Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Microsoft Surface Studio Reviews: Apple Fans Might Be 'Tempted to Switch Camps', Despite High Price
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I test drove one the other day at the Microsoft Store - have to say it wasn't bad. I was shocked at how much Microsoft is innovating compared to Apple these days. For creatives that often need to draw on-screen I could see it being very appealing.
Not sure it has much appeal to video editors like myself however.
Not sure it has much appeal to video editors like myself however.
I seriously doubt it will attract very many Cintiq users at all. They would lose so much functionality and flexibility (OS choice, ability to mount to an arm, etc, etc.) Also, this is the first time I've heard complaints about the build quality of Cintiq. Those things are built like tanks (and weigh about as much as one, too).
As an artist, that thing looks like a dream machine. Mac or no mac, it's a temptation.
I ran exclusively Windows for the last 4 months (waited for the 2016 MBP).
Windows 10 look nice on the surface (pun unintended), but it's still the same messy OS as it ever was, even more so than before since now you have new "touch friendly" settings and all the old system panels that sometimes goes back to Windows 95 days.
Start menu is still a huge mess to manage, control panel is still a huge huge mess where you need to remember weird path to get to the actual controls you want.
It's a kid's room where everything have been shoved under the bed. Looks clean, but good luck when you are looking for something.
Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows XP, same mess.
(Yes I use my windows computer everyday, cause I have to)
It may be true that you don't need it, though others may.
Niche product? Yes
But it seems all to apparent that Apple has decided to live in the fat middle so as to max out their profits.
As a capitalist I can't say that I blame them. As an end user I was disappointed that an Apple event for the Mac focused on one Mac line and in doing so eliminated the entry level of that line.
Niche product? Yes
But it seems all to apparent that Apple has decided to live in the fat middle so as to max out their profits.
As a capitalist I can't say that I blame them. As an end user I was disappointed that an Apple event for the Mac focused on one Mac line and in doing so eliminated the entry level of that line.
http://cdn.bgr.com/2016/10/imac-touch.jpg?quality=98&strip=all&strip=all
That's the patent from 2010. Identical to this. Yet Apple never made it. Shame.
Now worries, this product is intended for people who know what they are talking about anyways.
It's still a niche product.
It's a good all in one for creatives, but not more than that.
I'd like to see Apple offering some kind of custom 5K Touchscreen with Apple Pencil for creative professionnals to use with their MacBook Pros
It's a good all in one for creatives, but not more than that.
I'd like to see Apple offering some kind of custom 5K Touchscreen with Apple Pencil for creative professionnals to use with their MacBook Pros
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
What "every other"? Is Apple newest laptops "every other"?
I agree that eventually USB3/Thunderbolt3 may rule as a unified port but that is probably further away than 12-24 months. How long has "every other" had Thunderbolt 1. Is it everywhere yet? I think it's not so different than when "every other" put firewire on their "modern computers" and then us users looked forward to the time when everything else not made by Apple supported it. Did that time ever arrive?
Of course, USB3 has a much better chance at mass adoption than firewire or earlier incarnations of Thunderbolt but I doubt 12-24 months for it to be everywhere is realistic. I'm guessing maybe about 5-7 years until it is as "everywhere" as good old USB-A.
Last edited:
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Nothing is as important as "thinner" and USBC ports sell profitable dongles.
"Thinner" and more profits rule all!
It's not really a product in Microsoft's pipeline either. They've already said they're only going to produce an extremely limited quantity this year. IMO, this is mainly intended as a tech press macguffin, not something that MS is really putting much stock in.
If Microsoft's software development can improve as quickly as their hardware design, Apple is going to have a real competition on their hands.
This device, regardless of price, is what Microsoft needed - a halo device to get people excited at what they can create. The Surface/Surface Book are both nice devices but the Studio really kicked it up a notch.
I saw this at the Microsoft store in Troy, MI and left with my jaw on the floor. Truly an absolutely beautiful device.
This device, regardless of price, is what Microsoft needed - a halo device to get people excited at what they can create. The Surface/Surface Book are both nice devices but the Studio really kicked it up a notch.
I saw this at the Microsoft store in Troy, MI and left with my jaw on the floor. Truly an absolutely beautiful device.
I'd forgive them if they put even a thunderbolt 2 port on the thing... instead you're limited to USB(-A) 3.0 for any sort of mass storage.
Don't get me wrong... it's a nice machine. But for $3k, this should have modern high speed connectivity and ditched the spinning rust drives. Who pays $3k for something with a hybrid drive in it? It'll definitely fill the niche for people who want/need a large Wacom tablet and they've created a means of making a touch/pen form factor usable (low angle on desk). I think it's a bit out of range for general consumers (just listen to all the "Pros" around here crying about a $1500 laptop..).
True, but I bet that this is the first in many. They will certainly create desktops with smaller screens and more "office" type stuff.
If it could run Mac OS, I would buy one in a heartbeat.
The fact that the iMac didn't make its way here as an option at least is insane.
The fact that the iMac didn't make its way here as an option at least is insane.
I was a tower-power Mac user for decades, but when I finally cut the cord, I've become more comfortable kicking back where ever and surf away. However, I would love to use this thing simply for casual everyday tasking despite the costs. Maybe it's because Apple hasn't come up with anything interesting in quite some time. Even so, I did order the new 15-inch MacBook Pro fully decked out with every upgrade available. At least I'll be able to add Windows with plenty of room to spare and to have something else to play around with.
Last edited:
Looks like Microsoft out Apple'd Apple on this one. I'm afraid of where the Mac is going at this point. I'm still going to get a MBP, because I love MacOS and the whole ecosystem, but if I was partial to Windows or indifferent, I'd go with this, or a Surface Book, or an XPS, etc., which is not a good sign for them... I really hope they update the rest of their lineup soon and significantly just for the sake of the stocks I own lol.
One worrying factor: if MS software follows the trend compared to Apple's new hardware, Windows 11 is going to be much better than macOS.