The Surface Cracks Open - Head of Windows And Surface Division Panos Panay Is Leaving Microsoft!

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Panos Panay

Windows and Surface Division chief Panos Panay is leaving Microsoft after almost 20 years. The surprise news was shared on Monday by Rajesh Jha - Microsoft's VP of Experience and Devices in an email to the employees. He said:

After nearly 20 years at the  company, Panos Panay has decided to leave Microsoft.

 The timing of the news is really confusing. Microsoft is about to announce the next generation of surface lineup in an event happening on coming Thursday - September 21st.
Panos would not take part in the event.

Yousuf Mehdi - Microsoft Consumer Marketing Head - is set to succeed Panos Panay. In a statement by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, he thanks Panos for his services. He said:

I’m grateful for your leadership, support, and all you’ve done for Microsoft and our customers and partners. As Rajesh stated, we remain steadfast and convicted in our strategy and Yusuf Mehdi will take lead on our Windows and Surface businesses and products externally


Analysis

Microsoft has been in the news for various reason throughout the year. However, the departure of Panos Panay would still be considered a shocking surprise by many specially just days before the announcements of next generation of the Surface Devices. This is also a time when Microsoft is not only doubling down on AI but is also preparing for the next version of Windows dubbed as Windows 12. 

Panos has been a dynamic personality and had showed a lot of passion for the Surface devices. However, the launch of Windows 11 would be considered as one of his lowest points. The operating system was slower than Windows 10, had more strict hardware requirements and was half-baked when launched. We can still say Windows 10 still feels better and faster than Windows 11 even now. Under Panos Panay, Microsoft Surface division has had many hits but certain misses as well. Many may point out the failures of Android powered expensive Surface Duo and Duo 2 to be the reason of departure. The devices were riddled with software bugs, poor camera performance alongside dated version of Android. The devices were really slow to get any updates as well. Moreover, Windows on ARM is still a work-in-progress and even though Microsoft took a head-start over Apple, Apple leaped them over with their M1 chips. Microsoft did invest in custom chips for its Surface X based on Qualcomm's ARM platform, however, the efforts were mostly a miss with middling performance of Surface X followed by little to no desire by developers to build apps native to ARM.

However, it would be a challenge for Yusuf Mehdi to fill in the shoes of Panay. He has been a force to reckon and had been a face of Microsoft Surface.  


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