We’ve known for some time now that Microsoftis readying two new miniaturized PCs: a new Surface Pro and a new Surface Laptop, each offering a display size in the ballpark of or around 12-inches. These devices are set to complement the company’s existing (and physically larger) Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 PCs, complete with similarly high-end specifications and build quality.Microsofthas remained silent on the matter, but rumors point towards a spring launch window.
In a recent Windows Central Podcast episode, host Zac Bowden provides us with a new tidbit of information regarding these upcoming Surface products – reportedly, both models could wind up shipping without support for Microsoft’s in-house magnetic charging standard, known as Surface Connect. If this proves accurate, it might well be indicative of a broader phase out of Surface Connect on the whole.
…despite my appreciation of USB Type-C’s universality, I’ve been equally fond of Surface Connect for some time now.
This de-emphasis of Surface Connect is corroborated by the release of the Surface Dock 3, and, more recently, the Dock 4. With both of these I/O hubs, Microsofthas decided to forgoits magnetic charging standard in favor of a USB Type-C plug. At the same time, the company has begun decoupling its Surface Connect cables from its Surface PCs, to adhere to the European Union’sCommon Charger Directive.
The external pressure from the European Unionto prioritize USB Type-C, along with Microsoft’s previous (and allegedly, upcoming) actions, paint a bleak picture for the future of Surface Connect. Needless to say, I’m not a happy camper – despite my appreciation of USB-C’s universality, I’ve been equally fond of Surface Connect for some time now.
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Surface Connect is the best magnetic charging standard
Microsoft knocked it out of the park from the start
The idea of a magnetic charging interface makes a lot of intuitive sense. Magnets are perfect for automatically aligning cables to their respective ports, therefore reducing friction in the plug-in process. As an added bonus, magnetic charging solutions disconnect with ease, reducing the likelihood of a person tripping over their cable, and sending their device hurling towards the ground.
Apple was the first PC company to embrace magnetism in this way, having introduced MagSafe to the Mac all the way back in 2006. Microsoft joined the fray with its Surface Connect port beginning in 2014. Notably, no other mainstream PC makers have followed suit, opting to stick with generic barrel-style charger plugs, and, more recently,choosing to embrace USB-Cinstead.
…not only is Surface Connect the only non-Mac charger of its kind, but it’s arguably better than MagSafe.
I should note that, despite lacking magnets, I certainly love USB-C charging from the standpoint of being able to top up multiple devices via a single unified standard. I’m happy that modern Surface PCs and Macs offerUSB-C power pass-throughin addition to their own proprietary magnetic solutions. In other words, I’m happy with the status quo, and I don’t want to give up either charging option.
With this in mind, the possibility of a Surface Connect-less future saddens me – not only is Surface Connect the only non-Mac charger of its kind, but it’s arguably better than MagSafe. Anecdotally, I prefer its magnetic clasp and tactility, as well as its sideways cable protrusion (as opposed to the latter’s outward-facing protrusion). Microsoft may have taken years to catch up to Apple in magnetic charging tech, but it ultimately scored a home run in its first attempt.
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It’s clear to me that, for the most part, USB Type-C’s ubiquity makes it a more convenient choice of charger for the majority of PC users. That being said, I hate the idea of seeing Microsoft’s hard work in developing and engineering Surface Connect go to waste. As a sort of compromise, my ideal solution would be one in which Surface Connect embraces USB-C, as opposed to working against it.
My biggest gripe with the current Surface Connect setup is that its proprietary cable is hard-wired to its AC adapter. I appreciate the included USB-A port for topping up a secondary device, but I’d much prefer the ability to unplug the magnetic charger itself and stick it into any oldUSB-C wall adapter. This is the exact approach Apple took in its latest MagSafe 3, and Microsoft ought to poach the same setup.
Amazon and other online e-commerce sites are filled with aftermarket Surface Connect to USB-Cadaptersandcharging cables. I can’t speak to the quality of these solutions, but they do provide a glimpse at what I’m describing above.
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Apple has already gone down this path
Today, MagSafe is alive and well
It’s unclear whether Microsoft will ultimately kill off Surface Connect in the coming months or years, but we do have a big tech precedent for how such a situation might pan out. Apple infamously stripped its MacBooks of MagSafe back in 2016,only to bring the magnetic charging interface backin 2021. At the time, there was much outcry and lamenting about the loss of what is considered by many to be an iconic part of the Mac user experience.
Admittedly, Microsoft’s Surface Connect has never quite enjoyed the same level of fanfare and praise that MagSafe has received throughout the years, and so perhaps the company feels its users wouldn’t be bothered by the feature’s removal.
Personally, I beg to defer:Surfaceis a boutique PC line, beset with custom hardware components and in-house tuning. Surface Connect is an integral part of the overarching story of Surface, and its elimination would be a blow to not only the brand’s cachet, but also to its ethos of providing a luxurious end-user experience.
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