, another unique feature this 2-in-1 has compared to a traditional laptop is a rear camera. This 10MP autofocus camera can record Full HD and 4K videos, but don't expect much in terms of image quality.

On its front, the Surface Pro 8 has a 5MP camera that supports Windows Hello and can shoot video up to 1080p. It's a decent quality camera for your Zoom meetings and more.

An image sample from the Surface Pro 8's rear camera.

The front-facing camera has decent quality.

Now, let's talk performance. The review unit sent to us comes equipped with a Quad-core 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1185G7 processor. There's also 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and a removable 256GB SSD.

Running on the Intel Evo platform, the Surface Pro 8 is incredibly powerful, considering its form factor. Throughout my time with the device, productivity apps ran smoothly with no hiccups or lag.

So far, I've been writing my articles and performing light photo editing on this device with no issue. Multitasking on what is essentially a tablet has never been so seamless. The fact that it's running a full desktop Windows 11 experience seems crazy.

However, I did notice that the back of the Surface Pro 8 gets quite warm when pushed to its limits. The fans will also start kicking in and become loud to the point of being annoying.

For graphics, the Surface Pro 8 is equipped with integrated Iris Xe graphics, which is good for some light gaming. Don't expect to play any AAA games, as you've got to remember that this is a portable device aimed at professionals, which is quite in line with the benchmark results of the device.

In terms of battery, the Surface Pro 8 has a 50.2Wh cell that Microsoft claims can last up to 16 hours of typical device usage. Like most manufacturers out there, that claim is quite a stretch. I've mostly gotten around 8 hours with light use and the screen at half brightness.

The battery would last me around 5 hours with heavy use at 75% screen brightness, which is excellent for a device as portable as this. Furthermore, the Surface Connect charger can fill juice up the battery relatively quickly, making this the ultimate productivity tool for professionals who are always on the go.

Overall, the Surface Pro 8 is a premium device with a matching price tag that, unlike its predecessors, has no compromises in terms of performance. As of right now, there are no other 2-in-1 devices out there that could directly compete with the Surface Pro 8 in terms of its impressive specs and sleek design.

That being said, one thing to consider before purchasing the Surface Pro 8 is whether you really need its flexibility and form factor. If not, you're better off buying a traditional Windows laptop that offers better performance and graphics prowess around the same price, such as the Dell XPS 13.

Pros: Premium build, ultra-lightweight and portable, powerful for its class, and has a gorgeous display.

Cons: Very much on the pricey side, runs a bit hot when pushed, and is practically a glorified tablet without its official accessories.

Conclusion: One of the best 2-in-1 Windows devices in the market and a great portable powerhouse for working professionals who are always on the move.


Microsoft Surface Pro 9 & Surface Laptop 5 Malaysia pre-order - starting price from RM5299

Today, the pre-orders for the new Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5 will commence from 8 November in Malaysia onwards, via commercial authorized resellers and authorized retailers. The starting price for both laptop models is RM5299.

Consumers who pre-order a Surface Pro 9, from now till 28 November, will receive a complimentary Surface Pro Signature Keyboard and other free gifts (worth up to RM1288). On the other hand, consumers who pre-order a Surface Laptop 5 will receive a complimentary Microsoft Arc Mouse and other free gifts (worth up to RM998) from selected authorized retailers. All consumer purchases will also include a one-month free subscription to Microsoft 365.

In terms of features, the Surface Pro 9 sports an edge-to-edge 13-inch PixelSense display, with up to 120Hz refresh rate, an HD camera, Omnisonic speakers, directional microphones, and Microsoft’s custom G6 chip. It's available in two options – the 12th Gen Intel Core processor built on the Intel Evo platform with Thunderbolt 4, or a Microsoft SQ3 processor, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon with 5G connectivity for Surface for Business users.

Meanwhile, the Surface Laptop 5 is powered by the latest Intel Evo platform, as well as features a 3:2 PixelSense display in 13.5-inch or 15-inch options, Thunderbolt 4, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos 3D spatial, an HD camera, Studio Microphones and others.

The Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Pro 9 are available for pre-order starting today, 8 November, via a commercial authorized reseller, Maxis; and authorized retailers such as  All IT, Gloo by SNS Network, Harvey Norman, Lazada Flagship Store, PC Image, Senheng, Shopee Authorised Store and TMT by Thundermatch. Both devices will be available to consumers and commercial customers in the following configurations in Malaysia:

12th Gen Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB, 256GB SSD

12th Gen Intel Evo Core i5, 16GB, 512GB SSD

12th Gen Intel Evo Core i7, 16GB, 512GB SSD

12th Gen Intel Evo Core i7, 8GB, 256GB SSD

12th Gen Intel Evo Core i5, 16GB, 256GB SSD

12th Gen Intel Evo Core i7, 16GB, 256GB SSD

*Please refer to authorized retailers for more details on Surface for Student

That's all, folks. By the way, consumers can seek advice on the right Microsoft Surface and Windows devices to buy through the Microsoft Concierge Service. The service is available at Harvey Norman Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Gloo Low Yat (SNS Network) as well as the Microsoft Authorise Store on Shopee Mall. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet coming to Malaysia in June 2013

Microsoft's Windows 8 powered Surface tablets are finally coming to Malaysia in full force. While the lower-end Microsoft Surface RT is set to make an appearance tomorrow, the Microsoft Surface Pro may arrive in Malaysia by the end of June 2013. No exact date was specified exactly but it does mean that we'll see the Surface Pro in just a few more months.

Considered by many tech watchers as the defining experience when it comes to Windows 8, the Microsoft Surface Pro tablets are x86 based computers squeezed into a tablet form factor that delivers desktop performance with tablet mobility. While the Microsoft Surface RT lacks in terms of hardware and features, the Surface Pro should be on the consideration list for any Windows user looking to make the shift to a tablet or wanting to replace their old laptop or desktop. Be warned though, early international pricing ($899 or RM2745) has been rather high so while there isn't any Malaysian pricing details just yet, it would be wise to start saving now.


Microsoft Surface Pro X Malaysia release: Better hardware, improved performance, and bigger battery from RM6999

Quite recently, Microsoft unveiled two new laptops for the Surface series. In particular, the Surface Pro X has made its way to Malaysia. This premium device is now available at authorised resellers and retailers, with the price starting from RM6999.

According to Microsoft Malaysia, the new Surface Pro X comes with a new Microsoft SQ2 chipset from Qualcomm. It also has up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage. In addition to that, it has a 13-inch PixelSense display that supports 10-point multi-touch. Microsoft has promised battery life of around up to 15 hours too, which is great for those who are always on the go.

There's a slot for a removable SSD, which is probably an optional proprietary product

Unlike most laptops, the Surface Pro X also with a 10MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. Paired with the cameras are the dual far-field studio-quality microphones and speakers that support Dolby Atmos, making it useful for not just online meetings but also watching videos. Another cool feature is the removable SSD, allowing you to store sensitive or confidential files separately.

If you would like to find out more, head over to the Surface Pro X product page. But what do you think about the new laptop? Is there another choice you think is better? Let us know what's your favourite 2-in-1 device in the comments and stay tuned to TechNave for more news on the latest devices.


ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 shows up in India, pure stock Android, 5000mAh, up to 6GB of RAM and more from just ~RM644

As previously rumoured, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 showed up in India and comes with a super affordable price tag. Coming in Deepsea Blue and Gray for three model variants based on memory, the 3GB + 32GB model is 10,999 Rupee (~RM644), followed by 4GB + 64GB for 12,999 Rupee (~RM761) and last one, 6GB + 64GB (together with the 16MP camera) for 14,999 Rupee (~RM879).

While it looks kind of entry-level because of the price, you'd be surprised to know that the specs are actually mid-range. What's more, the body has a 2.5D curved glass on the front and thank the heavens that there's no notch to be seen too. It should be noted that this will be ASUS' first pure stock Android phone too, so that's something to look forward to!

Most of the rumoured tech-specs hit the jackpot as well, so without further ado, below is the official tech-specs of the ZenFone Max Pro M1:

We also mentioned about the 5-magnet speaker and NXP smart amplifier before, which comes together with the device. In order to bring out its full sound quality potential by double, ASUS apparently made an accessory called the Max Box but very little is known about it, including the price and availability.

Also, a little bird told us that it's probably coming to Malaysia too. How much do you think it will cost? Take a wild guess and let us know in the comments below. Until then, stay tuned for more ASUS news at TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Pro X Malaysia release: comes with PixelSense display and weighs only 774g from RM4599

Microsoft has officially announced that the Microsoft Surface Pro X is now available in Malaysia, and it is priced starting from RM4599. The product can be purchased from any Microsoft authorised resellers such as Prestariang, Software One or even from retailers such as ALL IT, Gizmart, Gloo, Harvey Norman, the Microsoft flagship store on Lazada, Shopee and more.

In terms of the features, the Microsoft Surface Pro X comes with a detachable Signature Keyboard as well as Surface Slim Pen which turns it into a full-blown laptop. Tech spec-wise, it comes equipped with a custom Qualcomm processor, 13-inch edge-to-edge PixelSense Display with a screen resolution of 3:2 as well as a storage configuration of 8GB RAM as well as 128GB SSD storage.

If you are keen on finding out more information, head over to Microsoft’s official website. Would you be interested in getting the Microsoft Surface X? Let us know on our Facebook page and for more updates like this stay tuned to TechNave.com.


Microsoft Surface Pro X and Surface Laptop Go release: Premium touchscreen and ultraportability from ~RM2288

If you are a Microsoft fan, here's some news for you. The company unveiled two new devices yesterday, a laptop for those with a tight budget and a premium tablet. Say hello to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go and Surface Pro X.

First, let's talk about the Surface Laptop Go. This model is meant to be a more affordable version of the devices from the Surface Laptop series, so its specs are a bit more modest. The laptop is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G1 CPU, up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 64GB eMMC or up to 256GB of SSD storage. It comes with a 12.4-inch touchscreen display with a max resolution of 1536x1024.

While the Surface Laptop Go is meant to be affordable, Microsoft was quite generous in the feature department. The laptop comes with a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, Omnisonic speakers, fast-charging, a 720p camera, studio-class mics, and a precision trackpad. It also comes with a USB-C port, USB-A port, and supports WiFi 6 along with Bluetooth 5.0.

Moving on, there's the Surface Pro X, a premium tablet that is equipped with an ARM CPU. It uses a Microsoft SQ 1 and SQ 2, which are both custom chipsets developed by Qualcomm. Besides that, the tablet comes with up to 16GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of SSD storage. As for the display, it's a 13-inch touchscreen with a max resolution of 2880x1920 resolution. Since it's using an ARM chipset, this device will run Windows on ARM.

In terms of features, the Surface Pro X has dual USB-C ports, Gigabit LTE support, studio-class mics, wireless charging (for the slim pen), and a built-in kickstand. It also has stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and a 10MP camera at the back that supports 4K video recording.

You can check the Microsoft website for more details on the Surface Laptop Go and Surface Pro X. Having said that, would you be interested in getting one of these when they come to Malaysia? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Microsoft Surface Pro has arrived to Malaysia with starting price of RM3699

Today, Microsoft Malaysia has announced the arrival of the Surface Pro and Surface Pro Signature Type Cover. The Surface Pro's starting price is RM3699 and pre-order has already started. It will officially go on sale on 15 August 2017 in selected local Surface authorised retailers and Lazada.com.my.

First unveiled in May, the Surface Pro has been redesigned with a more refined softer, rounded edges yet thin body build, measuring in 8.5mm thin and weighs 767g. It has a fanless design so the user can work quietly with an improved battery life of 13.5 hours of battery life. According to Microsoft, the 2-in-1 laptop "boasts a 50% longer battery life than the Surface Pro 4 and delivers performance 2.5 times more than Surface Pro 3". At the moment, the device can go up to 7th generation Intel Core processor and uses a 12.3-inch PixelSense touch display.

Additionally, the Signature Type Cover is available in Platinum, Burgundy and Cobalt Blue. The price tag is RM669 and it's sold separately, so as the Surface Pen for RM299. Moreover, Microsoft Office 365 and the new Microsoft Whiteboard app are available inside the device.

For the full price list of each memory based variant and retailers' location. Kindly visit their page here for more information.


Microsoft Surface Pro in Malaysia from RM2749

It's been a while since we said that the Microsoft Surface Pro would be coming to Malaysia, and now it has done just that. Unlike the previous Surface RT, the Microsoft Surface Pro uses a full (not crippled) Windows 8 Pro operating system. The base model for the surface pro starts from RM2749 for the 64GB version and RM3049 for the 128GB version. Thankfully, pricing remains quite close to the US pricing, with not as much change as certain other products. As a plus, it is about RM200 lower here than the price of the Microsoft Surface Pro in Singapore.The Microsoft Surface Pro can be bought with the soft keyboard Touch cover or the more traditional keyboard-like Type cover. While there was a combo offer for the two covers with the Surface RT, there doesn't seem to be one for the Surface Pro just yet. For now, Microsoft are expanding the amount of places that you can buy the Surface Pro to include SNS network alongside pre-existing sellers like Harvey Norman, Thunder Match and Challenger.


Microsoft Surface RT Going for RM1549, Surface Pro Coming to Malaysia in June

Microsoft has recently launched its Microsoft Surface RT touchscreen tablet with the 32GB version costing RM1549 and the 64GB version going for RM1849. Adding on the Touch Cover makes the 32GB version cost RM1849 while the 64GB version with the Touch Cover cost RM2149. Since the Touch Cover costs RM379 by itself, you get about RM79 discounted off. However, if you opt for the more robust (and mechanical keyboard-like) Type Cover you will have to get it separately at RM409. In general the pricing is lower here in Malaysia compared to Singapore but due to the currency conversion more or less matches with the price in the US.

In addition to these accessories, the tablet also comes with a number of other extra cables and plugs such as the HD Digital AV Adapter and VGA Adapter which both go for RM159. the 24W power supply costs RM149. All of these accessories and the Microsoft Surface RT tablet are available at Thunder Match, Challenger and Harvey Norman stores.

In related news the Microsoft Surface Pro (the one with Windows 8 Pro) is also coming to Malaysia but expect to see it by the end of June 2013. No exact pricing or release details just yet but check back and we'll keep you posted.


Microsoft Take Back Xbox One Restrictions

When Microsoft first announced their latest next-gen console the Xbox One, it came with a whole bunch of restrictions including having to be always online and you couldn't lend games to more than one person. Even then, lending was one big hassle just for that one friend. Xbox fans can now rejoice though as Microsoft are taking back those policies. Check out the quote below:

"An internet connection will not be required to play offline Xbox One games – After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again. There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360.

Trade-in, lend, resell, gift, and rent disc based games just like you do today – There will be no limitations to using and sharing games, it will work just as it does today on Xbox 360." Don Mattrick, President, Interactive Entertainment Business

Xbox One games will also be region-free and games that use discs will have to keep the disc in the tray rather than having them ripped to the console (and taking up space). However, as a result of these policy changes, some features like the family sharing up to ten family members and that new Xbox One consoles may require a patch to set up these policies before they can run for the first time.


Microsoft Type Cover with Fingerprint ID for the Surface Pro 4 available in Malaysia for RM669

Today, Microsoft is proud to present a Type Cover with Fingerprint ID for the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and it's available now in Malaysia for RM669. As the name implies, the Type Cover comes with a new way of entering your secured profile by using your fingerprint.

The new Type Cover with Fingerprint ID features a redesigned mechanical keyboard with optimal key spacing for efficient typing and an enlarged glass trackpad for a more accurate control and navigation. It was also designed to add an extra security layer for the Windows 10, since Windows Hello, one of the security features was popular with the customers for its convenience for login into the device with just a look. What's more, the Type Cover is compatible with the Surface Pro 3 as well.

You can now order the Type Cover in Microsoft Online Store on Lazada, and Microsoft Authorized Reseller stores nationwide including selected Harvey Norman, SNS @ Gloo Store, All IT Hypermarket, Urban Republic and more. For more information on the new product, visit their website to check it out!


Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard officially announced for $99.95 (RM380)

Microsoft has officially announced their Microsoft Universal Foldable Keyboard, giving those mobile device road warriors a more portable keyboard than before. Granted, they already announced it at MWC but didn't offer pricing details. Featuring the ability to work with iOS, Android and Windows devices with two devices paired simultaneously, the keyboard connects via Bluetooth. When folded up, the keyboard automatically disconnects and shuts down the Bluetooth connection while opening the keyboard reconnects it. At 5mm thin, the keyboard offers full size keys and a battery that can last three months on standby. Other very interesting features include the fact that the keyboard is spillproof as the keys and fabric are water repellent. No Malaysia release dates and pricing details yet but it has been priced at $99.95 (RM380).


Microsoft VALL-E AI could be a scammers ultimate tool with almost identical voice mimicry using just a 3 second sample

Microsoft recently announced their new VALL-E AI text to speech synthesizer that can simulate or mimic a voice using just a 3-second audio sample. Considering how cybercriminals and cheaters are using new AI tech so quickly, my kneejerk reaction to this was a resounding “BUT WHY!?” (cue Jackie Chan meme) but thankfully this might not be the case... yet.

First of all, while the research has been published on github, these are only the results with no code available. Thankfully, Microsoft has decided not to make it as available to try as some other AI tools out there. Secondly, VALL-E is not always spot-on identical all the time. Trying out the results shows that most of the time, the synthesized speech sounds somewhat mechanical and unnatural.

However, there are times when VALL-E does get it right and to my untrained ears, it sounds almost identical. While Microsoft has not made the VALL-E AI available to the public, it’s a definite sign of things to come. Banks in particular are going to have to rethink how they approve loans and other financial decisions via voice calls or we’re all going to stop answering unknown phone numbers in the future (which isn’t good if you’re lost in the woods).

Are you as worried about all these new AI tools as we are? Or do you have a different point of view? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com


Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary comes with major upgrades

Michal Golebiewski (left), Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia and Andres Sirel (right), Windows and Device Group Lead, Microsoft Malaysia proudly presents the Windows 10 Anniversary upgrade

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Windows (in ETD timezone) by Microsoft and as promised, a new Windows 10 Anniversary update has arrived and it's free for all Windows 10 users worldwide, featuring new upgrades such as Windows Ink, Windows Hello, a more accessible and power-efficient Microsoft Edge browser, advanced security features for both consumers and enterprises, such as the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (WDATP) and Windows Information Protection. Below are some details of how it works:

Windows Ink is an all-new experience that puts the digital pen to its full potential, it allows people to write on a device as they would on a piece of paper. This feature has built-in experiences including Sticky Notes, Sketchpad and Screen Sketch to note down ideas and turn them into actions.

The possibilities with Windows Ink are endless

Users can now write and cross out on Sticky Notes at will

In the security corner, comes with Windows Hello and Windows Defender. Windows Hello allows the user to quickly sign in using biometric authentication for instant access for selected devices with Windows 10, for Windows Defender on the other hand, it's a free anti-malware service that includes an option for users on which time schedule they'd like to have their devices for scanning; what's more, it also provide summaries on complete scans and potential threats.

That's not all for security, enterprises will also benefit much from the feature with the WDATP and Windows Information Protection. WDATP is a great feature to have because it detects, investigates and responds to hidden malicious attacks, and to help protect businesses from accidental data leaks, Windows Information Protection enables businesses to separate personal and organization data wherever it goes.

Apps/Programs now works with Windows Hello

Moving on, say goodbye to the Internet Explorer and hello to the upgraded Microsoft Edge. The new Microsoft browser uses fewer CPU cycles, consumes less memory, and minimizes background activity such as Flash advertisements. The browser also supports biometric logins via Window Hello and introduces browser entensions like Adblock via Windows Store.

Microsoft Edge can now pin point and share locations with your contacts conveniently

Last but not least, the Anniversary update grants the user a free dark theme and UI tweaks for easier night Internet surfing, along with setting available to switch apps that typically use white background to black; as for the UI tweak, the Start menu now stores apps list and provides Tablet mode.

"When we launched Windows 10 a year ago, our vision was to deliver not just the best and most secure version of Windows, but also to deliver on customer satisfaction continuously. We created Windows 10 around what users wanted, and the interest in our Windows Insider Program has helped us in rolling out Windows 10 updates faster than ever before. To date, Windows Insider participants have spent over 50K years worth on Windows 10, resulting in nearly 75 million pieces of feedback and over 5000 enhancements to the Windows 10 products." said Michal Golebiewski, Chief Marketing & Operations Officer, Microsoft Malaysia.

"What you see here today with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is the latest step in our journey to create an operating system that people want and live, For the future, we will be focusing on promoting new exciting devices running natively on Windows 10." he concluded.

To upgrade your Windows 10 with the new 10th Anniversary upgrade, head over to their website blog for more information. Stay tuned for more news at Technave.com!


ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 and Max Pro tech specs leaked ahead of reveal next week

Only a week until the big reveal of the much anticipated ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 as well as the Max M2 and it seems like the tech specs of the smartphone has been leaked. Reportedly, the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 will be rocking the Snapdragon 660 and 4GB RAM while the Max M2 will be sporting the Snapdragon 636 and 4GB of RAM.

Popular leaker Roland Quandt claims that the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 may have 64GB and 128gb internal storage with a microSD slot and the Max M2 might feature 32GB and 64GB internal storage with a microSD slot as well. So far, only the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2’s battery capacity has been leaked, an impressive 5,000mAh and no information in regards to the Max M2 smartphone.

Camera-wise, the Max Pro M2 may be equipped with a dual rear camera setup with a 12MP Sony IMX486 primary sensor and a 5MP secondary sensor. Meanwhile, the Max M2 will have a 13MP primary camera and so far, no information on the secondary camera. In addition, the displays on both phones are 6 inch IPS LCD displays with a resolution of 1080p. Much to the dismay of many, the phone will have a notch and will have a bottom chin.

Aesthetically, the phone has a sleek, polished look. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 is said to have a glass back while the Max M2 rocks a metallic rear. The smartphones are set to be revealed on the 11th of December after an array of leaks and rumours about the smartphone surfaced. So which phone are more excited for? For more news on the latest smartphones, make sure to hit up TechNave.com!


Microsoft Windows 10 is coming for phone, tablet and desktop

Microsoft just released a number of huge announcements yesterday, with one of the biggest being Windows 10. As earlier reports have indicated, Windows 10 will be one platform usable across all Windows devices included desktops, notebook computers, tablets and Windows Phones. Notable features include universal apps that look uniform on all devices, which will include Microsoft Office and photo app with more apps coming soon. Cortana will be available across the board and notifications that you clear in one device will be cleared in other devices. Project Spartan will replace Internet Explorer (finally). DirectX 12 will also make an impact with even better gaming graphics and possibly the ability to game from the Xbox to a laptop or desktop PC. The most important factor will be that the upgrade is free for Windows 7 users and above and all Windows Phone users. No news yet on a possible Malaysia release date but the first Windows 10 release for phones could be coming as soon as February 2015. Check out the videos below for yourself:

Interested in joining in? Then check out the Windows Insider program


Microsoft Windows 10 officially announced, one OS for everything

Microsoft has officially announced Windows 10 with a release date expected in April 2015. While we have no idea where Windows 9 went (perhaps it was Windows 8.1 ~ 8 + 1) the big news is that this new Windows 10 will run on every Windows device. This means that when it comes out, it should replace Windows 8 on your PC and Windows Phone on your tablet or smartphone. No news yet on whether this would be called Windows Phone 10 or just Windows 10 throughout, but we're thinking that since Microsoft is aiming for total unification, everything will be called just Windows 10 regardless of device. Key features mentioned for Windows 10 includes:

The Start button returns with integrated live tiles

Universal touch apps run off of the desktop direct

The Task View menu lets you choose between multiple apps running at the same time

Multiple virtual desktops let you do more

Customize your view with easy to snap apps

So far, Microsoft have yet to provide details on Malaysia release dates or pricing but we expect more news at the next Microsoft Build conference happening in April 2015. Rumours have said that Windows 8 users can upgrade to Windows 10 for free with Microsoft saying that Windows 7 users will get incentives to upgrade, which usually means a discount. For now, microsoft will make the Windows 10 Technical Preview for desktop and laptop computers at preview.windows.com. Obviously this is still that it is not the final version and you will be expected to provide feedback and bug reports for Microsoft to solve. Check out the video for yourself below:


Microsoft Windows 11 is authorized on Apple M1 and M2 Macs with Parallels Desktop

Microsoft recently announced that Windows 11 is authorized to run on M1 and M2 chipset powered Mac laptops. This is done through the Parallels Desktop version 18 however, they made no guarantees for games that rely on DirectX 12 or OpenGL 3.3 or greater.

Microsoft also noted that Windows features relying on nested Microsoft Hyper-V-based virtualization aren’t supported. These could include Windows Subsystem for Android or Linux, Windows Sandbox and Virtualization-based security. They also encourage users to run 64-bit Arm apps but 32-bit Arm apps can still be run in x64 or x86 emulation.

We’re sort of hopeful that this may lead to better gaming on M1 and M2 chipset powered Apple devices but these are early days yet. If you try it out, do let us know how it went for you and stay tuned to TechNave.com


Microsoft Windows 11 officially available in Malaysia

At the end of August, it was confirmed that Microsoft would be launching Windows 11 today. Before this, a few laptop brands released new models with Windows 11 pre-built inside. But now there's news on how you can directly update to Windows 11 on Windows 10 PC.

According to the announcement, Windows 11 will be available for free on eligible Windows 10 computers. This applies to the Microsoft Surface series (like the Surface Go 3) and device partners like Dell, Honor, Lenovo, and more. You can also find out if your desktop PC or laptop is eligible by using the Windows Update system on your computer or the PC Health Check app.

Use the PC Health Check app to see if you're eligible to upgrade

Next, let's briefly summarise what's new in Windows 11. First, Windows 11 comes with a redesigned UI. The Start menu, Taskbar, and icons have all been refresh and given a cleaner look. There are also new widgets for you to personalise the interface, Snap Layouts for easier multitasking, a new Microsoft Store, Auto HDR support, and more.

If you want to learn more about Windows 11, you can check the official website here. With that said, are you upgrading to Windows 11 soon or would rather wait for potential bugs to be resolved? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


Microsoft Word has a new feature which will help you rewrite your sentence in a better way

Nowadays, it’s amazing that technology can do so much and it can even predict what we are going to type or say next. Many of you must be familiar with Google’s Smart Compose, which will predict the words that you want to type next in your Gmail compose box. If you think it’s impressive, here is something else from Microsoft that will make you go “I want to use that!”.

Microsoft has upgraded one of its features that is called Rewrite from Microsoft Word to be even more powerful. Before this, the feature only could suggest better ways to phrase snippets of text after the user selecting a fragment of the text, right-clicking on it and selecting 'Rewrite suggestion'. Now, it appears that the tool will be smart enough to rewrite the entire sentence in a way that is better than the original one.

The feature will be focusing on improving fluency, concise phrasing, and readability of users’ works. By using it, select the ‘Rewrite suggestion’ as well from the context menu, and then the sentence will be highlighted in purple. After that, with just one click, the sentence will be rephrased instantly. However, the feature is only now available on the Microsoft Word web version and requires a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscription. It also works on only one language which is English currently.

Let us know what you think about this Microsoft’s smart feature on our Facebook page. Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more cool tech news.


Microsoft Xbox Series X appears in the wild

When it comes to new products, seeing product renders and press images can be great. But nothing beats seeing the actual product in real life, as it can give us an idea of what it looks like and gauge the size. Which is why it's nice that we finally got a glimpse of the Microsoft Xbox Series X recently thanks to leaked photos.

Thanks to Twitter user KeemaMr, we now have live photos of Microsoft's upcoming next-gen console. The Xbox Series X was showcased at an exhibition at the Xperion E-Arena in Germany. It may not be the retail unit, as one of the photos shows that it's a prototype, but it's the finalised design so what you see is what you will get.

Xbox Series X was exhibited at the Xperion e-arena in Saturn (Germany) pic.twitter.com/xiMvia1FnX

Of course, this isn't exactly the first time the Xbox Series X was shown off in real life. Way back in March, the folks at Digital Foundry uploaded a hands-on video of the prototype console to YouTube. However, we're not sure if any design elements may have changed since then, so we can't tell you if that video showed the final retail design. We do know that it's confirmed to have a 12-TFLOP GPU.

Anyway, Microsoft seems quite confident that its latest game console will do quite well, so maybe they'll consider launching it in Malaysia. But what are your thoughts on that? Would you go for the Xbox Series X or the PS5? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news.


Microsoft Xbox Series X full specs revealed, 8-core 3.8GHz CPU and 12 TFLOPS GPU confirmed

Weeks after Microsoft first announced its next-gen Xbox Series X console, we finally get confirmation on most of its specs. As mentioned by Xbox chief Phil Spencer in February 2020, the new console will come with 12 TFLOPS of GPU compute power, making it twice as powerful as the Xbox One X. A few of the key features were also confirmed.

According to Eurogamer's Digital Foundry team, the Project Scarlet system on chip (SoC) will come with a 7nm AMD Zen 2 CPU and a custom RDNA 2 GPU. It allowed the Xbox team to run Gears of War 5 on Ultra settings, which includes enhanced shadows and ray-tracing while maintaining average framerates of above 40FPS. Microsoft made it a point to aim for a baseline of 2x performance in all games.

Aside from ray-tracing, a few other features were also demonstrated in the video above. Features shown include mesh shading, 3D audio, fast 1TB custom NVMe SSD, quick resume, and more. We found the quick resume particularly interesting, as it allows you to swap between different game save states. Microsoft also reworked the input software, thus reducing the input latency of the controller.

There's a lot of info to parse through, so do check out the video if you're interested in the nitty-gritty details. With all that said, has this convinced you to consider buying the Xbox Series X if it launches in Malaysia? Let us know on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more news like this.


Microsoft Xbox Series X may come with dedicated audio acceleration

Assuming it doesn't get cancelled as MWC 2020 did, the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2020 will be held from 16 to 20 March 2020. On 18 February 2020, Microsoft will be hosting a conference session on audio and what's interesting is that the company may be talking about dedicated hardware audio acceleration for the Xbox Series X.

According to the description regarding the conference session, Microsoft will be revealing info on its audio design pipeline codenamed Project Acoustics. It's supposed to connect to dedicated audio hardware acceleration that will be found on 'newer generation Xbox consoles', which sounds like there may either be a dedicated soundcard or onboard DAC (digital-to-audio converter). Although it wasn't specified, we believe the console in question could be Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Series X console.

Besides that, Microsoft will be sharing the results of its partnership with Dolby in bringing spatial sound to headphones. Honestly, that doesn't tell us much. But if we were to guess, Microsoft may have been able to improve surround sound quality for headphones that are plugged into a controller or directly to an audio port on the console unit.

If the speculations are true, the Xbox Series X could deliver greater levels of audio quality that previous generations of consoles could never deliver. For now, we can't confirm what Microsoft has up its sleeve. But we'll keep an eye out for more details on this so stay tuned to TechNave.com for further updates.


Microsoft Xbox and Ubisoft to host digital events now that E3 2020 is cancelled

Many events have been cancelled in recent weeks so the writing was on the wall even for E3 2020. Sure enough, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) confirmed yesterday that the annual event in Los Angeles would be cancelled. Of course, some companies have things ready for presentation and will be doing them online.

Both Microsoft and Ubisoft will be hosting digital events for their big announcements, though the exact dates have yet to be confirmed. For Microsoft, its big reveal this E3 2020 will most likely include further details of the Xbox Series X, along with first-party titles for the console. On the other hand, Ubisoft's is likely going to announce a new Assassin's Creed game, along with another for the Tom Clancy series. Bear in mind, we're just speculating here.

E3 has always been an important moment for Team Xbox. Given this decision, this year we'll celebrate the next generation of gaming with the @Xbox community and all who love to play via an Xbox digital event. Details on timing and more in the coming weeks https://t.co/xckMKBPf9h

An update regarding E3 2020. pic.twitter.com/cThkDIkfVm

E3 2020 is an important time for publishers and developers. Indeed, it's hard to imagine that they would just give up the opportunity to build hype for their games, so expect more announcements of digital events or streams in the coming days. Of the many publishers and developers, we think that Square Enix, EA Games, and Bethesda will likely have something to announce.

Having said that, what do you think about E3 2020 being cancelled? Do you think this signals the starts of a shift towards online events only? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more gaming news.


Microsoft Your Phone renamed to Phone Link, partnership with Honor confirmed

As you may know, some smartphones can connect to laptops or desktops via a specific app. This feature isn't available for most PC users, but it looks like things could be starting to change. Recently, Microsoft has announced a rename for its Your Phone app and more support for it.

According to the announcement, the Your Phone app will now be called Phone Link. Moreover, the next Windows 11 update will see an upgraded version of the app. It will offer a brand new interface and features like notifications, tab navigation, and more. Microsoft also promised to make it easier to set up and included as part of the new Windows 11 set-up process.

Besides that, the update will also allow Phone Link to support selected Honor devices. Currently, the list includes the Magic V, Magic 4 series, and Magic 3 series smartphones. Before this, Phone Link only supported Samsung devices. This means it was relatively inaccessible, so other brands had to come up with their alternatives. With this move from Microsoft, there's hope that more brands would be supported in the future.

What do you think? Is linking your phone to your PC a feature you consider useful? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to TechNave for more news like this.


ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 livestream will be on Facebook

Hey TechNavers, we know some of you are eagerly waiting to check out the all-new ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2. It's going to be unveiled this afternoon in Jakarta, Indonesia and if you are looking forward to the livestream, you can catch it live over at ASUS Malaysia's Facebook page right over here. The livestream will start at 4PM today (11 December 2018) so don't miss as they are probably going to unveil the official price for the Malaysia market. Stay tuned for our official coverage at TechNave.com!


Microsoft acquiring Clipchamp might bring better video editing experience to Windows 11

Editor's note - You can access the official ClipChamp web portal right here

On 5 October, the latest Windows update will roll out and offer several new features and functionalities to users. Windows 11 will bring Microsoft Teams integration, a new design with an updated Start menu, Snap Layouts, Groups, Desktops for improved multitasking, an improved Microsoft Store app, and Android app support. Now, there might be a new thing to be excited about after the company acquired a browser-based video editing tool, Clipchamp.

The acquisition might lead to an integration between the video editor and Windows 11, letting users enjoy more advanced video editing features with future updates. Currently, Microsoft also thinks that the video editor is a "natural fit to extend the cloud-powered productivity experiences in Microsoft 365 for individuals, families, schools, and businesses," according to Chris Pratley, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Office media group.

Clipchamp allows people to edit videos in browsers and utilize the full power of GPU to render the final result. It also uses an extensive library of filters, stock media, and transitions to let users further enhance the videos. The simple-to-use video editor supports multi-track audio as well, and large companies like Google, Dell, and Deloitte are its fans.

It looks like Microsoft is giving its all to bring the best user experience with Windows 11. Leave us a comment to let us know how excited you are about the operating system update! Stay tuned to TechNave.com for the latest tech report.


Microsoft adds Bing AI chatbot to SwiftKey on Android

Recently, Microsoft integrated ChatGPT into Bing which allows users to use the AI chatbot in various Microsoft products. Well, it’s now available on Android too as the company recently integrated the Bing AI chatbot into SwiftKey.

As reported by The Verge, the AI chatbot began appearing yesterday and allows SwiftKey Beta users to quickly access the chatbot with a quick shortcut. Users can access the usual chat mode with it or a tone mode that would rewrite any text right within the keyboard.

Currently, this feature is only available on SwiftKey Beta on Android. Accordingly, Pedram Rezaei, Microsoft’s CTO of mobile and commerce has confirmed that the feature is slowly rolling out to Android users.

Microsoft didn’t mention whether it’d be available on the iOS version of the keyboard. Given the company hasn’t been updating the iOS version regularly, we think that this is unlikely anytime soon.

So, what do you guys think of the Bing AI chatbot on SwiftKey? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and stay tuned to TechNave for more trending tech news!