Dell’s Smart Desk is the Surface Studio’s first rival
Microsoft unveiled a bold new product last month when it introduced its new Surface Studio all-in-one, but it seems its not the only company working on such a device.
As reported by TechCrunch, a video shown before the keynote speech at Adobe’s Max conference and caputured by MSPowerUser, reveals a concept for a Smart Desk from none other than Dell.
The product looks a lot like Microsoft’s latest desktop innovation, and comes complete with a dial which seems to work much like the Surface Dial.
Related: Surface Studio – What you need to know
There’s a few differences, of course. Dell’s version uses a separate screen and large touch-screen desk, while Microsoft’s Surface Studio is a screen that lays flat and converts into a large slate.
It looks like Dell’s take on the technology is a standalone module then, rather than an actual computer itself, but details are obviously sparse at this time.
In terms of how it works, the Smart Desk will likely make use of a lot of the same features of the new Windows 10 Creators Update as the Surface Studio.
The dial shown in the video looks like it functions in much the same way as the Surface Dial, which is to say it can be placed on the screen itself and rotated to select different tools and options.
Microsoft’s version can even work with third-party services; for instance, you’ll be able to use the Dial to adjust volume on Spotify, Groove, and Pandora.
Whether Dell’s dial will come with similar functionality remains unclear, with no specs or further details yet available.
Dell told TechCrunch the footage from the video is of a concept from 2014, but the device does now exist and will be unveiled at CES in January.
WATCH: Surface Studio first look
Let us know what you think of Dell’s design in the comments.