Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Read more: Microsoft's Surface Laptop Studio 2 in Pictures

I have had the Surface Laptop Studio 2 for a couple of days, providing a preliminary hands-on experience. During this time, I have utilized the system for office and productivity tasks, Photoshop editing, video viewing, and even gaming, all with positive results.

Price and configurations

It is important to note that I am using the high-end configuration of the system sent to us by Microsoft for testing. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 starts at a reasonable price of $1,999, equipped with a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Intel Iris Xe graphics.

The configuration being tested here is priced at $3,299, featuring the same CPU, but with 64GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. There are several intermediate configurations available, with prices going up to $3,699 for a similar model offering a 2TB SSD.

Meet Microsoft's New Surface Laptops

CC

Share

Meet Microsoft's New Surface Laptops

Design and hybrid options

All Surface Laptop Studio systems function in the same manner. The screen is horizontally hinged at the halfway point, allowing you to pull the display forward over the keyboard, positioning it just in front of the haptic touchpad. This transforms the system into a 14.4-inch kiosk-style display, boasting a resolution of 2,400x1,600, which is excellent for media consumption and gaming with a gamepad.

Image for article titled Hands-on: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Photo: Dan Ackerman

By pulling the screen further down, it completely covers the keyboard, transforming into a substantial tablet. However, in tablet mode, the screen does not lie entirely flat like a Surface Pro or Lenovo Yoga; instead, it is slightly elevated at the back end, similar to the original Surface Laptop Studio from a couple of years ago. Weighing 4.37 pounds, it is a heavy tablet to carry around, particularly if you intend to hold it with one hand while using Microsoft's Slim Pen 2 stylus for drawing or note-taking with the other.

One aspect of the design that I appreciate is that when this system is in tablet mode, the keyboard is completely covered and out of sight. Unlike hybrid or 2-in-1 laptops with 360-degree folding hinges, where the inactive keyboard becomes the back surface of the tablet, this design avoids tactile and visual distractions, as seen in devices like the Lenovo Yoga.

Image for article titled Hands-on: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Photo: Dan Ackerman

Even when sitting in clamshell mode on a desk, this system is bulky. It sits on top of a small riser, which serves as fan vents and provides ample cooling space, causing the keyboard deck to hover slightly above the desk surface. When closed, the entire system measures almost 22mm in thickness, which exceeds the thickness of a 16-inch MacBook Pro, just shy of 17mm.

Benchmarks and gaming

Here are some initial benchmarks of the system, demonstrating its power in both creativity and productivity. Although the Nvidia 4060 GPU may not be the most potent laptop GPU available, it is more than adequate for running current games, as long as expectations are kept reasonable.

Naturally, I paired Microsoft's latest high-end PC with its latest high-end game, Starfield. By setting the graphics presets to medium and the game's resolution to basic Full HD, I was able to maintain frame rates in the mid-40s for most of the time, resulting in better visuals and smoother gameplay compared to playing the game on an Xbox Series X, where it is capped at 30fps.

Image for article titled Hands-on: Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Photo: Dan Ackerman

In this particular case, I played the game by pulling the display over the keyboard and using an Xbox gamepad connected via Bluetooth, which provided a highly immersive experience. It is worth noting that if you do not use the supplied Microsoft power connection and instead opt for a random USB-C power adapter, you may experience faster battery drain during gaming. Using a modest 45W Lenovo USB-C charger that I had on hand, I managed to play Starfield for approximately two hours before receiving a low battery warning.

MORE FROM GIZMODO

Returned Asteroid Sample Canister Contains Way More Asteroid Than Expected

Your Guide to October's Much-Anticipated 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse

Is Ahsoka Getting a Second Season?

Dish Network Hit With Historic Fine Over Space Debris

We will continue to thoroughly test the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and transform this initial hands-on experience into a comprehensive review with purchasing recommendations in the near future. Some features we will elaborate on include the enhanced haptic trackpad, upgraded webcam, expanded ports, and the inclusion of an NPU (neural processing unit), which should assist with onboard processing for upcoming AI enhancements that Microsoft plans to introduce to its Windows operating system soon.