Microsoft has probably killed the Surface Studio laptop

India Today

16-05-2025

Microsoft seems to have quietly pulled the plug on one of its most ambitious laptop lines — the Surface Laptop Studio. Production of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has reportedly ended, and the device is expected to be marked as end-of-life by June, as per sources aware of the company's internal hardware plans. While Microsoft has not issued any formal statement on this, its official resellers have confirmed that manufacturing has stopped and availability will now be limited.advertisementOne such reseller acknowledged that while stocks may still be available in some regions, production has officially ceased. Microsoft, however, will continue to provide firmware and driver updates for the device, staying in line with its support policies for Surface products.The Surface Laptop Studio was once seen as Microsoft's fresh take on premium laptops with its unique folding design and focus on creators. But this quiet exit mirrors the recent phase-out of other Surface products like the Surface Studio 2 all-in-one PC and the dual-screen Surface Duo. Over the last couple of years, Microsoft has gradually trimmed its hardware portfolio, favouring mainstream, safe designs instead of experimental ones.
The company recently introduced refreshed versions of its regular Surface Laptop and Surface Pro models. These newer devices stick to familiar designs and sizes, signalling a more cautious approach. There's also been no sign of a Surface Laptop Studio 3, suggesting that Microsoft isn't looking to continue the series — at least not anytime soon.advertisementMuch of this change seems to have begun after the departure of longtime Surface head Panos Panay, who left for Amazon in 2023. Since then, Microsoft has focused on simplifying its Surface lineup, likely aiming to make its hardware offerings more streamlined and cost-effective.That change is also visible on Microsoft's website, where only the core Surface Pro and Laptop lines are highlighted for consumers. Devices like the Surface Go 4 still remain available for business customers, and there's talk of a potential Arm-based successor, possibly tied to Microsoft's growing push into AI-powered PCs under the Copilot Plus branding.Microsoft's interest in AI appears to be influencing its hardware ambitions. In earlier interviews, the company hinted at developing devices built specifically for AI assistants — possibly following the path it once explored with Cortana. With features like 'Hey, Copilot' voice activation now part of Windows 11, the focus seems to be on integrating AI more deeply into the Windows experience.For now, though, the departure of the Surface Laptop Studio — a product that once promised to shake up conventional laptop design — is a clear sign that Microsoft is rethinking its hardware playbook. Whether this is just a pause or a complete exit from creative-focused devices remains uncertain.