Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio 2 has upgraded chips and ports

Microsoft recently unveiled its latest high-end convertible laptop, the Surface Laptop Studio 2, at its launch event in New York City. This new device retains the sleek design of its predecessor but introduces powerful features aimed at power-users.

Priced starting at $1,999, the Studio 2 runs on Intel’s 13th Generation i7 H-series chips and is equipped with an Nvidia RTX 4050 or RTX 4060 GPU. Additionally, it boasts the first-ever Intel Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in a Windows computer, promising enhanced performance. Users can also configure the laptop with up to 2TB of storage and 64GB of RAM, making it the most powerful Surface device to date, according to Microsoft.

Connectivity options have also received a significant upgrade in the Studio 2, with two USB-C ports, a USB-A port, a microSD card reader, and the inclusion of the Surface Slim Pen 2. Furthermore, Microsoft has introduced a customizable and responsive haptic touchpad that it claims to be the most inclusive touchpad on any laptop.

The original Surface Laptop Studio received praise from reviewers for its innovative features and elegant design. However, it was criticized for having limited ports, subpar performance for its price point, and short battery life. Microsoft seems to have addressed these concerns head-on with the Studio 2.

While the focus of Microsoft’s recent launch event was on AI and software, including the introduction of Copilot, the company also debuted two new Surface models: the Surface Go 3, designed for lightweight and portable access to AI capabilities, and the more robust Laptop Studio 2, tailored for creators and professionals.

However, Microsoft’s hardware division now faces uncertainty following the departure of Panos Panay, who led both the Windows and Surface teams. Panay was a key driver behind Microsoft’s vision for multi-use devices. Yusuf Mehdi, the new head of Windows and Surface, may introduce different strategies and directions for the company’s hardware division.

Overall, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 appears to be a substantial upgrade over its predecessor, addressing previous concerns and delivering a powerful and versatile device for demanding users. It remains to be seen how Microsoft’s hardware division evolves under new leadership, but the Studio 2 sets a promising precedent for the company’s future devices.