Hands On: Microsoft Surface Hub (PCMagazine)

Microsoft's re-imagining of the conference room includes a massive, multi-input 4K HDTV.

REDMOND, Wash.—Microsoft wants Windows 10 to run on everything—phones, tablets, PCs, and even whiteboards. The Surface Hub is its take on the interactive whiteboard—a collaboration tool for businesses that combines Skype for Business, a 4K HDTV, and the largest capacitive Pen/touch display on the market.

I got some hands-on time with the product at Microsoft's Windows 10 launch event, and came away with one thought—we have to get one of these for the Labs.

I tried the 84-inch and 55-inch versions of the device. Standing next to the 84-inch version, you really get the sense you are standing in front of an enormous blank canvas. The screen runs at 120Hz, which is double what competing whiteboards can deliver.

If you are familiar with Perceptive Pixel, the display company Microsoft acquired two years ago, the Surface Hub will seem familiar, too. In fact, this is the same technology you see on most broadcast news shows. But Microsoft has made some important changes.

The Surface Hub is built for the modern conference room. There is no log-in process. Just walk up and tap Call, WhiteBoard, or Connect to get started.

Calling users opens up a Skype for Business connection. There are two wide-angle 1080p cameras mounted at eye level on the right and left of the display, so those dialing in to a meeting can see all the action. The hub also includes a four-element phase array microphone that uses technology original developed for the Kinect.

The Surface Hub is simply an excellent interactive whiteboard. Although 4K may seem like overkill, it makes for a stellar experience when you are standing at arm's length from the display. Microsoft also made sure writing on the screen feels fluid and natural. (Plus, no toxic marker smell!) The battery power pens are mounted at the sides of the display; just flip over the pen to erase your text. Objects scan be moved around the display in real time. And, of course, you can import objects from presentations and manipulate them on screen.

You can navigate the screen using touch or pen, and it supports multiple simultaneous users. You can also connect devices via Miracast or conventional cable, to use the Surface Hub as an external display. The Hub will run any Windows 10 universal app, although it seems like wireless or cabled docking will be the primary interface method. You can even connect an iPad to the Surface Hub, as long as the device is running Microsoft software. I did not get to test this connectivity myself, but it worked when demoed.

At the end of a Surface Hub session, all of the presentation materials can be sent to attendees via email or sent to OneNote. Microsoft spokespeople say no information would be kept on the device itself for security reasons, although they said there might be more granular IT management controls included by the time the device ships. This is an area I want to know more about, since wiping a digital whiteboard clean is more complicated than a conventional board. Even emailing the content created during a session could create security issues.

Pricing and release dates weren't announced. Even so, given the breadth of Microsoft's Windows 10 ambitions, this kind of collaboration tool only makes sense. At the very least, I think it will do a lot better than the original Surface tablet.

For more, check out PCMag's hands on with Microsoft's surprising HoloLens and the video below, as well as How Microsoft HoloLens Could Crush Google Glass.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ubpKP0Xik