Microsoft will sell consumer and business versions of Surface Pro 6, Laptop 2
Windows 10
When Microsoft introduced its new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop last year, they each shipped by default with a single Windows 10 edition. The Pro shipped with Windows 10 Pro. The original Surface Laptop shipped with Windows 10 S (which later was branded "Windows 10 Pro in S Mode"). But when the new Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 ship later this month, customers will have some new choices.
Surface Pro 6 will come in two flavors: A consumer version running Windows 10 Home or a business version running Windows 10 Pro. Surface Laptop 2 users will have the same choice -- a consumer edition with Windows 10 Home or business one running Windows 10 Pro. (Microsoft officials didn't mention Windows 10 in S Mode at all during the October 2 launch of the new Surface devices.)
The base hardware is basically the same, regardless of whether a customer goes for Home or Pro on the new Surfaces, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed. Both the new Surface Pro 6 and the Surface Laptop 2 are running 8th-generation Intel quad-core processors.
Customers who purchase the business versions of Surface Pro 6 or Surface Laptop 2 will get Microsoft's "Advanced Exchange" warranty for no additional cost Advanced Exchange offers expedited device replacement, at no additional cost. Microsoft officials announced at last week's Ignite IT pro conference that Microsoft's Advanced Exchange warranty would be expanded to include new Surface devices.
Pricing will be different for the business and consumer versions of Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2. Both are available for preorder as of today, October 2, and both are set to begin shipping on October 16.
Microsoft charges more for Windows 10 Pro than Home, but so far I don't have the exact price differentials between the consumer and business configurations of these devices. I've asked Microsoft for more information and will update this post once I hear back.
Also: Microsoft's refreshed Surface Pro, Laptop and Studio: New specs, pricing, availability | Microsoft begins rolling out Windows 10 October 2018 Update | Windows 10 October 2018 Update: How to get it, how to avoid it
Update (October 3): Surface Pro 6 for consumers starts at $899. Surface Pro 6 for business at $999. Surface Laptop 2 for consumers starts at $999 and Surface Laptop 2 for businesses at $1,199. (Thanks @teroalhonen for the prices.)
Another Update: Will either of these devices be available in S Mode, I asked Microsoft. Interesting answer from a spokesperson: "No. We accomplished our goal of introducing Windows 10 in S Mode to a broad audience with the initial launch of Surface Laptop and continue to fulfill this market need with Surface Go. Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Pro 6 runs the most optimized OS for the people who use it most."
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