Microsoft may roll out a Surface all-in-one PC to challenge Apple’s iMac - bartlettarture

Microsoft has made ironware more of a priority in modern years, what with the Rise Pro line of tablets and Surface Book laptop. But these devices might make up but the beginning of Redmond's Microcomputer push. If a couplet new reports are whatever indication, the party is also about to jump into the desktop PC spunky.

Windows Central reported Friday that the ship's company is hard at work along the Surface AIO, an all-in-one desktop PC that could shortly join Microsoft's existing Surface product lineup.

The Windows Central report reinforces the veracity of an in the first place report from DigiTimes, which claimed that Microsoft would stick in a Surface desktop PC "in the third base quarter of 2016 at the earliest." Daniel Rubino of Windows Central casts dubiousness on the timeframe, though, noting that, "our sourcing suggests such details are undecided at this time."

Although specs are even mostly unknown, some DigiTimes and Windows Central suggest that the rigorous timing—and the put out of the next-gen Rise up Book—may bet on when Intel's upcoming Kaby Lake 14-nanometer processors are ready.

We also put on't know what a Earth's surface AIO would look after like, but Thurrott's Brad Sams points to a obvious covering that Microsoft filed last year showing abstract drawings for an all-in-one PC.

surface book surface pro 4 Microsoft — The Earth's surface Professional 4 and Airfoil Book may soon have company.

The story behind the story: Microsoft's expansion into PC hardware comes at a time when Personal computer sales have taken a nosedive in recent long time. Worldwide PC sales slouching most 12 percent in the low gear quarter of 2016, compared to the equal time finish year. Gartner's report at the clip stated that "In that location was No particular motivation for U.S. consumers to buy PCs in the first quarter of 2016," some harsh words for the industry American Samoa a whole.

A new means forward for the PC?

Microsoft by itself may not personify able to get the Microcomputer punt happening track, only it could help ply the PC industry with a new steering to follow—a bit like how the Superficial Record book put a new spin on the laptop.

And as Windows Nuclear's Rubino points come out, Microsoft is uniquely positioned to bring something new to the put over (Beaver State desktop, as it were): As Rubino speculates, a Surface AIO could end up being an updated, consumer-level version of the PixelSense, the companion's seek at a touch-centrical tabletop computing device.

If so, Microsoft whitethorn be able to take the touchscreen entirely-in-one from the somewhat awkward-to-use device that information technology is now into something that is truly uncomparable, useful, and easy to use. Here's hoping.

Disclosure: The author of this article provides copywriting services to TechSoup, a nonprofit organization that works with Microsoft and some other technology companies to provide nonprofits with engineering science products and services. His office at TechSoup does not influence his operate for this publication.