MicrosoftSurface Laptop Studio launched Tuesday, and I have been using it since then. While it’s easier to use than the Surface Book, Microsoft’s new laptop, it’s not perfect.

Microsoft has a chance with the Surface Laptop Studio starting at $1,600. This gives them a better shot of capturing more market share, which has increased during the coronavirus pandemicAs people raced to purchase PCs, they could virtually attend classes or meetings from their homes and still be entertained.

The Surface BookThe computer it replaced proved Microsoft had the ability to produce impressive hardware engineering. The hinge was flexible and contracting, reminding you of lotus flowers, when it was opened or closed. You can remove the screen by pressing a button on your keyboard.

The Surface Laptop Studio leaves out that whimsy — you can’t take the screen off —but still offers a unique experience. This is what you should know.

Microsoft created the Surface Laptop Studio in order to improve the connectivity of its premium notebook PC. Surface Book’s most recent version included three USB-A ports and one USB-C port. It also featured a full-size SD reader and headphone jack. Two USB-C ports are available on the Laptop Studio to support modern technology. Thunderbolt 4 standardBut the USB A ports and card reader remain. Customers will need to find dongles in order to attach their devices, which is disappointing.

The Surface Connect charger from Microsoft feels old. Microsoft has kept the Surface Connect charger around since 2012. Although it is magnetic, it can be attached or detached easily in the event of a trip. However, I believe it could have been cut completely. If you lose the cable, you still have USB-C charging.

Surface Books offered hard-to miss power and volume buttons along the display’s top edge. The power button on the Laptop Studio is located just left of delete. It took some getting used to.

The volume keys, although they’re still easily found on the Surface Book’s top, aren’t so easy to press when you are in hurry. Microsoft spokesmen said that the research revealed Surface Laptop users expected power and volume buttons on their keyboards. The company made the Laptop Studio display thinner. 

It’s also very short on battery life. I generally got around 4½ hours of use on a single charge from my review unit, which contains an Intel Core i7 chip and 32GB of RAM. It’s far less than Microsoft’s claimed 18 hour battery life. It’s also shorter than the 6½ hours I got on the Surface Book 3 and almost 7½ hours on the Surface Book 2.

While the design may be clever, the Laptop Studio still feels less delicate than Surface Books. The device’s inner workings can be revealed by flipping the screen over and uncovering Microsoft Dynamic Woven Hinge. It was a concern that the device’s components might be worn down if it is switched between modes several times per day. During my review of the laptop I did not encounter any issues.

Microsoft has been testing the Laptop Studio to “standards that consider how users might cycle it through different modes throughout life, and how they might transport it. To ensure that we deliver the best experience possible,” CNBC spokesperson said in an email.

The base model Laptop Studio can, like the Surface Book at $1,600 be quite expensive. Asus HPSamsung and Lenovo all offer convertible PCs that have similar hardware configurations or are cheaper. Samsung’s 15.6 inch Galaxy Book Pro 360 is available for $1,300. At the upper end, things are better. Microsoft loaned me the Laptop Studio for $2700. A comparable Lenovo ThinkPad is about the same price.

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