Although Surface devices have been using mainly Intel processors since the beginning of the brand, it now appears that Microsoft is planning to start using different processor manufacturers with the next wave of devices.
According to a new report from Petri.com, internal sources say that Microsoft and Intel relationship is not as strong as it used to be. The reasons for the current state of the relationship are still unknown, but it could be because of the lack of innovation that’s making Intel taking a long time to keep shrinking its processors or the problem with the company keeping up with supply.
Whatever the reason may be, it’s making Microsoft to move to AMD and ARM processors, and the report claims that the company already have working prototypes using these components.
On the Surface Laptop, the company is currently testing an AMD Picasso SoC (System on a Chip) that uses a 12nm architecture, and ARM processor from Qualcomm on the Surface Pro.
However, it’s not an ordinary processor, as the report claims that Microsoft is working closely with Qualcomm to build a custom silicon codenamed “Excalibur” designed specifically to work with Windows 10.
Although Microsoft may be testing to use other chip manufacturers, it doesn’t mean that it’ll fully move away from Intel. The processor brand still relevant, and it helps to sell hardware, as such the company will continue to use Intel processors on devices, such as the Surface Pro 7, which is expected to retain the same design as the Surface Pro 6, but it’ll include USB Type-C.
A new Surface Pro design is in the pipeline, which is currently known as Carmel, but it may not be available until next year. Also, Forbes recently revealed the possible technical specifications for a dual-display device connected with a hinge codenamed Centaurus, which are based on ARM and Intel processors.
