Microsoft announced yesterday that it’s now allowing Surface Hub 2S owners to replace the built-in Windows 10 Team OS with the more versatile Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise. From the beginning, the family of digital whiteboards have been optimized for touch interactions, meeting spaces, and other enterprise use cases, but Microsoft acknowledges that some customers would like to have more flexibility with the 50-inch device.
By installing Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise on the Surface Hub 2S, customers will be able to install any app they want on the device, use any Windows 10 compatible accessory, and even use Windows Hello Biometrics with the Surface Hub 2 Fingerprint reader or third-party accessories. In comparison, the Windows 10 Team OS that ships on the Surface Hub 2S is restricted to Microsoft Store apps, and it supports inbox drivers only. It’s an OS optimized for multi-usage and immersive collaboration experiences, but the regular Windows 10 may really prove useful for some customers.
“The Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise on Surface Hub 2 configuration enables customers to break the monotony of sitting at one’s desk all day and allows our customers to stand, move around and meet with remote participants more naturally and invitingly, explained Yoav Barzilay, Senior Program Manager, Surface Engineering. “With the availability of the Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise on Surface Hub 2 configuration, customers can also create custom kiosk mode configurations in targeted environments – just like you would on any Windows 10 PC.”
The Surface Hub 2S comes with a massive 4K multitouch 50” screen, and using regular Windows 10 on it should be quite an experience. The device starts at $8,999, but enterprise users can also configure it with a Roam Stand and a battery to use it completely unplugged. If your company own one, you can find instructions on how to install Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise on it on this page.
