The Surface Studio 2 is certainly showing its age these days, and many retailers (including Microsoft) have stopped offering it completely. The newly announced Surface Studio 2 Plus, while looking the same as the Studio 2, represents a significant upgrade in terms of serviceability, performance, ports, security, and extra features. 

Here's a look at how the specs measure up between the Surface Studio 2 and Studio 2 Plus.

The Surface Studio 2 Plus is expected to begin shipping in some markets October 25 with a starting price of about $4,499. There's expected to also be a version that ships without the Surface Pen, Keyboard, and Mouse that costs about $4,299. It should make a run for the best all-in-one PCs when it does launch.

Design and features

The Surface Studio 2 Plus looks a lot like the Studio 2, measuring the same dimensions and topping the scales at about the same weight. It still has a huge touch display that can fold down almost flat for a more natural inking angle, or it can stand up like a regular all-in-one PC. It's clear that Microsoft focused on changing up the internals, though there are some exterior differences.

The Studio 2 Plus now has a more modern port selection along the back of the base. There are three Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A 3.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and Gigabit Ethernet. This is a huge upgrade over the single USB-C and USB-A mix on the Studio 2. The only downside is that there's no longer an SD card reader available.

While the Studio 2 had "Dolby Audio" for its stereo 2.1 speakers, the Studio 2 Plus has received Dolby Atmos certification. And while the display is essentially the same between models, Dolby Vision has been added to the Studio 2 Plus. This should make media a lot more enjoyable, especially when you're working with a 28-inch touch display with 4500x3000 resolution.

A couple of security measures have been added to the Studio 2 Plus. The Studio 2 has an IR camera and TPM chip; the Studio 2 Plus has the same IR camera and a TPM 2.0 chip, as well as a Windows 11 Secured-core PC designation. The camera in the Studio 2 Plus has been bumped up to FHD for a clearer picture.

If you buy a Studio 2 Plus from the commercial side of Microsoft's Store (anyone can shop there), you'll have access to a number of replaceable components. These are sadly missing from the Studio 2, meaning repairs must be done out of your hands. The list of serviceable parts on the Studio 2 Plus includes:

• Display
• Motherboard
• SSD
• Thermals
• PSU
• Feet
• C-cover
• Hinge cover

And finally, the wireless chip has been bumped up to Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 in the Studio 2 Plus. The Studio 2 is still stuck on Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.1.

Performance

The biggest difference between the Surface Studio 2 Plus and Studio 2 is no doubt the performance capabilities. Whereas the Studio 2 is equipped with a 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7820HQ CPU, the Studio 2 Plus has jumped ahead four generations to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-11370H CPU. Microsoft claims performance should jump by 50% on the CPU side alone compared to the Studio 2.

The graphics card has also seen a huge upgrade, moving from a NVIDIA GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 in the Studio 2 to a NVIDIA RTX 3060 in the Studio 2 Plus. This makes it much better cut out for specialized work and even some gaming. RAM is still DDR4 (though it's unclear what speed) and there's still an SSD (unclear what PCIe version), available with a 1TB capacity in the Studio 2 Plus.

It's the 10-year anniversary of Microsoft's Surface lineup. Throughout this week, we celebrated the family of devices. To wrap things up, we'd like to know which Surface device stands out above the rest.

The Surface family has come a long way since the launch of the RT and original Surface Pro. Microsoft has since released laptops, desktops, foldables, and even a massive conference room hub. This week's poll stacks them all against each other, allowing you to show your love for your top Surface device.

Perhaps you enjoy the Surface Pro 8, a refinement of Microsoft's original vision for the 2-in-1. Maybe you prefer the unique form factor of the Surface Laptop Studio. Alternatively, you may long for the days of Windows Phone and love holding a foldable Surface Duo 2 in your hands. No matter which Surface you love, we want to hear about it.

Of course, most Surface devices have had several iterations, but for this poll, we focused on each range from the lineup. If you're interested in comparing every single Surface device, make sure to check out our extended video special from this week. Executive editor Daniel Rubino, senior editor Jez Corden, and senior editor Zac Bowden go through the entire history of the family.

We also covered the Surface lineup from a variety of other angles this week. You can check out our entire collection of Surface articles or browse through some of the highlights:

• What’s the point of Surface? 10 years on
• 10 years of Surface: What we want to see next
• 10 years of Surface: The highs and lows of Microsoft's personal computers
• How 10 years of Surface inspired a wave of 2-in-1s
• Why I haven't bought a Surface PC (and probably never will)

As a reminder, comments are temporarily disabled on Windows Central. Please reach out to me on Twitter or jump into our official Discord channel to share your thoughts on Surface.

What you need to know

• The Surface Studio 2 has a new firmware update available.
• The update includes several critical security fixes and stability improvements.
• Surface Studio 2 devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update or later will receive the firmware update.

Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 recently received a firmware update. The update is available for devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903) or higher. As is usually the case, there aren't any new features with this firmware update. Instead, it includes several security fixes and stability improvements.

Here's everything that's new, as found on Microsoft's support page for the device:

While the Surface Studio 2 looks like a modern device, it may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 later this year. It's not on the list of supported devices for Windows 11 at the moment. Many Surface devices have a "Free upgrade to Windows 11" badge on their Microsoft Store listings. The Surface Studio 2 does not, even though it's the latest model from its respective category.

Updates to Surface devices roll out in stages, so you might not see this firmware update yet. You may have to click the "View optional updates" link in the Update section of the Windows Settings app to see the latest update. The update started rolling out on July 15, 2021.

What you need to know

• The Surface Studio 2 just received its May 2021 firmware update.
• The update addresses security updates and improves system stability.
• Surface updates are released in stages, so you may not see the update immediately.

Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 has a new firmware update available. As is normally the case, the update doesn't have any new features. It does, however, address security updates and improve system stability.

The Surface Studio 2 is probably due for a refresh at this point, but it's still one of the best All-in-One PCs, especially for creators. It's a unique PC that packs a fully articulating display into an incredibly sleek package. The entire display supports touch and pen as well, so it also functions as a canvas for digital artwork.

While the list of changes is short, it's important to keep your devices up to date. You can see the full changelog below or on the Surface Studio 2 update history page:

All Surface updates are released in stages, so you might not see the update immediately. You may also have to select "View optional updates" within the Settings app on Windows 10 to receive the update.

You can also go to the Surface Studio 2 Drivers and Firmware page to make sure that your device has the latest drivers and updates available.

Earlier this week, Apple held its spring event, where it announced refreshes to its iPad Pro, introduced AirTags, and something about a purple phone. The big reveal, though, was the highly anticipated refresh of the 24-inch iMac.

As a side note, I always find it entertaining the overpromise of Apple rumors versus the reality. Early renders had the iMac being essentially a giant iPad Pro with no chin. Another tale suggested there would be an option for something closer to 32-inches, too. And few guessed that space gray would not be a choice, and instead, we would get some, ahem, bold pastels.

While it is fun to tease Apple and the new iMacs based on looks (the chin, the weird bezel, the colors) and the unnecessary thinness (it uses a MagSafe because it is literally too thin for an AC plug), it's all low-hanging fruit. Apple often releases odd designs, like AirPods, or has terrible names, like iPad, but it never matters. What does matter is if the product is good, and I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Apple that it is.

But what makes the new iMacs, with their 4.5K Retina displays and Apple M1 chips, killer is the price. The 8-core model with adequate (but not great) 256GB of storage starts at $1,299. The "high-end" version is $1,699 with 512GB of storage. A 2TB option is expected later.

That's not cheap, but it's also not ridiculous either, especially when comparing it to Windows PCs.

Sure, HP has the excellent-looking Pavilion All-in-One (AIO) 27-inch, which can be configured with double the RAM, many more ports, and quadruple the storage for slightly less than Apple's. But Apple's M1 chip easily beats that Intel Core i7-10700T in any benchmark by a significant amount. Plus, Apple's 4.5K Retina display trumps the Pavilion's QHD (2560 x 1440) one, and you get that nifty new iPhone camera tech.

HP also has the absurdly good ENVY All-in-One 32-inch, now with a 65-watt 10th Gen i7-10700 and RTX 2070 GPU, but pricing for that behemoth is around $2,300 (you can get one starting at $1,700, however). Going in the other direction, Dell has its Inspiron 24 starting at $520, which helps those on a budget.

But there is not much in the way of a $1,400 premium AIO Windows PC. Surface Studio 2 certainly looks the part, but it starts at $3,500 (and the guts are dated). See our best all-in-one PCs to see what we mean — there's exciting stuff, for sure, but not quite like that iMac.

Right now, Apple has this weird lock on outstanding displays and a perfect processor. We recently wrote about how there aren't many great AIO Windows PCs – likely a reflection of the market being slow to adopt them. Apple, however, is figuring out a new market with a computer that merges the iPad Pro with a desktop PC. It is thin and light at 9.88 pounds (4.48 kg), and it looks like something from the future.

Even if Microsoft wanted to create such a PC, the choice of CPU would be a limiting factor. Either Intel or AMD would need active cooling, which means fan noise and venting in the chassis – both of which the new iMac omits. Qualcomm (or even Huawei and Microsoft) could be an option if it has a desktop-class ARM processor waiting in the wings. I believe Qualcomm will have an answer to a desktop M1, but until it is announced and benchmarked, it is just vaporware.

The bottom line: do not get distracted with the looks of the new iMac. The real story is that price, which will give PC makers some heartburn later in May when it finally hits store shelves. Colleges, boutiques, hotels, trendy artists, and those already steeped in the Apple ecosystem will gladly fork out money for the M1 iMac. And while I'm not fond of the colors, people are going to find it fun.

Usually, this is where I'd say let's see how Microsoft and its partners respond, but it's not even clear that they can, not at this level. Watch this space.

What you need to know

• Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 has a new firmware update available.
• The update includes several security updates and improves system stability.
• There are no new features within the firmware update.

Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 recently received a new firmware update. The update doesn't include any new features but comes with the usual array of security updates and improvements to system stability.

Surface updates roll out in stages, so while the update is available and rolling out, you may not see it just yet. You may have to search for optional updates to find certain updates as well.

Here's everything that's new with the latest firmware update:

The update is available for Surface Studio 2 devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (Windows 10 version 1903) or greater. There aren't any known issues with the update at this time.

If you're looking for more exciting Surface news, you probably won't have to wait long. Microsoft's spring Surface hardware refresh will likely occur within the next couple of weeks. We could potentially see a Surface Laptop 4, Surface Headphones 2+, and new accessories like a webcam. For fans of the Surface Studio line, it's unlikely that any new hardware is on the way unless you count the potential upcoming Microsoft Classroom Pen 2.

What you need to know

• The Surface Studio 2 has a new firmware update.
• The update improves system graphics performance, stability, and security.
• The update also includes security updates and stability improvements.

Microsoft recently rolled out a firmware update for the Surface Studio 2. As expected, the update doesn't include any new features. It does, however, improve system graphics performance, stability, and security. It also includes security updates and other improvements.

Here's the complete changelog, as found on its Microsoft support page.

The Surface Studio 2 is a bit older at this point, especially when it comes to its GPUs. Still, with either an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or 1070 inside, it can handle creative tasks such as video editing and graphic design. Improving system graphics performance and stability is always welcome, especially on a device that many people use for GPU-heavy tasks.

Even though it's a couple of years old, it can still run many popular games if you're okay with dropping down some settings. It won't keep up with NVIDIA's newer GPU hardware, like the RTX 30 series, but it can hit respectable framerates at FHD. Of course, the Surface Studio 2 isn't really built for gaming; it's just a nice bonus of having a GTX 1060 or 1070 inside.

In his Surface Studio 2 review, our executive editor Daniel Rubino says, "The Surface Studio 2, like all this year's Surface releases, is incredibly close to perfection. There are a few areas for improvement like the CPU and Thunderbolt 3, but otherwise, the Surface Studio 2 is, for now, the ultimate desktop PC to experience Windows 10." That review was back in 2018 when the device launched, but it's still an impressive piece of hardware.

What you need to know

• A new set of firmware and driver updates are is available for Surface Studio 2.
• The updates improve graphics performance while adding security and stability improvements.
• The updates are available to download now via Windows Update.

If you have a Surface Studio 2 sitting around, there's a new set of driver and firmware updates up for grabs. There are only a couple of updates to check out, but they bring improvements for both system stability and graphics performance.

Here's a look at the release notes, from the Surface Studio 2 update page:

These updates are the first to roll out to the Surface Studio 2 since June. They should download and install the next time you run Windows Update.

What you need to know

• New firmware and driver updates are available for the Surface Studio 2 and Surface Studio.
• The updates bring new GPU drivers, along with improvements for Surface Pen reliability and latency.
• The updates are rolling out now for both Surface Studio devices.

A fresh set of firmware and driver updates are available for the Surface Studio 2 and Surface Studio. Date September 17, the release notes for both updates were posted today on Microsoft's Surface Update History site, and they both bring new GPU drivers and improvements for Surface Pen reliability and latency.

Here's a look at what's new for the Surface Studio 2, from Microsoft:

• NVIDIA – Display – 26.21.14.3140
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 – Display adapters, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 – Display adapters
  • 26.21.14.3140 improves Pen latency, and improves device stability with updated NVIDIA driver support.

If you own the original Surface Studio, here's what you'll see with these updates, from Microsoft:

• NVIDIA – Display – 26.21.14.3140
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 965M – Display adapters, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M – Display adapters
  • 26.21.14.3140 improves Pen latency and reliability and improves device stability with updated NVIDIA driver support.
• Surface – Human Interface Device – 23.608.139.0
  • 23.608.139.0 improves Pen latency and reliability.

These updates are rolling out now. As is typical with Surface updates, these are being rolled out in stages, so you may not see them available right away. However, you cancheckWindows Update to see if they're available for your Surface Studio or Surface Studio 2 now.

What you need to know

• The Sefree Apollo is a new Surface Studio clone, and it's now live on Kickstarter.
• The PC mimics the form factor of the Surface Studio 2 while serving up a 4K touch display and up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics.
• Early backers can get a Sefree Apollo starting at $1549.

Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 is an attractive PC, especially for creators, but it comes with a high price tag. The Sefree Apollo shares a similar design to the Surface Studio 2 but comes at a much lower cost. The Apollo is now live on Kickstarter, and early backers can receive the most affordable model for $1549, which is around half the price of the Surface Studio 2. There is also an option to purchase a Sefree Apollo that is just a monitor for $799.

The Sefree Apollo is in many ways a Surface Studio 2 clone. It has a PC base attached to a display that can rotate between 95 and 15 degrees. The touch display is 4K (3,840x2160) and available in either 27-inch or 32-inch options. It also works with a stylus, though you have to use a specific stylus from Sefree.

The Apollo is available with either an Intel Core i5-8350 or an Intel Core i7-8550U processor. It also comes with up to 512GB of SSD storage and up to 2TB of HDD storage. You can elect to have up to 32GB of RAM, and the Apollo can run on integrated graphics or an NVIDIA GTX 1050 TI. The Apollo has front-facing cameras, though it doesn't seem to support Windows Hello.

The Sefree Apollo is now live on Kickstarter. The 27-inch Intel Core i5 version is available for $1,549. There are several options ranging all the way up to an Intel Core i7 version for $2,599. The Sefree Apollo comes with a stylus, keyboard, and mouse.

As with any Kickstarter campaign, you should exercise due diligence before backing a product.

The estimated shipping date is December 2019. If you're looking to pick something up a little sooner, check out our list of Surface Studio 2 alternatives.

What you need to know

• The Surface Pro 6 + Type Cover bundle and several Surface devices are on sale through the Microsoft Store.
• Many of the sales end on September 2, 2019, though some continue later into September.
• Essentials bundles for the Surface Laptop 2, Surface Go and Surface Studio 2 are also on sale.

The Surface savings continue to roll through the Microsoft Store. Several Surface devices and bundles went on sale last month. Many of these sales were set to end on August 10, but the Surface deals page lists multiple offers that run into September. The Surface Pro 6 + Type Cover bundle is available for up to $330 off depending on the variant that you choose, and there are also sales on the Surface Laptop 2 and Surface Go. Many of the sales end on September 2, 2019, so you'll need to act quickly to get the best deals.

The Surface Pro 6 + Type Cover bundle is one of the best deals currently listed and it is one of the deals that ends on Labor Day. You can save $330 on the Intel Core i5 version with 256GB of storage. That brings the price down to $999 compared to its standard price of $1,329. You can also save $260 on the cheaper Intel Core i5 variant with 128GB of storage, bringing the price down to $799.

The most affordable Surface on sale is the Surface Go + Platinum Type Cover bundle. It's $80 off, bringing the price down to $519. There are also Essentials bundles available on the Surface Laptop 2 (up to $50 off), Surface Studio 2 (up to $100 off), and Surface Pro 6 (up to $80 off).

You can find all of the Surface deals on Microsoft's website right now.

Our favorite Surface accessories from Microsoft

Every one of these valuable Surface accessories is Windows Central Approved and guaranteed to please.

Surface Precision Mouse ($77 at Amazon)

The Surface Precision Mouse is not only one of favorite Surface accessories, it's one of our favorite mice for any PC. It's packed with valuable features and customizable buttons. Its scrolling and tracking are seamless and spot-on. And it's rechargeable so you never have to buy new batteries for it.

Surface Pen (From $72 at Amazon)

Every Surface owner needs this Pen. Period. It supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support for shading density, and enjoys supremely low latency. When paired with a Surface PC, the potential is endless. And it comes in a bunch of cool colors.

Surface Dock ($136 at Amazon)

With two Mini DisplayPorts, four USB-A 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack, this dock gives you the ports you need to stay connected to all your favorite devices. Plus, it easily turns your Surface into a desktop power hub. We highly recommend it.

What you need to know

• The Sefree Apollo is a new Surface Studio clone set to go up for crowdfunding later this year.
• The PC mimics the form factor of the Surface Studio 2 while serving up a 4K touch display and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics.
• The Apollo will start out at $1,549 for early bird backers, putting at at less than half the price of a Surface Studio 2.

Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 is quite an attractive PC — particularly for designers — but it also comes at a hefty price. If you've been looking to get your hands on something similar at a much cheaper price, then the upcoming Sefree Apollo might be worth a look.

Starting at $1,549, the Sefree Apollo is about half the price of a Surface Studio 2. For the money, the Apollo looks to be a virtual clone of the Surface Studio 2, offering a compact PC base attached to a display that can be rotated between 95 and 15 degrees. That display is a 4K touch panel that should offer crisp visuals in either 27-inch or 32-inch options.

On the inside, the Apollo includes a choise of an Intel Core i5-8350 or Core i7-8550U processor. That's a lower powered chip than the Core i7-7820HQ processor in the Surface Studio 2, but it should be sufficient for getting some work done. Other hardware specs includ up to 512GB of SSD storage and up to 2TB of HDD storage, up to 32GB of RAM, and a choice between integrated graphics or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti discrete graphics.

The Apollo also includes a front-facing camera, but there's no word on its resolution or whether it supports Windows Hello like the Surface Studio.

The Sefree Apollo is set to go up for crowdfunding later this year, and you can sign up for updates and a chance to snag the super early bird pricing at the Apollo website. Prices will start out at $1,549 and top out at $2,199. If you're looking to pick something up a little sooner, check out our list of Surface Studio 2 alternatives.

Portable (and affordable) power accessories we love

Each and every one of these charging gadgets will keep your favorite gear and gadgets going for longer, and none of them costs more than $30.

VisionTek 8,000 mAh micro-USB power bank ($13 at Dell)

This compact dual-output powerbank can speedily recharge any and all your devices, thanks to a two-amp "fast charge feature," using its micro-USB out port. Its simple design includes an LED indicator, and it costs about as much as a single ticket to the movies.

Panasonic eneloop AA batteries (From $13 at Dell)

Panasonic's rechargeable batteries are among the best available, and just a couple of them will keep your favorite remote, mice or other peripherals powered up when you need them. They're also eco. And the company's affordable charger fits and charges both AA and AAA batteries at the same time.

Belkin Qi Wireless Charging Pad ($30 at Dell)

This unobtrusive Qi wireless charging pad looks good (and kind of like a UFO …) and easily charges all your Qi-compatible device up to 5W. Its LED indicator lights up when you're charging. And it costs just $30.

What you need to know

• Firmware updates are available for several Surface devices.
• The updates are avaialble for devices running either Windows 10 version 1903 or Windows 10 version 1803.
• The Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and several other Surface devices are included.

Microsoft pushed out firmware updates to several Surface devices this week. The Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Book 2 are included in the list of devices receiving updates. Most of the devices have updates for users running Windows 10 version 1903 or Windows 10 version 1803 (via MSPU).

Here's a look at some of what's new.

Surface Book 2

Windows 10 version 1903 or greater

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth- 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters- 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Surface Book

Windows 10 version 1903 or greater

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth- 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters- 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Surface Pro 6

Windows 10 version 1903 or greater

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth- 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters- 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Windows 10 version 1803 or greater

• Surface System Aggregator- 239.3101.139.0 improves battery performance.
• Surface Integration – System devices- 4.18.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Surface Pen Firmware Update – System devices- 3.0.10.1 resolves intermittent pen top button click failure on Surface Pen with no clip.
• Surface Pen Integration Device – Human Interface Devices- 1.0.9.0 enables firmware update to Surface Pen with no clip.

Surface Pro (5th Gen)

Windows 10 version 1903 or greater

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth- 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters- 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Windows 10 version 1803 or greater

• Surface System Aggregator- 239.2660.257.0 improves battery performance stability.
• Surface Integration – System devices- 4.18.139.0 improves integration between services.
• Surface Pen Firmware Update – System devices- 3.0.10.1 resolves intermittent pen top button click failure on Surface Pen with no clip.
• Use the Surface Pen Checker Tool to verify that the Pen's firmware was successfully updated.
• Surface Pen Integration Device – Human Interface Devices- 1.0.9.0 enables firmware update to Surface Pen with no clip.

Surface Laptop 2

Windows 10 version 1903 or greater

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth- 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters- 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Windows 10 version 1803 or greater

• Surface System Aggregator - Firmware- 145.210.139.0 improves battery performance.

Surface Laptop

Windows 10 version 1903 or greater

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter - Bluetooth- 15.68.17013.110 improves Bluetooth connectivity.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters- 15.68.17013.110 improves Wi-Fi connectivity.

Windows 10 version 1803 or greater

• Surface System Aggregator - Firmware- 145.210.139.0 improves battery performance.

Surface Studio 2

Windows 10 version 1803 or greater

• Surface UEFI – Firmware- 531.2758.768.0 resolves potential security vulnerabilities, including Microsoft security advisory 190013.

You can check out the full details of each firmware update and stay up to date on any future updates at the Surface Update History page.

Our favorite Surface accessories from Microsoft

Every one of these valuable Surface accessories is Windows Central Approved and guaranteed to please.

Surface Precision Mouse ($77 at Amazon)

The Surface Precision Mouse is not only one of favorite Surface accessories, it's one of our favorite mice for any PC. It's packed with valuable features and customizable buttons. Its scrolling and tracking are seamless and spot-on. And it's rechargeable so you never have to buy new batteries for it.

Surface Pen (From $72 at Amazon)

Every Surface owner needs this Pen. Period. It supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support for shading density, and enjoys supremely low latency. When paired with a Surface PC, the potential is endless. And it comes in a bunch of cool colors.

Surface Dock ($136 at Amazon)

With two Mini DisplayPorts, four USB-A 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack, this dock gives you the ports you need to stay connected to all your favorite devices. Plus, it easily turns your Surface into a desktop power hub. We highly recommend it.

What you need to know

• A new round of firmware updates is available for Microsoft's Surface devices.
• The updates are only available specifically for those running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update.
• Several Surface devices, including Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2, are included.

Microsoft this week is pushing out a fresh set of firmware updates for a number of its Surface devices. The updates are only available for devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, which hasn't been released as of this writing, but the updates are set and ready to go once you've installed the upcoming feature update (via Windows Blog Italia).

Here's a look at some of what's new.

Surface Book 2

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter – Bluetooth: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel AVStream Camera 2500 – Camera: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel UHD Graphics 620 – Display adapter: 25.20.100.6472 improves system stability and performance, when resuming from sleep.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel Control Logic – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft Camera Front– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft Camera Rear– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft IR Camera Front– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel CIO2 Host Controller – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Surface System Telemetry – System devices: 4.0.0.0 resolves an error code in Device Manager under Surface System Telemetry.

Surface Pro 6

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter – Bluetooth: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel AVStream Camera 2500 – Camera: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel UHD Graphics 640 – Display adapter: 25.20.100.6471 improves system stability and performance, when resuming from sleep.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel Control Logic – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft Camera Front– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft IR Camera Front– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft Camera Rear– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel CIO2 Host Controller – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Surface System Telemetry - System: 4.0.0.0 resolves an error code in Device Manager under Surface System Telemetry.
• Realtek USB 3.0 Card Reader - Universal Serial Bus controllers: 10.0.17763.31246 improves battery life while using SD card during Connected Standby.

Surface Laptop 2

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter – Bluetooth: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel AVStream Camera 2500 – Camera: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel UHD Graphics 620 – Display adapter: 25.20.100.6471 improves system stability and performance, when resuming from sleep.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel Control Logic – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft Camera Front– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Microsoft IR Camera Front– System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel CIO2 Host Controller – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Intel Imaging Signal Processor 2500 – System devices: 30.15063.6.8611 improves camera performance.
• Surface System Telemetry - System: 4.0.0.0 resolves an error code in Device Manager under Surface System Telemetry.

Surface Studio 2

• Marvell AVASTAR Bluetooth Radio Adapter – Bluetooth: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.
• Intel Ethernet connection – Network adapters: 12.17.10.7 improves system stability and performance.
• Marvell AVASTAR Wireless-AC Network Controller – Network adapters: 15.68.9127.58 improves system security.

Further updates are available for other Surface devices as well. For more, you can check out Microsoft's full Surface Update History page to get the complete rundown.

Our favorite Surface accessories from Microsoft

Every one of these valuable Surface accessories is Windows Central Approved and guaranteed to please.

Surface Precision Mouse ($77 at Amazon)

The Surface Precision Mouse is not only one of favorite Surface accessories, it's one of our favorite mice for any PC. It's packed with valuable features and customizable buttons. Its scrolling and tracking are seamless and spot-on. And it's rechargeable so you never have to buy new batteries for it.

Surface Pen (From $72 at Amazon)

Every Surface owner needs this Pen. Period. It supports 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support for shading density, and enjoys supremely low latency. When paired with a Surface PC, the potential is endless. And it comes in a bunch of cool colors.

Surface Dock ($136 at Amazon)

With two Mini DisplayPorts, four USB-A 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5mm audio jack, this dock gives you the ports you need to stay connected to all your favorite devices. Plus, it easily turns your Surface into a desktop power hub. We highly recommend it.

It used to be that creators would instinctively just buy an iMac, and for many years that was probably the right thing to do. Today, however, the Surface Studio 2 has so much to offer the current crop of creators and professional users that in many ways it's the right choice. But it's incredibly expensive, impossible to upgrade, and can't make use of Thunderbolt 3 accessories. The iMac, by contrast, can be had in a perfectly capable spec for much less, has that all important Thunderbolt 3 connection, and can run Windows 10 if you want in addition to macOS.

The draw to the Surface Studio 2 has to be the display. If the hinge, touch and pen support, and the optional Surface Dial appeal to you and your work, you'll be very happy. If you don't really need any of those things in your life, the iMac is probably a smarter choice.

Two iconic all-in-one PCs

Without the iMac's influence, the all-in-one PC space would probably look very different today. Apple might have the iMac Pro as its top tier desktop, but the mainstream model hasn't been forgotten, especially with a new model hitting the shelves.

Let's see how it compares on a hardware basis with the Surface Studio 2

Unusually, the Apple hardware is actually available for a lower price than the comparable Windows PC. Price alone shouldn't be the deciding factor, but it's a pretty big part of it.

The key thing to consider is how you intend to use whichever you buy. The Surface Studio 2 has inferior hardware in some regards, such as the processor and lack of Thunderbolt 3, but it offers an experience that the iMac simply cannot match. That big, beautiful display is a giant canvas for you to draw and write on, touch and drag, and interact with in ways that is impossible on any Mac.

The Surface Studio 2 is probably the ultimate niche PC. It's desirable to all, but only truly useful to a handful. The iMac, by contrast, has a more mass market approach.

There's no touch or pen, and the display is fixed in position; but it has a better processor, a huge list of potential upgrades (if you're willing to pay Apple's often extortionate prices), two sizes, and a far more attractive price.

Choosing between Mac OS and Windows 10

The biggest difference between these two, of course, is the software. Mac OS and Windows 10 have plenty in common and share a lot of the same third party apps — as well as Microsoft Office — but they're still different.

Mac OS is very pleasant to use, incredibly well optimized, and always performs well. It also has great software support from Microsoft, such as with the Office Suite, OneDrive, and Skype, as well as notable third-party support from the likes of Adobe and Google. Many of the same apps can be used on a Mac as on Windows 10.

There is, however, one more thing. Thanks to Boot Camp, you can easily install Windows 10 as a dual-boot on a Mac. The same cannot be said of doing the reverse. So, with the iMac, you can have access to both platforms.

The bottom line

For the right type of buyer, that is, someone involved in photography, graphics, video editing or technical applications such as CAD, the Surface Studio 2 offers an unrivaled, if still flawed experience. Computing with your hands with input devices like the Surface Dial and the Surface Pen can truly change your workflow for the better. But it comes at a price.

Alternatively, the iMac is a suitably powerful all-in-one with a few bits of hardware that you won't get on the Surface Studio 2. You can get one in two sizes, spec up an Intel Core i9 six-core processor if you want, and hook up all manner of things over Thunderbolt 3, including an eGPU. Even the entry level iMac can be used in this way with a desktop class graphics card.

For most people considering these two, the iMac is the smart choice. Third-party app support is on par with Windows 10 and if there is something you simply can't get, you can simply install Windows on a dual-boot partition. If you fit into the niche that will truly find the unique features of the Surface Studio 2 useful, it remains unmatched.

Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Studio 2 all made their debut in October, but they've been limited to going on sale in a handful of countries since. However, this week, Microsoft is rectifying that by launching its latest Surface devices in a slew of new markets.

In total, all three Surfaces are launching in 20 new markets starting February 7. Further, for anyone looking to get their hands on the Cortana-equipped Surface Headphones, they'll be headed to eight new markets in March, Microsoft says.

Unfortunately, Microsoft isn't exactly forthcoming with exactly where these 20 new markets are. You'll have to check your local Microsoft Store pages for the Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Studio 2 to see if they're available in your region starting today.

As for the Surface Headphones, Microsoft did reveal where we can expect the headphones to launch in March. The list of new markets includes:

• Australia
• Austria
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• Switzerland

If you're a part of today's rollout, you can grab the latest Surface lineup via the Microsoft Store now.

• See Surface Pro 6
• See Surface Laptop 2
• See Surface Studio 2
• See Surface Headphones

Preorders are now live for the Surface Studio 2 in the UK, with prices starting at £3,549. What's more, Microsoft is also throwing in a free pair of Surface Headphones who take the leap early and put in a preorder.

While only preorders are going live today, you won't have to wait long to get your hands on a Surface Studio 2. Release dates for all three configurations are set for February 2.

The Surface Studio 2 was originally unveiled in October alongside the Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Headphones. The all-in-one PC is largely the same as its predecessor on the outside, with the exception of an added USB-C port.

On the inside, however, Microsoft has added quite a bit of power to the package. The Surface Studio 2 now comes with Intel's 7th Gen Core i7-7820HQ processor and can be equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics. Those are far from being the latest tech from either Intel or NVIDIA, but they represent major upgrades from the original Surface Studio's 6th Gen Intel processor and GTX 980M graphics.

For £3,549, the base model includes 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. For £4,249, you can step up to 32GB of RAM and added NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics, while £4,749 will net you an upgrade to 2TB of storage.

For more on Surface Studio 2, be sure to check out our full review, in which we came away very impressed with Microsoft's updated offering despite the steep price. Otherwise, if you live in the UK, you can go ahead and get your preorder in now.

See at Microsoft

Let's get one thing straight about the new Surface Studio 2 – it's not a PC for your average user, nor someone looking to stretch their dollar. Instead, Microsoft's second version of its giant tablet-like PC is built for professional architects, engineers, designers, and artists. But if you look at one with envy thinking it could be the best experience on a Windows 10 PC, well, you would be right.

While the price and the lackluster processor is off-putting, these are beside the point of the Surface Studio 2. It represents all that is Windows 10 in 2018 in single, minimalist expression that is powerful enough for gaming.

Same design, new hardware

What's new with Surface Studio 2?

Following the trend of Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2, the new Surface Studio 2 is an evolution more than a radical redesign.

For that, it means ditching the poor hybrid solid-state drive (SSD) and hard-disk storage solution for a zippier pure-SSD one. It's also about getting rid of the old mobile GPU for a proper graphics card that justifies the very high 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.
• The display is 38 percent brighter with 22 percent increased contrast.
• USB Type-C instead of a mini DisplayPort.
• No Core i5 version anymore.

Other than that Surface Studio 2 has the same chassis design, same Marvel Wi-Fi chipset, same Surface camera, and overall look and feel of its predecessor.

There are only three models all with the same Core i7 processor, but two different GPUs. The $3,499 model (16GB of RAM, 1TB storage) uses an NVIDIA GTX 1060 while the $4,199 (32GB of RAM, 1TB storage) and $4,799 models (32GB of RAM and 2TB storage) both use an NVIDIA GTX 1070.

By the numbers

Surface Studio 2 specifications

For 2018, the Surface Studio 2 keeps things minimal with just four USB Type-A ports, Ethernet, headphone jack and the new Type-C port (which does not support Thunderbolt 3).

A stunning visual journey

Surface Studio 2 display

Arguably, the most critical feature of the Surface Studio 2 is its display, so it's great to see some improvements to it compared to the original version. The bar is already set high considering there is no other display like this on the market with support for inking, 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution just over 4K.

It's a glorious and stunning achievement.

For Surface Studio 2 the display is noticeably brighter as it now boosted to around 600 nits (we measured 588 nits to be precise). That's around the minimal levels to achieve HDR although this is not a certified HDR display.

Contrast is also improved in our measurements, which also revealed 100 percent sRGB color accuracy and 90 percent Adobe RGB. Microsoft notes that each Surface Studio 2 is color calibrated at the factory. Of course, some users may want to fine-tune for their own needs.

Color profiles include sRGB, DCI-P3, and Vivid, with the last one making things a bit punchier with higher contrast.

While there are more color accurate, high-resolution displays on the market – some of which run $800 or more – none also support touch or inking, nor move into a drafting table-like position.

The hinges that connect the display to the base are still polished metal that is designed in such a way as to never reflect light at your eye. This attention to detail is what makes Surface Studio 2 just as much art as a PC. The "floating display" works amazingly well as it lets you move the display with only one hand to any position. All the cables for the screen, touch input, camera, infra-red lens, and audio all go through those hinges too.

Old CPU, awesome GPU

Surface Studio 2 hardware

The base of the Surface Studio 2 is still the same size, which is about half that of a full gaming laptop. It packs the GPU, CPU, SSD, motherboard, ports, and a fan into a very compact area.

Ports are all in the rear, including the SD card slot. This is a design-over-function choice so that all visible holes are never seen directly by the user. It's not terrible, but if you are used to using or removing external peripherals, you will want to invest in an extender.

The new Type-C port is decent. It can handle display out, data, audio, charging, and more. Connecting a hub up to it makes it even more useful. The Type-C replaces a mini DisplayPort, which was helpful for daisy-chaining displays to the Surface Studio. Users now will need to either use a new monitor that supports Type-C or pick up a Type-C hub with multiple display outputs to achieve the same result.

You still cannot use the Surface Studio 2 as a dummy display. Connecting the Surface Go to the Surface Studio 2 via Type-C lets the Surface Studio 2 charge the Surface Go.

Windows Mixed Reality headsets will require an HDMI-to-Type-C converter with the secondary cable going to one of the four USB Type-A ports. The Type-C port when used as a hub can't alone power a Windows Mixed Reality headset, which is a shame. Nonetheless using Windows Mixed Reality on the Surface Studio 2 was a blast with the performance set to the highest level with no hiccups.

Heat and fan noise are not too different compared to the previous Studio. Temperatures peak at around 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) as hot air is vented to the right of the computer base. Normal temps hover approximately 90 to 100 degrees F (32 to 38 degrees C) when idle or for light computing.

Fan noise is best described as audible, but not loud or annoying if sitting in front of the Surface Studio 2. The noise levels are around 38 dB (like a refrigerator hum) most of the time during light computing. For gaming, the fans will get significantly louder peaking around 47 dBs (just below a house fan). The tone of the fan though is not high-pitched; it's more of a whooshing, which is preferred.

The front camera is the same as used in previous Surfaces at 5MP and a full HD video resolution. It's an excellent camera, but at this price point, you might as well splurge for the superior Logitech BRIO 4K if you're serious about conference calls.

Windows Hello works brilliantly and is faster than the last generation. That is likely due to some other modifications like the storage and the overall improved system responsiveness, but coming out of sleep the Surface Studio 2 takes just 2 seconds. Again, it's experiences like these that add up to set the Surface Studio 2 apart from other all-in-one PCs. It feels like it is always on with no waiting.

A mini powerhouse

Surface Studio 2 benchmarks

The overwhelming improvement around the Surface Studio 2 involves that boost in the GPU and the new SSD. The processor is almost an afterthought giving just a small increase over the previous version.

CPU

The Intel 7th generation Core i7-7820HQ is almost two-years old at this point. As a 45W chip it was used in high-end laptops in the 15-inch workstation range (not Ultrabooks). It's an OK processor with top speeds around 3.9GHz.

Geekbench 4.0 benchmarks (higher is better)

GPU

The GTX 1070 is a beast of a GPU, and it will be good for many years. Even the lower-end Surface Studio 2 packs an admirable GTX 1060, which is about 20 percent less powerful, but still miles ahead of the GTX 980M, which is quite meager by comparison.

Geekbench 4.0 OpenCL (higher is better)

SSD

Not only did Microsoft use a pure-SSD storage solution, but the Toshiba drive is quite good with 3,000 MB/s read speeds – more than doubling the last version.

CrystalDiskMark (higher is better)

PCMark

PCMark is more CPU-heavy, which is why the Surface Studio 2 closely matches the score of the Surface Book 2. That's not terrible, but it is what you get when you jam so much hardware into a tiny space.

PCMark (Home Accelerated 3.0)

3DMark

Timespy is a GPU-intensive test, and here you can see the Surface Studio 2 almost matches that of the Razer Blade Pro – a 17-inch gaming laptop with a GTX 1080. Not bad at all.

3DMark (Time Spy 1.0; Higher is better)

The i7-7820HQ's quad-core architecture is good for a heavier payload, but it pales to the current 8th generation Intel which goes beyond 4.0 GHz and has six-cores. More threads may not matter for general productivity, but for those who do a lot of data crunching or rendering that spans long durations, those extra cores would make a difference.

It's a shame that Microsoft could not put in an 8th generation processor as it would have added even more power to the Surface Studio 2 and made it more valuable for years to come. Still, if you do GPU-intensive tasks, the GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 is a juggernaut.

The RAM is no slouch, and it is DDR4 at 2,666MHz and available up to 32GB. When combined with the quality SSD, GPU, and acceptable CPU the overall feel of the Surface Studio 2 is so far ahead of the original one it's hard to quantify.

Fragging for fun

Surface Studio 2 as a regular or gaming PC

The Surface Studio 2 is a professional-level PC designed for as a specific audience of users. The pricing and feature set don't lend itself to your regular consumer as a realistic purchase. Still, for those with deep pockets and who's hearts flutter when they see the Surface Studio 2 the question is obvious: Is it any good as a regular or gaming PC?

The answer is a resounding yes.

Because Microsoft finally ditched the slow hybrid-storage solution in addition to adding a real GPU the Surface Studio 2 is one of the fastest desktop PCs – as far as getting work done, not raw power. Combined with the enormous 28-inch touch display which has the best visual accuracy of any PC display I have used, the relatively quiet fan and the excellent audio the Surface Studio 2 is everything a desktop PC should be. It's a completely immersive experience.

Microsoft crammed four speakers (two on the right, two on the left) in the display of the Surface Studio 2 and a subwoofer in the base. There are no speaker grills or visible. That may seem trivial, but it's that kind of craftsmanship that is absent from any other desktop PC. It's also a hidden cost that helps drive up the price of the Surface Studio 2, but one less thing to purchase and it keeps a clean look.

For those who already use a Surface product the familiar 3:2 aspect ratio is unique when blown up to 28-inches. The screen is large enough to work comfortably with two apps side-by-side (split view) and is ideal for productivity.

Gaming may seem an odd thing to brag about, but Microsoft did again include Xbox Wireless Controller support. It uses Microsoft's proprietary wireless connection (instead of Bluetooth) which also enables haptic feedback (rumble support) and the ability to use the headphone jack on the controller to be truly wireless.

Because of the NVIDIA GTX 1070, the Surface Studio 2 handled any game I threw at it. Compared to original Surface Studio with its (at the time) top-end GTX 980M, the new Studio 2 blows it away. Here is a comparison using Gears of War 4 (Microsoft Store)"

Gears of War 4

Not only does it now hit 75 frames-per-second (FPS), but it's doing it at a significantly higher resolution than the maxed-out Surface Studio 1 at just full HD.

Playing Destiny 2 also yielded fantastic results with a vertical-synced 60 FPS at 3,000 x 2,000 resolution with settings at high and ultra. Native resolution is also doable though frame rates drop to between 35 and 45 FPS – which is still playable.

Rise of the Tomb Raider (UWP)

The same story is found with Rise of the Tomb Raider, which can play at native resolution with graphics set to high while just reaching 30 FPS. Dialing it down to 1920x1440 the 74 FPS of the Surface Studio 2 at very high graphics blows away the 56 FPS of the older version, which is only set to high graphics.

Other games like Sunset Overdrive and Forza Horizons 4 look stunning and play with graphics set to high too.

Of course, there's a lot more to a gaming PC than just performance. Having a 144Hz or 240Hz display instead of 60Hz found here goes far when playing first-person shooters. And for the price, you could easily build a much more powerful rig. Nonetheless, doing it yourself yields a PC with an abundance of messy cables, larger footprint, external speakers, and a display that will never come close to that of the Surface Studio 2 (forget inking and touch).

But if all you want to know is if the Surface Studio 2 can now act like a real gaming PC then consider it confirmed. It's an awe-inspiring because of that display.

A stunning achievement

Surface Studio 2: The bottom line

The Surface Studio 2 may not look so different from the first version, but the internal changes effectively re-make the computer. There is no longer any lag from a spinning hard-disk drive, the mobile graphics processor is gone, and even the DDR4 RAM is respectable.

The GTX 1070 found in the mid- and upper-tier Studio 2 is the sweet spot for graphics. It's powerful enough for serious data crunching or high-end gaming, yet Microsoft was able to cool it down while not melting your desk or using a loud fan.

The processor is the biggest letdown. Six cores are always better than four, and it would make swallowing the $3,500 starting price easier. Nonetheless, in day-to-day usage and gaming, I can't say that the CPU ever caused me frustration. Everything about the Surface Studio 2 – especially compared to the original – is just faster. Putting aside comparison to the old version, the Surface Studio 2 even holds up against my HP Omen gaming desktop setup.

Getting fixated on specifications (like the lack of Thunderbolt 3) is easy to do, but it negates the main point of Surface: enjoy the thing. I find it difficult to believe someone would find fault with the actual performance of the Surface Studio 2. Like all Surface devices, the Studio 2 is about how the culmination of its parts that result in a profoundly unique and satisfying experience. That's accomplished here.

That said, the Surface Studio 2 pricing is absurd. Starting at $3,500 (the model tested for this review is $4,200) is so much more than a self-built kit. But again, such an approach misses many hidden costs. For its ridiculous price, 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.

You're paying for a one-of-a-kind, minimalist PC that just has no rivals in the computing world, and for some people that is worth the cost. If you're not one of those people, that's OK too.

It's important to note that no much how much money you save in buying another system or making your own it will never do what the Surface Studio 2 does with its hinged display. Nor can you buy any screen that looks this good in this form factor.

If none of that matters to you, then the Surface Studio 2 should not even be a consideration, but for those who need such a setup, they will undoubtedly be amazed. The Surface Studio 2, like all this year's Surface releases, is incredibly close to perfection. There are a few areas for improvement like the CPU and Thunderbolt 3, but otherwise, the Surface Studio 2 is, for now, the ultimate desktop PC to experience Windows 10.

Microsoft doesn't make it particularly clear

When it comes to shopping for a PC like the Surface Studio, there's every chance your whole reason for buying in the first place is because you have some intensive processes to complete, such as creative work, video editing, CAD programs, and such.

The Surface Studio 2 is a very good upgrade compared to its predecessor, but Microsoft hasn't ever been very good at making it clear which GPU comes in which version of the Surface Studio 2. That goes all the way back to the launch event, so don't worry, you're not on your own if you're confused by it all.

The top two models have a GTX 1070

Thankfully there's an easy answer to the question, and essentially you just want to avoid the base model. Microsoft currently only offers three specs of the Surface Studio 2, and the middle and top-end ones both have the GTX 1070 GPU inside them.

The downside to that is the lowest priced GTX 1070 model is $4,199, which is $700 more than the base model, which only costs $3,499.

The base model has a GTX 1060

The base model Surface Studio 2 is still very capable, with a 1TB SSD, the same Intel Core™ i7-7820HQ processor as the upgraded models, and 16GB of RAM. It also comes with an NVIDIA GTX 1060, which only sounds like it's one step below the GTX 1080, but the difference between the two are still pretty noticeable, whether you're gaming or doing something like rendering video.

You get an extra 2GB of video memory, for starters, which is quite a lot when your priority is running multiple programs at once or just memory-intensive programs. If you like to game, the GTX 1070 can easily play the latest titles at up to 1440p. The GTX 1060 is more suited to 1080p gaming.

You'll still be getting a great desktop that can handle memory-intensive tasks, but if you need the most that you can get out of this machine, you're going to want to skip the base model and go for either of the two other models with the GTX 1070. We recommend the second tier at $4,199, but if you want the 2TB SSD, you're going to be dishing out $4,799.

More than a month after first breaking cover at Microsoft's October Surface event, the new Surface Studio 2 is now available. With prices starting at $3,500, the Surface Studio 2 is avaiable to order at Microsoft. Preorders should be shipping out today, and new orders are set to arrive by December 6.

The Surface Studio 2 is largely the same as its predecessor on the outside, with the addition of a USB-C port being the only obvious giveaway that this is a new model. But on the inside, Microsoft has cranked up the power, both in terms of processing and graphics.

On the graphics front, the Surface Studio 2 is equipped with either an NVIDIA GTX 1060 or 1070, depending on the model you choose. Both are major steps up from the GTX 980M graphics that the original Surface Studio shipped with. The processor has also been beefed up to Intel's 7th Gen Core i7-7820HQ chip, which isn't the latest bit of tech from Intel, but should provide a significant boost over the 6th Gen chip included in the first Surface Studio.

The Surface Studio 2 comes in three different models, but, at least currently, only the base $3,500 model with 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM is available to order. The other two models, which pack 1TB of storage and 32GB of RAM or 2TB of storage and 32GB of RAM for $4,200 and $4,800, respectively, are currently listed as out of stock.

Updated November 15, 2018: If you preordered the mid-range or top-end model, it looks like initial shipments have been delayed past November 15. Microsoft is sending the following message to at least some preorder customers: "We apologize for the delay in getting this message to you, but we wanted to inform you that an issue prevented the shipment of your order by the expected ship date of November 15th. Your order is now expected to ship by Friday, December 7th."

If you're ready to dive in, you can order Surface Studio 2 now from the Microsoft Store. And if you're still on the fence, check out our initial hands-on look for more.

See at Microsoft

What's new with the second-gen Surface Studio 2?

The Surface Studio 2 now has a 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7820HQ processor (CPU) with no Core i5 options available. This CPU has four cores and a clock speed up to 3.90 GHz, which will outperform the 6th Gen CPUs in the original Studio. There are also better dedicated graphics card (GPU) options with the Studio 2; choose from NVIDIA GTX 1060 or 1070 with 6 GB and 8 GB of VRAM respectively. This is a big step up from the M-class GPUs that offered up to 4 GB of VRAM in the GTX 980M.

Ports also got a bit of an overhaul, and while there's still no Thunderbolt 3, there's a single USB-C port alongside four USB-A 3.0, an SD card reader, an Ethernet port, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. There are better thermals inside and the fan won't run as loud when under load. Gone are the hybrid drive options from the original Surface Studio; instead, you can choose from 1 TB or 2 TB solid-state drives (SSD).

Finally, the 28-inch touch display has the same 3:2 aspect ratio and the same 4500x3000 resolution, but the new model has about 20 percent more contrast and gets about 33 percent brighter.

What accessories come with the Surface Studio 2?

Included in the price you see at checkout is a Surface Pen, Surface Keyboard, and Surface Mouse. These essentials cost together about $250 altogether when sold separately. They're essential to getting the most use out of your Studio 2 (especially the Pen), but you'll no doubt also want to take advantage of the Surface Dial if you're going to get creative with your PC.

The Surface Studio 2 isn't for everyone

The Surface Studio 2 is a specialized device, designed more to fill the needs of professionals rather than households that need a PC for everyday tasks. This is made evident by the price and design. It's built as an all-in-one (AiO) PC that can fold down on a zero-gravity hinge to become more of a canvas or drafting table for design. Paired with a Surface Pen and Surface Dial, you truly get an impressive toybox to bring your ideas into the physical space.

It has dedicated NVIDIA GTX 10-series GPU options that can be used for design or gaming, there are large, fast storage options, and the enormous touch display has a high resolution and overall brilliant picture. If you need this combination of features that the Studio 2 offers, there's really not much competition.

What about the iMac?

Apple's iMac is often compared to Microsoft's Studio line. They're both AiO devices, they both have large, high-resolution displays, and they both cost a good chunk of money. The iMac has some impressive specs, including up to an Intel Core i7 CPU, Radeon Pro 580 GPU with 8 GB of VRAM, up to 64 GB of RAM, and Thunderbolt 3 ports, which comes with a price of about $2,300.

That's considerably less money than the Surface Studio 2, but with the iMac you're not getting a touch display or active pen support, and the display sits vertically with no option to fold down flat. For creators, these extra Studio 2 perks no doubt make the most difference, so the iMac isn't worth that consideration.

What Surface Studio 2 configurations are available?

Straight from Microsoft, there are three different Surface Studio 2 bundles available. The cheapest costs about $3,499 and comes with a 7th Gen Intel Core i7-7820HQ processor (CPU) with four cores and a clock speed up to 3.90 GHz, a 1 TB solid-state drive (SSD), 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, and a NVIDIA GTX 1060 graphics card (GPU) with 6 GB of GDDR5 VRAM.

The most expensive option costs about $4,799 and comes with the same 7th Gen Intel Core CPU, 32 GB of DDR4 RAM, a 2 TB SSD, and a NVIDIA GTX 1070 GPU with 8 GB of GDDR5 VRAM.

All models have the same 28-inch PixelSense touch display with 4500x3000 resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio, and Surface Pen and Surface Dial support for a superior inking experience that includes 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt support.

You'll also get the same array of ports, including four USB-A 3.0, USB-C, Ethernet, and an SD card reader, plus there's an IR camera for secure, fast logins through Windows Hello. The prices you see at checkout include the Surface Studio 2 itself, a Surface Pen, Surface Keyboard, and Surface Mouse.

Buying from the Microsoft Store gives you excellent support, including a 30-day return policy with no questions asked, a free training session to ensure your Surface Studio 2 is performing up to snuff, 90 days of tech support over the phone, and a full year of in-store tech support should anything go wrong.

Take advantage of Surface Studio 2 bundles

A Surface Studio 2 Essentials Bundle is an option when buying from Microsoft. All three Surface Studio 2 configurations can be bundled up with either Office 365 Home or Personal plans (which saves you about $20 on a one-year subscription), plus you get Microsoft Complete extended coverage for about $80 cheaper than usual.

If you're planning on grabbing Office 365 anyway — which includes 1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage with every subscription — you might as well save some money by picking up the bundle. Microsoft Complete extended coverage will also no doubt come in handy for those worried about the longevity of their device since it comes with an extended warranty, accidental damage protection, and extended technical support.

Which accessories make the most sense for the Surface Studio 2?

The Surface Studio 2 already comes with a Surface Pen, Surface Mouse, and Surface Keyboard, but you can add some functionality with other accessories.

The Surface Dial is key if you plan on using the Studio 2 for design or artwork (it supports full on-screen interaction), and picking up a quality docking station will help further turn the PC into a battle station.

Grab your Surface Studio 2 from Microsoft

If you're interested in the Surface Studio 2, head to Microsoft and check out preorder options available now until Nov. 15, 2018, and regular sale options available thereafter.

Of all the new Surface products announced this week, the one that caught most everyone off guard was the Surface Headphones, an upcoming $350 set of headphones with Cortana integration, capacitive touch controls, and advanced noise cancellation. But as it turns out, Surface Headphones could be the first step in a bid to "[complete] the Surface experience," according to a new interview with Surface head Panos Panay.

Speaking with The Verge, Panay commented on the impetus behind creating the Surface Headphones, driving towards that idea of a complete Surface Experience. From Panay:

Further in the interview, Panay also hinted that Microsoft isn't done with exploring new ideas for this complete experience. Turning his attention to the Surface Hub 2, Panay hinted that we could eventually see a USB-C camera based on the Hub 2's high fidelity shooter.

Surface Hub 2 notably also features a modular design that allows users to upgrade its internals. And it turns out that is something Panay could see trickling down to the Surface Studio at some point – though that's far from a guarantee. When asked whether a modular design may be in the cards for Studio, Panay responded:

In any case, Microsoft is certainly focused on filling out its Surface lineup with a cohesive experience that encompasses more than just its PCs. The Surface Headphones and various mice and keyboards are just a part of that, but we could potentially see more surprising additions going forward.

For now, the latest Surface Pro 6, Surface Laptop 2, and Surface Studio 2 are all available for preorder, with prices starting at $899 for Pro 6 and moving north of $3,500 for Studio 2.

• See at Microsoft
• See at Best Buy

Surface Studio fans weren't left out in the cold with this week's sweeping refresh, with Microsoft announcing the new Surface Studio 2. And while it may look largely the same on the outside, Microsoft has made some key upgrades to the internals that make this a much more powerful option than the original.

Most notably, the Surface Studio 2 can now be equipped with up to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 for graphics. The PC has also stepped up to Intel's 7th Gen Core i7-7820HQ processor. Both are major upgrades over the GTX 980M graphics and 6th Gen processor included on the first Surface Studio.

The screen has also been upgraded to have punchier colors and deeper blacks, and Microsoft has added a USB-C port around back.

For more on the new Surface Studio 2, check out our full hands-on video above. If you're ready to order one for yourself, the Surface Studio 2 is available to preorder starting at $3,500 with a November 15 shipping date.

See at Microsoft

Everything Microsoft announced at its October 2 Surface event

Preorders are now live for the Surface Studio 2, with prices starting at a whopping $3,499.

If you're eager to pick up Microsoft's new Surface Studio 2, you can now throw your hat in the ring with a little early. The Surface Studio 2 is now available to preorder at the Microsoft Store, with prices starting at $3,499 for the base model and going up from there.

The refreshed Surface Studio 2 is mostly the same on the outside, with the only hint at a new model being a new USB-C port and a screen that should now sport deeper blacks.

On the inside, however, Microsoft has mixed things up with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics and Intel's 7th Gen Core i7-7820HQ processor. Though neither upgrade is in the realm of the latest tech from either Intel or NVIDIA, they're both significant steps up from the original Surface Studio's 6th Gen Core i7 processor and GTX 980M graphics.

The base model sports 1TB of storage and 16GB of RAM for $3,499. You can step things up to the same storage but 32GB of RAM for $4,199. At the top end, a configuration with 2TB of storage and 32GB of RAM is available for $4,799. Yeah, this thing ain't cheap.

Shipments are expected to start going out by November 15. If you're interested in a Surface Studio 2 for yourself and can afford the price of entry, you can preorder the PC at the Microsoft Store now.

See at Microsoft

Everything Microsoft announced at its October 2 Surface event

Outside of a couple of rumors and obvious expectations, there wasn't much to go off of going into today's Surface event. But Microsoft had quite the packed lineup in store, including refreshes to three Surfaces, the launch of the October 2018 Update, and a new accessory that no one saw coming. Here's a look at everything Microsoft announced.

Surface Pro 6

To kick things off, Microsoft unveiled its latest Surface Pro refresh, the Surface Pro 6. The biggest outward change here is that the Surface Pro 6 comes in new white and black models. But the device has amped up in terms of power as well, picking up Intel's latest 8th Gen processors.

And yes, despite the brief flirtation with ditching numbers on its last model, Microsoft has cozied back up to numerals with the Surface Pro 6.

Surface Pro 6 is available to preorder now starting at $899 and is expected to launch on October 16.

• See at Microsoft
• See at Best Buy

Surface Laptop 2

Switching gears to the more traditional laptop crowd, Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop 2. Like the Surface Pro 6, the Surface Laptop 2 is also available in a sleek black finish, and it has cranked up the power as well.

Surface Laptop 2 is significantly speedier than its predecessor, with Microsoft claiming it's up to 85 percent faster than the original Surface Laptop. That's largely thanks to new 8th Gen Intel processors, no doubt. Other than the speed boost, the Surface Laptop 2 also packs a 1,500:1 contrast ratio, and the typing experience should now be quieter thanks to an improved keyboard.

Surface Laptop 2 is available to preorder now starting at $999 and is expected to launch on October 16.

• See at Microsoft
• See at Best Buy

Surface Studio 2

Going into today's event, a refreshed Surface Studio wasn't necessarily expected, but it seemed likely. And for fans of the unique all-in-one, Microsoft didn't disappoint in announcingthe Surface Studio 2.

All of the updates here are for the internals, with the Studio 2 keepingthe same design that was introduced with its prior incarnation. Graphics have seen a step up to NVIDIA's GTX 1070 chip, which is a big step up from the original's GTX 980M. The device's processing game has also seen a bump to Intel's 7th Gen 7820HQ processor.

According to Microsoft, the screen has been upgraded with a "new liquid crystal material" that should provide deeper blacks. Around back, you'll also find the addition of a USB-C port, but it's unclear as of now if it supports Thunderbolt 3.

Surface Studio 2 is available to preorder now starting at $3,499 and is expected to launch by November 15.

See at Microsoft

Surface Headphones

While one could resonably guess everything else Microsoft announced today, this one came totally out of left field. Complementing Microsoft's growing lineup of Surface accessories is a new pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones simply dubbed "Surface Headphones."

Though they look a little chunky, the headphones unmistakably fit into the Surface lineup. And they're packing some smarts, too, with Cortana integration, 4-beam forming mics, and different levels of noise cancellation that you can tweak as needed.

There's no release date yet for Surface Headphones, but, with the price set at $350, you'll be shelling out a pretty penny once they do arrive.

Surface All Access

If you're looking for a way to pay for all of this new Surface gear, Microsoft also introduced the new Surface All Access program. The financing program replaces the Surface Plus, which was abruptly retired in August, but it operates in a similar manner.

With prices starting at $25 per month, you can finance a Surface device over 24 months with a two-year subscription to Office 365. Unlike Surface Plus, it doesn't look like there's an option to upgrade to a new device after 18 months for accounts in good standing, but it's still a solid way to spread out your purchase over time.

And more

Today also marked the official launch of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, with Microsoft now allowing anyone who wants it to update now. The update will automatically begin rolling out for everyone starting on October 9.

Finally, Microsoft also teased a major new feature coming to the Your Phone app in a future update: phone mirroring. As the name implies, you'll soon be able to use Your Phone to mirror your phone's screen on a Windows 10 PC, letting you open and interact with apps and, well, do anything else you'd normally do with your phone in your hands.

Today, Microsoft is expected to announce updates to its current Surface PC lineup, including a new Surface Laptop 2, new Surface Pro 6, and new Surface Studio 2. Also, some news around software, services, and maybe even gaming may be announced, as well as a few accessories. The announcement should be about one hour long.

Microsoft is not live streaming the event, so if you want to know what happens in real-time make sure you watch our live blog starting at 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT. We're on the ground in New York City covering the event all day. We also have a community chat room for you to hang out and discuss with others.

This page is your destination for our Microsoft October 2 new Surface event live blog and stream. Here's everything you need to know!

Microsoft's October 2, 2018, Surface event

• When: Tuesday, October 2 at 1 PM PT / 4 PM ET / 9 PM BST / 1:30 AM IST. Find your exact time with our event announcer.
• What's happening: Read our everything to expect at Microsoft's October 2 hardware event post for the lowdown.
• Where to watch: There is no livestream of the event (but we can post photos).

Windows Central live blog

Windows Central community chat

On this week's episode of #AskDanWindows we're going to talk about everyone's favorite rumored device Andromeda, if Surface Studio 2 is still expected this fall, and should Microsoft charge for Windows upgrades again as to avoid advertising?

Grab your favorite PC, a cup of coffee and jump in!

Audience questions Episode 50

• If the Andromeda device is real, when and where would Microsoft announce it? - @serpentbane
• Should Microsoft add a yearly license fee to fund development of the Windows desktop? (Such as: less targeted advertising, better software QA testing, more innovation) - Luke B.
• Are you still expecting Surface Studio 2 for the fall? (See Episode #38) - John P

Thanks to everyone for the questions!

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Microsoft's original Surface Studio is a beautiful yet imperfect Windows 10 AIO. It's been over a year since the original Surface Studio was announced, so now it's time to start thinking about what might be next for Microsoft's unique AIO.

Factoring in all the issues the first Surface Studio had, here's my wish list for what I'm hoping Microsoft will address with the Surface Studio 2, which we're hearing could make an appearance at some point this year.

Surface Studio review

Better specs

An obvious wish for the Surface Studio 2 is a better selection of technical specifications. The original Surface Studio launched with specs that were ... questionable to say the least. It was rocking a laptop-class processor with a previous generation graphics card. For the price you paid for the baseline Surface Studio, the specs made that price even harder to swallow.

So, with the Surface Studio 2, I'm hoping Microsoft makes a beefy, all-out version for those who want to pay lots of money for the best hardware possible. With the latest processors and the latest graphics cards, for example. Microsoft could do a similar thing it did with the Surface Book 2: create a wide range of models ranging from mid-range performance to super high-end performance, and priced accordingly.

More affordable

On the subject of price, I'm hoping the baseline Surface Studio 2 is a little more affordable so more people can buy one. The original Surface Studio starts at $3,000, which is simply out of the question for many people. I know the Surface Studio is a niche product designed for a low-volume market, but it can't hurt making that market a little bit more approachable with a lower price.

Microsoft could make a base-line Surface Studio 2 with a smaller screen, and less powerful specifications that could rival the pricing of Apple's iMac series. For example, $1500 starting for an Intel Core i5 with 8GB RAM, 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) and a smaller, perhaps lower-resolution screen.

Thunderbolt 3

At the time of the original Surface Studio launch, the exclusion of a USB-C port was somewhat forgivable. But in 2018, a product launching without it will likely cause an uproar. I'm hoping with the Surface Studio 2, Microsoft bundles a couple of USB-C ports, sporting Thunderbolt 3 for that extra power.

This will not only allow for faster transfer speeds but the addition of using external GPUs. While I hope the offerings for internal graphics cards will be great, it can't hurt to allow users to hook up their own external GPUs.

SSD instead of HDD

The biggest gripe many had with the original Surface Studio was that it used a hybrid hard-disk drive (HDD). It had a small amount of SSD storage for the OS, but everything else was saved to a standard 5400rpm hard drive. That drive was incredibly slow, and it made the Surface Studio as feel slower than it should have.

With the Surface Studio 2, Microsoft should switch out its HDD offerings with SSD ones. While that may be slightly more expensive, SSDs aren't super expensive in 2018, especially on the low-capacity side. A model with a 256GB SSD should still be relatively doable without causing the product to skyrocket in price.

What are you hoping for?

That's our list of things we're hoping to see in the next Surface Studio, but we want to know what you want the most. Let us know in the comments.

See Surface Studio at Microsoft