Microsoft refreshes the Surface Pro X with the Microsoft SQ2 processor based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 - XDA Developers

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Early last month we learned that Microsoft was working on a refresh for last year’s Surface Pro X. At the time, sources familiar with the matter had revealed that the Surface Pro X refresh would feature the same design, but it will be offered in a new ‘Platinum’ color variant with new Type Cover color options. We’d also learned that the device would feature Microsoft’s new SQ2 processor. Now, the company has finally lifted the covers off the new Surface Pro X and it’s exactly what we expected.

Microsoft has essentially upgraded the top-end SKUs of last year’s Surface Pro X with its new SQ2 processor and introduced a new Platinum color option for the device. The base variants of the Surface Pro X will still feature the older SQ1 processor and they’ll be sold alongside the new Surface Pro X. As expected, Microsoft’s new SQ2 processor was designed in collaboration with Qualcomm and it’s based on the company’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 platform.

Microsoft claims that its new SQ2 chip is the fastest processor in its class, which is capable of offering better performance while using less battery. To further improve the Surface Pro X’s performance, Microsoft has also made some enhancements to Windows on ARM. These include updates and optimizations to the Visual Studio Code for Windows on ARM, which is expected to boost overall performance and increase battery life (up to 15 hours) across all Surface Pro X configurations (including the ones powered by Microsoft’s SQ1 chip).

Along with the new Surface Pro X and the Surface Laptop Go, Microsoft unveiled three new colors for the Signature Keyboard — Platinum, Ice Blue, and Poppy Red — at the event.

The company also unveiled the new Designer Compact Keyboard, a wireless Number Pad, a 4K Wireless Display Adapter, a Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse, and a new Sandstone color variant for the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse.

Pricing & Availability

The updated Microsoft Surface Pro X with the company’s new SQ2 processor is already up for pre-order on the Microsoft Store in select regions. The device is priced starting at $1,499.99, and it will be available across other retailers starting from October 13th.

The new Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard is priced at $69.99, the new wireless Number Pad is priced at $24.99, the 4K Wireless Display Adapter is priced at $69.99, and the new Bluetooth Ergonomic Mouse is priced at $49.99. As of now, the company hasn’t released the availability information for these accessories.

XDA » News Brief » Microsoft refreshes the Surface Pro X with the Microsoft SQ2 processor based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2

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US 3Q auto sales fall 9.7%, but they're rising from 2Q lows - Minneapolis Star Tribune

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DETROIT — In normal times, a 9.7% drop in auto sales would cause executives to sweat profusely. These are not normal times.

Instead, the industry sees some good things in the decline of U.S. new vehicle sales in the third quarter. Prices are up, inventories are low, and those who are in the market are buying more expensive vehicles.

That's all swell for an industry whose factories were closed just five months ago due to the novel coronavirus. The July-through-September dip is small compared to the 31% decline in the second quarter when dealers were closed and it took 0% loans to entice customers.

And sales in September actually grew 4.8% over a year ago, the first monthly increase since February.

Automakers attributed a lot of the third-quarter decline to falling sales to large fleet buyers such as rental car companies.

"Consistently lower interest rates encouraged new-car buyers — who were less likely to be financially hindered by the economic fallout of the pandemic — to pull the trigger on a purchase," said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights for the Edmunds.com auto website.

According to Edmunds, which provides content to The Associated Press, rising used vehicle prices helped buyers offset increasing new-vehicle prices.

J.D. Power said the average purchase price hit a record in September, at $35,655. The old record of $35,420 was set in August.

Automakers reported that people are buying more expensive trucks, and they're loading them with options, pushing prices up. Plus, because inventories are low, discounts are down. Trucks and SUVs were expected to account for more than 76% of new vehicle sales, a record for September, J.D. Power said.

General Motors, which saw a 9.9% sales drop for the quarter compared with a year ago, said sales increased every month since July.

"Super low auto loan interest rates have boosted retail auto sales; yet more strength comes from pandemic-induced demand," GM Chief Economist Elaine Buckberg said in a statement.

Surveys show consumers are buying vehicles to keep themselves safe from the virus, Buckberg said. Plus some households are confident in their finances and using money from canceled vacations and skipped restaurant meals to buy new vehicles, she said.

Other large automakers reporting third-quarter sales figures Thursday:

— Toyota, down 11%.

— Fiat Chrysler, off 10.2%.

— Nissan, down 32.4%.

— Honda, down 9.5%

— Hyundai/Kia, up 1.4%

— Volkswagen/Audi, down 10.8%

Edmunds estimated Ford sales were down 7.9%, and analysts expect Tesla global sales to rise more than 40% over the third quarter of 2019. Both companies are to report numbers on Friday.

Even though some automakers are optimistic, Cox Automotive says there are threats to the industry rebound. In addition to high prices and tight supplies, Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke said consumer confidence is likely to fall if virus cases keep rising.

"The auto market enjoyed a strong and profitable third quarter, but with the economy losing momentum as fiscal support wanes, we can't expect the sales pace to continue," he said.

Cox expects new-vehicle sales for the year to reach only 13.9 million, down 16% from 2019.

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