For the most part, computers are computers. Maybe one has a bit more of this or less of that, but the differences are usually under the hood and incremental in nature. So when a company like Microsoft makes a serious attempt to completely redefine the nature of how we see and interact with a desktop computer it commands attention. The Microsoft Surface Studio is exactly that kind of machine, and we couldn't be more excited about it.
REDEFINING THE BOUNDARIES
For the past 20 years or so Apple computers have been the standard go-to machines for people involved in creative content and performance worlds. It's not hyperbole to say that Apple has owned the creative space during that time period. Over the past four to five years, however, many Apple diehards have begun to notice a serious lack of innovation from their beloved manufacturer. This apathy, combined with missteps like the Final Cut Pro X debacle, have opened a door for other companies interested in making a play for this market
Enter the Microsoft Surface Studio, Microsoft's very first foray into creating a desktop computer. Announced in late October, the Surface Studio is an all-in-one computer featuring a massive 28-inch touchscreen mounted to a base incorporating the actual computer components. The design immediately brings to mind the form factors of both the Wacom Cintiq and beloved iMac G4 from over a decade ago. At the same time the Surface Studio also feels completely revolutionary in the way it invites users to interact with a computer.
UNDER THE HOOD
The Surface Studio runs on a new variation of Windows 10 Pro, and features configurations with both Intel i5 and i7 processors. It can also be configured to include between 8GB and 32GB of RAM, with either a 2GB or 4GB NVidia GeForce GPU.
What's immediately apparent is that the Surface Studio is really all about the display. It's a 28-inch touchscreen featuring a 4K+ resolution (4500x3000), 10-bit color and a pixel density of 192 DPI. That translates to 13.5 million pixels, which should deliver fantastic image clarity when working from only a few inches away.
What makes the Surface Studio revolutionary, however, is the way the screen can be positioned from an upright monitor all the way down to a drafting table form factor. This transition can be accomplished instantly with the push of a single finger thanks to the Surface Studio's “Zero Gravity” hinge running from the base station to the back of the monitor.
The screen features 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity, which isn't quite at the same level of the Wacom Cintiq, but is likely more than enough for demanding users.
More than simply offering a unique form factor, Microsoft has put considerable effort and energy into reimagining how users interact with the Surface Studio. Nowhere is this more apparent than with the introduction of the Surface Dial, an accessory that can be placed directly onto the screen to provide an intuitive, tactile way to interact with the software. While developers will ultimately drive how useful this device becomes, we're more than a little excited about how the Surface Dial could extrapolate to a live production or studio environment.
The Surface Studio also includes a magnetic stylus, wireless keyboard and mouse. Users wanting to use the machine for gaming with be happy to learn that it can pair with up to four Xbox One controllers. The Surface Studio also includes incorporated stereo speakers and a 1080p webcam that will sign users in by sight.
INTRIGUE FACTOR
Right away it's apparent that Microsoft is targeting the Mac Pro crowd with this machine. In order to make a real impact in this market there are some important areas where the Surface Studio will have to demonstrate its prowess.
This first make-or-break aspect of the Surface Studio will be the under-the-hood performance power, and whether it's up to handling of the most demanding software seamlessly. Screen quality and color fidelity will also be crucial for design and video applications where accuracy really matters. And finally, the success of the Surface Studio will rise and fall on Microsoft's ability to convince third-party developers to take advantage of the unique aspects of the Surface Studio.
IN CONCLUSION
It's clear from the outset that Microsoft is actually pulling a page from Apple's playbook of 20 years ago. By going after the creative market they're recognizing that this user group exerts tremendous influence over everyday consumers that want the to use the same machines the ‘cool kids' use. If you inspire a creative student to embrace your machines, you can build a generation of people with lifelong brand loyalty.
Some creative producers will immediately feel some resistance to straying from the Apple ecosystem, but it's important to remember that competition is a very, very good thing for the market. As ministry tech directors, filmmakers and designers we need to make every dollar count, and blind loyalty to a single company discourages innovation. It's this kind of misguided loyalty that allows companies to charge a premium simply for the logo and can lead to creative apathy and product gimping.
The Surface Studio is the kind of machine that could open creative doors we're not even aware of. The potential for innovative interactions using utilizing the stylus, dial and keyboard is tremendous. For tech directors, it's not difficult to imagine new ways to mix audio, write and control lighting shows, design stages, or interact more seamlessly with presentation software. On the content creation side, it's thrilling to imagine how the Surface Studio could open new ways to more efficiently edit video, master audio, color grade and model in 3D space.
Microsoft has been pushing into the creative market for a few years now by targeting artists with tablets that could run full versions of Adobe software. With the announcement of the Surface Studio, Microsoft is officially throwing down the gauntlet. It's an exciting development, and it leaves us trying to remember the last time we've been this excited about a computer not named after a piece of fruit.
Microsoft has announced a release date of December 15th for the lower end model; higher end models are coming in early 2017. Prices start at $2,999. Additional details, including a pre-order form are available at Microsoft.com.
