Surface Studio 2+ is official with Intel 11th-gen chip, NVIDIA RTX graphics, and an eyewatering price tag
Huge performance gains in the same classic design, and still very expensive.
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What you need to know
Microsoft has finally taken the wraps off a new Surface Studio, featuring updated specs in the same classic design introduced with the first Surface Studio back in 2016. The new Surface Studio, officially titled the “Surface Studio 2+,” is an iterative update over theSurface Studio 2that includes a new port layout on the back and more power under the hood.
The new Surface Studio 2+ ships with the Intel Core i7-11370H, the same laptop chip found in theSurface Laptop Studio. This is a massive upgrade over the older Surface Studio 2’s 7th-generation chip, offering up to 50% more performance in the same thermal package.
Microsoft has also updated the GPU, now featuring an RTX 3060 Laptop GPU that provides significant performance gains over the GTX 1070 found in the last Surface Studio. While these updated specs aren’t all that impressive on paper, they are huge upgrades for the Surface Studio line, which puts the Surface Studio 2+ back on top as the “most powerful Surface” after the line lost that title to the Surface Laptop Studio last year.
In addition to more performance, the Surface Studio 2+ also introduces a new port layout around the back of the device. The SD card reader is gone, and in its place are three USB-C ports, all of which supportThunderbolt 4and can output up to three 4K external displays. Sadly, you cannot use the Surface Studio 2+’s display as an external monitor for other PCs.
The Surface Studio 2+ is nowDolby Atmos(3d spatial audio), andDolby Vision(HDR) certified and features updated Studio Mics and a 1080p webcam for improved conference calling. The device is alsoSecured-Core PC certifiedand features a new internal design that allows for more straightforward repairs and replaceable components by trained technicians.
The following components are now replaceable:
The new Surface Studio 2+ will is expected to start shipping in “select markets” on October 25, with an eyewatering price tag of $4,499. Interestingly, Microsoft plans to sell a version without a keyboard, pen, and mouse included, which will go for $4,299 instead.
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Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2+ gets even more powerful this year with Nvidia’s RTX 3060 GPU. The new GPU will make Microsoft’s iconic all-in-one desktop even more appealing to content creators and designers. A mouse, keyboard, and pen are included with your order.
Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch onTwitterandThreads
