Microsoft introduces the Surface Hub 2S collaboration device for the workplace

Microsoft unveils the nearly $1200 Surface Hub 2S collaboration device for the workplace, and here's what you need to know.

Surface Hub 2S
Surface Hub 2S

In partnership with Steelcase, Microsoft has unveiled the new Surface Hub 2S during a tiny press event in New York City. The second generation of the device is a complete redesign from the original release, and it’ll redefine the way that people create and collaborate in any workplace.

The Surface Hub 2 is a giant all-in-one computer with a 4K+ 50-inch (4:3 aspect ratio) multi-touch display that brings all the features and experience from the Surface product line (from the Surface Go to the Surface Pro 6, to the Surface Studio 2), such as multi-touch display and support for digital pen (which you can even attach to the side of the screen).

In addition, the display features super-thin 15.5-mm bezels, Gorilla glass with a mat finish to reduce reflection, stereo speakers, and overall, the Surface Hub 2S is sixty percent thinner than before.

Surface Hub 2S stand and battery

The device is now mounted on a stand, which was designed by the popular office furniture company, Steelcase, and it allows to move the device between rooms quiet easily.

At the top, there’s the carefully designed 4K camera, which if you move around and knock it down by accident, it’ll snap, but it won’t come off.

This time around, you even get the choice of an optional battery pack created by APC, which you can place in the base of the stand that will give around two hours on battery life.

Surface Hub 2S tech specs

According to the company, the new generation of the device offers fifty percent faster graphics performance than the original Surface Hub. Also, the internals now are house in a cartridge that attaches at the back of the display, and it allows upgrade to prevent the investment becoming obsolete in just a couple of years. In addition, the ability to switch cartridges with new processor, graphics, and more memory will allow to unlock future features for even more interesting experiences.

As for more specific tech specs, the Surface Hub 2S features an 8th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, and 128GB of M.2 SSD storage. 

Like the previous generation, the Surface Hub 2S runs on Windows 10 Team, which is a variant of the operating system that only runs modern apps from the Microsoft Store, which means that the device comes fully integrated with the Office apps, Microsoft Teams, Whiteboard, and many other apps.

The idea of the Surface Hub 2S is to increase collaboration in the workplace or allow workers to move the device to other locations to collaborate in places where usually meeting won’t take place.

For companies that need something even bigger, Microsoft is also announcing an 85-inch model of the Surface Hub 2S with a 16:9 aspect ratio, but the company isn’t sharing specifics when it’ll become available.

If you couldn’t attend the event, Microsoft already published the press event on YouTube.

The Surface Hub 2S is meant for workplaces, and it’s not cheap. The pricing for the 50-inch model starts at $9000. If you need the stand, you’ll need to purchase it separately for $1449, and if you’re getting the stand, then might as well get the APC battery pack for $1400. This means that when you add all up, it’s a nearly $12000 purchase — if you want the complete experience.

The device is expected to start shipping in June 2019, and the 85-inch model is expected to launch to select customers in early 2020.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.