Compare Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac

In the today’s contemporary world, there are many high-class and versatile PC being invented. These have proven to be quite useful to people and among them, Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac are prominent ones.

It is known that Apple has presented a new line of iMacs in present year with many versatile features. They come packing Intel’s recent Kaby Lake processors, creating them more tempting to buy. However, an alternative to Apple’s iMac i.e. the Surface Studio which is Microsoft’s long-awaited all-in-one PC provides stiff competition to it.

Which one to buy Microsoft Surface Studio or Apple iMac

While choosing the convenient PC among Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac, considerations on various aspects need to be made. These considerations like display, design, storage, graphics, hardware, accessories, etc. vary as per your requirements.

Below, find the comparison between Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac to get a clear idea:

Comparison: Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac

Display

It is found that in terms of pixel, the Apple iMac 27 inch with Retina 5K display has the better display technically. However, it’s an inch lesser it possesses a higher resolution of around 5120 x 2880 that places its PPI at 217. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Studio’s display is a bit larger at 28 inch, however, it has a lesser resolution of 4500 x 3000, which places its PPI at 192. The Surface Studio display is a 28” PixelSense™ Display touch screen as well as it can select up to 10 points of contact simultaneously. Moreover, the Apple iMac’s display is simply the standardized non-touch enabled IPS display. Thus display aspect is the one where Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac differentiates a little.

Graphics

The Microsoft Surface Studio provides graphics of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M with memory – 4GB GDDR5. On the other hand, Apple iMac 27inc provide the graphics of AMD Radeon R9 M395X with memory – 4GB of GDDR5. It is found that both of these graphics cards are insanely alike in specifications. This suggests that Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac must deliver very identical performance.

Design and Build

Both of these computers from reputed brands are basically all-in-one PC’s, averting is built into the display. Though the iMac is regarded as standard all-in-one PC, the Surface Studio possesses a highly adaptable hinge. This hinge permits its display to be dropped towards the desktop hence you can be a stylus to write on the screen.

Hardware and power

These PC deliver different configurations for purpose of hardware for these kinds of all-in-one devices.  It is found that there are 1TB and 2TB hybrid drive options perceived on the Surface Studio from Microsoft. However, the iMac even provides 1 or 2TB fusion drives, with options for SSD or 3TB fusion. Moreover, at the entry-level, the iMac possesses a 7200rpm power at storage space of 1TB hard drive.

The Surface Studio begins at 8GB RAM, ranging over 16GB to 32GB at the topmost level. Whereas, the iMac provides 8GB as standard having options to range up to 16 or 32GB.

CPU, Storage and RAM

Both machines i.e. Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac do well out at an enormous 32GB of RAM. Both of them also provide 2TB hard drives, which are partial flash, as well as partial traditional HD. Moreover, they are identical in the CPU department as both provide Intel Core i7 chips. However, the iMac offers you the choice of getting a 4 GHz chip installed on it. Whereas the Microsoft Surface Studio do well at little slower 3.6GHz chip.

Connections and accessories

Microsoft Surface Studio possess 4x USB 3, SD card, Ethernet, Mini DisplayPort, 3.5mm headphone as connections and accessories. While Apple iMac comes with 4x USB 3, SD card, Ethernet, 2x ThunderBolt 2 and 3.5mm headphone. Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac both come with a Bluetooth and mouse keyboard. Apple includes every connection on the rear side of the display, while the Surface Studio’s connections are located on the rear side of the base. This actually makes a little aesthetic difference to how tidy each PC appears when everything is plugged in. It is known that support for Surface Dial as well as Surface Pen is a plus of the Studio.

Concluding Note

Both the PC i.e. Microsoft Surface Studio and Apple iMac are worth to buy and it depends on your requirements. Discussing specifications wise, the iMac hits the Surface Studio on majority of accounts. This PC has got the enhanced display resolution as well as little better high-end CPU. Though, the displays provided on both these PCs make the choice difficult while buying. The Microsoft Surface Studio is perhaps the recommended option for graphics artists. This is due to its beautiful and larger touchscreen, appealing to most of the users. Having bought the Surface Studio you can bid goodbye to drawing tablet fixtures. As an alternative, you are allowed to draw right on the screen itself, hence it is a boon to graphics artists.