Google's Jamboard takes on the Microsoft Surface Hub with a lower price

Google today introduced its new Jamboard device for its business customers to take on Microsoft’s Surface Hub. The search giant’s Jamboard essentially does most of the same things as Microsoft’s Surface Hub — but, of course, the Jamboard runs Google services. Jamboard is part of Google’s G Suite which means it comes with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos and it’s also integrated with Google Drive. Similar to the Surface Hub, Jamboard allows users to sketch and collaborate easily using the stylus that comes with the device.

The main difference between the Surface Hub and Jamboard is the specs and the price, however. Jamboard comes with a 55-inch 4K Ultra HD Touch Display, supports passive stylus and finger recognition, USB 2.0, 3.0, Type C, Bluetooth, NFC, and HDMI 2.0. The device also comes with a wide-angle HD camera for video calls (presumably powered by Google Hangouts). On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Hub comes includes a 55-inch display, Intel Core i5, two wide-angle cameras, USB 3.0, 3.0, and two Surface Pens. Another small difference between both of the devices is the fact that Microsoft Surface Hub’s display supports 100 touch points while the Google Jamboard supports only 16 touch points.

There are a couple of differences when it comes to the software, too — Google’s Jamboard comes with a custom version of Android Marshmallow (latest is Nougat), while Microsoft’s Surface Hub is powered by Windows 10 Team. On the Surface Hub, users are able to download and install Universal Windows Apps from the Windows Store — however, you can’t install any third-party apps on the Google Jamboard which is a big letdown. Google’s Jamboard does come with a neat companion app which will be available for Android and iOS that will allow users to work on the whiteboard in real-time — this is a feature which you can’t get on the Surface Hub (but you can collaborate on the Surface Hub whiteboard via Skype for Business).

Google says the Jamboard will be shipping next year for $6,000 — that’s $3,000 less than Microsoft’s Surface Hub which is available for $9,000.