Apple will be lifting the covers on the MacBook Pro 2016 soon but Microsoft is tackling something their rival isn’t – desktops. Depending on what consumer’s fancy it could divide the attention in the coming days.
Apple does have a desktop in their roadmap with the iMac though it is not expected to come out this 2017. As mentioned in a previous post, the cause for the delay has been linked to the Intel Kaby Lake processor, something that will only start production by the end of the year.
On cue comes Microsoft with its line Surface All-in-One devices. The Redmond company has, of course, gained quite a reputation with its Surface series but there may be a kicker in the form of a name - “Surface Studio”. The trademark was recently spotted by a lawyer over in Slovenia.
The name may not matter much but it does confirm and earlier report from ZDNet. This is with regards to a Microsoft desktop computer codenamed “Cardinal” that was also known as something that would “turn a desktop into a studio”.
It may just be a name but branding has been a key part of the rivalry between Apple and Microsoft. Somehow it does have a nice ring to it though it remains to be seen if this is the real name that Microsoft’s all-in-one will be sporting.
Microsoft will be unveiling its new line of AIOs on Oct. 25 where the Surface Studio tag could be added, BGR reported. If not, it may hardly matter since it tackles a different niche and away from the notebook wars for now.
Apple will likely monitor Microsoft’s event as well to see what their latest Surface solution will have to offer. If not the iMac, the Cupertino company could counter with the return of the Apple Cinema, something that was last seen in 2013. From the looks of it, the Apple Cinema looks like a more realistic target of Microsoft than the next iMac.