The people who complain about it's price usually view this from the perspective of someone wanting to buy a regular PC, which this is inherently not. This is designed for high-up architects, designers, artists, and civil engineer-y people who would actually use all of the feature included. Obviously when Microsoft released the $3,000 price tag for the base model, they weren't aiming towards the average consumer.
Chris Yoeurng Wacom tablets aren't high-end computers. They are primarily made for illustration/design, and can support programs for editing those things like Photoshop. Other than that, it has very limited function as an actual computer. The Surface Studio offers that computer aspect as well, along with a huge screen, high resolution, and much, much more power than a Wacom Tablet. That's like comparing a Nintendo DS with an iPad Pro in terms of being able to draw with a stylus.
For those joking about the 3000$ price tag, just remember, a cintiq 27 hd touch alone costs 2800$, for 200$ extra, instead of a 27" 1440p screen, you'll get an 28" 4.5k / 3000p 10bit screen with gorilla glass and a whole computer...
***** Or maybe they'll upgrade it in 4 years, just like most professionals do... I guess you're right, professionals and enthusiasts aren't know for upgrading their hardware regularly... The number of professional artists that sold their relatively recent 24hd and bought the 27hd must be really low, right? Because selling old hardware and buying the new models rarely happens, no? I mean, most must still be using the old 1080p 21" cintiq, since those came out way less than 10 years ago.
I used my cintiq 21 UX for 7 years. Had 3 workstations during that time. I will use my 28 for another 10+ years and will have 3-4 top of the range workstations. You cant tell me that this product can compete in any way with top of the range 10 core 128gb m.2 raid workstation. The hardware in this computer is a joke. My laptop has better components that that. My other 4 year old laptop is at speac of that system. What you are buying here for 3000 is a 4 year old laptop basicly.
It's genuinely awesome to see the old giant come up with something like this! Because this is amazing! And it's even got a SD-card slot, unlike Apple that has removed almost everything from their offering, even something as useful as, well, a SD-card slot....
It is designed for visual artists and Illustrators, photographers and even draftsmen. They hit it out of the park with this one. Every artist knows that the tilting display is paramount to avoid drawing distortions.
I have one with the dial and I love it it's such a beautiful machine. I don't use it to its full potential other then drawing some and playing heavy COD Warzone, watching TV, and a whole lot of media consumption in tilt mode which I'm absolutely in love with.
Great video! The 980m is no slouch for games but it would be really stupid to buy a machine like this for games. I would love to have a machine like this for drawing, photo editing, and other creative work.
so sexy and futuristic in all in one. well done Microsoft, finally created something for users in desig industrials. i only can wait the prices to drop and get a chance to get one.
Nice video dude! This definitely interests me, especially the 10bit display. That, the resolution and colour gamut, they've done right for creatives. Just got to keep an eye on that GPU!
The 980M is quite a potent GPU. The only reason it doesn't have the new 10 serious GPU is because this was in development two years before Nvidia's new GPUs were even known, and Microsoft wasn't going to scrap hundreds of millions of dollars worth of development to go back to the drawing board to use a new GPU. These kinds of devices are designed and integrated with specific GPUs, and changing it at the last minute will throw everything off. If that concerns you, wait for the next version of the Surface Studio, which will obviously have the new GPU.
HTHAMMACK1 Indeed. I'm just sightly wary considering this is for creative use. That's what I use it for and GPUs become really significant which had a direct effect in their longevity (seeing as it's all integrated). 😁
I have the ipad Pro, I have the giant Cintiq27HD and I can truly say after using both for years, hands down the Surface Studio beats both. Its the most comfortable digital drawing pad I've ever own. Not to mention the design is just flawless. If you're a designer who illustrates or a digital illustrator, this is THE ONE to get. You wont be disappointed. Im well versed in both PC and MAC but if you're a mac user/designer, let go of your bias. You dont' know what you're missing out on.
A truly magnificent piece of hardware set for artists and creators... I can feel the flowing creative experience when I haven't even seen it at live action. It seems a pretty intelligent step forward in technology integration with the human experience... Ergonomy to its best, I think! I never think of brands, I'm thinking as objectively as possible.
I love to have this! Since I'm still a design student, I couldn't afford it yet. I hope Microsoft could sell only the display with the pen and the puck, which will almost never happen.
You said in the short time you tested it palm rejection worked "well". But how well exactly is palm rejection and even "arm" rejection working on the touch screen? I imagine on such a large screen it would be a huge pain in the ass if it isn't perfect.
I really wish that microsoft had added at least a few thunderbolt 3 ports, for high speed server storage and compatibility with high powered external GPU's, I think that the ability for it to do that would have really helped sell it, and make it a better option for people who edit high resolution video or who want some more graphical grunt. Maybe next gen?
Prowl Home Nah, not really. I want equality with the two, I'm just thinking what would happen if you wanted to turn it a big more when you had already turned your hand enough, if ya know what I mean.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! I am a 100% Apple-user, meaning I only use Apple's devices.I love all of Apple's products and always consider them slightly better than all of the competition. I just thought it was funny for someone to wear an Apple Watch at a Microsoft event. I think it's great!
customers buy brands not them to us. So what's wrong with he's wearing an Apple Watch at a Microsoft Event?? I use just now a iPod touch and Macbook but also I use my smartphone Android and a PC desktop. If you're a 100% Apple-user that doesn't mean that others are just like you.
Looks like a great computer for a graphic artist, but saying the future of computing is a stretch. The dial seems pretty pointless outside of a couple of graphical uses. The future of computing is more is something like the touch bar on the new MacBook Pro where you can customize the keyboard with your own buttons.
Wiikendz The touch bar has sliders to adjust volume, brightness, thumbnail size, etc. But being able to customize it with your own buttons means you'll be able to jump to a website or play a playlist straight from the touch bar. It's a game changer.
The base model should have been priced at around 2k 960m gpu with core i5 for 3k is a bummer You can built this PC within 500$ without the touch screen
Not with the tech it has. You have to think about the digitizer. Its like the Surface Pro with that special tech for drawing. The nearest competitor is the Wacom Cintiq and that's 2400-2700 USD for just the display.
Nachiketa R Lets be practical here, the base model is too under-powered for graphics related stuff, core i5 with 960 mobile graphics is not a pro level spec in any ways If they really want to use the tools, they have to go for 4200$ model
You could also buy an iPad Pro and a Apple Pencil which is about $1'000. Of course it's no desktop computer, but it has nice Apps and it's way cheaper. It's just not that powerful as a computer, but enough for Photoshop and drawing. But for other things like video editing and as I said photoshop or virtualization you should defiantly get a desktop.
BotRaid All i am saying that people wont buy this in this price atleast not the base model. serious artists would go for specs with nvidia quadro not 980 mobile gpu
i like the footage but i think you should do research first before reviewing through narration.. especially comparing it to iMac.. you are very good at highlighting stuff in your videos which are not seen on other reviews. specific details are said in the launch on why its like 4.5k resolution
I said at the end its not meant to compete with the iMac 5K. What do you mean? I mentioned it was a 4.5K display. It has a 4:3 Aspect Ratio I get it. I edit on the iMac 5K in the office. It was just the truth. The Display on the 5K iMac looks a little sharper to me as it naturally should. I just stated my opinion. I thought I was allowed to do so on my own channel lol
i think you did not get it... it was meant to be 4.5k for it to be a true scale real life result.. like if you print it .. it would be so close to reality that is why there is an option to change it to sRGB and DCI-P3.. so i you are working on a project you are sure that if you print it out or show it through tv.. it would be the same... 5k imac sharpness on your work will not translate the product with the same sharpness.. it what you see is what you get
there is this article that microsoft could push it to 6k resolution but they settled to that 4.5k for that reason.. i never said you cant state your opinion.. so as i am stating mine.. or else you could disable the comment section lol.. i paid attention to that launch even if its live stream. i totally agree that 5k will look sharper because that 4.5k is meant for a reason.. surface studio is a new form factor that competes to iMac why because it aims you to switch to studio with much features iMac dont have.
Definitely a clean design and super innovative, but not sure how practical it is. How many people actually draw on their computers or tablets? I think most people who do would rather spend the money on a Wacom MobileStudio for half the price with the added benefit of portability. At least Microsoft is trying to change the PC game
actually the professional alternative (similar to the screen, normally costs $2500, and that is only the screen, not including the PC, so all the creative digital artists ive seen have said its a bargain for what it is.
At first it might seem like a bargain, but when you look at the actual specs (8GB of RAM...) you will quickly see the limitations of the machine. RAM isn't something you can "optimize" as the reviewer implies - either you have enough or you don't, and I can tell you right now that 8GB of RAM is nowhere near enough for a professional photoshop user. The $4K option is a lot better, but the low-cost incentive disappears so why bother!
Great job covering this! I think it's an awesome computer, but I just wonder if the price points are really going to hurt this thing. What driving game were you playing on it?
probably not that much. Look at the Wacom Cintiq 27. Its 2300 just for the Touchscreen/drawing board, and it's still selling to graphical designers. Now, for just 700 more you can get a full computer with the same features and the dial, so i guess many buyers of the cintiq will switch
Me Ru not yet actually :P this one still doesn't have tilt on the pen and the pen is just a bit iffy, if youre painting slowly then it jitters around quite a bit. microsoft needs to fix that. and if one already has a really powerfull computer and is into stuff like zbrush I think they'd rather just get the wacom and someone who already has a vinti may not switch.
I think graphic designers and visual artists get paid really well, the price is not an issue. What this device can do is what attracts artists. This is not designed for web surfers or gamers.
have you seen how much the alternative costs, a cintiq 27 hd touch alone costs 2800$, and that's just the screen, you still need a computer..., plus it is only 1440p, the studio has a freaking 3000p 28" screen... 3k for the base model is definitely not a bad deal...
The Microsoft Surface line is not intended to be mass produced products. They are intended to inspire other OEMs to build and design new products that can hit the consumer market at lower prices. The Surface line is a showcase line. Expensive, but you get the best quality out there.
***** No. A trackpad is to change desktops and move the pointer. The Surface dial is to change inking color, rotate, zoom and other tasks in photoshop such as to switch between perspectives. Also to switch between perspectives in 3d.
It has a lot of different inputs for interaction and is a very high quality product. In my opinion the price is ok for what you get. Its definitely for creative professionals
I'd seriously consider dropping this kind of money on a system like this, but the specs seem really lackluster. 4200 and it's not using the nVidia 1080? I'd probably be much more interested if this was simply a monitor instead of the whole computer, and I could see dropping a few grand on that. As is, we're probably best served by a Wacom Cintiq that wont be obsolete before you open it.
The fact that Apple hasn't updated the iMac has gotta mean they have something... SOMETHING.... in the works. Right? If Apple doesn't get something new and truly different than their latest offerings (please, make a real, professional notebook again!) then I'm afraid I'm gonna be upgrading to a Microsoft surface book in a couple of years.
Why get this when you can get the top level iPad Pro. It has great graphics, it's big, it has the same accessories (except for that round dial thing), it's got a giant App Store with millions upon billions of apps, the software frequently updates every (*cough *cough Windows 10), it's not as expensive with a massive difference (the gap's huge, you'd be saving yourself a lot of money), it's PORTABLE! (Can see that coming in handy) and it's got a bunch of great In built apps.
One thing that worries me. There is no right or middle mouse buttons to click? Coming from a Wacom workflow, that's gonna suck in 3D softwares like Zbrush, Maya, C4D etc.
+Fake Pilot It uses the Surface Pen 4 which does have a right click. It is hidden below the stripe your thumb rests on....or in this video, where his index finger rests. There is an additional button below the rubber. All of the buttons can be reprogrammed to do what you need, you can choose which one acts as middle or right click or a bunch of other options :)
Lets hope Surface Pen 5 can better handle slow strokes, manage feather like strokes, got a Middle and Right mouse button button at the front like Wacom. ;-) But for most, maybe this stuff is enough.
Holy fucking shit, this thing has a triple amount of processing power and storage, It's three Times smaller and It's also a graphic monitor... HOLY SHIT
as a tablet for drawing use it's pretty bad. I tried it. The lines are wobbled when traced slowly and diagonal or curved, the lag between the stylus and the line is quite annoying, not really responsive, pinch to zoom in PS is VERY VERY laggy even on 1layer documents. The screen is also too glossy, but that's a "detail". So far, not a real competitor for Wacom Cintiq or even iPad Pro + Apple Pencil.
***** Heh, like your thinking. So wouldn't the iPod Touch be a non-celluar version of the iPhone which was a touchable Nokia which was a small laptop for communication and a laptop being a small, portable computer which is just a small giant computer.
Jonathan Nicholls I never understood what is the use of the iPad pro, I'm happy with my iPad Air 2 as it's a tablet but the iPad Pro!! is not really a device to compare with the surface studio
I don't really understand why people are so "blown away" with the surface Studio. As an artist tool it is inferior by all standards, at best it's a hobby computer for non professionals that is way to expensive..
Rico Alexander ok... First the pen is inferior to wacom, extremely inferior. The one drawing position in a workplace will ruin your back after 1-2 months tops if your working 8-10 hours a day in that one single creative position. In other words the stand looks good but it's not versatile enough for prolonged use. Then we have the weak non upgradeable pc you get with it for 3k, no professional will buy it so the only option is the 4200 dollar model. So you get a decent computer for 4200 that you can't upgrade but if you have a wacom 27 inch tablet you need to spend 1500 tops to outdo the specs on the Surface Studio PC, the advantage here is you can later upgrade your PC for a few hundred bucks to keep it up to date while you will have to spend 4200 dollars to upgrade your surface studio. What they did get right this time is the screen and the wheel which seams to work great for the Surface Studio but it is to large to work on Surface Pro or the Surface book. Most of the things mentioned can be fixed if Microsoft wants to do it but I doubt version 2 will look much different. The pen is the only thing I know they will upgrade with the launch of the Surface Book 2 and the Surface Pro 5 and if they are smart they will release a smaller wheel for those devices as well. If you do not agree with what I wrote I would like to hear what I got wrong or what I got right. Best Regards
I as an illustration/design professional think you nailed it and exactly what I have been saying about this new offering from MS. Being a Cintiq 27" user I LOVE the "concept", but not the practicality. And in as much as this is directed at creative professionals like myself, I wouldn't buy it for all the reasons you've iterated, and that will be disconcerting to MS and sales.
Microsoft are making the same mistake as when they first launched the surface pro: it's too expensive and as you said it won't be people's alternative to an iMac They should've targeted the average consumer by making it cheaper and they making themselves a name for innovating as Apple has
They couldn't have made it cheaper, not with the screen they included. And without the screen it would be a pointless product that no one wants, just another mediocre all-in-one.
Microsoft's Surface line is innovation, and if the Studios price tag is too high for you, they have the surface pro's and surface book's to offer. The Studio is for people needing the specs to run high end specific programs and apps. Also, people all around the world have been migrating to Microsoft and leaving Mac's, I just read an article on it at Windows Central. I'm not saying that Mac's aren't great devices, because they are. But, when it comes down to it, Microsoft is producing superior products at the moment.
