This week marked the conclusion of support for one of Microsoft’s priciest consumer devices, the Surface Studio 2. As the largest Surface computer to date, it will no longer receive firmware and driver updates.
The Surface Studio 2 was unveiled on October 2, 2018, making it five years old now. While it preserved the dimensions and design of its predecessor, it underwent substantial internal enhancements. The outdated sixth-generation Intel Skylake processors were swapped out for the much more powerful seventh-generation Intel Kaby Lake Core i7-7820HQ and robust GTX 1060/1070 graphics cards. Additionally, Microsoft eliminated the entry-level 8GB model, which many considered inadequate for a device starting at $3,500.
A significant upgrade in the second generation of the Surface Studio was in the storage department. The original model featured an unusual combination of a 1TB or 2TB HDD alongside a 128GB NVMe drive, making it the only Surface device ever shipped with a traditional spinning disk. In contrast, the Surface Studio 2 transitioned to SSD-only configurations, offering 1TB or 2TB storage capacities.
Notably, the Surface Studio 2 is the sole Surface device equipped with a seventh-generation Intel Core processor that officially supports Windows 11.
Regarding pricing, the Surface Studio 2 started at $3,500, with the highest configuration reaching a staggering $4,800. Microsoft has since replaced the Surface Studio 2 with the Studio 2+ model, which comes with only one configuration priced at $4,499.99. Despite its aging hardware, the Studio 2+ is still priced near five grand, raising concerns about its value for money given its impressive design and outstanding display. Many users have long requested a standalone Surface Studio display from Microsoft, but it appears unlikely to materialize.
It’s essential to note that if your Surface Studio 2 is working effectively for your needs, there is no need to dispose of it simply because Microsoft has ceased releasing new firmware updates. Firmware updates differ from software updates, and your Surface Studio 2 will still receive Windows updates and access to new features. In fact, you can officially install Windows 11 version 24H2, which provides numerous valuable features and enhancements.
However, future updates could become incompatible with the Surface Studio 2 due to the absence of specific drivers. Additionally, keep in mind that from this point forward, your device will not receive security patches; its last update included a security fix released this week.
Leave a Reply