Cheaper Surface Book and Windows 10 'Fall Update' revealed

Microsoft has added an additional model to its new Surface Book range featuring an Nvidia GPU.
The new variant is essentially the base model with a Core i5 processor, 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, but with an Nvidia GPU added, which will raise the price of the base model from £970 to £1,100.
Consumers will now have an extra device to choose from, which might be ideal for those who want a step up from the base model and want better graphics but don’t necessarily need to double their storage.
We don’t currently know what model the GPU will be, but it seems likely to be around the same power level as an Nvidia GeForce 940M, according to TechRadar. But I’m sure we’ll find out more details by the time it ships in the UK on November 12th.
In the meantime, if you’re a business interested in using Surface tablets, it’s worth reading our guide to Microsoft’s Surface Enterprise Initiative.
In other Microsoft news, according to ‘trusted sources’ of Windows pundit Paul Thurrott, the firm will release an update called ‘Windows 10 Threashold 2’ or the ‘Fall Update’, on November 2nd.
As reported on Hexus, Windows 10 Threshold 2 is expected to bring some new features to the OS including a pre-installed messaging app that will integrate Skype.
SMS texting is also thought to be coming to desktop PCs thanks to Cortana, and there will be various improvements in Microsoft Edge as well as a new media creation tool.
Amongst all these updates and new products, it has also been reported that Microsoft has quietly laid off as many as 1,000 employees.
Addressing the reports, a Microsoft spokesperson stated: “The job reductions were spread across more than one business area and country and reflect adaptions to business needs. We go through this process in the most thoughtful manner possible, with the deepest respect for affected individuals.”
In its earnings report for Q1 2016, Microsoft reported revenues of $21.55 billion, beating analysts’ expectations. This month the firm also revealed that it would be teaming up with Intel, Dell, Lenovo and HP for a big PC ad campaign called ‘PC Does What?’.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...evealed/037083