Ultra-thin, pixel-dense Surface Studio touchscreen PC will start at $2,999

Enlarge / Surface Studio.

Microsoft's first Surface-branded desktop PC now exists, and it is called the Surface Studio. Its cheapest model costs $2,999, with its highest-end model costing $4,199, and pre-orders kicked off today, October 26.

The PC, announced at Microsoft's Windows Creator Edition event, includes a 28" display with 13.5 million pixels at a 4500x3000 resolution; that's roughly 63 percent denser than a "4K" screen at 3840x2160 resolution. The 3:2 ratio screen is also an astonishing 12.5mm thick, and it can slide up and down on the device's hinge so that users can nearly flatten its orientation for the sake of drawing. Microsoft says the screen's counter-hinge will hold the screen in rigid orientation at any angle.

Surface Dial.

A new add-on device will ship alongside Surface Studio, dubbed Surface Dial. Placing the dial onto the screen lets artists immediately manipulate selections like color and other filters in graphic design apps. Microsoft describes the device as a companion to Surface Pen users, and if users don't place the Dial onto the screen, a UI circle can appear on the screen. However, it will also work as a more analog rewind-and-forward tool. At the event, this capability was shown off with pen strokes appearing gradually on a document for dramatic event.