The Best Computer Lineup for Photographers: Microsoft Surface

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I've been a dedicated Mac fan for most of my professional career.

But times, they are a-changin...

I've had the opportunity to utilize various Microsoft Surface products over the course of the last couple of years, and I have to say, these things have continued to impress me at every turn.

And I'm not alone...

Plenty of photographers have made the switch from Apple to Microsoft. The question is, if you're one such photographer, which Surface product is for you?

Here's a few suggestions based on my experience with these Surface systems.

For Traditional Photographers - The Surface Laptop

I hate to use the word "traditional" here, but I couldn't think of another word for photographers that spend their time editing photos in their office or studio rather than on the go.

If you're one such photographer, it's hard to beat the Microsoft Surface Laptop.

As you can imagine by its name, this thing is a normal laptop that will make editing photos and handling your daily business tasks a breeze.

That's thanks in part to a gorgeous 13.5-inch PixelSense display that offers sharp, bright colors, excellent contrast, and touchscreen capabilities to boot.

 

It packs a lot of power as well...

With processing options that include 7th Generation Intel® Core™ m3, i5 or i7 processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of SSD storage, the Surface Laptop offers tons of flexibility regarding just how much you need it to do.

Combined with the ultra-smooth Alcantara-covered keyboard that's a pure joy to use, this laptop offers a comfortable work experience as well.

Better still, if you need to hit the road, the Surface Laptop can easily accommodate with a 14.5-hour battery.

And since it weighs less than three pounds, it's not like you'll feel as though you're carrying a load of bricks.

Add in the fact that it's compatible with the Surface Pen and Surface Dial, and that there's Surface Laptop models that are priced barely above $700, you have the makings of a powerful, customizable computer for your photography exploits.

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For Photographers That Need Power & Flexibility - The Microsoft Surface Book 2

While the Surface Laptop is a great machine, if you need a little more in the way of computing power and flexibility in terms of how you use your computer, you might consider the Surface Book 2.

For starters, the Surface Book 2 offers newer, faster processors than the Surface Laptop, including an 8th Generation Intel® Core i7 quad-core processor as an option for the 13.5-inch model and standard on the 15-inch model.

You can get 8GB or 16GB of RAM (16GB is standard on the 15-inch) along with up to 1TB of SSD storage.

What all that means for you is that you get a lightning-fast computer with all the storage space and memory that you need for heavy-duty tasks like editing photos or videos.

With both 13.5-inch and 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen displays as options, you can customize your viewing experience to your specific needs.

Opt for the smaller screen if you tend to be a little more mobile or get the larger screen if this will be more of a studio-based machine.

Either way, the 3:2 aspect ratio, up to 3240x2160 resolution, and 10-point multi-touch screen will serve you well whether you're editing photos, checking your daily calendar, or something in between.

Of course, the functionality of the Surface Book 2 is greater than a normal laptop given that you can fold the screen backwards to use it as a tablet.

The fulcrum hinge that the original Surface Book became so famous for is still there, working away to give you the most flexible working experience possible.

Naturally, compatibility with the Surface Pen and Surface Dial is still there, too.

I've found that I use this rig in tablet mode when I'm multi-tasking - like editing photos while I watch a movie with my family.

But I can imagine it being useful in tablet format when working with a crew on a studio shoot or getting some work done while traveling.

And don't forget you can use this thing in Studio Mode, too...

Whatever the case, the Surface Book 2 kept all the good looks of its predecessor while ramping up the power under the hood.

With up to 17 hours of battery life, up to 267 PPI on the PixelSense Display, and tons of customization options, the Surface Book 2 is a great option for on-the-go photographers.

Even better, you can snag a Surface Book 2 for well under $1,500, so it's budget-friendly, too! That's just a few reasons why it's one of the best laptops for photo editing.

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For the Heavy Lifting - Microsoft Surface Studio

Finally, for photographers out there that need maximal computing power and screen size, the Microsoft Surface Studio is definitely for you.

To say that this thing is impressive is a huge understatement. It's absolutely superb.

The best feature of the Surface Studio is it's positively enormous screen.

At 28-inches, the PixelSense touchscreen display is part high function and part work of art. It's a thing of beauty to see this thing light up!

Add to that the fact that the Surface Studio can be used in multiple angles from flat to upright, and you have the ultimate in versatility.

Bring the Studio upright to check email, do invoicing, and other business tasks, and then push it to a flat position to easily check out your photos.

Thanks to its Zero Gravity Hinge, you can move between its various angles quickly and easily.

Under the hood, the Surface Studio has the specs that you'd expect of a professional-grade computer.

We're talking 6th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 or i7 processors, up to 32GB of RAM, up to a 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GPU, and up to a 2TB Rapid Hybrid Drive.

Naturally, this thing was purpose-built for use with Surface peripherals like the Pen and the Dial, and given that there's so much real estate on its giant screen, just imagine all the incredible things you can do with your photos with that combination of computing power and tools.

I can tell you, it's a setup that will totally change your workflow!

Sure, the Surface Studio is the priciest of the bunch, but for about $4,500, you can get a good setup that'll help you take your photography business to new heights.

As I said earlier, I've been a Mac guy for a long, long time, but Microsoft has caught up - and surpassed - Apple when it comes to developing computers that offer the most functionality and power for photography.

No matter what you need, no matter what your budget, there's a Microsoft Surface computer out there for you.

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