It's fair to say that the recent launch of the Surface Studio 2+ was the biggest disappointment of Microsoft's 2022 lineup, which launched in October with the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5. After four years, Microsoft delivered only a modest upgrade, with new internals and little else. In fact, Microsoft actually stepped down from 45W processors to a 35W model, so the upgrade is nowhere near as impressive as it could have been. Plus, the design was essentially unchanged, so it's still nearly identical to the first model.
Because of that, we're more eager than ever to see Microsoft improve this device even further. After all, the Surface Studio is a very unique form factor, and it has a lot of potential. So, if Microsoft wants to make a Surface Studio 3 at some point in the future, we have some ideas for what needs to be done to make it exciting and a truly great product.
More power
One area where the Surface Studio lineup has always fallen short of expectations is performance. Even four years ago, Microsoft launched the Surface Studio 2 with 7th-generation processors when the 8th-generation models were already out. The Surface Studio 2+ not only uses older 11th-generation processors, but it stepped down the power usage to 35W. So instead of 8-core processors, we still have quad-core ones at a time when Intel is making processors with 14 cores and 20 threads for laptops.
The Surface Studio has been on the market for six years and has barely changed.
I understand that the compact size of the Surface Studio's computing unit is part of the appeal, so maybe a desktop processor is too much, but Microsoft needs to, at the very least, go back to 45W models and also step it up to the latest generation available. Remember, Microsoft is asking you to pay $4,500 for a CPU that's already two generations old.
The GPU is one area where Microsoft hasn't cut corners too much, and a GeForce RTX 3060 is acceptable for this kind of machine. Of course, the next generation should step up to an RTX 40 series GPU, and it would be nice to see at least a 4070 option, especially for this price. Of course, newer RAM and more (and faster) storage is also fair to expect. It's just hard to justify the cost of this machine with the specs it currently has. — João Carrasqueira
A full redesign
I disagree with João, a proper 65W processor shouldn't be too much to ask for. We're seeing 55W processors in laptops now, and the core layout is pretty much the same as a desktop 65W chip. And if it's still not enough, redesign the product.
Generation three is the one that they're supposed to get right. In other words, this model is supposed to be the one where Microsoft heard all the feedback from the original design, knows what works, knows what doesn't work, and makes significant adjustments. The Surface Studio has been on the market for six years and has barely changed. But there are some things we know. We know it's very expensive and that it's something very few people buy. We also know that, like the Surface Book, it's a design that few companies have emulated.
Do people want to fold down their desktop screen to write on it? I'm sure some people do. But if Microsoft is going to charge you thousands of extra dollars for the privilege, maybe it needs another desktop PC that's worthy of the Surface name. — Rich Woods.
Slimmer bezels
As much as we can complain about the design of the Surface Studio 2+ being essentially the same as it was six years ago, the truth is this design language still feels incredibly modern, so there isn't a lot we could change. The Surface Studio 2+ looks great, and it's a very sleek machine with plenty of versatility thanks to that zero-gravity hinge.
There is one exception to that, and that's the bezels. I'm not one to ask for bezel-less displays for no reason, but considering you're not holding this screen in your hands, the borders around the Surface Studio 2 Plus display are huge. There's no need for them to be this big, and you could probably turn it into a 32-inch display without making the overall enclosure that much bigger.
The device could become that much smaller and keep the same display size. This would go a long way in making the Surface Studio 3 feel even more modern, and it could truly turn some heads. — João Carrasqueira.
An Arm processor
We're about six years into Windows on Arm, but the PCs that pack Qualcomm processors haven't been anything to write home about just yet. There's a lot of promise, and there have definitely been some cool devices. Windows on Arm is expected to arrive in all its glory in 2024, thanks to Qualcomm's Oryon cores. This is what CEO Cristiano Amon has been promising will let Windows on Arm compete with Apple's custom silicon.
It would also be nice to see it compete not just with the ultra-thin laptops that normally have 15W Intel processors. That's the space where Qualcomm currently plays. It's time to compete in products you'd expect to have a 65W processor or even something more powerful. Look at what Apple is doing with Arm, in its iMac, Mac Mini, and Mac Studio. It would be nice to see powerful, high-end hardware like the Surface Studio 3 be powered by a custom Arm chip made by Qualcomm. — Rich Woods.
Different colors
When you think of different colored all-in-one desktop PCs, you're going to think of, well, Apple. And yes, the jokes about Surface and 'Apple envy' are there, but I really do look to the brand for things that are premium and new in the Windows market. Give me colorful all-in-one PCs! I reviewed that 24-inch iMac and it's beautiful, aside from the fact that the prettiest aspect is the part that faces the wall.
Microsoft is experimenting with colors across the board now. It started with the Surface Laptop and the bold colors it introduced at the time. But now, we even have the Surface Pro 9 in various colors. Let's see it on the desktop. — Rich Woods
Allow plugging in other devices to use it as a display
The best part of the Surface Studio 2+ is the amazing display. The 4500 x 3000 resolution touch display packs a lot of pixels to play with, along with the unique ability to tilt it down to your desk. What would be even cooler is if it was possible to plug a laptop into that display to make even more use of all those pixels. I'd love to see an HDMI or Thunderbolt 4 port, allowing you to pair up and plug in another device when you don't want to use it as a PC. HP has done this with the Envy 32 All-in-One PC, so I don't see why Microsoft can't consider the same. — Arif Bacchus
A 120Hz display
This one is a no-brainer. The Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop Studio already come with 120Hz displays, and this being a premium product, the Surface Studio 2+ should too. Being a desktop, it's not a battery life concern either. A higher refresh rate means you'll see smoother animations, and overall, it's just a more pleasant user experience. — Rich Woods
And those are all our wishes for the Surface Studio 3, should it ever come to fruition. It's somewhat hard to predict when it might happen, especially considering even the Surface Studio 2+ came out of left field. Microsoft had been silent for four years, and most assumed the lineup was finished. Whether Microsoft intends to keep it alive in the years to come is still anyone's guess. But if it does happen, these changes will go a long way in making it more appealing.
If you're curious about our other expectations, check out our Surface Pro 10 wish list, where we discuss some improvements that can be made to Microsoft's flagship tablet. Otherwise, if you're looking to buy a new Surface, check out the best Surface PCs you can buy today.