As widely rumoured, Microsoft has announced an innovative new Surface Studio “All-in-One” PC which will be available in “limited quantities” for the holiday period, with broader availability in early 2017. The AIO is available for pre-order now with configurations at $2,999, $3,499 and $4,199. All of the units feature a 28″ display with 3:2 aspect ratio and 4500 x 3000 resolution, giving 192 ppi and which is described as a ‘PixelSense’ display. The display features touch, pen input and use with the “Surface Dial”, an accessory that can be placed on the display and used as an extra input device. It can also be used off the display to provide a rotation input and will be available separately for $99.99 (or free for those pre-ordering the Studio). It includes haptic feedback.
The Microsoft Surface Studio has a Pen and can use a Dial. Image:Microsoft
Microsoft’s Dial can be used with software menus. Image:Microsoft
The display is 12.7mm thick and is designed on a stand that allows it to be pushed flat to be used for drawing or annotation, using a ‘zero gravity hinge’ to make it easy to push down with one hand. It has 10 point multitouch and supports AdobeRGB, sRGB and DCI-P3 colour as well as a ‘Vivid’ mode. The pen supports 1024 pressure levels and has a battery life of 12 months.
The system runs on Intel Core i5 (8GB RAM/1TB hybrid storage) or i7 (16GB/32GB RAM/ 1TB/2TB Storage). It includes an Nvidia GeForce 965M or 980M GPU with 2GB or 4GB of memory. There’s an integrated Windows Hello 5MP camera with FullHD video capture, dual microphones and stereo 2.1 audio with Dolby Premium. Connectors include four USB 3.0 ports (one with high power) and mini DisplayPort for external displays. There is Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11ac)
Microsoft also announced a new Surface Book with Performance Base, using 6th generation Intel Core i7 processors that is claimed to have double the graphics power of the previous generation. Pricing is from $2,399 and pre-orders are being taken now, with deliveries from November 10th. The notebook has the same display, but the thicker base means up to 19 hours of battery life with an Nvidia 965M GPU with 2GB of RAM. Pricing starts at $2,399.
On the software side, Microsoft has taken a number of steps to encourage the use of 3D in graphics with a new app, Paint 3D, an upgrade to the Microsoft Paint app. There is also a new online site, Remix3D, to share creations. Microsoft is also working with Trimble to add Sketchup to Remix3D.com. The company also said that it would bring 3D to Word, Excel and PowerPoint over the next year.
Microsoft said that the push to 3D and using the Windows 10 ‘Creators Update’ would also be supported by new VR headsets, capable of mixed reality, from HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and Asus that will start to sell at $299. The Creators Update will help integration with XBox One devices to allow interactive gaming using the Beam system.
Analyst Comment
It is worth having a look at the video, although it doen’t have sound. It gives a good idea of how the Dial would be used. After we wrote this, we realised that we couldn’t be sure if the mini-Displayport is to support an external monitor, or whether it is to allow the AIO to be used as a monitor. We were unable to confirm at press time, but will update when we find out. (BR)
