Microsoft Surface Studio PC: Price & Features

Microsoft has finally taken wraps off the Surface all-in-one PC, which is named Surface Studio. Microsoft says Surface Studio will transform the way you work and will fundamentally immerse a user into content creation. Microsoft Surface Studio features a 4.5k ultra HD 28-inch PixelSense display (192 dpi resolution) with a 10 point multi-touch. Microsoft has also built true scale into this, which means 1-inch on the screen equal to 1-inch in real life.

The Studio PC has the world’s thinnest LCD Display ever built inside a PC, and Microsoft claims this has 63 per cent more pixels than a high-end 4K television display. The PC also features a zero gravity hinge with custom tuned springs and 20-degree drafting angle. This hinge will allow a user to push back the screen, and turn the device into a giant display canvas on which they can work.

The all-in-one goes totally flat on the surface, and looks like a big tablet.Microsoft's main push with the Surface Studio is all about creativity, with a huge focus on 3D. Its unveiling comes alongside the announcement of the Windows 10 Creators Update. The Creators Update aims to make creating 3D content quick and easy for the company's millions of Windows 10 users. It'll include the biggest-ever update to the classic Paint app, now called Paint 3D, and more updates are on the way — including for apps in the Office suite.

The Studio PC is powered by either an i5 or i7 Intel Core processor (6th Generation) coupled with up to 4GB of NVIDIA GeForce GPU. Surface Studio can come with up to 32GB RAM. The storage space on the Surface Studio is either 1TB or 2TB using a Rapid Hybrid Drive.

Surface Studio allows connectivity via four USB 3.0 (one high power) ports, a SD card reader, 3.5-mm headphone jack, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port and a Mini DisplayPort. The AIO PC also comes with a Windows Hello face sign-in camera, which is a 5MP camera with 1090p HD video. It features dual microphones, a set of 2.1 Dolby Audio Premium speakers and has Xbox Wireless built-in.

Microsoft's hardware division is ramping up its direct competition with numerous Windows PC vendors. It's also taking on Apple's iMac, a popular desktop option among creative professionals. Apple is expected to update the iMac line sometime in the coming months. "Every now and then in pursuing our mission, we see the opportunity to create a new category of device," said Microsoft's Windows VP Terry Myerson. "We seize these moments to create something so much more than a product." The full specs for Surface Studio are as follows:

• Display: 28-inch 4500 x 3000 PixelSense LCD (192 PPI), 3:2 aspect ratio, Adobe sRGB and DCI-P color settings, 10-point multitouch
• Processor: sixth-generation Intel Core i5 or Core i7
• Storage: 1TB or 2TB hybrid drive
• Memory: 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of RAM
• Graphics: GeForce GTX 965M 2GB (in Core i5 Studio) or GTX 980M 4GB (in Core i7 Studio)
• I/O: 4 USB 3.0 (one high power), 3.5mm headphone jack, SD card slot, Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort
• Wireless: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
• Cameras: 5MP front camera with Windows Hello support, 1080p video rear camera
• Sound: Stereo 2.1 Dolby audio

The Surface Studio supports expanded color output – critical for photographers, videographers, and designers. Microsoft refers to this as "TrueColor." The display has a 3:2 aspect ratio with 192 pixels per inch. It's powered by Intel's 6th generation processors and, graphics-wise, has an Nvidia GTX 980M GPU in the premium model, with a 965M in the lower-priced configurations. The Studio's hinge allows for the display to be adjusted to a 20-degree orientation that's convenient for drawing or marking up Word documents.

Microsoft Surface Studio also comes with a Surface Dial — a new form of input to change the workflow and bring creative process to Windows 10. Surface Dial can be used to replay your inking by simply spinning the dial. The mode of interaction is also compatible with Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4 or a Surface Book.

Microsoft Surface Studio will be available immediately for pre-order starting at $2,999, which might sound a bit too high, but this is geared for creative professionals.

Surface Studio with 1TB storage and Intel Core i5 and 8GB GPU is priced at $2,999 (approx Rs 2 lakh). The 1TB storage and Intel Core i7 version with 16GB GPU is priced at $3,499 (approx Rs 2.3 lakh), and lastly the 2TB storage variant with Intel Core i7 and 32GB GPU is priced at $4,199 (approx Rs 2.8 lakh).