microsoft: Microsoft is reportedly working on its own custom chip for Surface devices – Times of India

Future Surface devices might feature a custom-designed chip by Microsoft. According to a Linkedin job listing, the company is looking for a Director of SoC Architecture.
The Linkedin job listing does not specifically mention anything about the custom chip for Surface devices. However, based on a previous report from FrontTon about Microsoft working in collaboration with AMD on an ARM-based custom chip.
It is also expected that the Microsoft-AMD custom-chip is expected to offer better graphics performance compared to what Qualcomm is currently offering with their ARM-based chips.
The report also suggests that the custom chip will reportedly feature Cortex X1 core and mRDNA 2 GPU along with Exynos 5G modem.
All of these previously rumoured details about Microsoft working on a custom chip for its future Surface devices roughly coincides with the current job listing.
The Job listing reads, “Are you passionate about building cool devices and technologies? The Surface team is lighting up Microsoft experiences with the next generation of devices. A fundamental part of our strategy is bringing productivity and mobility together through devices that enable new experiences – helping people and organizations unlock their creativity, passion, and potential. Microsoft is currently looking for a Director of SoC Architecture – Microsoft is reportedly working on a chip for its Surface devices Microsoft is currently looking for a Director of SoC Architecture”
Meanwhile, it is not the first time that Microsoft has worked with some chipmaker for a custom chip. The Surface Pro X, announced in October 2019, comes with a Microsoft SQ1 chip that was designed in collaboration with Qualcomm.
An in-house chip will help Microsoft reduce its reliance on third-party vendors and it will also give it greater control over performance and costs.
About the new chip that’s currently brewing in Microsoft’s house, there’s not much known and all the leaks and rumours that are available are supposed to be taken with a pinch of salt.