Drawing on the Surface Laptop Studio Review

[@papermelon]

Nice to finally see an artist review this. Every other tech reviewer so far has been like “seems cool but idk why I’d use this in canvas or tent mode” when it’s clearly not for them.

[@paranoidpanzerpenguin5262]

Lisa from mobiletechreview took a quick look at the pen and said it was a huge improvement.

[@elizabethmadrid405]

Ive been looking for a new laptop/tablet for drawing(most drawing tbh), light (like minecraft for when im bored) gaming, and schoolwork (the apps ive had to use for school are a lot to day the least), after debating between the Surface Pro and Huion Studio 16...but this? This is perfect. Exactly what im looking for AND more. Thank you for your surface mans, youre the only i trust to reviwe something for artist

[@bona183]

this device is what I've been looking for, a laptop with a great display tablet. now what I need is a lot of money.

[@hash377]

lol 😂

[@gormauslander]

I'm waiting for anyone to explain why this is better than the Acer ezel that he reviewed earlier. It seems to be equal except price.

[@aunix_angel]

I agree 🙏

[@matthewpernell7934]

The pen with the haptic feedback is what interest me the most. I can’t see myself switching from iPad Pro but a pen with haptic would be amazing.

[@johnlabry325]

Hey Mathew. What tablet would you recommend?There are so many options. Not sure what to get.

[@matthewpernell7934]

@@johnlabry325 I really love my iPad Pro as a drawing device. I came from a surface pro 3 which was good but the Apple Pencil was leagues better. The only downside is not getting full photoshop or illustrator if you use those. Other wise is still recommend iPad Pro

[@johnlabry325]

@@matthewpernell7934 what size pro do you recommend?

[@matthewpernell7934]

@@johnlabry325 for drawing 12.9

[@johnlabry325]

@@matthewpernell7934 thanks

[@JoshMarshain]

This too, is my exact niche, BUT I feel like if they did a *good* job on the first generation then they will without a doubt do a *great* job the second time around, and thats the one I'll buy

[@asdjesdsd]

Yes, it feels like a prototipe test with alot of room foe improvement.

[@MisterFuturtastic]

You might not want to assume that though because this one could have been in development for a long time. There's nothing that unusual about this design.. it's not like the Duo where they have to develop a whole new software system to make it functional. They might not dramatically change this model for a long time as well.

[@alexanderjaeger]

Just for fun: I would love to see you doing a serious review of a physicals sketchbook + real pencil, as if it would be a tech review. You know, with a drawing straight and curved lines, price comparison, do and undo feature of the pen + rubber, pros and cons and so on. Maybe for an April Fool's Day or something :-)

[@trowawayacc]

Pro points if you do this with one of those expensive 20$ pads with like 10 sheets of bond paper on the.

[@alihms]

It is a great idea and doesn't have to be an April's fool joke review. It could be used a baseline comparison in terms of line jitters , pen tilt smoothness, line continuity when pressing harder vs light touch etc.

[@EdaliaDayCreative]

This would be so cool.

[@WickedMissy69]

This is such a fun idea! Love it!

[@andysun73]

Lag free 😂

[@zephyr6913]

Fun tip for artists who have these: for drawing with rock solid stability at a more ergonomic angle (30-45 degrees on a desktop), getting an adjustable tablet stand from Huion (the kind they have for 16 inch tablets) can be a night and day improvement, and packs VERY flat and can easily be a part of your mobile setup. Add something like the tourbox neo for hotkeys, and you have an extremely versatile and portable professional drawing platform, which is exactly why I invested in myself buying the i7/3050ti/32gb/1tb variant. The only thing I’m missing now is a portable secondary monitor… Just, one downside of how thin this is: gotta get used to that dongle lifestyle.

[@azul1964]

Exactly, what made me hesitate on this is the lack of USB A - Surface pro 7+ seems more attractive to me just because of USB C charging and USB A port. The problem with pro 7+ is the pen at the side though.

[@ashimates]

Thanks for the review! I was considering getting the samsung galaxy book pro 360 but after finding this and seeing all the good reviews from creatives I think this will be my choice. Especially with the price drop recently. Thanks again! I'm so excited to get one

[@marsagain5635]

when i first saw this video i knew that i really wanted to get this laptop ive been saving up for almost a year for the surface studio and now i am writing this comment on that laptop and i couldnt be happier with it!! thank you brad for your review!!!

[@michaela984]

The line quality still isn't perfect but waaaaay better than before, looks pretty good. I am not gonna get it tho because the price is way too high.

[@OperationDecoded]

You will notice he has 21% Smoothing on in PS. Which means the line quality in programs that don't have this option will be significantly worse.

[@michaela984]

@@OperationDecoded i noticed! This is pretty bad, at this time i doubt that Microsoft will ever fix the pen for good lol. I'm glad i didn't upgrade my pro 3 to a Samsung Galaxy laptop and not to the new surface.

[@ArtScienceWonder]

I cant wait to see more laptops for all around visual artists but some possible deal breakers are: I really disslike the gray and black look that typically comes with Macs and prefer white and black or black and white, it's just cleaner looking. I hate the way the magnesium/aluminum exterior feels or the texture and Magnesium is a really soft metal and is likely why it gets those micro scratches. I also hate the really hard sharp edges of Mac like laptops, they hurt my hands. I also really want something like the M1 chip in there but Microsoft. Also, why an old school headphone jack? Might as well go with USB-C as well if there's no old school USBs.

[@vito]

Can you put the specs of the model you're using in the video description?

[@shanesonn]

i5, 16 gb RAM, 256 gb memory. He said it in the video in case you didn't hear it

[@vito]

@@shanesonn I am watching multiple videos so I'd like to know what each device is without having to comb through each video. It would be good for search / seo anyway

[@orientalgreen]

How does the drawing experience on this compare with that of a Wacom-based laptop such as the Samsung Galaxy Book 360?

[@dalecipperley40]

Define drawing experience. Based on reviews by Brad and Justice the Slim Pen 2 on the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio still has line jitter even if reduced compared to previous Surface styluses. The two Surfaces have smaller screens than the 15" Sansung 360. You can get a more ergonomic EMR/SPen stylus for the 360 like the Lamy and you can swap out different Lamy nibs for different screen friction. The Surfaces are slabs and the 360 is a fold backwards 2in1. The Suraces like the iPad Pro should be more "luggable". If you install Tablet Pro software on the computer for on screen touch hotkeys along the edge of the screen to trigger with your thumb as you draw you will lose an inch or two of screen real estate which could make having multiple windows open (drawing app, reference app, web browser, etc ) problematic on a smaller screen. The 360 15" is light so you'll need to be less rough with it and buy a hard sided case. I bought the 360 15" i7 16GB for Clip Studio Paint and light ZBrush on the couch.

[@orientalgreen]

@@dalecipperley40 Thanks Dale. I was thinking more in terms of precision (the zero-parallax of N-trig versus the minimal parallax of the Samsung-assisted Wacom), activation pressure, and overall feeling of line control.

[@dalecipperley40]

Morgan the only way you are going to know that is to try them both. If you do it in a store you never know if you are working on a bad demo machine. I used to go to cons and tradeshows to talk to Wacom reps directly and try their gear. When I bought my Sansung 360 I made sure I knew the store's return policy and quickly bought the Lamy EMR stylus to test it with. I knew the date I could return the computer by. I use Clip Studio Paint and ZBrush. While I know parallax and activation force and screen redraw speed are issues with stylus enabled screen displays, I also know that for an optimum drawing experience I need to customize the pressure curves and stabilization of the brushes and fix the ergonomics of the stylus. An on screen hot key solution was also a must and because that takes up screen real estate the screen size matters. For me the 360 had an advantage due to the Lamy EMR stylus compatibility. It is capped, ergonomic and I can swap texture nibs if needed (I like the nib for glossy screens). The iPad's Pencil 2 is a an uncomfortable stick that requires an ergo grip that interferes with charging and this new MS Slim Pen 2 is a freakin carpenter's pencil. Either wait for an art pal close by to buy the Surface with Slim Pen 2 and let you try it or buy one yourself with the plan to return it if you don't like it. Same for the 360. You can also go to multiple stores and try their demos but rarely are the computers installed with professional art software.

[@mini9503]

EMR is still better than MPP 3.0 and AES 2.0. Feeling and control are much better. Within S-Pen devices, Galaxy Tabs are better than Galaxy Books because the software is better optimized. Samsung is launching a 14.6" Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra sometime in early 2022 so that might offer the best portable drawing experience if you can afford to wait.

[@dalecipperley40]

@@mini9503 Thank you for your feedback. If I was just drawing I'd consider that new Galaxy Tab but I need ZBrush which means Windows OS. Nomad Sculpt 3d is great but it doesn't compare to ZBrush.

[@WelbornJeff]

Hey Brad I love your channels, art school and reviews are always top notch. I was wondering if you would do a review of the Clip Studio Tabmate shortcut controller. I know it's a bit of a niche product since it only works for Clip Studio, but I would be interested in seeing your thoughts on it. Thanks again!

[@jamesbullo]

RIP Surface Book. Being able to take off the screen and place it on a drawing stand of choice was great. Just needed a spec upgrade and updated pen tech in the round pen.

[@CharlineCaneton]

*play sad music* Microsoft, killing products users like is a bad habit they are yet to drop... :(

[@sam_pnw]

Just being able disconnect and go for class with a tablet and the going home to game all in one was king, now I’m just tempted to getting a mbp and ipad, back to two devices

[@asdjesdsd]

I thought i was alone, i really preffer the surface book 3 format, i detach to draw, or browse news, reading on couch etc. Bad move microsoft.

[@sam_pnw]

@@asdjesdsd it was a niche novelty, and I was in that niche and loved the novelty. It's sad for us fans.

[@stephenwinter-headspace2845]

I always love your reviews and I was waiting for this review on this and I will now started saving to buy this as a drawing device, but I will when it comes out next year......!

[@calkimolabrown1284]

Thanks for the great reviews Brad. I have been trying to decide what to purchase for awhile now. I ordered this one. I am a surface pattern designer and I write and illustrate children's books so I am really hoping this is the one for me. I have been using the Samsung Galaxy 6s lite (the older version) and Ibis Paint but I prefer using Photoshop. I'll let you know how it goes.

[@hjcnsj10837]

Hi I also want to ilústrate children’s books how did it go?

[@BigFamesAMVs]

I'm an artist and I'm finally converting over to digital art😅😅😅 but I really been debating between the Surface Pro 8 and the Surface laptop Studio between those two which one has more power(which one is better) I'm planning on selling art and printing t-shirts.... and I'm just not too sure better suits my needs... any advice is good advice 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️

[@samstreet101]

Brad...you legend! Thanks so much for this review. I'm currently on the fence between this and the Surface Pro 8. You mentioned you were testing the pro 8 as well. Which one would you choose for your workflow? Also are you doing a review for the Pro 8?

[@amy_pieterse]

Busy looking for a laptop and tablet. Might get this.

[@ScientistDjigr]

Oh man, I was waiting for this review, thanks Brad! Now that you've had both devices in hands, how would you compare it with a ConceptD 7 Ezel? Their prices are similar, but that hinge seems to be better in the Ezel. What advantage does the Surface Laptop Studio have ?

[@pekokopiko943]

I love it, but damn it's almost $2200 for the base model pre-order in my country wtf

[@onix_cg]

I want to see a Surface pro with 15 * dioganal, with frames like the surface laptop studio - it would be an ideal device for me when I'm not at home or traveling. It's hard for me to work on complex drawing details on the surface pro, my eyes get very tired, I want a bigger screen (

[@RobertsReviews]

Sounds great. Sucks that by the time I save up for it a new one will be out.

[@Cyndakip]

How does it compare with the Apple Pencil on an iPad Pro?? Is it there yet?

[@RK-um9tu]

Who cares? iPads Pro isn't a computer so no one interested in the SLS would EVER use an iPad Pro...

[@mini9503]

Nope. The 1750$ Surface stylus till _far_ behind 400$ iPad and 200$ Galaxy Tab. But I guess that's the tax you pay for windows apps.

[@Cyndakip]

@@mini9503 have you managed to try both?? I’m seriously considering a surface but if the stylus isn’t as good as my Apple Pencil I’ll get a Cintiq instead for my Mac

[@mini9503]

​@@Cyndakip I've had old Surface with MPP 2.0, used Apple Pencil 1 (though not on iPad 10.2), and have used the 200$ Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Currently I'm on the 2018 iPad Pro 12 with Apple Pencil 2. Only one I haven't tried yet is the new Slim Pen 2. From what we can see here there is still some jitter even with 21% line smoothing although that is a big improvement from before and what I'd consider "decent" for art&design. Still not on EMR/Apple level, but it's usable at last. If you're a Visual Artist get a Mac + Wacom, and if you do 3D/CAD/CFT/CGI work the Surface might be worthwhile for apps like Solidworks, Blender, etc.

[@Cyndakip]

@@mini9503 ahh ok thank you. I’ve used the older surface pen too, it was terrible. Although I checked for diagonal line jitter on my 2018 iPad and it’s very noticeable! Don’t know if it’s the tip or what. But I’ve been able to sketch fine with it.

[@kupokitty]

What I want to know is if they've fixed the heat problem. I have the Surface Book version 1 and that thing gets so hot near the charging port that the digitizer in the screen doesn't work near the bottom anymore. You wouldn't know that it's damaged unless trying to draw or drag your finger across it because the actual LEDs are fine. I sure hope they'll sell some sort of grip for that pen. Accessibility is a nice thing.

[@Harveevideos]

Was really looking for this review!

[@thefloorhasgone]

Want one bad. Have to wait for Australian release 🤦🤦

[@PestVic]

Use tablet pro to have your keyboard shortcuts on the side. ITS PERFECT! I love mine

[@paulodekkers5075]

Nice Review. Are you still using it? Has your opinion about the Surface Studio Laptop changed after the many software updates? Would it be worth second opinion review? What changes would you like to see in a version 2 of the Surface Studio Laptop?

[@Crappy9922]

I still use my Surface Pro 4 as my main Clip Studio machine but really missed having a laptop where I didn't have to worry about the screen being top heavy when the keybaord in in my lap. Looking at the Surface Laptops and Books just werent the same, so this device is exactly what I've been wanting. But oof! That big price attached to it...

[@bluejeanny3147]

Hi Brad, Are you still happy with the laptop? I've been going back and forth if to buy it or not. I'm considering also concept d7 ezel or a decent specs laptop and a screen tablet (with guilt thoughts of going way out of my budget :)) ) I enjoy your videos so much, whether the drawing ones or the tech reviews. Keep up the good work!

[@ckmoore]

Did you make a choice? I've been debating the exact same thing. Right now I use an ipad pro... but I want a full windows laptop for more serious work on the go (sometimes, you need more than just drawing). Plus, ipad doesn't have my favorite program (rebelle 5). Right now I'm leaning towards the surface studio, the only hang up is the pen. I still notice a tiny bit of jitter. I'm a pretty proficient artist, and I expect a line to go down as I drew it - no mistakes from the computer. The Ezel would be better for this. But, the surface studio is lighter and should have better battery life. Oh, and the surface studio can charge with a battery pack (the Ezel cannot!) *sigh* They are both so close to perfect, but just short of the finish line.

[@bluejeanny3147]

@@ckmoore still can't figure out what laptop to buy, but I got a tablet in the meanwhile.

[@dylanzelkin8506]

I upgraded to this device from a book. I would be willing to bet u had the laptop on the recommended battery setting, for windows to actually take advantage of the 120hz to its best u have to have it on best performance and there I have to say there is a very noticeable difference, not even comparable in any way.

[@LewieYoung]

Brad, I've been loving your reviews. And so excited to see this one. Gutted there isn't an angle that allows me to reach the hotkeys and draw, but hey. Did you try hooking this up to a larger 4K monitor? I heard it can't power a 60W monitor - I'd generally want to hook this thing up if I'm back at my desk , just wondered if that hogs the graphics card's power. Cheers!

[@michaelrobinson9643]

external keypad or something like an elgato might offset that problem?

[@michiart5740]

Is it good when you connect it with the Wacom or hulion

[@bustopgamer5802]

what are you wearing on your hand while drawing to avoid touch ? can you share link

[@charlzlatte]

Can i also use this for programming? I'm planning to buy a laptop that i can use for drawing, editing, and programming

[@salahgassim]

Astrobad now available on Windows. Waiting for your great review on that 🤗

[@joelfritsche1743]

Why would i need Haptic feed back? Is there any drawing apps that offer automatic perspective (eg. Autodesk Sketchbook) and Haptic feedback ?

[@twixsnickers610]

I've been waiting for this!! Currently still deciding whether to buy this laptop or and ipad pro

[@nicolewelchez3839]

ipad pro

[@TabletPro]

Just got a laptop studio. Echo everything Brad said. Best device by far I’ve owned for artwork. And I’ve owned multiple iPad pros

[@ar3t33]

I reckon they should use the surface pro hinge on the laptop studio!

[@NickUCLife]

Hey Brad , I want to know if compared to a apple pencil 2 is it better or not. And if it is better or worse in what aspects like smoth ness , usability , etc?

[@ckmoore]

I've only tried the apple pencil 1 (I have an old 2nd gen ipad pro), and the line quality has always been spot on. Perfect. You can see in this video where Brad points out there are still jitters with the Slim Pen 2, even if it's better than previous versions. The question is... is there enough jitter for you to want to pass on it, or can you live with it? I tried out the slim pen 2 in a store, and the activation was super nice. Very low pressure required (the pen activated under it's own weight... perfect). But, it did have jitter when drawing slow. *sigh*

[@TheHoppart]

Does it still use N-trig or have they gone back to Wacom's EMR for this machine? Another solid review. Ty Brad!

[@NopWorks]

It still uses N-trig.

[@TheHoppart]

@@NopWorks Thank you!

[@NopWorks]

@@TheHoppart Happy to help!

[@matthewokeefe5438]

Always enjoy your reviews. On a side note, I visited your site and would like to see some updates, such as your sub's # and views plus the new tech. synopsis please.

[@the_RCB_films]

wait what about the surface pro 8? What are those comparisons? cuz I just ordered that, but.... this might be better!?!?

[@AngryApple]

I hope you will also review the Go 3, really thinking upgrading from my good old Go 1 to the Go 3 i3 model but there arent any good performance reviews out. Art software is always more demanding so its a perfect guideline about the general performance, also I want to use Affinity a bit more heavier than on my Go 1, I like the pen to much that Im okay with the worst performance than my beefy desktop :D

[@burningwp]

I was kinda hoping for more comparison between this and other products like Samsung and Apple products.

[@gormauslander]

Hey Brad, can you go over what this has over the Acer that makes it worth the extra money?

[@indraarviantomustafa]

what experience pal rejection ? workin on all apps ? CSP, INFINITE ?

[@dalecipperley40]

This review should have compared the new Slim Pen 2 NTrig stylus to the Apple Pencil2 and the Samsung Galaxy Book 360 SPen (EMR). Simply saying there is still line jitter isn't enough. If one examines the weights, ports, screen size, hardware specs, stylus tech, ergonomics and pricing, it could be argued that because of its use of EMR stylus tech that the Samsung Galaxy Book 360 15" is a better choice for artists than the low to midrange Surface Laptop Studio and the Acer D7 Ezel is a better choice for the midrange to high Surface Laptop Studio. You should compare the three. The not being able to access the keyboard to hit hotkeys is an old complaint easily solved by hardware or better yet software (Tablet Pro) and should be discussed in these reviews. The advantages of a stylus enabled Windows computer over an iPad Pro is a larger screen size, more RAM and ports, the ability to run software unavailable to the iPad and use hotkeys. If a student just wants to sketch/paint/cartoon and needs portability, an iPad Pro 12.9" with Procreate (better yet Clip Studio Paint) and Nomad Sculpt 3D may still be the best choice. Based on the comments on this review you should start including 3D software like Blender and ZBrush as part of the reviews as they are used to create drawing reference models. I am disappointed that Microsoft only improved their stylus tech and not FIX it so it was a match for EMR and the Pencil2. Dumping Wacom EMR for NTrig years ago was and still is a huge mistake for the MS Surface line.

[@michaela984]

Thats what I was thinking too! I was thinking to save up and upgrade to the surface pro 8 (i have the pro 3) but i dumped that idea and decided to buy a samsung galaxy book pro 360 instead. For me as an artist probably a better choice.

[@dalecipperley40]

@@michaela984 I bought a 15" i7 16GB Samsung 360. I installed Tablet Pro for hotkeys and replaced the SPen with a Lamy EMR stylus with a glossy screen nib.

[@michaela984]

@@dalecipperley40 I got it today and I really love it. The pen is good too, I love it. But maybe I will get an alternative one day, I am broke, the laptop was expensive enough lol

[@dalecipperley40]

Michaela, the Tablet Pro software isn't easy to learn but it is worth it to put hotkeys on your screen while you draw to do stuff like open and close menus in Clip Studio Paint and trigger ZBrush commands. The other thing I bought besides the Lamy EMR stylus (glossy screen nib) was an adjustable fold flat wood cookbook easel in case I want to draw at an angle (normally the 360 is in tablet mode on my knee as I sit on the couch). I also bought a hard sided case for the laptop. Oh, and code fingerprints from both hands in case you need to unlock the screen while folded in tablet mode. The 360 isn't perfect but it is a great alternative to an iPad Pro and lighter than a 16" Wacom Mobile Studio Pro. Brad's original review of the 360 mentioned hand rejection problems. If that happens it is just a software setting you can Google the solution.

[@ElcluasicoChuuad]

Hi, I read your commentary and I just want to say thank you! I dindt know that galaxy book 360 and acer d7 ezel exist. I wanted to buy a $2,500 surface laptop studio for drawing in clip studio paint, but the 99.9% of reviers are made in photoshop or bad softwares which doesn't show the real performance of the stroke. Now is feb 2022 and I don't find Acer D7 Ezel stock, do you know is there are another $2,500 better option?

[@artboymoy]

Pen look good. won't roll away and if it charges on the side, even better. I'm still using a SP 4 so the SP 8 might be a nice upgrade. In your opinion why would I choose this Surface Laptop over the Surface Pro 8? Larger screen? Price difference?

[@roperrow]

it looks so nice!

[@magscorner]

Rip, I wanted/was planning on getting a surface book for my main computer down the line (currently on my second surface Pro)

[@CADPond]

What do you do with all these devices after you review them?

[@blaylock1978]

Thanks for the video. I have this laptop and just ordered the pencil. I’m just curious why you use Photoshop and not Illustrator for your drawings? Is it just preference? Thanks!

[@MisterFuturtastic]

Brad, does it bother you at all that the screen can't lay down completely flat if you wanted it to?

[@Montai]

Does the wacom express key remote work with this? Without a wacom tablet, or having to install their program?

[@objection109]

Hi Brad, great review! Quick question: where can I find those stencils/outlines that you are drawing on top of? I'm a beginning digital artist - thanks for your help!

[@ruleoffun]

Do you not use shortcut keys? How someone uses shortcut keys on a drawing device is one of the most important things to me. Wouldn't this need an additional Bluetooth keyboard?

[@Heavenlyartdolls]

Does it come with that drawing program? What app are you using

[@ErylKuro]

Would the slim new pen work on the Acer concept? I hope I remember correctly that you used on the concept a Microsoft Surface pen Thanks in advance

[@ckmoore]

How does the drawing feel (i.e., pen on screen) compare to something like a wacom cintiq with an etched screen? (or compared to the acer conceptd 7 ezel / etc.)?

[@completely_unaware]

What app does he use to draw??

[@leo79033]

ok so for the trackpad- cheap school chromebooks have ruined my experience with trackpads- no sensitivity works for me, there is an insane amount of friction, and it got so bad that i bought a wireless mouse. i hate trackpads, but does the studio's feel more natural or smooth?

[@TheBrickBreakers]

how is it compared to the screen of an ipad pro?

[@sanjaynagala5510]

A laptop for Brad A laptop for everyone

[@joelfritsche1743]

Is Autodesk Sketchbook still offered?

[@sharathkumar9876]

Hi Brad, what is your opinion about Color e-ink readers with Wacom stylus like Onyx book Nova 3?

[@musikalora]

Brad: This tablet was made for me. Me: I'M WITH HIM! WHO'S WITH HIM?? My wallet: Nope.

[@newbuddie]

Surface Laptop Studio is better then suface book 3?

[@marisssArt]

you always deliver a solid and unbiased review, i really like your reviews !!! i love so much your chanel .. because you are the only one focusing in the need of an artis from the tech poin of view

[@AScribblingTurtle]

The wobble problem has not much to do with the pen. The digitizing layer inside the tablet is the problem. It is very sensitiv to electric noise. Like from the Wifi, Bluetooth, the charging port and even the capacitive touchscreen (when you touch it). On the Surface Laptop, the screen is far away from everything else, so nothing can disturb the digitizing layer. Naturally, it works more relyable.

[@johna426]

Hi Brad, what brush do you use in ps for inking please?

[@sagichan7903]

please review Asus Rog Flow X13 please

[@stengon2603]

This or an ipad pro with a keyboard and apple pencil? Both are around the same price with the same ammount of storage

[@anam00090]

I think it will highly depend on your workflow. I have an iPad Pro that I love but none of my professional animation software run on it so I use it primarily for illustration, sketching, storyboarding and scriptwriting. Everything that involves heavy workflow, I go back to my Dell XPS and Wacom tablet. Apple Pencil is a phenomenal drawing device, has perfect pressure curve imo but I feel with such a choice your main consideration should be the OS and apps you'll be using. I don't have budget for Surface Studio but can see it being useful for my workflow, albeit I'd have to go for a model with a GPU so it would cost me obscene amount of money :D

[@io_inc]

The one I've been waiting for!!! I think you should do more tech reviews that's not based on artists.

[@7adsonTV]

Nice vidéo I like it 👍thank you

[@andrewjeon2411]

Does this have palm rejection?

[@jeffriart]

I'm with you Brad, this is just perfect for me. The pen improvement looks nice too. This will be my next laptop.

[@tatiyanamcdivitt8487]

Are we sure there not doing surface books anymore? I know it's a romar but is it Confirmed?

[@andyH_England]

Yes, MS told another YT’ber that it is dead due to not being able to handle thermals in the display. That was a bad design choice by MS and would always mean it is compromised with a limited life cycle. Not impressed with this as the alternative and hopefully just a filler until their designers come up with something good.

[@tatiyanamcdivitt8487]

@@andyH_England darn! I love the design,size and power in a single tablet. Iv had my surface book 2 for over 3 years and it's running like a champ still. Maybe as tech Advances they will bring it back one day.

[@trowawayacc]

When windows nails this i be ditching my ipad presto. Like i dont care about that unrepairable hunk of junk. I want a drawing pc and this looks very good.

[@이준희-p8s]

5:05 🤣🤣

[@haidargzYT]

The price $ ?

[@genghis2510]

I'm wary buying Microsoft Surface products anew. My Surface pro 3 i7 512 gig with docking system had heat issues. Also, the battery swelled and bulged pushing the screen from its seam. Microsoft support wasn't helpful enough with my predicament.

[@eriways2018]

Awwww!!!! Perfect video!!

[@MattHalpain]

For the price I will stick with my 6th gen. iPad with Apple Pencil. As I am a hobby artist and it is not feasible for me to purchase such an expensive laptop. I do like this Microsoft lap top though.

[@RK-um9tu]

Anyone who uses an iPad (just a big iPHone) doesn't need a computer so your comment makes ZERO sense.

[@mulishdavy]

what i think is, i want.

[@marpangyu]

Pls compare Wacom. Apple pen 2 and slim pen 2 😊😊👙

[@brianarnold3250]

The biggest question should be has Microsoft solved all the problems with this computer yet. 1. Fan failure sensor missing so no warning of overheating.. 2. Battery overheats and expands bending magnesium alloy case and pushing screen out of case 3. Screen gets burn marks as components overheat. 4. Charger fails to work anymore indicator light does not come on. 5. Detach fails and keeps switching on and off. 6. keyboard keys become invisible in wrong light. 7. Opening and closing uncomfortable. Please add to my list?

[@TabletPro]

Hi Brad. I did a bunch of reviews on this as well and LOVE IT. Absolutely echo this device was made for me. A few quick notes. If you turn the device around and flip the screen backwards you can use the screen at any angle for drawing. Second Microsoft has a 60 day free returns policy if you decide to return and upgrade and you can restore from another machines restore point (like a phone, I haven’t tried it yet but am returning mine for a bigger configuration) great work here, always amazed at how much you’ve grown. You define what premium content on KZbin should look like. Excellent work.

[@AnalogKensho]

Good idea re: Spinning it around to use the screen at any angle. You must be supporting the left side of the screen with your left hand - the screen must be pretty stiff to feel supported that way, very cool!

[@thebradcolbow]

Thanks Justice!

[@TerminalJack505]

@@thebradcolbow Did you ever review Tablet Pro, Brad? It seems like something your viewers would be interested in.

[@k.o.t.o.n.]

@@thebradcolbow I hope apple makes the new mbp 14 and 16 m1x into a surface laptop studio. That would be my perfect device.

[@homidjohn]

I thought a lot about exactly this regarding this device - the position of screen being turned alk the way backwards for angles. This is clearly an option if you think about but why oh why isn't it marketed? They only say this thing has three positions so I suspect there has to be a special reason why Microsoft like passively insists that that's not how this thing is intended to be used. But I don't know..

[@Driftuner]

Generally speaking the only real issue i see with current Surface models is the price...god theyre expensive..

[@RK-um9tu]

translation: i am poor...

[@Driftuner]

@@RK-um9tu LOL

[@brutus3631]

@@RK-um9tu not everyone is from America y'know, in here this laptop would cost around 5k :/

[@jiml.9026]

This laptop studio is crazy amazing. I am impressed with this laptop. I bought the high end one.... And wow.

[@rolandlefartere9851]

Something like a small Surface Dial recessed into the body of the laptop located on the side of the trackpad could solve some issues with the keyboard shortcuts when the screen is drawn towards the user. Also, a volume rocker on the side of the screen would be good to have.

[@gormauslander]

A key-bindable, on-screen, collapsing dock might do the trick. Biggest issue with a dial is software support

[@jordanab100]

You can pull up a small keyboard on screen and change keybinds.

[@agartificialgaming1670]

Can we just admire how much this channel has grown over the years , ITS AMAZING .👍👍

[@milanpaudel9624]

Yet he still haven't uploaded on RTP - 700

[@io_inc]

I hope I will be around long enough to see a million subscribers...

[@io_inc]

@@koifishflavor So many people are dying and most of them were younger than me. Anytime could be my last day.

[@AngeloMarasco]

Thanks Brad! We so need actual creatives reviewing devices like this! Seems like the Acer Ezel 7 would be a direct comparison. Thoughts on pro/cons for each? I'm not sure if the MS SLS can drive a VR HMD?

[@gerardopadilla2666]

"The price is very high", yeah that's the issue for most people and one I particularly consider one of the Surface's line biggest flaws. In this case the lowest configuration doesn't sound like bang for the buck by a long mile, and even if you push it you get a 50ti with 4GB of VRAM which isn't what I'd consider a "studio" equipment, not really a general creator machine. It should be considered a joke when you can fit BOTH a Mac Air and iPad Air on around the same price and getting 2 M1 devices (edit: iPad Air is A14, well not like iPadOS needs the M1 yet tho) with a lot more power (and more storage when combined) than a single one of these each, or you could even go iPad Pro (Edit: in this case really twice M1 devices) with a few upgrades if you go with a Mac mini... Could also fit both a Samsung Book 360 and Tab if you really want to stick with Windows, and you get better specs, better pen tech and 2 pens included! Not to mention in both cases (except the mac mini route) you get 2 displays for multitasking. Top it off Alder Lake is to come like, next month... This could've been a 14-Core 20-thread (Edit: Or even 16-Core 24-thread, I was just going with the next Galaxy book rumour there) beauty with a lot more performance while maintaining or improving the same battery life this 4-Cored relic gives you. And Windows 11 supposedly had a collab with Intel to make Alder Lake's big.Little a success, it's not like they didn't have access to do enough testing with them, they just throw this unjustifiably expensive equipment right before they'll be devaluated by the newer tech just because they wanted to. Not to mention for this one the port selection is disappointing and it isn't really serviceable, and as you pointed (7:04) out the pen still isn't perfect, not what I'd like to call consistent at least, and not when there's options which are out there since like 6 years ago when Microsoft decided to buy their own pen tech to then neglect it and just throw it a bone when they feel like it. Design is cool, but sooooooooooooo not worth it. Wish Samsung could throw a book with this design (so long as they don't copy the price scheme as well tho, and in a lighter and more serviceable form factor), now that could potentially be close to perfection.

[@coltonbyu]

iPad air isnt M1 though, is it?

[@mini9503]

AND especially since the 14" Acer Ezel 3 with similar CPU and 4GB GPU has dropped to 1200 USD on retailers like eBay now, when Acer announced the Ezel lineup refresh just today. That same config on the Surface costs a whopping $2250....without warranty.. Damn. I guess the Slim Pen 2 is slightly better... but i just don't know if it's _"1000 dollars"_ better. For that much more I'm saving up for the new Acer Ezel 7 with the flawless EMR pen. Also for non-dGPU model of the Studio, starting at $1750 is still _super expensive._ I feel like "Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360" that Brad reviewed a while back is still the 'de-facto' choice for Artists using Windows - S-Pen (EMR), 13/15" OLED, much lighter, and longer battery life - for just $1000. But most of all, *I am not a fan of 2 fixed hinge angles* on the Studio. The advantages of traditional "Convertibles" with rotating hinge and "Detachables" with kickstand are the freedom of unlimited drawing positions to choose from. This feels like too restrictive a design that'll irritate the hell out of me trying to get it to set up exactly the way I want.

[@095-tayordarang2]

Wait for samsing tab s8 instead

[@toontoon9232]

A Samsung with the same form factor and S pen would be Awesome!

[@gerardopadilla2666]

@@coltonbyu Right, my bad.

[@summoner2100]

Curious as to whether rather than photoshop, whether battery life is better with affinity photo. Given the adobe apps are generally battery heavy

[@Duraltia]

Man... You _really_ need to have a look at *Tablet Pro* instead of constantly going to *Edit* > *Undo...* Drives me nuts 😑

[@runnerelf]

Something you do at 9:22 is something I'd be interested in seeing more of: Making a fairly simple brush size adjustment requires you to take your eyes off the work area, move your hand away and hit a very small button and use a tiny slider to make the adjustment. Those moments can cause a real strain on your neck and shoulders if they're repeated often and are a big part of the experience depending on ones drawing technique. These devices usually don't have physical buttons so there's no way around these moments. I believe the footage here was sped up slightly also, so it didn't really provide an accurate example. Your drawing technique is great for demonstrating line quality, but you're so good at said technique that you rarely seem to go for any adjustments or even undo. I realize these are caveats that are much more the responsibility of the viewer and up to their own reflection, but I wonder if it would be possible to put a bit more emphasis on that side. Moments like Undo, Redo, Brush size adjust, Brush switching, Color picking from canvas, Adding and arranging layers and such.

[@ceecee130x]

I think if the screen can tilt at variable or even a few more positions, MS would've nailed it. I understand, that design would've added to complexity (bulk) and cost. I agree, a higher trim level e.g. they one with discreet graphics, would be my choice too. Cams are less good than ones on iPad Pro, but in a much better position for our mandatory virtual meetings now, no matter what line of with we're in. Very good speakers. A double or triple, not quite a home run. Kudos to MS. Very deserving "successor"? to Surface Book.