Microsoft May Launch Cheaper Surface PCs, Fueling AMD Sound Wave Arm APU Rumors

Microsoft is reportedly exploring cheaper Surface devices to compete with Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo, with potential changes to several key hardware components.

According to a DigiTimes supply-chain report, Microsoft is reviewing the specifications of its entry-level Surface lineup, particularly a 12-inch model, to reduce manufacturing costs.

The company is reportedly considering changes to the processor, memory, camera, battery, and chassis. However, Microsoft has not finalized specifications, pricing, or a release date.

The development follows Microsoft’s recent explanation of why AMD is missing from its Surface PCs.

AMD Sound Wave could make a comeback

The report has also renewed speculation about AMD Sound Wave, a rumored low-power Arm processor previously linked to Microsoft’s Surface lineup.

Earlier leaks suggested that Sound Wave could feature six Arm CPU cores in a 2P+4E configuration, RDNA 3.5 graphics with four Compute Units, 16MB of MALL cache, and LPDDR5X-9600 memory support.

The processor reportedly targets 5W–10W power consumption, while earlier shipping manifests revealed a 32 × 27 mm BGA-1074 package using the FF5 interface.

However, nothing confirms that Microsoft will use AMD Sound Wave in future Surface devices. The reported cost-cutting plans also do not explicitly mention AMD.

Microsoft continues expanding its Surface lineup

Microsoft recently unveiled the Surface Pro 12 and Surface Laptop 13, and it has opened pre-orders for the Surface Laptop Ultra and RTX Spark development box.

For now, Microsoft has not confirmed plans for a cheaper Surface model or a return to AMD-powered hardware.

Via VideoCardz