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Add to SafariWhen comparing Microsoft Surface Studio vs Lenovo Ideacentre AIO 520S-23IKU, the Slant community recommends Microsoft Surface Studio for most people. In the question“What are the best all-in-one desktop computers?” Microsoft Surface Studio is ranked 4th while Lenovo Ideacentre AIO 520S-23IKU is ranked 5th. The most important reason people chose Microsoft Surface Studio is:
The Surface Pen (included) is back with the Studio, but a new addition is the Surface Dial (sold separately for $99). This dial provides haptic feedback, and can rotate. It has a grippy rubber base, which means you can place it on the screen and it will stay there. Rotating it can do different things - rotate the image on the screen, change colors of the pen while drawing a continuous line, or rotate images in a 3D space (which Microsoft is pushing in their next update in early 2017). The Surface Pen works similar to previous versions - it can measure pressure sensitivity, and there are buttons on the side that allow for selection or other functions.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Amazing accessories
The Surface Pen (included) is back with the Studio, but a new addition is the Surface Dial (sold separately for $99). This dial provides haptic feedback, and can rotate. It has a grippy rubber base, which means you can place it on the screen and it will stay there. Rotating it can do different things - rotate the image on the screen, change colors of the pen while drawing a continuous line, or rotate images in a 3D space (which Microsoft is pushing in their next update in early 2017).
The Surface Pen works similar to previous versions - it can measure pressure sensitivity, and there are buttons on the side that allow for selection or other functions.
Pro Large, versatile, amazing display
The 28" display has an interesting aspect ratio of 3:2, and it has an extremely high resolution of 4500x3000 (slightly more than 4K). It also has different modes (built into the software) to display Adobe sRGB or Vivid Color Profiles. This allows content creators to both see the true colors, but also how they will likely be displayed on an average display. This display has a pixel density of 192ppi, which allows you to get very close to it without being able to see individual pixels.
The screen is also a touchscreen, with sensors for both the Surface Dial as well as the Surface Pen. In addition to all of this, they are marketing it as the thinnest display on any AIO (all in one) desktop which is technically true - it is the thinnest, however most of the internals are housed in the base.
Pro Can be used as a monitor
The HDMI output on the back of the computer can also be used as an input. This allows to connect a second computer or a gaming console to this all-in-one PC and use it as a monitor.
Pro Usable in bright light conditions
Because of the brightness of the display and the fact that it’s a matte one makes it easy to see the picture even in bright light conditions.
Pro Touch support
The screen supports touch inputs so you can use all the tap and swipe commands found in the Windows 10 operating system.
Pro Sleek design
This is one of the best looking PCs in its price range. Its chassis is slim and compact, measuring only 1.6 inches in the thickest part while the display has a border-less design that makes it look larger than it actually is.
Pro Great color reproduction
The display can reproduce 112 % of the sRGB gamut and has a Delta-E accuracy of 0.08. This means that the screen can be used for photo editing and it is on par with other more expensive all-in-one computer displays.
Pro The camera can be hidden inside the PC
The camera can be hidden away inside the PC. Not only that gives a cleaner look, it also adds privacy if you are afraid that someone will spy on you.
Cons
Con Extremely expensive for the internal hardware
For $3000 starting price you'd expect to get the bleeding edge of performance. But you don't. The internal graphics is either a nVidia GeForce GTX 965M (2GB) or the 980M (4GB), which are mobile graphics from last generation. There is no USB type C or Thunderbolt connections. The base model also starts at an i5 (the specs page doesn't list the specific version) processor.
Con Awkwardly placed USB ports
None of the four USB ports are easy to reach as two of them are located on the back of the unit while another two are located on the sides of the pop-out camera. This means that you have to deal with privacy concerns if you want to use these.
Con No USB-C ports
There are only USB-A ports but no USB-C ports. While not a big deal for now, USB-C is slowly replacing the older USB standard and the lack of it may become noticeable.
Con Odd webcam placement
Instead of placing the webcam on top of the monitor Lenovo has placed it under it. This position means you can't view your display without looking like you're gazing away somewhere in the distance.
Con Noisy fan
Despite the fact that the computer uses low-voltage processors that are relatively cool the cooling fan runs frequently and generates a noticeable white noise.
Con Low resolution display
The 23 inch display has a full-HD resolution. Full-HD is already a minimum today while other models are equipped with 4K or at least Quad HD resolution.
