New Microsoft documents reveal a new Surface device with an interesting design

Microsoft’s R&D team is definitely trying a lot to perfect the Duo and Neo hinges, but it seems they want to do more engaging things than just stop at devices with two connected screens. reason alone.

A recently published patent shows the idea of ​​using magnetic hinges on Microsoft hardware. The patent demonstrates methods for attaching multiple pieces of a hardware device – such as two screens, or a monitor and a foldable keyboard – through magnetic hinges.

Specifically, Microsoft wants in the future, the two Surface tablets will be able to be connected together to create a new device like the Surface Neo, both acting as a laptop and as an e-book with two Page.

What’s new in this patent is that it doesn’t have a permanent hinge structure to hold two screens together like the Surface Neo. The two monitors will be paired together via a magnetic system.

This new method not only allows two tablets / screens to work together to create a book-like device we’ve seen on Surface Duo and Surface Neo, it also allows a range of other components to connect to. hardware without the need to go through a lot of complicated work (perhaps using wireless communication between interconnected components).

Surface Duo and Surface Neo

This is not the first time Microsoft has devised a new way to connect peripherals to its hardware – anyone using the Surface keyboard cover must already know the usefulness of being able to Easy to disassemble / install such devices.

And this is not the first time Microsoft has registered a patent to use magnetism to replace the old technology. Last year, they filed a patent for “Electronic Device with a Magnetically Attached Electronic Component”, which talks about using magnets instead of screws when hardware assembly.

The 2019 Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro X have been designed with key components (such as screens or keyboards) that can be repaired quickly and easily by third-party repair centers, as well as large corporate customers. While magnets are not used in these designs, the idea of ​​using them in device assemblies shows that Microsoft clearly wants to accelerate production and repair speeds – after all, a joint. Magnetic coupling will be much faster than rotating each screw on the board.

You need to know that there is no guarantee that the technology described in a patent will appear on the mass-produced hardware and marketed. But they somehow reveal the direction and thinking of a company. Connecting components, screens, and devices makes it easier to repair – all of which are part of what Microsoft plans for its future Surface lineup.

Reference: Forbes