Microsoft has formally discontinued the Surface Studio all-in-one desktop.
This expensive $4,300 touchscreen PC was updated twice in eight years and won’t have a follow-up.
The standout feature of the desktop was its unique hinge design that allowed the screen to be repositioned for easier drawing using the Surface Pen.
The first Surface Studio, launched in late 2016, was Microsoft’s first desktop PC. It had a high-quality screen and a unique hinge but got criticisms for its high price and outdated components.
These outdated internal components along with the high price perhaps made it less appealing.
The Surface Studio 2, released in 2018, lasted the longest and was updated to the Surface Studio 2+ in late 2022.
Despite having a better display, it still used old components. Microsoft had to lower Windows 11’s requirements to support it since it was still selling this model.
The Surface Studio 2+ improved by updating to newer GPUs and CPUs but still didn’t use the latest parts available.
More frequent updates, like those for the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, could have made it more competitive.
The Surface Studio’s unique screen and hinge design attracted some artists. However, its high price and specs made it a tough sell for others, leading to mediocre sales and ultimately, discontinuation.