Microsoft unveils first-ever Surface desktop PC
The Surface Dial is the most unique part of this device, which aims to add more to productivity than just another fancy gimmick. Image Microsoft
A lot of speculation and anticipation surrounded this new Surface machine from Microsoft and now the company has finally made the official announcement. The Surface Studio is the first-ever desktop PC under the Surface product line.
The Surface Studio is an all-in-one (AiO) PC with similarities to to an iMac computer. Its components are all miniaturized and packed into a single base, reports The Next Web.
What’s inside the base is a choice between an Intel Core i5 and i7 processor. The rest of the components include NVIDIA 980 4GB GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. A 2.1 virtual surround sound system is also packed inside the base along with the power supply. This means it won’t have a big, clunky brick attached to the power cable.
Ports for the Studio is rather limited to four USB 3.0, a Mini DisplayPort, Ethernet and an SD card slot.
A unique feature of the Surface Studio is the inclusion of a “Surface Dial” that’s used for inputting radial adjustments. Users can keep it on their desk or place it on the panel where additional radial controls magically pop up around the dial in a very sci-fi way.
Thanks to the “zero gravity” hinge, its display can tilt down to as low as 20 degrees. It’s also compatible with a Surface Pen for more artistic pursuits.
Given how large the 28-inch display is, wandering fingers or a forearm could hinder productivity. Thankfully Microsoft thought ahead and implemented some features that allow the screen to reject these accidental touches, thereby preventing interruptions in workflow.
The aluminum-clad, 3:2 aspect ratio display also sports 13.5 million pixels, making it denser than a 4K panel, which only has 8.3 million pixels. It’s clear that Microsoft invested a lot for the sake of color accuracy. It can even switch between DCI-P3 and SRGB easily.
The Surface Studio is now available for pre-orders at a price of $2,999, while its release date is scheduled for Dec. 15. Alfred Bayle
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Watch Microsoft’s introduction video:
