Surface Book 4 fan renders show the device flipping between modes

The Surface Book 4 could go in a different direction than Microsoft's previous premium Surface laptops.

What you need to know

• A designer created unofficial renders for what the Surface Book 4 could look like.
• The renders are based on recently filed patents from Microsoft that show a unique hinge for the device.
• A mock launch video illustrates what the patent design would look like in motion.

Microsoft could announce several Surface devices later this year in October. Among those devices could be the Surface Book 4. A patent from Microsoft shows off a laptop with a hinge that lets its display pop forward, somewhat like the HP Elite Folio and Acer ConceptID. A designer named David Breyer shared unofficial renders online of what the Surface Book 4 could look like.

Not much is known about the Surface Book 4. In fact, it may actually be called something along the lines of the Surface Laptop Studio. Until we see more details from Microsoft, the best we can do is look at the stunning renders from Breyer and the mock launch video.

It's important to note that these renders don't necessarily reflect what the Surface Book 4 will look like. They're made based on patent filings from Microsoft, which are often more about concepts than exact designs. The renders do, however, give us a glimpse of what the device could look like in 3-D. They also show the benefit of a hinge that lets the screen of the Surface Book 4 pop forward.

That hinge could be the crux of the Surface Book 4. It would mean a major shift away from the detachable nature of previous Surface Books, which could be why the laptop may have a different name.

stealthy Black Variant: pic.twitter.com/Rx3wVfVaDy

— David Breyer (@D_Breyer) August 25, 2021

What do you think of the concept of a Surface Book 4? Would you purchase a laptop that has a screen that can pop forward into different positions? Let us know in the comments below.