Microsoft hinges away from the Surface Studio
Hartley Charlton, macrumors.com:
Microsoft has confirmed to _Windows Central_ that it has ended production of the Surface Studio 2+, a premium all-in-one desktop designed for creative professionals. With remaining stock now limited to retailers and partners, there is likely no successor to the Studio 2+ planned. This effectively ends Microsoft’s efforts to compete in the high-end all-in-one market dominated by Apple’s iMac, a fixture of creative workspaces for decades.
Stephen Hackett, 512pixels.net:
For years, Apple fans have looked at the Surface Studio longingly, wondering what a version of a tilting Mac desktop could look like. Many wondered if Apple would ever do anything like this machine, adding Apple Pencil and touch support to macOS, or doing some wild Mac/iPad hybrid.
It me!1 👋 I’m sad to see this computer go. Its ability to transform into a giant drafting-table-like touchscreen workpad brought something new and exciting to the desktop paradigm. (I still remember the “Pure Imagination” introduction video.) Maybe we’ll eventually see something like this from Apple as macOS and iPadOS grow ever closer, but I think it’s less likely now without a rival on the market.
Oh, and remember that wild Surface Dial accessory that Microsoft shipped? I completely forgot that it was introduced alongside the original Surface Studio; I thought it came out after. You can still buy it! That was cool too and I’m surprised you don’t hear more about it given how much tactical controls are coming back.
Microsoft has historically taken big swings with the Surface line, but that era appears to be coming to a close. Was Surface lead Panos Panay’s exit a cause or an effect?