Microsoft Surface Studio review

OUR VERDICT

The Surface Studio is a most impressive desktop that has already shaken up the all-in-one PC landscape, however, its exorbitant price makes it an extravagant dream for everyone but artists and illustrators.

 Since Microsoft got into the hardware world in earnest, every Surface device has been about breaking molds. Surface has made a name for itself as a tablet that can truly replace your laptop and the ultimate laptop, each taking a unique flip on the 2-in-1 format. Now, Microsoft has set its sights on revolutionizing the desktop space with the Surface Studio, a 28-inch all-in-one designed to be the ultimate creative workstation.

On one hand, it one ups the long-established iMac with an even sleeker design by moving the computing parts from behind the screen to the base. On the other, putting digital pen to screen has never felt more natural, thanks to the massive, 28-inch touchscreen that effortlessly folds down into a virtual drafting table orientation.

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Although it doesn’t feature the latest Intel Core i7 processor and packs last year’s Nvidia GTX 980M graphics, it’s more capable than any current iMac and puts many other all-in-one PCs in their place. The only thing that gives us pause with this most impressive desktop is the stratospheric price you’ll pay to own it – its value 100% dependent upon how you use it.

Latest news

Now available for pre-order to our Australian readers, the Surface Studio will ship down under

beginning April 27. On that day, you’ll be able to choose from three different variants of Microsoft’s 27-inch all-in-one PC: one with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 2GB Nvidia GPU and two others featuring Core i7 CPUs, 16GB or 32GB of RAM and a 4GB GPU.Next up, on May 2, Microsoft is holding a “#MicrosoftEDU” event where a lightweight Windows 10 Cloud is expected to be revealed. This version of Windows 10 will purportedly follow in the footsteps of Windows RT before it, allowing individuals to use only apps acquired from the Windows Store.

SPEC SHEETHere is the Microsoft Surface Studio for review:
CPU: 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-6820HQ (quad-core, 8MB cache, up to 3.6GHz)

Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M (4GB GDDR5 VRAM)

RAM: 32GB DDR4

Screen: 28.125-inch, (4,500 x 3,000) PixelSense Display

Storage: 2TB, 5,400 rpm Rapid Hybrid Drive Storage (128GB SSD)

Ports: 4 x USB 3.0, SD card reader, mini DisplayPort, headset jack

Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0

Operating system: Windows 10 64-bit

Camera: 5MP Windows Hello camera

Weight: 21.07 pounds (9.56kg)

Size (display): 25.09x 17.27 x 0.44 inches (63.7 x 43.9 x 1.14cm W x D x H)

Size (base): 9.84 x 8.66 x 1.26 inches (25 x 22 x 3.22cm W x D x H)

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Design

From the moment we pulled the Surface Studio out of its box, we knew we were in love.

There isn’t any shortage of impressive desktops what with Apple’s ever-thinning iMacs to the six-speaker sound on Dell’s XPS 27 AIO. However, nothing beats the simplicity and elegance of the Surface Studio.By moving all the components to the basement, so to speak, the display is just a touchscreen with remarkably thin bezels. Without that rear bump, the profile of the screen is a mere 12.5mm, making it slimmer than virtually any dedicated monitor.There’s also no fat chin underneath the screen to flaunt a Windows logo – actually, it’s refreshing to see no branding anywhere except for a mirrored logo on the back.The Surface Studio is a modern and minimalistic desktop designed with straight edges and a simple gray on chrome aesthetic. The base of the desktop takes this one step farther by simply being a nearly featureless, ashen box. The noticeable element is a subtle line that wraps around the perimeter of the Studio’s foundation to provide cooling for the mobile computing parts contained within.

Final verdict

There’s no doubt the Surface Studio is impressive or that you’ll probably love it at first sight as well.

However, that eye-watering price is something to be heavily considered before you make the dive.

If you’re just looking for an all-in-one PC for your everyday computing or office work, you’ll be much better served by an iMac, Dell XPS 17 AIO or HP Envy 27 AIO. Videographers and photographers would arguably be better served by a similar system with higher-end specs, a dedicated desktop or building their own PC (or two) for the price of a standard Surface Studio.

However, for artists and especially illustrators the Surface Studio introduces a new wrinkle into a world primarily dominated by Wacom tablets. Not only does the Surface Studio allow you to sketch and inspect your picture with one device, the visual quality of the PixelSense display is far greater than that of Wacom’s Cintiq display or Dell’s new 27-inch Canvas.

 For those reasons, we’ll reiterate that the Surface Studio would best serve artists and illustrators. It’s without a doubt one of the finest premium computing devices ever produced, but there’s no reason regular users should purchase this unless they’re in the market for the highest-end iMac and want more options...or bragging rights.