Is there a better alternative?

In specs and price, the Surface Studio 2 fits squarely between the iMac and the iMac Pro. Microsoft’s all-in-one starts at $3,500 and tops out at $4,800. Our review unit was $4,200, which included 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

　　That makes it difficult to compare them apples-to-apples, especially in terms of performance. The iMac Pro is by far the more powerful system with its Intel Xeon processors and Vega 64 graphics, but all three have world-class displays and build quality. Though the 27-inch iMac might be a better value, it lacks the tilting hinge, stylus support, and graphics performance that make the Surface Studio 2 stand out.

　　There are other great all-in-one PCs available today, but none are in the same class as the Surface Studio 2.

　　

How long will it last?

The Surface Studio 2 is incredibly well-built, meaning the hinge isn’t going to suddenly stop working, nor is the SSD going to give out. With the addition of a Thunderbolt 3 port, it’s a bit more futureproofed than the original. The 7th-gen processor might begin to feel stale in a few years, especially as six-core systems become more and more common.

　　Microsoft has had some support issues in the past with other products, which is certainly a legitimate reason to favor Apple’s iMacs. The Surface Studio 2 does come with just a one-year warranty. That’s not great, especially considering you can’t open it up and try to diagnose it yourself.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. It’s a unique product for a very niche group of people, but it’s great at filling that need.