Apple and Microsoft unveil hot new hardware
The seasonal autumn hardware refresh is upon us, with technology companies showing off their new PCs as if they were catwalk models. If your office is ready for an update this Autumn, Apple and Microsoft have just the products to tempt every executive and creative.
Microsoft’s new Surface Studio is the first desktop member of the Surface family and offers a 4K 13-million pixel 28-inch touch screen that can be tilted down on a smart hinge for artworking or group collaboration around a table. Inside boasts Intel’s Core i7 processor (a Skylake model, not the new Kaby Lake), Nvidia’s GTX 980m GPU, along with 23GB of memory and 2TB of storage.
Art workers will appreciate the slim design, while the screen offers a 192 ppi display with TrueColor, sRGB and DCIP3 display modes for exacting design standards. Microphones are built in for Cortana voice requests and interaction, with a wireless keyboard and mouse for traditional input. A special dial control can add haptic feedback for very precise scrolling, when dealing with fine detail and it is compatible with Surface Pen. The Surface Studio hits the US in early 2017 and will cost $2,999 but should come to the UK shortly after.
Also on offer for power users is an upgraded Surface Book with improved specifications and a slightly better hinge that makes the devices look more appealing. There was no new-generation Surface Pro, which suggests Microsoft will focus on the more traditional form factor and still no Surface Phone as the company winds down its mobility ambitions.
As discussed recently (https://oswin.com/new-range-macs-unveiled-month/), Apple continues to stretch out its MacBook Pro design, totally replacing the MacBook Air and adding a new customisable touchscreen above the keyboard replacing the function keys. This Touch Bar can show menus, controls, media options, emojis and anything else from an app or Mac OS desktop feature when supported.
While making the new MacBook Pros even thinner and lighter, Apple has managed to cram in an Intel Core i7 processor for faster performance, and there’s also Touch ID built into the power button and a bigger trackpad for greater control over the pointer.
