Microsoft just announced a brand new all-in-one PC called the Surface Studio. This isn’t some under-powered plasticky do-your-kids’-homework desktop PC, though: it’s a 28-inch Core i7-powered behemoth with a ridiculously high-resolution screen and a massive amount of computing and graphics power. It’s meant for hardcore creative types, but that doesn’t mean we can’t lust over it as well.
This article originally appeared on Gizmodo.
Inside the Surface Studio’s circa-6kg base, you’ll find a quad-core Intel Core i7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M graphics, along with a 2TB hybrid solid-state drive and 32GB of DR4 RAM. Those are gutsy specs for an all-in-one, but they have to be to drive the Studio’s 4500x3000pixel 3:2 ratio 28-inch display.
Microsoft has an incredible history in pushing display technology forward in Surface, and the Studio is no different. Its display meets the DCI P3 cinematic wide-gamut spec, but creative users can switch back to sRGB at a touch within Windows 10 to see exactly what their creations will look like on most other viewers’ monitors and smartphone displays.
The Surface Studio is a gorgeous piece of technology. Gorgeous. Just look at it. Its display is 12.5mm thick, the thinnest of any LCD monitor that you can buy. It has a hinge that transforms from desktop viewing mode to a low-slung drafting or drawing mode with the push of a finger. I can’t explain it any better than this video can:
Surface Studio’s unprecedented versatility adjusts to every step of your creative process. #MicrosoftEvent pic.twitter.com/gaPUzofTNH
— Surface (@surface) October 26, 2016
The Studio also looks like it should make a pretty damn decent gaming device for an all-in-one. That GTX 980M is a generation old, but it’s still a powerful graphics chipset, and the Surface Studio has integrated wireless support for up to four Xbox controllers simultaneously. Built-in 2.1-channel audio should mean decent bass while gaming or watching movies, too.
And then there’s the fact that the Surface Studio supports Windows Hello, one of the most useful things that Surface has brought into the real world. You can sign into Windows with your face, guys. I use it all the time and it’s so much faster and more secure than a stupid old-fashioned password. That same camera does HD video and there’s a mic for Cortana.
Pre-orders for the Surface Studio start today internationally, and it’ll cost $US2999. We’ll bring you local pricing and specs whenever we can. We can’t wait to get our hands on one as soon as possible for a proper demonstration. [Microsoft]
Comments
9 responses to “The Microsoft Surface Studio Is A Beautiful, Super-Powered All-In-One PC”
Not for me (I like to be able to customise my hardware) but the specs are solid for its form factor. The screen’s quality and ability to easily move down to tablet orientation for touchscreen/pen actions will make some of my artist friends drool.
I think I was expecting something average from this, but it actually looks pretty great.
Looks like a perfect machine to run Linux and Krita on. Nvidia graphics are supported, Intel hardware is all supported… cool
If someone wants to throw down USD$3000 and buy me one please do! Looks great and the specs are nice but I couldn’t bring myself to spend that kind of coin on a PC I could never upgrade.
The US$2999 price is for the 8GB model, with 256GB HDD and 965M 2GB graphics, the 32GB model with 980M and 2TB HDD is US$4199.
With the exchange rate plus GST that makes it just over $6000 Australian.
Models and pricing here.
https://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.5074015900?VID=5078871100
Why oh why the 980m and not the mobile GTX980?
Does it have Thunderbolt?
With the 980m and the 2TB hybrid drive it is US$4199, and that is a hybrid drive not an SSD.
Also no thunderbolt which is a shame as all of our production gear is Thunderbolt. Missed opportunity.
Beautiful looking screen and the tilt function is lovely.
I need this for video editing projects. Wonder how smoothly it transfers stuff to the Surface tablet though? Because that would make it a perfect academic work combo for me (if had the cash).
As a creative who has never ever ever considered going back to Windows/PC before:
Holy shit.Why wouldn’t they put a 10X0 series in there? Baffling.