Apple iMac-inspired Microsoft Surface PC Coming October 26? Watch the Event Live

We’ve been covering various rumors and reports on Microsoft’s new iMac-inspired All-In-One (AIO) Surface PC over the past few weeks, and the supposed launch date for the first ever Microsoft-made desktop is now finally here. Tomorrow, October 26, Microsoft could be unveiling a Windows 10 PC like nothing we’ve ever seen.

Here’s a round-up of what you might expect to see at the event, and where you can watch it online, live.

The Surface All-In-One PC, say Microsoft insiders, is inspired by the iMac from Apple. We can only assume what that means, but it’s likely that they’re referring to some of the design elements of the iMac. But there’s one key difference that we could be seeing on the new Surface PC from Microsoft, and that’s the modular design aspect.

Unlike any other PC in the market today, the Surface PC is expected to have modular components that can be interchanged in a mix and match sort of way. For example, if you want a faster processor, you just buy one and slot it in after removing the older one. Same with most other capabilities such as additional sensors, wireless capability, expandable storage and so on.

The interesting thing about such a desktop is that it will allow you to keep the same unit for years, and you can upgrade or change configuration whenever you like. One of the biggest problems with expensive electronic products today is that it becomes obsolete almost as soon as you walk out of the store with it. Haven’t you ever said “Darn, I wish I had waited a month” right after you bought something expensive – just because a better device came out a month later?

And that’s the problem Microsoft may be trying to solve in some small way. The other argument for a modular design is versatility. The hinge design on the Surface PC’s monitor – the one that Microsoft has applied for a patent for – appears to make it fold to a significant degree, which implies that you can actually have your monitor at an angle never before possible for a PC monitor. Have a look…

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That, along with the modular slot-able components should make it an attractive proposition for people who want their devices to be upgradable to a significant degree.

We’re also likely to see Intel’s i7 Kaby Lake processor powering the Surface PC. The 14nm chips are said to be 12% faster than other 14nm processors, and they’re already out this quarter. In fact, they’ve been available for pre-order for months now, so it’s possible that Microsoft has been working with Intel behind the curtains to make whatever tweaks required to customize it for the Surface PC.

As far as pricing goes, $999 is what we’re hearing on the grape vine as the starting price. Of course, the two larger screen sizes will go up from there. We’re not sure what other upgrades the higher-end models might have, but it’s likely that there will be at least one (possibly the 24-inch screen variant) that will have 4K capability.

Where to Watch the Event Live

If you want to watch the event live on October 26 at 10 am Eastern, you can head over to BetaNews. They’re already reserved a spot and will be casting the event on their website on this page:

Watch Microsoft’s October 26 Event Live