Hands-on: Microsoft's massive Surface Hub enables big-screen collaboration
Available in 55-inch and 84-inch screen sizes, the Surface Hub is a tool for collaboration, including working on documents and video conferencing. It's designed to replicate the experience of a large group, working together, spread out over multiple locations. And the hardware is outstanding--both displays are 4K resolution, and at a whopping 120Hz refresh rate. That's twice what most displays are offering.
Unfortunately, Microssoft isn't talking about price or availability yet. That information will come at a later date, a spokesman said.
Hands-on with the Surface Hub
The Surface Pro Hub starts up instantly, recognizing you as you approach the device through the integrated Kinect sensor. A screensaver interface offers three default options: a Skype call, a OneNote notebook, and a connecting a third-party device such as a phone or tablet.
Inking on the Surface Hub is superb. The included pen supports pressure, so that pressing down widens the digital flow of ink. Flipping the pen upside down turns the pen into an eraser. And you can also lasso content and move it from one side of the display to another. I was able to draw on the 55-inch display as easily as I would ink something on a 12-inch Surface Pro 3. And with support for 100-point touch, several people can work on the same display at once.
When used as a videoconferencing solution, the Surface Hub appears to do a good job of making sure remote users feel like they're part of the conversation. The cameras in the Surface Hub are at eye level, so that remote users feel like they're talking to you, not the top of your head. The videoconferencing software, Skype for Business, shows users in small video windows off to one side, with a main screen for sharing presentations and other documents. Since the display runs any Windows 10 app, content can be snapped to one side of the screen for optimal viewing. And if a device supports Miracast or HDMI, phones and tablets can be connected to the Surface Hub as well.
At the end of a meeting, the content that was shared--including the digital ink applied to it all--is gathered up and automatically shared with participants. Then the device wipes itself to prepare for the next meeting.
Why this matters: This isn't something that you'll buy for your home. But the Surface Pro Hub should be something businesses look into. Collaboration is key for large groups, and the Surface Pro Hub allows large groups to work together. It's not clear how this will play in the Unified Communications market, where third parties rule the roost, but Microsoft's solution appears well-designed and well integrated with its product suite.