Hartley Charlton
Microsoft has discontinued the Surface Studio 2+, ending the company's only direct competitor to Apple's iMac and leaving a gap in the Windows ecosystem for high-end all-in-ones.
Microsoft has confirmed to Windows Central that it has discontinued the Surface Studio 2+, a premium all-in-one PC aimed at 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 attempts to compete in the high-end all-in-one PC market dominated by the iMac Apple's Surface Studio has been a staple in creative workspaces for decades.
First introduced in 2016, the Surface Studio was an attempt to challenge Apple in the creative pro hardware market. Its standout feature was a 28-inch, 4.5K PixelSense touchscreen mounted on a unique hinge that allowed the display to tilt into a flat drafting table position. Paired with accessories like the Surface Dial and Surface Pen, the Studio was designed to appeal to graphic designers, illustrators, and video editors. Despite its innovative design, the Surface Studio struggled to gain traction due to its high price tag, which started at $2,999 for the original model, and its reliance on hardware components that were often a generation behind current industry standards.
It's also notable that Microsoft has discontinued other Surface products like the Surface Duo and Surface Earbuds. In recent years, Microsoft has shifted its focus to productivity-focused hardware like the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop lines and enterprise services like its Copilot AI tools. Meanwhile, Apple has continued to update the ever-popular iMac with new hardware, most recently with the M4 chip, new color options, a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage and Desk View features, and a nano-texture display option.
Microsoft's decision to discontinue the Surface Studio line could leave a void in the Windows all-in-one PC market. While companies like HP and Lenovo continue to make all-in-one PCs, none match the Surface Studio's combination of touch capabilities, drafting desk functionality, and premium design.
Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Surface Studio, Surface[ 68 comments ]
