Microsoft may have outdone itself during the October 26 event in New York. The Redmond-based company unveiled some very key hardware products that will take its Surface line to the next level and poises the same for its bright future. For now, however, the public has some weeks more to wait until the Surface Studio, Surface Dial and the Surface Book i7 make it to the market.
The company's first all-in-one desktop, the Surface Studio, caters both to professionals and to creatives. As Engadget reports, Microsoft discussed how the new desktop will change the way that all types of people work. Stripping the device to its basics, it is a touchscreen desktop that folds into itself thereby acting as a large tablet to work on.
Diagonally, the device is 28 inches long and it has 4500 x 3000 pixel display. Microsoft also boasted that its LCD screen is the thinnest that the current has to offer. The thinness of the device, of course, is vital to the device's ability to lay down, which is possible thanks to its specially engineered arm and hinge system.
The Surface Studio is, at this point, the epitome of the Surface line. It comes with everything that has become standard with any product in the family - but better. For example, the Surface Pen comes with better sensitivity, which makes it easier for users to write on the display. In addition, the hinge system in the device is really something else. There is no give no matter what angle is chosen - though it maxes out at 20 degrees.
As The Verge adds, the Surface Studio is powered by an Intel i7 processor and includes a GeForce 980M graphics card. It also provides as much as 2TB of internal storage and has 32GB of memory. The device is priced at US$2,999 and is already available for pre-order. Microsoft confirmed that some units will be released right on time for the holidays.
However, Microsoft also announced the Surface Dial, which is an accessory to the Surface Studio. The device, which is in the shape of a hockey puck, is used to control the different application menus within the AIO desktop. And while it is digital, the haptic engineering in the unit makes it feel like an actual dial.
Ther Surface Dial provides different options based on the system or application that is currently in use. For example, the device on a Word document will provide options for formatting and page setup. On the other hand, a drawing app will rely on the Dial to provide color and brush options.
On the days before the Microsoft event, it was claimed that the Redmond-based company would not release the Surface Book 2, but might revamp the current generation. This is exactly what happened as the audience were able to catch a glimpse of the new Surface Book i7, which improves on the original device but is not exactly considered the next generation.
The new Surface Book i7 comes with a new processor, the Intel i7 chip. Furthermore, it has a better battery life of 16 hours, when the display is connected to the base and 12 hours when it is not. However, it also jumps in price to as much as US$2,399. The new 2-in-1 is already available for pre-order and will start rolling out in November.
Microsoft is steering onto the direction of creatives, but it has remained steadfast to its professional roots. By providing creative and powerful options, the company is starting to appeal to a larger crowd. At this point, it seems that the Redmond-based company will continue developing its creative hand, without forgetting the power of its hardware.
