Key Takeaway

Finding the right product comes down to balancing features and capabilities with budget. Priced at $2,999 (vs. the $8,999 price tag of the Surface Hub) Vibe offers a cost effective solution for small- to mid- sized marketing and design agencies, startups, and tech firms.

The Surface Hub is a good choice if you only need to use Microsoft applications and are interested in a device that has a battery pack option.

Microsoft Surface Hub 2S Pricing

The Surface Hub S2 is just under $9,000 for the 50” model. The wall mount costs $249, the mobile stand costs $1,450, and the battery expansion will run you an additional $1,400.

Microsoft Surface Hub 2S Highlights

Like most digital whiteboards, the Surface Hub 2S features built-in technology for video conferences and whiteboarding sessions. The responsive touchscreen is designed to feel as natural as drawing on a traditional whiteboard.

The Surface Hub 2S’s 4K digital display enables real-time creation so you can work alongside your colleagues on projects. Screen sharing allows your team to access the canvas and share Office 365 files.

While the original Surface Hub was optimized for meetings, the new edition goes a step further in upping its video conferencing game by including a modular 4K camera. Users can select from a few different plug-in locations to find their ideal camera angle.

Another notable feature of the S2 is the battery expansion. The battery holds a two-hour charge and takes 90 minutes to fully charge. This, combined with the board’s slimmed down design (weighing 40 percent less than the previous model), gives users the option to make meetings mobile.

What’s Missing

Like its predecessor, the Surface Hub S2 is heavily reliant on the Universal Windows 10 application system, which creates an issue for companies who don’t run primarily on Microsoft software.

For instance, connecting to a video conference via Skype requires an Exchange Server or an Office 365 for Business account along with Skype for Business. In this situation, calling non-Skype users isn’t easy, and is just one example to consider when hiring freelancers, contract workers, or creating future remote work opportunities.

The S2 runs on the software of the previous Surface Hub, so the sleeker hardware is the most notable change with the update. Microsoft’s goal is for companies to be able to switch out the central processing unit with future updates, but without knowing how long it’ll be before that’s possible, purchasing the S2 is a big investment.

Another major (and expensive) drawback: all of the useful accessories cost extra. So on top of paying around $9,000 for the board, the wall mount costs $249, the mobile stand costs $1,450, and the battery expansion will run you an additional $1,400.