Reviewed: The Best Microsoft Surface Product for Photographers

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There was a time not that long ago that most of the photographers that I know wouldn't have dreamt of using PC for their photography needs.

But boy, have times changed...

Microsoft's Surface lineup is deep with pretty incredible products, and photographers have taken notice.

The beauty of the Surface is that there's one for just about any kind of photographer with any kind of budget.

So the question is, what Microsoft Surface product is the best fit for you?

The New Surface Pro

A great entry-level machine, the new Microsoft Surface Pro is priced right (starting at under $800) for photographers that are on a tight budget.

But don't think that because you're not spending a lot that you don't get a lot of bang for your buck...

The new Surface Pro is convertible, meaning you can use it as a laptop or a tablet to suit your needs.

It's also got something called "studio mode" in which you can lower the kickstand to nearly horizontal, giving you a nearly flat surface that's ergonomically sound for doing things like editing your photos with the Surface Pen or Surface Dial.

The Surface Pro also has some upgrades over previous models that make it well worth a look.

That includes a battery that boasts 50 percent more juice than the Surface Pro 4, so you can take your Surface Pro on day long photo shoots without worrying if it'll have enough battery power to last.

The display isn't bad either: a 12.3-inch PixelSense display that lets you inspect your photos in incredible color and detail.

It's also touch-sensitive, and as noted above, is compatible with the Surface Pen for even greater creative possibilities.

In other words, if you're looking for an inexpensive machine to handle the tasks of being a photographer - whether that's editing photos or sending invoices to clients - the new Surface Pro has more than enough power and features to fit the bill.

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The Surface Laptop

If you're looking for a more traditional computing experience, the Surface Laptop might be the ideal choice for you.

Unlike the new Surface Pro discussed above, the Surface Laptop is just that - a laptop.

But it isn't just any old laptop...

It weighs only 2.76 pounds, so it's much more portable than many laptops in this price range (which, at the time of writing, starts at under $1,000).

What's more, it has an incredible battery that lasts up to 14.5 hours, so even on the longest of photo shoots, you don't have to be concerned about your laptop running out of gas.

The Surface Laptop has the same PixelSense Display from the Surface Pro - only it's bigger.

At 13.5-inches, you get even more gorgeous real estate to check out your images and edit them as you please.

With touchscreen capabilities, you can make pinpoint edits to your photos, or just use it to make quick work of day-to-day tasks like checking appointments in your calendar or whipping through your online portfolio to see how your photos look.

The Surface Laptop comes with Windows 10 S, a lightweight, streamlined, and highly secure environment in which you can tackle all your business tasks, and more.

That makes the Surface Laptop a great choice for business-minded photographers that want a touchscreen for easy photo editing too.

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The Surface Book

If budget is a bit less of a concern and you want lots of power and the option to use your device as a laptop or a tablet, then the Microsoft Surface Book deserves a good, hard look.

Like other Surface products, the Surface Book has a touch-enabled screen that makes it an ideal companion for tackling daily photography tasks.

That includes using the Surface Dial and Surface Pen to quickly and easily switch between tasks and make notes or edit photos with the greatest of accuracy.

The Surface Book is also the most adaptable of the Surface products.

Use it in laptop mode when you need a traditional setup for things like managing your website or updating your contact list.

Use it in tablet mode when you need a lean and mean device with nothing but the screen.

When it's time to draw, sketch, or edit photos, use the Surface Book in studio mode, in which the keyboard flips behind the screen. The resulting angle of view is easy on the eyes and provides a comfortable angle for your hand to work as well.

There's even a view mode, in which you mount the screen backward. That gives you the perfect platform for showing clients their photos.

That means that the Surface Book packs quite a punch, and with prices that start at $1,499, the Surface Book won't break the bank, either.

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The Surface Studio

If you want the ultimate in computing experiences, the Surface Studio should be at the top of your list.

For starters, the Surface Studio has a 28-inch PixelSense Display. That's a TON of real estate for tackling the most detailed inspections of your photos.

Better still, the display is both touchscreen and tilting, so you get the best of the Surface touchscreen capabilities combined with a huge display that articulates downward to turn into a low-angle canvas for all your creative pursuits.

And don't think that because the display is so large that it's hard to adjust its positioning...

With a Zero Gravity Hinge, it just takes light pressure to move the screen into canvas mode and bring it back to upright again.

Since the Surface Studio has such a huge display, that makes it the ideal companion for the aforementioned Surface Dial and Surface Pen.

In fact, with support for Adobe CC, this setup is the ideal photographer's workstation.

That's especially true with professional-grade power coming from Intel Core i5 and i7 processors to keep things running quickly and smoothly.

With prices starting at around $3,000, the Surface Studio isn't for the budget-conscious buyer.

However, if you have the money and want a rig that will handle absolutely anything you throw at it (and probably a lot more!), the Surface Studio is a great choice.

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