Compare & Contrast with Macbook

[ALpHa.Q.RoUgH]

For those looking for comparisons with a Macbook or want to have a general idea of the difference between the two, I created this thread for you. As a person who purchased a Late 2013 Retina MBP 13 inch I thought it would be a good idea to give a general review of both as I try to submerge myself back into the Microsoft world after selling my Surface RT for the MacBook.

I've posted some pictures as well so you can see the difference between the screen brightness and the size of both laptops. Also, I will update my experience with the SurfaceBook as I am currently a student and will use it all this week taking notes and using it at school.

Key things to note:

1. I have the (i5, 256gb, dGPU model $1899)
2. My Macbook is the (Late 2013, MacBook Pro Retina 13.3)
3. Mainly use the computer for schoolwork, videos & games.

Things I have already noticed:

1. Screen has flickered a couple times EDGE. (Before Update will check again)
2. Trackpad is not as good as MBP (Will keep adjusting settings)
3. Screen brightness is higher on SurfaceBook compared to MacBook.
4. Had trouble finding my WiFi printer now has found it.

Question: Does the SurfaceBook not have a button like on the MBP that adjusts screen brightness? I see the buttons at the top of the keyboard are only for backlight keyboard brightness?

























P.S. Sorry for the bad picture quality. Seems as if my Lumia 1520 is not taking as good of pictures like it used to. Hopefully they announce the 950 XL soon.

 

[ytrewq]

The real key differences:
1). OS
2) touch screen
3). Pen
4). Detachable tablet-style screen
5). Discrete GPU
6). Price

Beyond that, the differences become minor. Although I will say that Windows Hello is super cool.

I've had some minor glitches, but not many. I'm giving MS the benefit of the doubt and assuming that they'll sort out any conflicts between the display driver and Edge and this thing should be a beast. I'm very happy with mine so far, but the driver glitch is a small hassle.

 

[Devhux]

There is no button on the keyboard to change brightness. You'd have to click on the battery icon to see it. A silly thing, but I bet that'll trip up more than a few users at first (pretty much any other laptop has a key or two that can adjust display brightness)

Posted via the Windows Central App for Android

 

[jabz9]

You can use alt+delete or alt+backspace to adjust blacklight

 

[arjeel]

Close but it's FN+Del and FN+backupace to adjust the screen backlight.

 

[ALpHa.Q.RoUgH]

Some thoughts:

1. Windows Hello works great (Doesn't work well when in tablet mode and the camera is on the bottom in your lap.)
2. Tablet mode doesn't work well when you detach the keyboard and reattach it reversed.
3. Pen doesn't work well when trying to tap (i.e. X buttons, minimize; type in the status bar) The writing is good
4. Trackpad is too sensitive (i.e. Phantom taps, typing in word sometimes reverts me back two sentences or so, weird movements)
5. Scrolling is still a work in progress, nothing compared to the MacBook could change over time.
6. IE froze twice in both Tablet Mode & Laptop Mode.
7. Clipboard part is amazing, used it during skype and walked around campus.
8. Bluetooth headphones (Beats) is not working with Skype; works with YouTube and other media (odd).

When compared to my MacBook the scrolling is lagging. The integration of the touchscreen still needs some work, which I see why I think Apple refuses to include a touchscreen on their Macs. So far my Mac is more reliable for typing and scrolling on the internet. Typing a paper has been kind of frustrating with the phantom taps and the random backtracks.

Only Day 1, hopefully some updates improve some of the issues I'm having especially the Bluetooth issue on Skype. Might have to try another pair of Bluetooth headphones.