There's no doubt that the Microsoft Surface Studio is one of the most powerful and one of the most stylish all-in-one computers out there – it's a gorgeous-looking powerhouse of a machine that is enough to tempt any Windows fan who can afford the high asking price.
The question is, what's Microsoft going to do for a follow up? It risks getting left behind if it doesn't refresh the Surface Studio line – Apple has a brand new iMac Pro on the market to tempt users – and here are all the Surface Studio 2 rumours and speculation you need.
- Every Surface computer Microsoft currently sells, ranked
- Microsoft Surface Go tablet breaks cover to combat new Apple iPad threat
Surface Studio 2: release date and price
The original Surface Studio was first unveiled back in October 2016, and two years is a long time in technology. As that two-year anniversary ticks round, the Studio starts to look more and more dated, as impressive a computer as it is.
Could Microsoft be planning another hardware event for this October? We wouldn't bet against it, and the company might use the opportunity to refresh some of the other devices in the Surface line, including the Surface Laptop. Even the devices that aren't really due an upgrade, like the Surface Pro, might get a small specs bump or a different kind of refresh (like new configurations or colours).
There's a good chance a new Surface Studio will be out before the end of the year then, but at what cost? The original computer currently sells for a starting price of a cool £2,999/$2,999, and we'd say it's unlikely that the next generation is going to go much beyond that. This is a serious bit of kit for serious users.
Surface Studio 2: specs and hardware
As impressive as the Surface Studio specs are, they're now starting to look a little on the dated side: one way that Microsoft could refresh the all-in-one is by fitting the latest 8th-generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors inside. The GeForce GTX 965M and GTX 980M GPU options could do with being replaced as well.
RAM currently tops out at 32GB which even in 2018 is still more than enough for even the most demanding users, and it's speedy LPDDR4 RAM at that – better memory chips won't be available this year, so there isn't much room for Microsoft to pack in much of an upgrade here. More local storage would also be welcome.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
The Surface Studio screen currently tops out at a 4,500 x 3,000 pixel resolution – it's one of the reasons why the computer looks as good as it does – but we reckon Microsoft could go even further here and upgrade the screen to a 5K model on the Surface Studio 2 (the iMac Pro manages 5,120 x 2,880 pixels, by the way).
Surface Studio 2: design and build
Most all-in-ones are impressive-looking bits of kit, and the original Surface Studio certainly fits that description, with its sleek lines, subtle colours and hinged design that allows the screen to be laid down almost flat. It's unlikely that the Surface Studio 2 is going to deviate too much from that design template.
Hardware can always be made thinner and more compact of course, which would mean an all-in-one Surface Studio 2 that offers even less of a desktop footprint than the current one. We've seen a few fantastic concepts of what the upgraded hardware might look like, but so far nothing in the way of leaked images, so it's difficult to say with any degree of confidence how the Surface Studio 2 might look.
Even the accessories looked the part with the original Studio and it's difficult to imagine how the design might be improved. We're sure Microsoft is going to come up with some aesthetic tweaks and improvements, but we'll have to wait and see.
Surface Studio 2: features
We've heard rumours that a Surface Studio 2 is on the way, but rumours about what it might actually bring with it are actually pretty thin on the ground. Don't expect Microsoft to revolutionise its approach to the all-in-one computer with anything too innovative.
There might be something Microsoft can do with the ports of the Surface Studio, giving Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C fans something to work with, but in general the message is probably not to mess too much with a winning formula. Once again the Surface Dial should be present and correct, perhaps with a few tweaks of its own.
We're looking forward to whatever Microsoft has got in store, and with signs that the original Surface Studio is running low on stock, we might not have to wait too long to get a look at what's next. As always, we'll bring you all the news here.
Dave has over 20 years' experience in the tech journalism industry, covering hardware and software across mobile, computing, smart home, home entertainment, wearables, gaming and the web – you can find his writing online, in print, and even in the occasional scientific paper, across major tech titles like T3, TechRadar, Gizmodo and Wired. Outside of work, he enjoys long walks in the countryside, skiing down mountains, watching football matches (as long as his team is winning) and keeping up with the latest movies.
-
Can't spend a million on new speakers? Magico's new audiophile option is a lot more affordable
Magico's new S2 speakers promise million-pound sound without costing a million pounds
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Ultenic launches Lite version of its T10 robot vacuum – and it might be better than the original
Ultenic’s T10 Lite has an all-new thin design to clean hard-to-reach areas
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
Microsoft's 5-star Surface with keyboard is Best Buy's killer deal
Best buy it at Best Buy!
By David Nield Published
-
Sonos' premium soundbar just hit its lowest-ever price in 5-star deal
Top-tier sound doesn't have to cost top dollar
By David Nield Published
-
Huge 75in Sony TV is now cheaper than ever in Amazon's Black Friday sale
You can now get a top-quality TV for less, with 100s of dollars off this set
By David Nield Published
-
Improve your Wi-Fi with 5-star Netgear kit – now cheaper than ever
This is one of the most powerful home Wi-Fi setups you can have – and it has hit a new low price on Amazon
By David Nield Published
-
Samsung's fan-favorite earbuds are cheaper than ever on Amazon right now
The Galaxy Buds FE bring with them a superb listening experience at a low price – and that price just got even lower
By David Nield Published
-
Xbox's next free update will be a genuine game-changer
Your Xbox Series X/S game library is about to get interesting
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Insta360 Link 2 review: a dream webcam for power users
A long list of features, a neat design, and crystal clear audio and video
By David Nield Published
-
Creative Sound Blaster GS3 review: a fantastic value speaker for gamers
An audio boost for your gaming – and for your music and movies
By David Nield Published