Microsoft Surface Studio 2 Review: The Ultimate All-in-One for Creatives
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a premium all-in-one desktop computer designed for creatives, professionals, and anyone who values a sleek, powerful, and versatile workstation. As the successor to the original Surface Studio, this second-generation model refines its predecessor’s strengths while improving its performance in key areas. But does it justify its premium price? Let’s dive into a comprehensive review to determine whether the Surface Studio 2 is the right choice for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Surface Studio 2 maintains the breathtaking design of the original, featuring a 28-inch PixelSense touchscreen display that rests on a gravity-defying hinge. This hinge allows seamless transitions between upright desktop mode and the unique Studio Mode, where the display tilts into a drafting-table-like position, perfect for digital artists and designers.
Crafted from high-quality aluminum, the Studio 2 exudes premium craftsmanship. The display itself is exceptionally thin, housing all computing components in the compact base rather than behind the screen, making for a clean and minimalist aesthetic. The overall design ensures a modern and professional look that fits perfectly in a studio or office environment.
Display: A Visual Masterpiece
One of the Surface Studio 2’s standout features is its 28-inch PixelSense display, boasting a 4500 x 3000 resolution with a 3:2 aspect ratio. The display is incredibly sharp and vibrant, covering 100% of the sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts. This means accurate colors and deep contrasts, essential for photographers, video editors, and digital illustrators.
Additionally, the enhanced brightness (up to 500 nits) and increased contrast ratio make the display even better than its predecessor, ensuring clear visuals whether you’re working in bright daylight or a dim studio environment. The touchscreen functionality, combined with Surface Pen and Surface Dial support, enhances interactivity and productivity.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Surface Studio 2 features 7th-generation Intel Core i7 processors (specifically, the Intel Core i7-7820HQ), coupled with 16GB or 32GB of DDR4 RAM. While this is a notable improvement over the first-gen model, the use of 7th-gen Intel chips (rather than 8th or 9th-gen) was already outdated at launch, raising questions about long-term performance.
For graphics, Microsoft equips the Surface Studio 2 with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 GPUs. These GPUs provide ample power for creative tasks like 3D modeling, video editing, and digital painting, but they fall short for ultra-high-end rendering or the latest gaming titles.
Storage options include SSD-only configurations ranging from 1TB to 2TB, offering fast read/write speeds that significantly improve loading times and system responsiveness. However, given the premium price, more modern components, such as NVMe SSDs with PCIe Gen 4, would have been a welcome addition.
Connectivity and Ports
The Surface Studio 2 improves upon the first-generation model by including USB-C, though it unfortunately lacks Thunderbolt 3 support, which is a major downside for professionals who need fast external storage or eGPU capabilities.
Ports include:
- 4 x USB 3.0 ports
- 1 x USB-C port
- 1 x SD card reader (full-size)
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone jack
- 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port
The inclusion of an SD card reader is a great touch for photographers and video editors, but the lack of Thunderbolt 3 limits the expansion potential of the system.
Surface Pen and Surface Dial
The Surface Studio 2 is designed to be a digital artist’s dream, and Surface Pen support plays a huge role in that. The Surface Pen offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, tilt support, and minimal latency, making it one of the best styluses available for digital creatives.
Additionally, the Surface Dial, a unique input accessory, works seamlessly with the Surface Studio 2, allowing intuitive control over on-screen menus, brush sizes, and zoom functions. While not essential, the Dial is a nice addition for those working in Photoshop, Illustrator, or 3D applications.
Software and Operating System
The Surface Studio 2 ships with Windows 10 Pro, upgradable to Windows 11, ensuring the latest security and productivity features. Microsoft optimizes the OS for touch and stylus input, making it a natural fit for artists and designers who need fluid, responsive interactions.
Pre-installed applications include Microsoft Office Suite, Windows Ink, and Surface app utilities that allow customization of the Surface Pen and Dial. Unlike Apple’s macOS ecosystem, the Surface Studio 2 benefits from full compatibility with a wide range of professional creative applications, including Adobe Creative Suite, Autodesk Maya, Blender, and more.
Audio and Webcam
The Surface Studio 2 features stereo speakers powered by Dolby Audio Premium, offering clear and immersive sound. While not a replacement for high-end studio monitors, the built-in speakers deliver impressive clarity for an all-in-one machine.
The 5MP front-facing webcam is capable of 1080p video recording, making it suitable for video calls and conferencing. It also supports Windows Hello facial recognition, providing secure and convenient login options.
Performance in Real-World Use
For creative professionals, the Surface Studio 2 excels in graphic design, photo editing, and video production. Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro run smoothly, though users working with 8K video or highly complex 3D rendering may find the GPU somewhat limiting compared to dedicated workstations.
For general office work and productivity tasks, the Surface Studio 2 is overpowered, handling multitasking, web browsing, and document editing effortlessly. However, given its premium price, the device is not intended for casual users who don’t need its artistic and creative capabilities.
Gaming performance is mediocre due to the GTX 1060/1070 GPUs, which, while competent, don’t match the power of newer RTX-series cards. While games run smoothly at 1080p or 1440p, demanding titles at 4K will struggle.
Battery Life and Power Consumption
Since the Surface Studio 2 is a desktop, it does not have a battery. However, power consumption is fairly efficient given its high-resolution display and dedicated GPU, drawing around 300W under full load. The cooling system remains quiet, even during intensive tasks.
Price and Value for Money
The Surface Studio 2 is undeniably expensive, with pricing starting at $3,499 and going up to $4,799 for the highest configuration. At this price, competitors like the Apple iMac Pro or custom-built workstations offer better raw performance.
That said, the unique form factor, premium build quality, and stunning touchscreen display make it a one-of-a-kind device. If you’re a professional artist, designer, or photographer who values the interactive display and stylus capabilities, the Studio 2 might be worth the investment. However, those needing raw power for 3D modeling or video editing may find better options elsewhere.
Conclusion: Who Should Buy the Surface Studio 2?
The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is an exceptional device for creatives who value design, touchscreen interactivity, and versatility over sheer performance. Its high-quality display, precise pen input, and unique Studio Mode make it ideal for:
- Digital artists and illustrators
- Graphic designers
- Photographers and video editors (working in 4K or below)
- Architects and animators (who don’t need the latest GPUs)
However, those who require cutting-edge performance for high-end video editing, 3D rendering, or gaming may find better alternatives at a lower price.
Pros:
✔ Stunning 28-inch PixelSense touchscreen ✔ Unique, flexible hinge design ✔ Great Surface Pen and Dial support ✔ Excellent build quality ✔ Fast SSD storage
Cons:
❌ Outdated CPU and GPU ❌ No Thunderbolt 3 support ❌ High price tag ❌ Limited upgradeability
In conclusion, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a premium, beautifully crafted machine with an unparalleled touchscreen experience, but its aging hardware and high cost may deter power users looking for the best performance per dollar.
