Surface Studio Archives

Winsage

February 20, 2025

The Surface you know and love (or hate) is dead — Microsoft’s Windows hardware enters a new era

The Surface division at Microsoft has experienced significant internal changes over the past 18 months, including the departure of Panos Panay and new leadership. This has led to a strategic refocusing of the Surface portfolio, moving away from experimental hardware designs to more conventional offerings aimed at a broader audience. The company has discontinued extravagant devices like the Surface Studio and Surface Duo, favoring products that resonate with business customers and general consumers. Last year, Microsoft introduced AI-powered Windows computers known as Copilot+ PCs, which emphasize continuity and refinement of established designs rather than radical innovations. The Copilot+ PC initiative has allowed Windows on Arm to demonstrate its viability, with Snapdragon chips competing effectively in the Windows ecosystem. Surface continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Windows ecosystem, but with a more cautious approach that prioritizes ecosystem health over creating new markets. Future form factor experimentation will likely be delegated to OEM partners, while Microsoft focuses on transitioning users to Windows 11 and promoting Copilot+ PCs. Stakeholders can expect a steady stream of sensible Surface devices and incremental updates in the near future.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

The latest Windows 11 update did not end support for older Intel chips. Here’s the source of the confusion.

Windows 11 has stringent minimum requirements, leaving many PCs unable to upgrade. A Microsoft support document caused confusion by excluding several Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen processors, leading to speculation about their support status. However, there are no new devices being produced with processors older than Intel's 11th Generation, so the changes are unlikely to affect many users. Even if a PC has an unsupported processor, it may still upgrade to Windows 11 if it meets other minimum requirements. The document is intended for OEMs to determine which processors can be used in new devices and does not impact existing Windows support for consumers. The list of Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th Gen chips eligible for upgrading remains unchanged, and devices must comply with all minimum requirements, including TPM 2.0. Recent updates were misreported, primarily affecting OEMs without requiring significant changes to their strategies.

Winsage

February 4, 2025

Why users still couldn’t care less about Windows 11

Users are hesitant to adopt Windows 11, with some comparing its promotion to selling sand at a beach. Although there was a slight increase in Windows 11's market share last month, the transition is not smooth. Windows 11 has strict hardware compatibility requirements, including a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2 and modern CPU, which frustrated many users at launch. Microsoft added the Surface Studio 2’s Intel Core i7-7820HQ to the compatibility list to address some concerns. As older computers become less common, finding incompatible PCs is becoming rare, yet Windows 10 still dominates the market. The impending end of support for Windows 10 is one of the few reasons users might consider upgrading, but many features in Windows 11 are already available in Windows 10. Organizations question the need to upgrade due to missing features and functionality complaints in Windows 11. Microsoft announced that support for most versions of Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. The lack of standout features in Windows 11 makes users reluctant to upgrade, despite hardware vendors shifting focus to AI PCs. Historical transitions between Windows versions were driven by compelling reasons, but the case for Windows 11 lacks persuasive incentives. IT departments may feel pressured to upgrade due to support expiration, but motivation must go beyond compliance. Microsoft needs to offer more than basic features to encourage adoption of Windows 11 and future AI PCs.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft’s wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2024

In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.

Winsage

December 7, 2024

The Surface Studio is dead? — Microsoft ends production on $4,500 Surface Studio 2+ as stock dwindles

Microsoft has officially concluded production of the Surface Studio 2+, its all-in-one desktop PC for creative professionals and commercial users, with no plans to replenish stock. The Surface Studio 2+ had a starting price of ,500 and was known for its touchscreen display and innovative hinge design. The discontinuation aligns with Microsoft's strategy to streamline its Surface offerings in 2023, which also included the Surface Duo 3 and Surface Earbuds 2. There are no immediate plans for a successor, as rumors suggest a potential Surface Studio 3 was shelved. The Surface Studio series targeted a specialized audience and faced challenges due to its high price and last-generation specifications. Microsoft's current focus is shifting towards more mainstream products, with anticipated updates for the Surface Pro, Laptop, Laptop Go, and Laptop Studio expected in 2025.