Microsoft Surface Studio

[Roleen]

Hey

I would really love your take on the Surface Studio? 

[Brian]

Microsoft's take on the iMac. They look interesting, and having it be used as a glorified iPad is kinda cool.  I'm wondering how easy are they to calibrate, since the touchscreens traditionally are a BITCH to calibrate. (Translation: Have large amounts of Tequila and Aspirin at the ready when trying to calibrate a touch screen.)  Also, where do you take it to get it fixed? It's not a "Normal" computer by any means. Best Buy and the like will ship it out to a repair center. If you are fortunate to have a Microsoft Store near you, they could be an option. That said, ALL THOSE FRIGGIN' FINGERPRINTS ON THE DISPLAY. Ugh. I would not want to edit photos on the thing. Yes, I know the advertisement demonstrates "artists" flinging photos around and using the fancy pencil and such, but I think the marketing / advertising agency is really laying it on thick.   

What I don't like is the price. A tricked out Surface Studio is over $4199. A fully tricked out 27" iMac, with Apple's extremely over-priced RAM configured to 32GB, comes out to $3499. Plus Tax and Shipping. Finally, Microsoft has put out a product that costs more than a similarly equipped 27" iMac. LOL! 

Fully tricked out iMac, $3499 plus applicable Tax and AppleCare:

[Brian]

Microsoft's Equivalent:
 

[Brian]

Since you are asking my opinion, here it is: I will pass for now, but keep it on my RADAR. I've read some feed-back from people who own them, and one of the small things that caught my eye was that the USB 3.0 ports aren't powered. Well, they don't have the "Umph" to power things like external HDs and such, so you'll need a Powered USB hub to go along with it. It seems Microsoft cut some corners and put in low-powered USB ports that you find on laptops.

[Roleen]

Thank you for the informative reply Brian! Really like hearing/reading your opinion on these subjects. Honestly, I'm a die hard Mac fan and have nightmares about ever having to work on a Window computer again. All I remember is the constant problems and having to spend hours fixing it just to have it break down again soon after... That seriously traumatized me. But I was still curious though. With all the obvious down falls you mentioned I can see why people would be hesitant to switch. 

Apple actually had a patent out on something similar a few year ago. When the screen would detect a shift in orientation it would switch from mac os to iOS, but apparently they decided to rather focus on creating the best tablet and the best Mac as separate products. 

I do feel Apple has been neglecting it's creative clients and I'm wondering what this might mean in terms of healthy competition and getting them to listen to their audience. Maybe they don't need them for their survival anymore... based on popular demand. Anyway. 

[Brian]

Don't think Apple hasn't noticed and I actually agree with them, keep tablets and computers SEPARATE. They are at their best when they compliment each other, rather than being a "Jack of all Trades...Specialist at None." Apple has done what's in its best interest for APPLE. Ever since 1984. LOL!! It's Windows that caters to the masses, and you see how that works out. Sure there are lots of computers at different price-points, but you have a bloated OS...Windows...that has to work with ALL of them. With the Mac, all Apple has to do is worry about the Mac. If you want to swim in their pool, you play by their rules. As for neglect, I think it's just the Windows side of things has caught up. Adobe has really made both platforms pretty even, so there isn't THAT much of a difference anymore. That said, in the photo / graphic arts / music world, Apple remains King. I'm curious as to what would you do to a computer? Be like a Surface or something different?

We shall see what Apple is going to do. It's hard for me to see them going off-course with something dramatic right now with the iMac line, but then again...it's Apple. I think right now it's large screen iPad Pros that do what the Microsoft Surface is trying to do.