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Briefly: Microsoft launched new Floor gear for companies this week. Slated for launch in mid-February, the merchandise embrace two Intel-powered Copilot+ fashions and a brand new, extra reasonably priced USB4 dock. Whereas the brand new hub lacks its predecessor’s connectivity choices, it’s considerably cheaper.
A brand new USB 4 dock from Microsoft is now out there for pre-order. At $200, it provides enterprise customers an attractive different to the corporate’s $300 Thunderbolt 4 dock, however it consists of considerably fewer ports. Whereas the Thunderbolt 4 dock options six USB ports – together with three USB 4 outputs with Thunderbolt 4 help – the brand new USB 4 dock solely presents three ports, two of that are USB 4/Thunderbolt 4.
Every high-speed output can switch at as much as 40Gb/s, sufficient for a 4K 60Hz show. The cheaper docking station additionally partially compensates for the misplaced ports by introducing a rear-facing HDMI 2.1, enabling customers so as to add one other 4K 120Hz display.
A rear-facing fourth USB-C port solely serves as an influence provide enter, which pulls much less energy than the Thunderbolt 4 model, falling from 165W with 96W passthrough to 100W with as much as 65W passthrough. The docking station retains its bigger sibling’s gigabit Ethernet port however drops the three.5mm audio jack and desk mount.
The Floor USB 4 Dock for Enterprise begins delivery on February 18 and is suitable with Floor fashions relationship again to the Laptop computer 5.
Its introduction follows the latest reveal of Microsoft’s new business-focused Floor Laptop computer 7 and Floor Professional 11, additionally slated for a February 18 launch. The corporate launched its Copilot+ AI PC initiative with final yr’s Arm-based Floor gadgets outfitted with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, and the brand new variants deliver related capabilities to customers preferring to stay to good previous x86 Home windows.
They function Intel Core Extremely 200V chips with neural processing items delivering 48 TOPS of AI efficiency. Each fashions help as much as 32GB of RAM. The Laptop computer 7 has 13.8-inch or 15-inch display choices, whereas the Professional 11 solely presents a 13-inch LCD or OLED panel.
These Intel-powered Floor fashions include native Home windows 11 help (normal construct) however price greater than the Arm alternate options. Each fashions begin at $1,499 in comparison with $1,099 for the Qualcomm variants.
