Microsoft Surface Studio 2

[steve]

I am an architect and could find almost no Surface Studio reviews for Revit.   Here are my thoughts. I have run Revit 2019 with lots of plug ins for several weeks on new MS Surface Studio (MSSS).    Really fast, the fan barely ever goes on, I have read lots of critics hand-wringing about overheating. It renders a fairly large 100meg multi building Revit model many times faster than my previous Dell Precision tower.   I typically have Revit 2019 and Revit 2017 open, along with PlanGrid app, Bluebeam, Snagit, Chrome and whatever else I forgot to close including Adobe Lightroom.  Seems like a reasonable stress-test.  I have a second monitor powered off it (2560x1440 high res, not 4k yet). All the whining from the gear-head critics of it not using the latest chipset seems moot... it's very fast .  I think the all solid state drive is a big part of achieving that speed.  

My hope of using it as a true hand drawing able platform feels close, but not there yet.   Autocad and thus Revit have no tie-in to the MSSS interfaces (pen, dial). The dream of sketching slipping the sketch back into the BIM model is close, if I can ever get used to the native MSSS based Sketchable app and it's weird icons-only (no text) interface and useless IKEA-like help videos. I've been able to throw layers on top, make them an appropriate % transparent like layers of paper trace, and do quick layouts but the IKEA-like help couldn't help me find a way to save or print to pdf, jpg, whatever (I haven't given up tho).   Maybe I'll circle back to the non-native Autodesk Sketchbook.   

MSSS pen is really great!   I feel this machine is great for Revit.  I had 2 huge monitors before and whiplash working across almost 180 degrees of display.  this 4k+ monitor is smaller, but so high res, much better for actual field of view for a humanoid.   Again I am still using a 2nd monitor and pulling the Revit project browser and properties windows to the 2nd monitor to free up that gorgeous screen with the Revit model.    Very pleased with my decision.   

A little Bluebeam MSSS tip: in BB you have to set the Pen Commitment Interval setting to 300-600 ms  or else all the drawn lines come out broken

https://support.bluebeam.com/articles/pen-tool-draws-broken-lines-when-using-stylus-and-tablet-revu-...

[Anonymous]

Interesting to read, I tried the original Surface Studio with CAD/Revit back when it was new (a loan machine) and found it struggled. Sure that was due to the hard drive and graphics card which the SS2 has much better specs for. Ended up with a Book 2 which I like for the sort of work you mention. My blog post about Surface at AU2017 might be of interest

https://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/2018/07/making-my-perfect-pc-a-peak-beneath-the-microsoft-surface-at-aut...

other surface stuff here  https://rcd.typepad.com/rcd/surface/

[Anonymous]

I wanted to get an update since you have been using surface studio2 for several months now. Do you still recommend? I don't use, revit, I am a civil engineer. My most demanding files are 50M topographic files that require 3D modeling. I typically buy the most ram and beat Quadro card available at the time. I am in need of a new computer and have a mobile dell workstation picked out but I would really love to get Surface Studio2 instead! I would love your thoughts after 6 months of use. Thx! Jennifer

[Anonymous]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Surface Studio 2 and you are 100% correct; in the Arch/CAD/Design world, there are few true helpful reviews. Yours is great. I am getting this soon and will share my experience, with SketchUp, Revit, Architectural Desktop, Enscape, and various freehand sketching (with the pen) apps. More to follow. 

[steve]

in the end, the Studio struggled to keep up with large revit models in r2019 and I retired it to general office use.  The pen-based screen cannot be beaten, is really missed for its drawing capabilities in video conference calls.   Zoom works well with microsoft pen based apps.    But I use a desktop now for Revit 2022.

[kim.oxford]

Would you share what desktop you purchased.  Our office needs a PC upgrade and we have been really considering the studio 2plus but sounds like it still can't stand against a desktop.

thank you.