Source: news.google.com
Despite being the most expensive, the biggest, and arguably the most exciting computer Microsoft has ever sold, the Surface Studio has received the fewest updates in six years. The Surface Studio 2+ is only the third version of the computer that even Microsoft refuses to call “Studio 3” due to a small number of changes. In addition to having a state-of-the-art Intel processor, the Surface Studio 2+ features some notable downgrades compared to its predecessors, making the upgrade all the more perplexing. In this spec appeal article, we compare the Surface Studio 2+ to the previous model and its original version introduced in late 2016.
Of course, it’s disappointing to see Microsoft opt for the 11th-gen Intel Core i7-11370H over a 12th-gen processor with a completely new architecture. Such a decision is especially perplexing considering the fact that the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Pro 9 come with 12th-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. Still, the Intel Core i7-11370H is a significant performance leap compared to the processors found in the original and second-gen Surface Studio.
A better GPU is another reason some Surface Studio owners will consider upgrading to the Surface Studio 2+. Microsoft has swapped out the older Nvidia GTX 1060 and 1070 for a more modern and much more powerful RTX 3060 with 6GB of memory.
Unfortunately, the Surface Studio 2+ has nothing else to offer besides a new CPU + GPU combo, as every other aspect of the computer remains unchanged. Plus, you have to accept some notable downgrades, like just a no-customization SKU, no SD card slot (why, Microsoft), and no built-in Xbox Wireless. All of this makes the Surface Studio 2+ seem like a placeholder device to fill the void while Microsoft prepares a more significant update.
Here are the key changes summarized in a list:
- Dolby Vision support and automatic color management
- 11th generation Intel Core i7 processor
- Nvidia RTX 3060 6GB graphics card
- No 16 GB RAM option, only 32 GB
- No 2TB SSD option, only 1TB
- Enhanced security with Windows 11 Secured-core PC
- Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 support
- Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports
- No more built-in Xbox wireless standard
- No more full size SD card slot
| Surface Study 2+ | surface study 2 | surface study 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 28-inch 3:2 pixel sensor 4500 x 3000 (192 dpi), 60Hz 10-point multi-touch billion colors Automatic color management sRGB and vivid profile DCI-P3 dolby vision Gorilla Glass 3 |
28-inch 3:2 pixel sensor 4500 x 3000 (192 dpi), 60Hz 10-point multi-touch sRGB and vivid profile DCI-P3 |
|
| operating system | windows 11 | windows 10 windows 11 |
windows 10 |
| Colors | Platinum | ||
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11370H | Intel Core i7-7820HQ | Intel Core i5-6440HQ Intel Core i7-6820HQ |
| GPUs | Nvidia RTX 3060 6GB | nvidia gtx 1060 6gb nvidia gtx 1070 8gb |
Nvidia GTX 965M 2GB Nvidia GTX 980M 4GB |
| Memory | 32GB DDR4 | 16GB, 32GB DDR4 | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD | 1TB, 2TB SSD | 64GB SSD + 1TB HDD 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD 128GB SSD + 2TB HDD |
| Security | TPM 2.0 chip Windows Hello face logon Windows 11 Secure Core PC |
TPM 2.0 chip Windows Hello face logon |
TPM chip Windows Hello face logon |
| The net |
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 gigabit ethernet |
Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.1 xbox wireless gigabit ethernet |
Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.0 xbox wireless gigabit ethernet |
| Camera | Front camera with 1080p video and Windows Hello | ||
| ports |
3x Thunderbolt 4/USB-C 4.0 2x USB-A 3.1 1 3.5mm headphone jack 1 Gigabit Ethernet |
4x USB-A 3.0 |
4x USB-A 3.0 1x full-size SDXC 1x mini display port 1 3.5mm headphone jack 1 Gigabit Ethernet |
| In the frame | surface pen surface keyboard surface mouse |
||
| Price | $4,499 | $3,000 | |
It’s true that the Surface Studio 2+ is much more capable than its predecessor, and wanting a more powerful CPU or graphics card is a solid reason to buy the new model. But does a two-generation processor and mid-range graphics card provide enough of an incentive to buy such an expensive computer with so few changes? It is a question that is very difficult for us to answer.
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