The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the most versatile professional notebook computer I’ve ever used. After using this device for only a relatively short
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the most versatile professional notebook computer I’ve ever used. After using this device for only a relatively short period of time, it’s clear that Microsoft made peace with the idea that they could, and would, create a multi-tiered laptop machine with a transforming body that remained elegant as it performed all tasks. Now, if this machine continues to perform well after we’ve used it in work mode for a few more weeks, we’ll have a real winner on our hands. This notebook computer is significantly thicker than most Surface devices. It’s effectively two-tiered, with a top level that looks the same as your average Surface notebook, with flat top and bottom and flat edges. Then there’s a second tier that’s effectively the same thickness as the first, but pulled back a bit, making the top tier appear to float above the surface upon which it rests. The bottom tier has a row of openings on the left and the right, allowing plenty of space for airflow and audio output. Fans are situated forward left and forward right, and air is pushed out to the left and the right of the wrist area (to the left and right of the touchpad). The keyboard is bouncy, tight, and responsive. The keyboard is very similar to what you’ll find on devices like the Surface Laptop, but here Microsoft’s given the keys just a bit more of a kick. The touchpad on this notebook is among the best I’ve ever used. It DID take a little getting used to, since the majority of the highest quality touchpads I’ve used in the past have had a significant amount of give to them – more of a CLICK. This one barely moves – it works more like you’d expect a touchscreen to work, with optional touchpad feedback. This touchpad has an option in Touchpad Settings for Touchpad feedback. The Intensity of said feedback can be 0-25-50-75- to 100 percent. Once the feedback is set to 100, the sensation feels just like the moving click I’ve come to expect. This touchpad delivers said feedback anywhere – central to the point at which it was touched. Some transforming or multi-mode notebooks released over the past few years have gone all-out, suggesting they’re optimized for all angles, flipping backward and upside-down and going all tent-mode and whatnot. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has three very distinct modes. The Laptop Mode is the traditional mode – the screen sits back and you might never notice there’s another option for use if you didn’t know the model. Stage mode has you flip the display up and out, so it’s sort of sitting at an angle, propped up just above the touchpad (over the keyboard). The third mode is “Studio Mode” – effectively making the machine a tablet. There is one point at which this machine sits comfortably for Stage Mode. You can potentially set the device at other angles, but it is at this point (just between the touchpad and the keyboard) that magnets in the two parts meet, and the display is held firmly in place.
