Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 release date, price and specs

The Surface Laptop Studio is the latest all-new product in Microsoft’s lineup, although it was announced in September 2021.

This original device replaced the Surface Book line, ditching the detachable screen in favor of a three-position fixed design. You can use it like a regular 14.4-inch laptop, pull the screen forward in “stage mode” or lay it flat in “studio mode.” As mentioned in our full review, each one is really useful, but there’s definitely still room for improvement.

So what can we expect from the upcoming second generation? Here’s everything we know so far.

When will Surface Laptop Studio 2 be released?

With only one generation of Surface Laptop Studio so far, it’s hard to predict when the next one will arrive. However, combining its release date with the Surface Book it replaced may provide some clues:

That suggests we’ll be waiting more than two years between generations, although the first-gen Laptop Studio only arrived 17 months after the Book 3.

It’s possible we’ll see the Laptop Studio 2 in 2023 – if so, look for it at Microsoft’s usual event in September or October. But that could easily be delayed until 2024. Zac Bowden of Windows Central, usually a reliable Surface news source, said in a January 2023 video that recent layoffs at Microsoft could have an effect on the release schedule. of Surface to come.

How much will the Surface Laptop Studio 2 cost?

Pricing is one of the last things to be revealed about a product – you might have to wait for Laptop Studio 2 to launch. But unless there are substantial upgrades, chances are it is almost identical to the original:

• Core i5, 16GB RAM, 256GB storage: $1,599.99/£1,449
• Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage: $1,799.99/£1,649
• Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage: $2,099.99/£1,899
• Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB storage: $2,699.99/£2,477
• Core i7, 32GB RAM, 2TB storage: $3,099.99/£2,879

Despite high inflation rates around the world, the next Laptop Studio may be slightly cheaper. The price is one of the main things that counts against the original, which makes it hard to justify for the average consumer. Bringing this form factor to a wider audience will surely be in Microsoft’s plans.

What will Surface Laptop Studio 2 specs and features be?

There are no concrete spec rumors for the Laptop Studio 2 at this point, suggesting that it will be some time before the device is released. However, we can make some educated guesses.

First, there will almost certainly be new Intel chips. It will be from the new 13^e-gen Raptor Lake if it launches in 2023 – possibly even from the new high-end Core HX series. But if delayed until 2024, 14th Gen Meteor Lake processors are more likely.

It would be a big surprise to see AMD or ARM chips available, but there will likely be a new discrete graphics card. This will likely come from the latest GeForce RTX 40 lineup, but there could also be a successor here by the time the Laptop Studio 2 arrives.

Going by the original, it probably won’t be the most powerful laptop GPU made by Nvidia, but it might not be far off.

The RTX 3050 Ti on the original Laptop Studio is only available with a Core i7 model – it would be nice to see it available with Core i5 rather than higher-end models. Integrated graphics are still likely to make an appearance, although it may be a new version of Intel’s Iris Xe.

Laptop Studio’s design is generally well received, so substantial changes are unlikely here. It will likely still be a 14.4-inch, 3-in-1 device with the same three modes.

Microsoft may choose to upgrade the screen, although the company still seems happy with LCD over OLED. The display already has a high 2400×1600 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate that can dynamically adjust depending on what you’re doing – no upgrades needed.

The same can be said for the impressive 1080p and IR sensor which guarantees excellent video calls and reliable face unlock. But it would be nice to see a separate fingerprint scanner, potentially integrated into the power button.

Considering the thickness of the Laptop Studio, there must be more ports. Adding USB-A and HDMI to the existing USB-C and 3.5mm headphone jack would be great, and ditching the Surface Connect port for USB-C charging might free up space.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

Battery life is already a key strength of the device, but it would be nice to increase the maximum capacity to 58Wh. It also currently takes over two hours to fully charge, which needs to be improved in the next iteration.

As you can see, a few small improvements could make the second-gen Surface Laptop Studio a much more attractive device. But nothing has been confirmed or even rumored at this point – we’ll update this article once more information becomes known.

For an overview of other products likely to launch this year, check out our separate guides to the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6.