Microsoft Surface Studio 2 vs. Apple iMac: What makes a better computer for video rendering, gaming, and everyday use?

Both are similar in that they are all-in-one computers but very different in many ways. So, let’s figure out which is definitively better than the other together. 

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 vs. Apple iMac: Key Similarities

The apparent advantage of the all-in-one system is its plug-and-play feature compared to a rather complex PC rig. Both the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 and the iMac are beautiful, slim-profile compact computers with outstanding hardware.

Each device comes with Bluetooth accessories (keyboard and mouse). And they also sport a somewhat similar aluminum chassis design.

So, to sum it up, both the Apple iMac and the Microsoft Surface Studio have:

• All-in-one feature
• Slim aluminum body
• Basic accessories included.

Although, to the last point, you can get a trackpad for an iMac to replace your mouse. At the same time, the Surface Studio 2 supports a Surface pen, a feature all iMacs lack.

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 vs. Apple iMac: Key Differences

While these two computers have many things in common, they are also quite different in many regards. We wouldn’t even go as far as to say that the Microsoft Surface Studio line is a direct competitor for Apple desktops. We think the Studio competes with major Windows PC brands, namely workstations from Lenovo, HP, etc. 

Still, the 27-inch iMac line and the Surface Studio 2 models are more or less identical in size and offer equally capable hardware.

The significant difference we’d like to point out right off the bet is that the Surface Pro 2 has a touchscreen display. The beautifully crisp 28-inch multitouch screen can turn your PC into a giant tablet for digital drawing, drafting–you name it. At this time, we (as many Apple users) are puzzled by the fact that none of the Apple computers still have a touchscreen feature, even in 2023. 

Another key difference is the number of I/O ports. The Microsoft Surface Studio offers four USB-A ports; it has an SD card reader, an Ethernet port, and a headphone jack port. On the other hand, the iMac sports another four Thunderbolt 3 ports in addition to the four USB-A, the audio jack, the SDXC slot, and the Ethernet port. Not having the Thunderbolt 3 can be an issue for many Studio users. 

However, the most essential dissimilarity that will determine whether you choose the iMac or the Surface Studio is the software. Yes, it always comes down to that one question: Mac (macOS) or PC (Windows)?

We recommend prioritizing your professional needs when picking between these two vastly different platforms. For example, a programmer might want to choose the iMac over the Surface Studio 2. Yet, a graphic designer can benefit from Microsoft’s touchscreen feature and pen support. 

So, let’s sum those main differences up again:

• macOS vs. Windows
• iMac does not have a touchscreen
• iMac has more I/O ports and supports Thunderbolt 3

Related: Mac vs PC Laptop: Which is Best for You?

Performance Rundown

Both the Surface Studio and the iMac Pro are packed with high-end components and cater primarily to the professional world as the top choice for corporate computer equipment. Let’s take a closer look at the main hardware markers in more detail.

Screen

Size-wise, the 28-inch Surface Pro 2/2+ is very comparable to the 27-inch iMac. But, as we already mentioned, the one huge advantage of the Microsoft computer is its 10-point multitouch feature. The adjustable PixelSense monitor with 13.5 million pixels makes digital drawing comparable to sketching on paper.

At the same time, the Apple iMac offers 5120 × 2880 5K resolution, 60 Hertz refresh rate, and 500-nits brightness.

Graphics

The base Apple iMac 2017 model comes with the AMD Radeon Pro Vega 56 8GB VRAM graphics and is configurable to Vega 64 and 64X with 16GB video memory.

Microsoft decided to stick with NVIDIA, however. Its Surface Studio 2 has a GeForce GTX 980M 4GB GPU, and the newer Surface 2+ model is configurable to GTX 1060 6GB GDDR5 or GTX 1070 8GB GDDR5.

Despite those differences, both desktops are very capable of video rendering, running power-hungry editing programs, and gaming.

Processor

The latest Surface Studio 2+ model is powered by the 11th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, which is a bit underwhelming, given we are on the 13th generation already. Still, the quad-core i7-11370H is sufficient to keep up with your daily workflow, video editing, and even playing AAA titles.

The Surface Pro 2 model has an even older Intel Core i7-7820HQ processor with no variations. 

Apple’s iMac Pro 27-inch tops the Surface Studio in that regard, as it comes with a more powerful Intel Xeon CPU, which can be configured with eight, 10, or even 18 cores. And the latest 24-inch model sports Apple’s own M1 chip.

Thermals

Both brands applied new and somewhat unorthodox approaches to heat management. The Microsoft Studio 2 contains all its hardware in the screen base (bottom). As a result, the display panel is not affected by heat. At the same time, the computer profile is too narrow to house a decent-size heatsink fan, therefore, you might experience significant heating up still. 

On the other hand, Apple added a huge dual-fan heatsink to its iMac Pro line, which keeps the device cool despite the demanding hardware requirements. 

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 vs. Apple iMac: The Cost

The lower-end Surface Studio is significantly cheaper than the iMac Pro (in fact, $2000 less at the time of its release). Still, needless to say, both computers are very expensive, even today, given their outdated hardware. 

Because of their exclusivity, both the Apple iMac and the Microsoft Surface Studio carry significant resale value over time. When you take an investment plunge with either of these models, at least you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you can still sell your computer and recover some cash worth way down the line. 

In Conclusion

As you can see, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 vs. Apple iMac choice ultimately comes down to the following: Whether you prefer macOS or Windows, do you need a touchscreen feature, and are you prepared to spend thousands of dollars on a desktop? Both lines have their advantages but also lack features at the same time. Sometimes, we wish it was possible to mesh the iMac M1 computing capabilities with the Surface Studio touchscreen display. Wouldn’t that be a perfect all-in-one desktop?