Clik here to view.
Microsoft’s new 28” Surface Studio has been such a hit that pre-orders have exceeded supply. The “new tool” has taken the art, design, photography and video editing space to a new level.
iTWire reported on the launch of the new Surface devices and promised to take a closer look at the potentially game-changing Surface Studio – best described as a 28”, tabtop (a tablet that sits on a desktop).
It was not just the 4500 x 3000 resolution (63% higher than a 4K screen), 3:2 ratio screen but the combination of Windows 10 touch, Windows Ink, 3D Real sense camera, and the innovative Dial drawing tool but the fact that there is no other device on the market – Mac included – that could do all this does.
iTWire is yet to see one of these but has gathered a range of initial impressions from US publications that have had hands on reviews and presents them for those interested in this device.
{loadposition ray}
First the technical specs (US Site)
- 28” PixelSense Display, 192 dpi, individually colour calibrated 100% sRGB, 91% Adobe RBG, DCI-P3, Vivid Colour display, contrast 1000:1, gamut 2.2
- i5 or i7-6820HQ Intel Core
- Up to 32GB RAM
- Up to 4GB NVIDIA GeForce 965M or 980M GPU
- Up to 2TB Hybrid Flash/HDD drive
- Windows Hello face sign in, 5MP camera
- 2.1 stereo speakers with Dolby Audio Premium
- Tablet 637.35 x 438.90 x 12.5mm (total weight inc.. base is 9.65kg)
- Base has 3 x USB 3.0, SD card slot, Mini-DisplayPort (to hook up an external monitor up to 4K), Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi AC, Bluetooth 4.0, Xbox Wireless
- Comes with Surface Pen, Keyboard, and Mouse
The Verge says it is a beautiful invader of Apple’s base. It is going after the Mac’s oldest stronghold: creatives.
Without stealing the reviewer's thunder, it says it has invaded the 27” Wacom Cintiq space and is clearly designed for creatives. Although I understand the pen pressure levels are different, 1024 for the Studio.
The extra vertical space from the 3:2 ratio allows a full A4 document to be seen at 100% even considering the Word ribbon etc. It allows the nirvana of seeing things exactly as they would look if printed.
The reviewer really liked the zero-gravity hinge which can be pushed by one finger to different angles down to 20° (Apparently, Microsoft decided against lay flat to stop people putting coffee cups on it).
The Verge asked a professional artist to test it, and the conclusion was, "Because of the different technologies in use between Wacom and Surface, the Surface Studio does not suffer from the same cursor-to-stylus offset parallax that affects the Wacom Cintiq range. It’s something that has never been of major importance to me, but I know many others might find it important when they next open their wallet. The Studio’s offset parallax was virtually nothing.
The artist said Studio has left him with a "lot to think about" regarding opening his own wallet. "I can safely say as a professional digital artist looking to upgrade my main device; the Surface Studio is certainly the strongest contender so far."
Business Insider stated that “I tried Microsoft’s new $3000 Surface Studio PC and it was awesome.
Steve Kovach called it, “An entirely new computing category, a sort of desktop-tablet hybrid that already has people excited. That’s a pretty good summary of what you can expect from the Surface Studio.”
In a lot of ways, though, that description is only, ahem, scratching the surface. The real genius of the Surface Studio, Microsoft’s first-ever desktop PC, is in the details. He was also impressed with the new Dial – a whole new way to interact with your computer.
CNet says Microsoft's ambitious love letter to creative professionals is the touchscreen iMac of your dreams -- albeit crazy expensive and running Windows. Surface Studio is easily the most attention-grabbing new PC design of the season, even if most of its individual ideas -- external control knobs, tabletop PCs -- have been seen before in different contexts.
Digital Trends was a little more analytical pointing to the slow hard drive and last generation graphics hardware (the latest is a GeForce GTX 1080). The Studio’s performance will prove adequate for any photo editing, digital art, or document work, but it might feel lackluster if you’re doing a lot of video editing. This all-in-one is built for work, but it’s not a top-tier workstation.
It's real competition is a computer connected to a large Wacom device connected to a Mac or PC. A high-quality, 27-inch Wacom Cintiq with touch and stylus support will set you back at least $2K on its own. For its target audience, though, the Studio is a revolution. No major PC manufacturer has ever focused on the needs of creative professionals with the dedication Microsoft displays with the Studio. Until now, these users have made do with expensive add-on displays that, while certainly effective, lack any sense of elegance.
Everyone who tries the Studio is going to love it. But only artists, photographers, and designers need it.
Finally, Engadget says the $3,000 Studio is an attempt at evolving how we use computers. And together with the new Surface Dial accessory, it might just be the powerful modern rig creative professionals have been waiting for. But of course, there are a few first-gen stumbling blocks to deal with.
It says practically everything about the Surface Studio's build screams refinement. The aluminum used around the sides and back of the screen, as well as the base, feels smooth to the touch. A lack of upgradability may be an issue, but the Surface Studio is exactly the sort of twist on desktops you'd expect from Microsoft. It's fast and sports a gorgeous screen, but most importantly its screen-bending gimmick is actually useful. Just be prepared to spend a lot for the privilege of owning one.
Comment
Just as the Surface established the two-in-one hybrid category, the Surface Book the notebook with detachable tablet category, the Studio has established the all-in-one category for the right users.
Initial reports are that U.S. pre-orders have well-exceeded production runs and Australians may have to wait longer to get it.
Pricing for Australia is as follows:
- Surface Book 256GB (i7, 8GB) at AUD 3,799
- Surface Book 512GB (i7, 16GB) at AUD 4,399
- Surface Book 1TB (i7, 16GB) at AUD 5,199
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.