Microsoft Surface Studio 2 (2018)

Creative folk will love the Microsoft Surface Studio 2, due in part to the fact you’re better able to zoom in, rotate and alter your work from every possible angle. The colour fidelity promised by the sRGB mode should also be a real plus. But that...

Brighter display ; Higher contrast ratio ; PCIe SSDs ; Big performance improvements

Still pricey ; Arguably dated parts inside

Still the most robust digital drafting table around, Surface Studio 2 wasn’t meant to compare well against most computers. For the digital artist or other visually-focused content creators, Surface Studio 2 will be the one to beat – dated parts and all.

All-in-one capabilities ; Tilt screen ; Upgraded performance

Pen lacks sensitivity in comparison to other models ; No option to upgrade

As an all-in-one drafting table, creative centre and home PC, the Surface Studio 2 ticks all the boxes. For digital creatives in particular, it is one workstation that's going to be hard to beat.

Better GPU options than before ; Screen is still gorgeous ; Its unique screen hinge is still unmatched ; Faster storage

CPU could be more modern ; No GTX 1080 ; No Thunderbolt 3 for external GPUs

So is the Surface Studio 2 worth it? For a certain type of creative consumer, one who demands a flexible display and powerful hardware, it could be. But at the very least, it's an easier sell than before.

Exceptional design, build quality, The best screen we’ve ever tested, Great graphics performance, Super-fast SSD, Starts at 16GB of RAM

Overpriced for an older processor, Niche appeal

The Surface Studio 2 is meant for a very specific group of people, namely creative professionals who’ve been dissuaded by Apple’s recent moves. Though it looks the same on the outside, the updated components and display make for a much-improved overall...

Elegant all-in-one digital creation solution. Snappy performance. Super-thin, spectacular display that reclines. Accurate touch input for art/design work. USB-C support. Bundled Surface Pen.

Expensive. CPU could be beefier, considering separated base. Video out via USB-C, not a dedicated port.

Microsoft's Surface Studio 2 is a beautiful, pricey all-in-one desktop for artists, content creators, and professionals wedded to pen input. It packs components peppier than the original's, and a downright stunning screen.

Gorgeous, bright high-resolution display, Fast performance, Can run modern AAA games with ease, Compact footprint with built-in support for pen input

Has a generation-old laptop processor, High price tag, No Thunderbolt 3 support, Limited upgradeability options

But overall, it’s really hard to not instantly want a Surface Studio 2 from the first time you sit down in front of it. It’s a visually stunning, highly capable desktop computer with a versatility you won’t find anywhere else. I can use it to write,...

Do you need the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 for your day-to-day work? Probably not, unless you’re a serious multimedia professional. Even then, you’ll have to make a critical choice between the Mac and Windows ecosystem, and for some people, that’s a...