Microsoft Surface Studio for creatives

Microsoft launched a brand new PC that nobody saw coming: The Surface Studio, the newest edition of the Surface line. The Surface Studio is nothing like we’re used to from Microsoft: a slick design with a Zero Gravity Hinge that moves the display weightlessly from an upright angle, down into Studio Mode with one hand and a stylus with Dial, making it a complete drawing tablet. The all-in-one PC is designed especially for creatives. Microsoft is setting foot on the land where Apple once was the ruler. Should Apple be afraid or is it just a stunt?

Design

Let’s be honest. Most PCs are really ugly and many people would rather choose a laptop than a boring PC that is only black and white. We have not seen real innovation with PCs for quite some years now, but that change has finally come. Microsoft has managed to make the PC shine again.

The design of the Surface Studio is beautiful. Upon watching the video, you’d think it was Apple who launched a new desktop. The design also makes us think of Apple. Large thin screen, gorgeous display and an innovative suspension system that allows you to tilt the screen. You can use it upright, or draw on it like a drafting table. Microsoft got its design on point. Unfortunately, it seems like Microsoft has preferred design above efficiency, the same as Apple does sometimes. For example, the input for your headphones are at the back of the computer, which is not very useful…

The display

The display of the Surface Studio is by far the best of our time. The 28 "Pixel Sense ™ Display gives you a huge canvas for all kinds of work. Pixel Sense technology is higher than 4K resolution, so that is pretty sharp! It’s stunning and there’s nothing quite like it on the market right now that has this 3:2 aspect ratio, touch capabilities, and the Surface Pen support, all while being almost pixel perfect and super thin.

Specs

There are 3 variants of the Surface Studio:
• 2TB / Intel Core i7 – 32GB RAM / 4GB GPU $4,199
• 1 TB / Intel Core i7 – 16GB RAM / 2GB GPU $3,499
• 1TB / Intel Core i5 – 8GB RAM / 2GB GPU $2,999

Despite the Surface doesn’t support the newest chips it will get the job done. Trust me. Unfortunately you can’t upgrade it, so it’s an expensive investment for something that will not last long. You’re really buying the Surface Studio because of it’s display.

Stylus and dial

Because the Surface Studio can also serve as a drawing tablet, it looks similar to The Wacom Cintiq 27-inch. The Surface studio is more expensive, but you will have a complete PC instead of just a monitor. The Dial gives an extra dimension to digital drawing and it looks super slick to use it as color palate. The sad thing is that the Dial must be purchased separately and it only works if you are right-handed. So for all the left-handed creatives over there, we feel sorry for you guys…
The stylus itself does not have many options and the pressure frequencies are not nearly as high as a Wacom stylus, but this won’t harm the experience!

The perfect combination?

In the end Microsoft has managed to make an excellent combination of a PC, tablet and touchscreen in one smooth design. The idea to add all these things together in one system raises the question of why a company like Apple did not come up with this.

Despite some questionable things, like the price, no upgrade options and some inefficient things Microsoft offers an alternative for creatives. It sounds crazy to say that the Surface Studio can compete against the Macbook, but it can. And if Microsoft continues developing, maybe it will come with something even better…

Should Apple be afraid? Not yet. Aware? Yes!