It seems like a thousand years have passed, but it was really only a bit over a year ago that Microsoft showed off the Surface Duo for the first time. I attended that October 2019 event[1] and documented what I saw here. Curiously, though, Microsoft didn't allow most journalists any hands-on time with this odd, dual-screen, Android-powered device.
So when the Surface Duo went on sale in August, I decided to place an order, even though the price (well over $1500 after tax) was uncomfortably high. I had my doubts, but decided to take advantage of Microsoft's generous return policy, which offered a 60-day evaluation period and a money-back guarantee.
Also: The Surface Duo isn't for everyone. But here's who will love it[2]
My device arrived in mid-September. By the end of October, I had decided that it wasn't a keeper. Here are my reasons.
First the pluses: The engineering is spectacular and build quality is first-rate. That shouldn't be surprising, given Microsoft's history in recent years with Surface designs. In particular, the hinge has the same fluid feeling that the kickstand does on Surface Pro devices.
And the software support for side-by-side displays is extremely clever, once you learn how to make it work. If more manufacturers created dual-screen devices, there would be ample incentive for developers to support these new features.
But the minuses, for me, were far more plentiful, and in some cases overwhelming. In all, I found five dealbreakers.
My carrier doesn't support it
This is a uniquely American problem, as I will freely admit. But then, this is a uniquely American device, as evidenced by the compatibility note on Microsoft's webpage: "Surface Duo