Yesterday, Microsoft finally showed their first dual-screen foldable device. Called Surface Neo, the device will come with Windows 10X which is similar to Windows 10 but is optimized for dual-screen devices.
Microsoft published a blog post yesterday which covered more about Windows 10X. While we can’t try out Windows 10X until next year, we have put together an article covering everything we know about Windows 10X. First and foremost, Windows 10X is not the same as Windows 10 or Windows 10 S. At the moment, Microsoft will be selling Windows 10 to customers as well as installing Windows 10 S on devices for customers who want to run Store apps only. Next up, we have to clarify that even though Surface Pro X shares the name with Windows 10X, the device will come with Windows 10 and not Windows 10X. Windows 10X is reserved for foldable devices with both single or dual screens. While we are talking about hardware, Windows 10X will run on Intel chipsets at the moment. We expect Microsoft to partner with AMD as well but for now, Windows 10X will be running only on Intel chipsets.
Since Windows 10X is based on Windows 10, the OS will support all the apps including UWP and PWA. Windows 10X will also be able to run Win32 apps in containers. ZDNet, however, confirmed that Chromium-based Edge has been optimized using a shim and it will be able to run without a container. Another thing ZDNet noted is the fact that Microsoft was able to set the container subsystem to load when needed to reduce battery usage.
Unfortunately, Windows 10X will be missing the live tiles and will only have a list of apps, documents and files for easy access. The first wave of Windows 10X devices will ship in 2020. Microsoft expects third-party partners like Dell and HP to jump on board and develop their own devices as well.