Let’s be clear about one thing about the new Microsoft Surface Studio 2: it’s not a PC for the average user or someone looking to stretch their budget. Instead, Microsoft’s second version of its massive tablet-like PC is designed for professionals such as architects, engineers, designers, and artists. But if you look at one and think it might be the best experience on a Windows 10 PC, you’d be right.
While the Surface Studio 2’s price and processor are unappealing, these are secondary concerns. It encapsulates everything that is Windows 10 in 2018 in a single, minimalistic package that is powerful enough for gaming.
While the 7th generation Intel processor disappoints, the powerful NVIDIA GTX 1070, faster storage solution, and overall improved user experience keep the Surface Studio 2 among the most amazing PCs ever created. It just comes at a high cost.
What’s new with Microsoft Surface Studio 2?
Following in the footsteps of the Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2, the new Surface Studio 2 is more of a refinement than a radical redesign. That entails replacing the inefficient hybrid solid-state drive (SSD) and hard-disk storage solution with a faster pure-SSD solution. It’s also about replacing the old mobile GPU with a proper graphics card that justifies the hefty price tag.
Here’s what’s new:
- Intel i7-7820HQ processor.
- NVIDIA GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 GPU.
- Toshiba NVMe SSD in 1 or 2 TB options.
- USB Type-C instead of a mini DisplayPort.
- The display is 38% brighter with 22% increased contrast.
- No Core i5 version anymore.
Aside from that, the Surface Studio 2 retains its predecessor’s chassis design, Marvel Wi-Fi chipset, Surface camera, and overall look and feel.
There are only three models, all of which use the same Core i7 processor but have two distinct GPUs. The $3,499 model (16GB of RAM, 1TB storage) is powered by an NVIDIA GTX 1060, while the $4,199 (32GB of RAM, 1TB storage) and $4,799 (32GB of RAM and 2TB storage) are powered by an NVIDIA GTX 1070.
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Microsoft Surface Studio 2 hardware
The Surface Studio 2’s base remains the same size, which is roughly half the size of a full gaming laptop. It crams the GPU, CPU, SSD, motherboard, ports, and a fan into a small space.
All ports, including the SD card slot, are located in the back. Because all visible holes are never directly visible to the user, this is a design-over-function choice. It’s not bad, but if you’re used to using or removing external peripherals, you should get an extender.
The new Type-C port is functional. It can handle display output, data, audio, charging, and other functions. Connecting it to a hub makes it even more useful. The Type-C connector replaces the mini DisplayPort connector, which was useful for daisy-chaining displays to the Surface Studio. To achieve the same result, users will need to purchase a new Type-C monitor or a Type-C hub with multiple display outputs.
The Surface Studio 2 cannot be used as a dummy display. When the Surface Go is connected to the Surface Studio 2 via Type-C, the Surface Studio 2 can charge the Surface Go.
Windows Mixed Reality headsets will necessitate the use of an HDMI-to-Type-C converter, with the secondary cable connecting to one of the four USB Type-A ports. When used as a hub, the Type-C port cannot power a Windows Mixed Reality headset, which is unfortunate. Using Windows Mixed Reality on the Surface Studio 2 was a blast, with a performance set to the highest level and no hiccups.
Heat and fan noise are not significantly different from the previous Studio. As hot air is vented to the right of the computer base, temperatures reach around 145 degrees Fahrenheit. When idle or doing light computing, normal temperatures range from 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
When sitting in front of the Surface Studio 2, fan noise is best described as audible but not loud or annoying. During light computing, noise levels are typically around 38 dB. The fans will become significantly louder during gaming, peaking at around 47 dB. The tone of the fan though is not high-pitched; it’s more of a whooshing, which is preferred.
The front-facing camera is the same as in previous Surface models, with 5MP and full HD video resolution. If you’re serious about conference calls, you might as well splurge for the superior Logitech BRIO 4K at this price point.
Windows Hello works flawlessly and is faster than the previous generation. That is most likely due to other changes, such as improved storage and overall system responsiveness, but the Surface Studio 2 wakes up in just 2 seconds. Again, it’s moments like these that distinguish the Surface Studio 2 from other all-in-one PCs. It appears to be always on and never off.
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Display
The display is arguably the most important feature of the Surface Studio 2, so it’s great to see some improvements over the original version. The bar is already set high given that there is no other display on the market that supports inking, has a 3:2 aspect ratio, and has a resolution slightly higher than 4K. It’s a magnificent and breathtaking achievement.
The display on the Surface Studio 2 is noticeably brighter, having been increased to around 600 nits. Although this is not a certified HDR display, it is close to the minimum levels required to achieve HDR.
Our measurements revealed 100% sRGB color accuracy and 90 percent Adobe RGB, as well as improved contrast. According to Microsoft, each Surface Studio 2 is color calibrated at the factory. Of course, some users may want to fine-tune for their specific requirements. Color profiles include sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid, with the latter adding punch and higher contrast.
While there are more color-accurate, high-resolution displays on the market, some of which cost $800 or more, none of them support touch or inking, nor can they be positioned in a drafting table-like position.
The hinges that connect the display to the base are still made of polished metal and are designed so that they never reflect light in your eyes. This attention to detail is what distinguishes the Surface Studio 2 as a work of art as well as a computer. The “floating display” works fantastically well because it allows you to move the display with one hand to any position. Those hinges also house all of the cables for the screen, touch input, camera, infrared lens, and audio.
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Benchmarks
The overwhelming improvement in the Surface Studio 2 is due to the increase in the GPU and the new SSD. The processor is almost an afterthought, providing only a minor improvement over the previous version.
GPU: The GTX 1070 is a beast of a GPU that will last for years. Even the lower-end Surface Studio 2 has an admirable GTX 1060, which is about 20% less powerful but still miles ahead of the GTX 980M.
CPU: At this point, the Intel 7th generation Core i7-7820HQ is nearly two years old. It was used in high-end laptops in the 15-inch workstation range as a 45W chip. It’s a respectable processor with top speeds of around 3.9GHz.
PCMark: PCMark is more CPU-intensive, which is why the Surface Studio 2 closely matches the Surface Book 2 score. That’s not bad, but it’s what happens when you cram so much hardware into such a small space.
SSD: Not only did Microsoft use an all-SSD storage solution, but the Toshiba drive is quite good, with read speeds of 3,000 MB/s – more than doubling the previous version.
3DMark: Timespy is a GPU-intensive test, and the Surface Studio 2 nearly matches the performance of the Razer Blade Pro, a 17-inch gaming laptop with a GTX 1080. That’s not bad at all.
The i7-7820HQ’s quad-core architecture is adequate for heavier payloads, but it pales in comparison to the current 8th generation Intel, which exceeds 4.0 GHz and has six cores. More threads may not make a difference in general productivity, but for those who do a lot of data crunching or long-term rendering, those extra cores will make a difference.
It’s a shame Microsoft didn’t include an 8th generation processor because it would have given the Surface Studio 2 even more power and increased its value for years to come. However, if you perform GPU-intensive tasks, the GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 is a beast.
The RAM isn’t bad either; it’s DDR4 at 2,666MHz and comes in capacities of up to 32GB. When combined with the superior SSD, GPU, and acceptable CPU, the overall feel of the Surface Studio 2 is difficult to quantify.
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Can be used as a regular or gaming PC
The Surface Studio 2 is a professional-level PC aimed at a specific user base. The pricing and feature set do not make it a realistic purchase for the average consumer. Still, for those with deep pockets and hearts racing when they see the Surface Studio 2, the obvious question is: Is it suitable for use as a regular or gaming PC? Yes, it is a resounding yes.
Because Microsoft finally abandoned the slow hybrid-storage solution and added a real GPU, the Surface Studio 2 is one of the fastest desktop PCs – in terms of productivity, not raw power. The Surface Studio 2 is everything a desktop PC should be, thanks to the massive 28-inch touch display, which has the best visual accuracy of any PC display I’ve used, the relatively quiet fan, and the excellent audio. It’s an entirely immersive experience.
Microsoft crammed four speakers and a subwoofer into the Surface Studio 2 display. There are no visible speaker grills. That may seem insignificant, but any other desktop PC lacks this level of craftsmanship. It’s also a hidden cost that contributes to the Surface Studio 2’s higher price, but it’s one less thing to buy and keeps the design clean. The familiar 3:2 aspect ratio is unique when blown up to 28-inches for those who already use a Surface product. The screen is large enough for two apps to work comfortably side by side (split view) and is ideal for productivity.
Gaming may appear to be an odd thing to brag about, but Microsoft did include Xbox Wireless Controller support once more. It uses Microsoft’s proprietary wireless connection, which also allows for haptic feedback and the ability to use the controller’s headphone jack to be truly wireless.
The Surface Studio 2 handled any game I threw at it thanks to the NVIDIA GTX 1070. The new Surface Studio 2 outperforms the original Surface Studio, which had a top-of-the-line GTX 980M at the time. Here’s an example using Gears of War 4. Not only does it now hit 75 frames per second (FPS), but it does so at a significantly higher resolution than the Surface Studio 1’s maxed-out resolution of just full HD.
Playing Destiny 2 produced excellent results as well, with a vertical-synced 60 FPS at 3,000 x 2,000 resolution and settings set to high and ultra. Native resolution is also possible, though frame rates drop to 35-45 FPS – still playable.
The same story can be found in Rise of the Tomb Raider, which can only be played at native resolution with graphics set to high while only reaching 30 frames per second. When the resolution is reduced to 1920×1440, the Surface Studio 2’s 74 FPS at very high graphics outperforms the older version’s 56 FPS at high graphics.
Other games, such as Sunset Overdrive and Forza Horizon 4, look stunning and play well with the graphics turned up to 11.
Of course, a gaming PC is much more than just performance. When playing first-person shooters, having a 144Hz or 240Hz display rather than the 60Hz found here goes a long way. You could easily build a much more powerful rig for the same price. Nonetheless, doing it yourself results in a PC with a tangle of cables, a larger footprint, external speakers, and a display that will never be as good as the Surface Studio 2.
If all you want to know is whether the Surface Studio 2 can now function as a true gaming PC, consider it confirmed. Because of that display, it’s breathtaking.
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Surface Studio 2
The Surface Studio 2 may not appear to be significantly different from the original, but internal changes effectively re-create the computer. There is no longer any lag from a spinning hard drive, the mobile graphics processor has been removed, and the DDR4 RAM is adequate.
The GTX 1070 found in the mid-tier and upper-tier Studio 2 is the graphics sweet spot. It’s powerful enough for serious data crunching or high-end gaming, but Microsoft managed to keep it cool without melting your desk or using a noisy fan.
The processor is the most disappointing aspect. Six cores are always preferable to four, and it would make the $3,500 starting price easier to swallow. Nonetheless, I can’t say that the CPU has ever irritated me in normal use or gaming. Everything about the Surface Studio 2 is faster, especially when compared to the original. Aside from the old version, the Surface Studio 2 can compete with my HP Omen gaming desktop setup.
It’s easy to become fixated on specifications (such as the lack of Thunderbolt 3), but this undermines the main point of Surface: enjoy the thing. It is difficult to believe anyone could criticize the Surface Studio 2’s actual performance. The Studio 2, like all Surface devices, is about how the sum of its parts results in a profoundly unique and satisfying experience. That has been accomplished here.
However, the Surface Studio 2 pricing is ridiculous. Starting at $3,500 (the model tested for this review is $4,200), it is far more expensive than a self-built kit. However, such an approach overlooks many hidden costs. The Surface Studio 2 at least includes a Surface Pen ($99), Surface Keyboard ($75), Surface Mouse ($50), 2.1 speaker system, GTX 1070 GPU ($450), 32GB of RAM ($230), and a 28-inch color-accurate 4K+ touchscreen — all in one neat package — for its ridiculous price.
You’re paying for a one-of-a-kind, minimalist PC with no competitors in the computing world, and for some, that’s worth the price. It’s okay if you’re not one of those people.
It is important to note that no matter how much money you save by purchasing another system or building your own, it will never perform as well as the Surface Studio 2 with its hinged display. You also can’t buy a screen that looks this good in this size.
If none of this matters to you, the Surface Studio 2 should not even be considered, but those who require such a setup will be blown away. The Surface Studio 2, like all of this year’s Surface releases, is near-perfect. There are a few areas for improvement, such as the CPU and Thunderbolt 3, but the Surface Studio 2 is currently the best desktop PC for experiencing Windows 10.
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