Microsoft Surface Studio is on show at Autodesk University event in Las Vegas this week, following its launch last month.
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Microsoft targets architects and designers with Surface Studio
Microsoft Surface Studio is on show at Autodesk University event in Las Vegas this week, following its launch last month.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I think this is a really cool and smart progression of the touch-screen computer. I have been skeptical of how useful touch-screen laptops are (I still prefer using a mouse and have not really caught-on to the use of touch screens on larger devices).
I think that as technical and artistic design fields have moved their processes to be more computer-based, they have lost the hands-on feel that many practitioners started with. Introducing products that allow tactile-skills to be utilized in technical processes is not only helpful for productivity but likely makes the process more fulfilling for the user. While technical applications of hand-skills on a touch screen are not the exact same, I think it is a good middle-ground. For a couple years, drawing tablets have been a common external tool used by artists working in programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. What always puzzled me about these devices was the disconnect between your stylus and the image your stylus created (the drawing surface is removed from the drawing). I think this creates an odd, disconnected feeling for the user, so combining the drawing surface with the screen largely solves this problem. I look forward to the continued advancement of touch-screen technology as drawing capabilities become more realistic.
I certainly agree that Mac is taking a giant leap backwards in the development of their tools. I think this is an interesting idea because I can't imagine drafting on a device like this. Does Vectorworks or AutoCAD even support digital drafting with a touch screen? (I guess mimicking mouse clicks still works, but I could imagine that they could be it more user friendly and intuitive for tablet users if they wanted to). I've found Mac to be very disappointing recently, with their latest mac, completely alienating the idea of normal standard ports on a mac computer and requiring a "dongle" be plugged into every port no matter what device you want to use (even charging). The idea of this is absolutely disgusting to me. Not because it means I have to spend more money (that's just capitalism (amen)) it is because I have another thing that I actually need to carry around on my person or in my bag instead of just being able to directly use the device.
I think targeting architects and designers is a great idea for Microsoft. Though apple does have the IPad and you can use a pencil on it, it’s more of a side thought. Microsoft has a space to come in the tablet and laptop world for designers. I would have to see the product in action to know if I think it would work for me personally. If I saw someone using the device in either the computer or tablet form, I would be interested to watch them work. The versatility of the device is extremely appealing. It has three heights, and ways to connect drawing to 3D modeling. I wonder how the drawing pen feels and how long it takes to use it effectively. Also, this allows designers not to need as many things in there bag as they travel. I wonder how Microsoft is going to market this product. Are they trying anything particular to go after designers or are they hoping word of mouth travels.
Microsoft is really killing it with their Surface platform recently. The surface pro, in itself, has been massively successful, and honestly has surpassed the iPad in terms of usefulness and versatility, as it really is a mini computer running Windows. Now, what with the release of this bad boy, the surface studio, I really think that Apple is on the way out if they do not somehow turn themselves around. Already, their lack of a laptop with touch screen puts them behind every single laptop manufacturer right now, while their new MacBook Pro is laughably no longer "Pro", having taken out many of the necessary features like the SD card reader in Apples never ending quest to get thinner. The iPad Pro can no longer compare either, simply due to the closeness of iOS and the need to use apps, whereas the Surface Studio is really just running Windows 10 and can therefore use professional programs. If nothing changes, we're going to see a lot of designers moving platform.
It was only last week that I was writing a comment about how Microsoft is trying to have their line of surface products become a norm for architects and designers. This is the first time that I’ve seen the Surface Studio but it looks like a pretty powerful and versatile machine. The bigger screen is definitely a plus for most designers and it looks like Photoshop has created a platform that works seamlessly with a touchscreen. This is the first readily available desktop with a touchscreen of this size. When HP first came out with the desktop with a touch screen onboard I don’t think it got the traction they expected. The software just wasn’t ready for this level of hardware making it very hard to use. Now that software developers see this trend becoming a norm more and more companies are including digitizers on the screens making the user experience much more interactive. A $3,000-dollar price point is quite steep but if this product can do all that they say I would have no problem shelling out the cash.
I’m very excited about the surface studio, it is a cool concept that looks like it is executed in an astonishingly well designed package. It is one of the only all in one computers I have seen other than the I-mac that impressed me. This blows the I-mac, a favorite for creative professionals, out of the water. Unfortunately, a combination of price point and IO means it’s probably not the computer for me. I would consider myself a pretty big power user in a few fields and as such I use my computer a lot. I currently have 7 USB devices for my desktop without the tracing backlight, drawing tablet, or even phone charger I often have installed. The surface studio isn’t quite at that level of flexibility and so I’ll stick with a desktop for now. If they make a monitor that uses this same hinge and screen however. I’ll be all over that for a long time to come.
Post a Comment