14 DAY TRIAL // Intel is one of the companies that are looking into ways to build a 2-in-1 device competing against Microsoft’s Surface, and a new report indicates that the firm has already patented a new design that would be specifically aimed at challenging Redmond’s own model.
A patent discovered by The Leaker indicates that Intel developed a technology that would essentially be its own version of the Surface, but with one major difference: it would feature a curved screen.
While it’s not clear if Intel is targeting the Surface Pro 4 or the Surface Book laptop, what the company is aiming for is building a 2-in-1 device that would support both laptop and tablet modes.
According to patent documents, the detachable keyboard would itself incorporate a battery and storage options, adding to other capabilities that are integrated into the display. At first glance, Intel is looking for something similar to the Surface Book, as it wants the screen to be used independently, but the keyboard to also come with extra hardware for laptop mode.
Two different batteries
There could be two different batteries, one in the base (keyboard) and another one in the screen, with the latter to also come with a dedicated low-power mode that would be specifically aimed at optimizing battery life and giving more autonomy when the keyboard is detached.
At first glance, this project sounds doable, and it’s believed that Intel would launch it when its eight-generation of Core processors see daylight, which means that it has big chances to go live sometime this year.
Of course, since it’s just a patent for the time being, it’s hard to tell if Intel does want to push it to production or it’s just exploring some ideas, but for the moment, it’s just another proof that Microsoft’s 2-in-1 concept is becoming more appealing for companies across the world.
On the other hand, Intel is clearly trying to bring something new with the curved display, although by the time the company introduces this model, some other OEMs could bring such screens to the market as well.