During Microsoft’s September 21 Surface event, the tech giant couldn’t resist a little friendly ribbing at its longtime rival, Apple. The moment of rivalry unfolded as Microsoft unveiled the Surface Laptop Studio 2, a device designed with creative professionals in mind, a demographic traditionally drawn to Apple’s MacBook lineup.
As Microsoft’s representatives sang the praises of the Surface Laptop Studio 2, they brought a MacBook Pro onto the stage. This MacBook Pro was said to be equipped with the high-end M2 Max chip, likely the 14-inch 2023 model launched by Apple earlier in the year.
The stage was set for a showdown as both laptops were tasked with rendering the same digital image in Blender, a popular 3D animation application. The results spoke volumes: the Surface Laptop Studio 2 completed the task in a swift 37.4 seconds, while the MacBook Pro took a comparatively leisurely 1 minute and 12 seconds. Microsoft’s spokesperson on stage couldn’t resist a playful jab, asking, “What shall we do while we wait for the Mac?” Ouch indeed.
The rivalry between Microsoft and Apple has a long history of spats and sassy exchanges, reminiscent of Apple’s iconic Mac vs. PC advertisements.
However, Microsoft should tread carefully with such callouts, especially in the creative professional market. Apple’s MacBooks continue to be the top choice for video editing and photography, and Microsoft faces an uphill battle to sway this audience.
While the on-stage demonstration showcased the Surface Laptop Studio 2’s prowess, it was a controlled environment handpicked by Microsoft to highlight its product’s strengths. Other areas where the Studio 2 may not outperform the MacBook Pro remain unexplored.
Microsoft’s presentation also left some gaps in information. Although we were told the MacBook Pro featured the M2 Max chip, details like memory capacity were omitted. Similarly, the exact configuration of the Surface Laptop Studio 2 used in the demonstration wasn’t disclosed, leaving room for speculation about its power and price.
The true test of the Surface Laptop Studio 2’s mettle against the MacBook Pro will come when independent reviews and hands-on testing provide a comprehensive picture. Until then, we’ll have to take Microsoft’s word for its laptop’s creative capabilities. If it lives up to the hype and truly outperforms the MacBook Pro in creative workloads, the competition in this space is bound to get more intriguing.
