Microsoft Launches 84-Inch Touchscreen Surface Hub

Microsoft has officially launched its massive 84-inch touchscreen-enabled Surface Hub.

Of course, most people have been expecting the device for quite some time. Microsoft first unveiled the Surface Hub last year, touting it as being a hub for professional conferences and team-based collaboration projections. At the time, however, there was no official launch date for the device. But it appears that time has come, because the Surface Hub is now available to purchase through Microsoft.

It’s important to note that the Surface Hub isn’t being marketed for use by consumers. Instead, it’s a professional touchscreen device that’s aimed at businesses. Microsoft is selling two different versions of the Surface Hub: a 55-inch version for $8,999, and an 84-inch version for $21,999. The company says its Surface Hub will replace the traditional whiteboards in conference rooms and offices.

In terms of specs, the Surface Hub is pretty impressive to say the least. According to a statement made by Microsoft, it’s powered by a 4th generation Intel Core processor (either i5 or i7 depending on variant), as well as an Intel 4600 or Nvidia Quadro K2200 video graphics card, 125GB solid state hard drive, 8GM of random access memory (RAM), 4 USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, WiFi, and of course the Windows 10 operating system.

Even with all of these impressive specs, the real beauty of the Microsoft Surface Hub is its support for digital ink. Basically, users can write on the screen using a stylus, adding notes, memos, etc. And in terms of touch capabilities, the Surface Hub is capable of recognizing up to 100 different points of touch.

“One thing that we believe very, very deeply is that the best work is done by teams,” said Microsoft’s Brian Hall said. “People who get together, challenge each other, and work together can accomplish so much more than people working individually.”

If you’re thinking about purchasing the Surface Hub, however, you should be aware of its weight. Being that the Surface Hub is such a massive device, it should come as little-to-no surprise that it weights A LOT. The smaller 55-inch version tips the scales at 105 pounds, while the larger 84-inch version is even heavier at 280 pounds. So, take this into consideration when choosing an area on the wall on which to mount the device.

What do you think of the Microsoft Surface Hub?