Microsoft introduced the Floor Computer Studio to start with of 2022 as successor to the Floor Guide. Due to its folding mechanism the multimedia pc can be utilized as a typical pc or a pill, and there’s even a distinct presentation mode. The most important factor of the 1st era was once the slightly gradual quad-core processor from Intel. Microsoft fastened that for the second one era and now makes use of the Raptor Lake Core i7-13700H CPU blended with trendy Nvidia GPUs the entire manner as much as the pro RTX 2000 ADA. The producer additionally features a devoted AI chip, which is meant to boost up new Home windows purposes just like the Copilot.
The brand new Floor Computer Studio 2 begins at $1999 with the Core i7-13700H, 16 GB RAM in addition to a 512 GB SSD, however no Nvidia GPU. Our evaluate unit is the model with the GeForce RTX 4060, which is routinely blended with a 1 TB SSD in addition to 64 GB RAM for $3299. The present fashions are beautiful restricted with regards to SSD and RAM capability. The next desk presentations the to be had fashions at this time:
In step with Microsoft, the software is essentially focused at content material creators, however this will also be stated about many fashions within the 14-inch section which are labeled as multimedia or gaming laptops. The latter continuously be offering quicker parts together with excellent displays (OLED, Mini-LED).
The chassis design didn’t trade in comparison to the first-generation Floor Computer Studio. The bottom unit is composed of 2 ranges and the higher deck with the keyboard is wider on each side, so the software seems sleeker than it in truth is with 15 mm. Microsoft makes use of anodized aluminum and each the steadiness in addition to the construct high quality are very good. The show bezels are nonetheless very large at ~1 cm, which doesn’t seem very trendy.
The spotlight continues to be the foldable show with a secondary hinge behind the display screen. Along with the common pc use, you’ll be able to put the show at the base unit with a slight attitude, which will also be helpful for contact inputs. It is usually imaginable to make use of it as a typical pill, however there are dealing with problems just like the top weight and the pointy edges of the bottom unit. There may be every other mode the place the show is put at the space between the clickpad and the keyboard. The clickpad continues to be obtainable and you’ll be able to clearly nonetheless use the touchscreen. This mode is most fitted for media playback or gaming with a gamepad.
One of the vital largest problems with the chassis continues to be the loss of repairs choices for customers. There are not any visual screws (they’re hidden beneath the glued rubber toes), which you can not even blank the fanatics or improve the M.2-2280 SSD. RAM and different parts are soldered.
The Floor Computer Studio 2 is one of the greatest units inside of our comparability crew, even if the variations with regards to footprint aren’t massive. On the other hand, the evaluate unit may be the thickest software right here and that is noticeable. It is usually a lot heavier than the competitors at 2 kg sharp. The brand new 127W PSU with the Floor connector guidelines the dimensions at round 450 grams.
The port state of affairs was once certainly one of our criticisms at the first-gen Floor Computer Studio and it kind of feels like Microsoft listened. Along with the USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 in addition to the Floor Attach port, consumers now additionally get a typical USB-A port in addition to a microSD-card reader. We nonetheless suppose the Floor Attach port is just a little bulky, however Microsoft is no less than sticking to it and continues to provide equipment.
The proper facet now comprises a microSD-card reader with a spring mechanism. Inserted playing cards best protrude rather, so you’ll want to depart the cardboard inserted for longer classes. Mixed with our reference card (Angelbird AV Professional V60) we measure top switch charges of 190 MB/s.
Microsoft makes use of a contemporary Wi-Fi 6E module from Intel (AX210), which additionally helps trendy 6 GHz networks in addition to Bluetooth 5.3. The switch charges are excellent, however may well be even higher with regards to sending knowledge. On the other hand, this isn’t truly noticeable in observe.
The standard of the 1080p webcam is first rate in excellent lighting fixtures stipulations, however the Floor Professional fashions are quipped with significantly better cameras. Microsoft now makes use of a wide-angle lens, which ends up in heavy distortions whilst you get to with regards to the lens (see take a look at chart image under). The digital camera helps studio results like cushy center of attention, automated framing and eye touch, which goes smartly. You’ll be able to additionally use facial reputation by way of Home windows Hi because of an IR module.
The keyboard is unchanged from the former style. The keys are darkish gray and simple to peer and there may be a three-stage background illumination for darker environments, even if it can’t routinely be grew to become on by way of sensor. The keyboard itself provides a relaxed typing revel in with enough go back and forth, so longer texts are not any drawback.
Very similar to Apple’s MacBooks, the Floor Computer Studio 2 makes use of a so-called Precision Haptic Touchpad, which means that there are not any movable portions. As an alternative, the comments whilst clicking is supplied via vibration. This implies the clicking revel in is all the time equivalent all over the place at the pad, however you’ll be able to additionally deactivate the haptic comments in the event you like it. We had no problems with the pad in any respect and the occasional sensitivity problems we skilled with the first-gen style have been no drawback right here.
This time we had the danger to the Narrow Pen 2 as smartly (non-compulsory accent for ~$100), which is hooked up magnetically on the entrance of the chassis. The pen helps haptic comments in suitable apps (like Whiteboard or Magazine). The tougher you press the pen onto the touchscreen, the more potent the vibration and subsequently the perceptible resistance. In case you best flow it gently around the floor, then again, there is not any haptic comments. All in all, the pen inputs paintings really well and we had no problems with unsuitable inputs, even all the way through extra complete notes. The capacitive touchscreen additionally works truly smartly.
The 14.4-inch display screen didn’t trade. It nonetheless provides the 2400 x 1600 solution with a three:2 facet ratio in addition to an excessively shiny floor, which will also be a subject indoors. The subjective image high quality is superb with very sharp contents and wealthy colours. Due to the upper frequency of 120 Hz, actions are very clean and there are not any primary problems with ghosting, even if the reaction instances are beautiful gradual.
Microsoft advertises a brightness of 500 nits for SDR contents and our personal measurements verify that (as much as 529 nits & 503 nits on moderate). The black worth is beautiful low at 0.26, which ends up in a very good most distinction ratio of virtually 2000:1.
The height brightness in HDR mode is rated at 650 nits and this habits is not unusual for OLED and Mini-LED panels, however it’s beautiful odd for IPS displays. We measured as much as 647 nits and will verify the declare. Simplest the Mini-LED display screen of the Apple MacBook Professional 14 (as much as 1600 nits) has a vital benefit on this recognize. The HDR implementation of Home windows continues to be a subject because it must be activated manually (which ends up in a black display screen for a 2nd) and the colour control does now not paintings correctly, both. Apple’s implementation in macOS is simply awesome.
Microsoft ships the Floor Computer Studio 2 with two colour profiles for SDR contents: Bright and sRGB. The Bright profile is lively via default and the colours are just a little oversaturated, however the accuracy continues to be k. We checked each profiles with the pro CalMAN tool and the sRGB profile is very smartly calibrated with none colour deviations. If you wish to edit footage or movies, you must indubitably choose the sRGB profile. On the other hand, this brings us to one of the most largest problems, for the reason that display screen best covers the small sRGB gamut, which is a reasonably large downside making an allowance for the fee. By means of the way in which, we weren’t in a position to beef up the colour accuracy even additional with our personal calibration, so we don’t be offering a profile at this level.
The PWM habits modified in comparison to ultimate yr’s style and we will now measure flickering at complete brightness. On the other hand, the frequency could be very top at 17 kHz, so there must now not be any problems.
The brightness is excellent, however you need to steer clear of reflections at the shiny touchscreen when you need to make use of it outside. The viewing attitude steadiness of the IPS display screen is excellent.
As in line with same old for Microsoft units, you best get the Home windows energy profiles, however they have got other names in comparison to different Home windows units. Customers can make a choice from Really helpful, Higher Efficiency in addition to Best possible Efficiency. We indexed the corresponding TDP/TGP values within the following desk. Our measurements and benchmarks have been carried out with the profile Best possible Efficiency, however you’ll be able to simply use the Really helpful profile for on a regular basis duties.
Microsoft changed the Tiger Lake processor Core i7-11370H (4 cores) via the present Raptor Lake Core i7-13700H, which makes use of a hybrid structure with six functionality and 8 potency cores, so it could possibly execute as much as 20 threads concurrently. The 45W processor can eat as much as 82 Watts for a temporary duration after which ranges off at 52 Watts.
The benefit over the outdated Floor Computer Studio is very large (+150% in multi-core exams) and the single-core functionality may be excellent, however the chip can’t care for the functionality for terribly lengthy as observed in our Cinebench R15 Multi loop. It even drops to the extent of the Apple M2 Professional (the place Cinebench R15 is emulated, which prices functionality). Competition with AMD processor be offering higher and extra solid functionality figures.
The functionality drops even additional on battery energy because the intake is restricted to 55/40 Watts. This doesn’t impact the single-core functionality, however the multi-core functionality is round 18 % decrease. Extra CPU benchmarks are to be had in our tech segment.
The Floor Computer Studio 2 is an excessively responsive software, however that is hardly ever a wonder making an allowance for the robust parts. It additionally plays smartly within the artificial benchmarks and we didn’t realize any problems all the way through our evaluate duration.
Our standardized latency take a look at (internet surfing, 4K YouTube playback, CPU load) presentations huge boundaries for the evaluate unit with the present BIOS model if you wish to use real-time audio programs.
Microsoft makes use of M.2-2280 PCIe-4.0 SSDs for the Floor Computer Studio 2. Our unit is supplied with the 1 TB model of the Kioxia XG8, which leaves a excellent affect with switch charges of as much as 7 GB/s. The functionality may be solid all the way through longer workloads. You’ll be able to use 863 GB to your personal apps and information after the preliminary set-up. Extra SSD benchmarks are indexed right here.
Mild workloads are treated via the built-in Iris Xe Graphics G7 of the processor, however the device routinely switches to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Computer for extra tough apps like video games. The graphics switching is treated via the usual Optimus generation, which is okay for a multimedia pc. It’s the 80W variant (together with 20W Dynamic Spice up from the CPU) of the RTX 4060 pc and the functionality is way upper in comparison to the outdated GeForce RTX 3050 Ti from the first-gen Studio. The RTX 4060 may be 18 % quicker than the M2 Professional GPU of the MacBook Professional 14 within the WildLife Excessive Limitless take a look at.
You must know, then again, that this isn’t the quickest RTX 4060 Computer and the Legion Narrow 5 14 is round 12 % quicker within the Time Secret agent take a look at. The GPU functionality isn’t stable, both, and drops from 80 to simply 68 Watts after a few mins. The corresponding Time Secret agent tension take a look at is subsequently now not handed at 72.9 %. The battery functionality is restricted to 40 Watts, which ends up in a functionality deficit of ~20 %. Extra GPU benchmarks are to be had in our tech segment.
The gaming functionality is as soon as once more significantly better in comparison to the outdated RTX 3050 Ti (50% quicker in our default gaming exams), however the direct competition are most often quicker. Our Witcher 3 loop additionally presentations that the GPU functionality isn’t solid and the TGP of 80 Watts can’t be maintained. It drops under 70 Watts after a couple of mins, which may be obviously visual within the knowledge graphs. Total, you’ll be able to nonetheless play trendy video games with the easiest settings in 1080p. Extra gaming benchmarks are indexed right here.
Like the former style, the brand new Floor Computer Studio is most often silent in gentle workloads, no less than with regards to fan noise. Our take a look at unit suffered from virtually consistent digital sounds (crackling). The fanatics are audible in no time while you begin to tension the CPU and in particular the GPU and the full fan noise is louder in comparison to the outdated style. We measured virtually 52 dB(A) all the way through gaming and our tension take a look at, which isn’t nice making an allowance for the common functionality numbers. The 2 extra environment friendly profiles are quieter at as much as 41.4 and 42.8 dB(A), respectively. We additionally spotted coil whining in some video games.
Our temperature measurements expose the problem of the cooling resolution. The whole thing is okay all the way through gentle workloads, however the palm relaxation space briefly warms up below load because the fanatics are positioned on the entrance of the bottom unit. We already know this habits from the outdated style, however the temperatures at the Floor Computer Studio 2 are upper. We measured round 40 °C at the palm relaxation space, which is instantly uncomfortable together with the steel surfaces. It does now not truly lend a hand that the remainder of the chassis remains cooler. The placement of the fan exhausts on the entrance space of the 2 facets is every other drawback, particularly whilst you use an exterior mouse.
Our tension take a look at with blended CPU/GPU load presentations that the CPU functionality drops considerably after a couple of mins and ranges off at simply 23 Watts. The GPU is appreciated via the device with a intake of round 58 Watts.
The audio system are just a little worse in comparison to ultimate yr’s style consistent with our audio research. The utmost quantity is rather weaker and the bass isn’t as robust. Opponents just like the Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i 14 and Apple MacBook Professional 14 have a slight benefit, however you’re going to hardly ever be disillusioned via the sound device with out an immediate comparability.
Our intake measurements don’t expose any surprises and the idle values are just about on par with the predecessor. We realize the extra robust parts below load with a temporary most intake of 128 Watts, but it surely briefly ranges off at round 110 Watts. The integrated 127W energy adapter is subsequently enough. It additionally provides an extra USB-A port to rate equipment like smartphones.
Microsoft makes use of the similar 58 Wh battery like at the earlier style, which means that it’s the smallest battery inside of our comparability crew. In case you exclude the MacBook Professional 14, the effects are nonetheless aggressive. Our video take a look at at 150 nits (62 % of the utmost SDR brightness) runs for 11:15 hours and the Wi-Fi take a look at for 8:18 hours, that are excellent effects. The Wi-Fi take a look at at most SDR brightness runs for just about 6 hours (all exams with 120 Hz). A complete recharge takes 126 mins when the software is grew to become on; 80 % of the capability are able after 65 mins.
We can carry out further battery exams (HDR & 60 Hz) over the following couple of days and upload the effects later.
Microsoft has got rid of two giant issues we had with the unique Floor Computer Studio, and the second one era will get further ports (USB-A and a quick card reader) in addition to a present processor. The graphics card was once up to date as smartly and the functionality is first rate for a multimedia pc. On the other hand, the larger functionality is a large problem for the cooling thought with the fanatics on the entrance of the bottom unit. The palm relaxation space will get uncomfortably heat and the new air is dissipated ate the entrance space of the edges, which is a matter whilst you use a mouse. There also are slight digital noises just about always, which is anxious.
The development with the 2 ranges of the bottom unit additionally has the downside that it’s slightly cumbersome and now not very relaxed when you need to make use of it as a pill. The chassis high quality itself, then again, is superb and the folding mechanism of the show additionally leaves a excellent affect. The show itself is excellent with correct colours, however it is rather shiny and best covers the small sRGB colour gamut, which is sudden at this charge level.
Microsoft ships the brand new Floor Computer Studio 2 with extra ports and quicker parts, however the cooling resolution has reached its limits. There are nonetheless no repairs choices and the costs are very top.
The Floor Computer Studio 2 nonetheless provides an enchanting thought, however the price-performance ratio isn’t excellent. We additionally don’t perceive why Microsoft best provides a restricted collection of fashions and customers must get 64 GB RAM when they would like the speedier RTX 4060 Computer GPU. There are as soon as once more no repairs choices (you can not even open the chassis) and upgrades aren’t imaginable.
Taking a look on the competitors, we doubt the brand new Floor Computer Studio 2 will likely be very a hit. Apple’s MacBook Professional 14 does now not have a touchscreen or USB-A, however the device is quitter, the battery lasts for much longer and the show is awesome, particularly with regards to HDR. And you’ll be able to blank the fanatics. A fascinating Home windows choice with a focal point on contact inputs is the Asus Zenbook Professional Duo. The Lenovo Yoga Professional 9i 14 may be a greater choice total and in the event you would not have an issue with a gaming device, you’re going to get the Lenovo Legion Narrow 5 14 with extra functionality and an OLED Panel for now not even part the fee.
You’ll be able to order the brand new Floor Computer Studio 2 immediately from Microsoft beginning at $1999. Our evaluate configuration with the RTX 4060 Computer is to be had for $3299 at BestBuy.
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