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The Microsoft Hardware Event (everything you need to know)

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Whilst Microsoft might have made a name for itself as a software company, in recent years it's really been striving to make a big dent in the hardware market. This was underlined in dramatic fashion this week during the company's event on October 26, which pitched new computers, VR headsets, and accessories focused on artists and designers. The obvious headline they were trying to get out of the event was that PCs are just as capable when it comes to creative applications as Macs, and that first party Microsoft merchandise can stand head to head with the best that Apple has to offer in terms of functionality and features, if not perhaps looks. The Surface Studio does look pretty neat though. Speaking of which.

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Microsoft Surface Studio

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Probably the most exciting announcement on Wednesday was the new 28 inch 4K desktop PC called the Surface Studio. The Studio looks a lot like an angular iMac, except the computer has a touchscreen that swings down to rest on the desk at a 20-degree angle, allowing it to function as a drawing tablet. The Studio screen works with the Surface Pen, as well as the new Surface Dial; a bespoke knob that either sits alongside the computer to scroll through pen strokes or can be placed on the screen to bring up additional menus. The Surface Studio is being positioned as the best computer on the market for creatives, though at $2999 it's certainly not for those of us with tight pockets. Spec wise the base Studio is working with an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 2GB Nvidia GPU. For the more powerful model (an Intel i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and 4GB GPU) you’ll have to shell out $4199. Considering you could quite comfortably purchase more powerful computers right now for a fraction of those prices, it certainly won't appeal to everyone, but for creatives who already use their tablets a lot, it could act as a perfect bridge between the office computer and the sketch book. Microsoft also announced an update to the Surface Book, which costs $2300 for increased battery life and 2x speed.

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Windows 10 Creators Edition

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If Microsoft's executives are to be believed, then Windows 10 really is the last version of Windows. Instead of dealing with hassle of a new software launch, Microsoft is releasing a free update to the world’s most popular operating system, dubbed the Creators Edition, which will be officially available in the spring, with beta releases are coming as early as next week. The update contains two major changes worth noting; a messaging overhaul, and a greater emphasis on 3D. With messaging now, instead of opening an email client or Skype, you’ll be able to pin individual people to the task bar. Clicking on them will bring up your preferred method of communicating with that person, making it easy to dance between multiple conversations and to quickly send files. The Windows 10 update includes a new message-relay system that allows users to answer text messages from their Android or Windows phone, as Mac users can already with iMessage. The update also gives a classic Windows program, Paint, a 3D makeover. Paint 3D, will be able to create and manipulate 3D models, and integrate seamlessly with online repositories of models. Powerpoint will also be able to import 3D models, and transitions between slides can rotate and zoom to show different aspects of objects. It looks interesting, but honestly considering the fact that VR and AR look to be the next big things as far as design technology is concerned, it might be too little too late.

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Microsoft’s VR and AR Future

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Microsoft revealed that HP, Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer will all begin producing VR headsets based around Microsoft technology that don’t require any kind of exterior sensor to function. This is a feature called inside-out positional tracking, and it could be a game changer, especially considering that these new headsets will retail at a fraction of the price of the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive. $299 is the magic number, making it even cheaper than the less powerful PS VR! One unspecified headset (that quite closely resembled a PS VR unit) was shown on stage in a demo where a model created in Paint 3D was brought into a virtual room that acts almost like a desktop.  In the demo shown, a game of football played on one wall while apps were located on another alongside a shelf of digital toys. The 3D models also can be viewed through the HoloLens, which was briefly shown, but not given much time. Microsoft did not announce any expected release dates for the VR headsets, nor did they give additional information about a consumer version of the HoloLens release. A shame, but understandable given the recent unveiling of the $3,000 developer version.

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Benjamin Hiorns is a freelance writer and struggling musician from Kidderminster in the UK.

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