Surface Book or Spectre x360?

[rsud93]

My current laptop is nearing its 5th year, and I'm torn between the Surface Book and Spectre x360.

I've loved the x360 since it was announced. It's a gorgeous, sleek, laptop. As much as I love the features of the Surface Book, something about the design just seems... off - from the unique-looking hinge, the gap when it's closed, camera on the laptop lid, and the magnesium of the Surface line doesn't have quite the same sheen and elegance as aluminum in my personal opinion. However, I LOVE the idea of owning a laptop straight from Microsoft, with the beautiful Microsoft logo on the lid to make MacBook users jealous, where the hardware was built for the software, and everything works, and all the drivers are compatible. The removable tablet feature is cool, but I honestly don't see myself truly using it that often for school. If I did go with the Surface Book, I would only be able to afford the base $1500 model (with student discount at Microsoft store) with i5 and 128gb storage.

On the flipside, with the Spectre I would go for the highest model for $1400 (with student discount, again), which has i7 and 512gb storage. I prefer the aesthetics of the Spectre over the Surface, and the 360 degree hinge, tablet mode, and stylus compatibility is a nice feature that puts it head to head with the Surface Book. The only negative I can think of is that it's kind of large, the bezels are big, and the QHD screen might not be as good as the Surface Book screen. I'm needing more of a laptop than a tablet. So in my eyes, I'm getting more for the money if I get a Spectre.

Everything I discussed here seems to point to the Spectre over the Surface Book, but just the fact that the Surface is a premium laptop that comes straight from Microsoft is making this decision hard. Is it foolish of me to consider a laptop mostly because it was made by Microsoft and has the Microsoft logo on it? I'm thinking it would have better support, last longer, and just 'work' better with Windows. However, the Spectre was co-designed by Microsoft, so it's probably the next best thing.

So in summary, when comparing the two models I would be getting between the Spectre x360 and Surface Book, the Spectre wins in most areas. The Surface Book aspects that beat the Spectre for me are the higher resolution display, smaller bezels, 3:2 aspect ratio compared to 16:9, better tablet mode, and of course, it being made by Microsoft. I haven't gone into a store to play with a demo unit yet, but I plan to soon, so I can't comment on keyboard and trackpad use, etc.

Any opinions from the Windows Central community?

 

[libra89]

Hmm, that's a hard decision. Do you care about tablet mode? Is it something that you would actually use?

I don't think it's dumb that you are considering the Surface Book, since it is made by Microsoft. If you care about support in the long run, I think the Surface Book would win on that one. I don't know about the Spectre but it seems like HP is always producing new laptops, and it's only a little while until it's no longer supported.

At the same time, aesthetics are important. If you are going to using and looking at something a lot of the time, you'll want to be happy with it. That would be kind of like getting a pair of glasses that are just "okay" even though you'll be wearing them all the time (I say this as someone who does have to wear their glasses all the time).

Lastly, I think it would help to have an idea of your general uses, and if you do or use anything that is intensive. If you use programs that are intensive, you can never go wrong with having the best processor possible, and more storage (the Spectre).

 

[rsud93]

Thanks for the response!

I plan on using the laptop for school, but not engineering/computer science/art, etc. so I don't NEED i7 or even close to 512gigs. I'll mostly be using for taking notes in class, internet browsers, Office, Photoshop, streaming of lectures online while multitasking taking notes, occasional video processing/publication design for assignments. I might install a casual PC game if I feel like it too, but I rarely play computer games. I think tablet mode is super cool, but I don't see myself using it seriously for school, etc. If I had to touch the screen, I'd probably leave the screen attached to the keyboard instead of removing it, or place it backwards. But that could change.

So yeah, the i7 and 512 gigs I would get with the QHD model of the Spectre is kind of extra, but then I could even save money by customizing an i5, 128 or 256 gig drive with the QHD screen and still be significantly cheaper. I'd essentially be paying an additional several hundred bucks to buy a unique, new product with a bunch of cool features straight from Microsoft, which is also important to me. I'm gonna wait to add more input until after seeing the Surface book in person.. I'm hoping the hinge grows on me, because that would make my decision a lot easier.. hehe

 

[ClixT]

I have the spectre x360, and to be honest, the only reason I considered getting the SB is because of it's GPU keyboard and the stylus. Aside from that, I LOVE my x360. When I first got it, many people from my class complimented the laptop for its design. Also I use my i5 x360 for Solidworks, but mainly for Adobe suite. If there's one program that the x360 couldn't do, it's premiere pro. I used it yesterday and it crashed lol. BUT since HP just refreshed it with the Skylake, it's probably even better than the last gen.

EDIT: Downsides about the x360: The sounds sucks! Sometimes you'll hear some cracking noise, but I think It may be fixed with a driver update.

 

[aork]

I have the spectre x360, and to be honest, the only reason I considered getting the SB is because of it's GPU keyboard and the stylus.

Thanks for chiming in! Have you tried the HP Active Pen with the Spectre x360?
It's surprising that Adobe Premiere Pro just crashes - what version of Adobe CS are you using?

 

[Joshwin]

For the price you get more with spectre x360. if money is no object then i would go for SB. but still I love x360s form factor. Detaching screen is not something i prefer on SB. it is good to use it as a tablet but leaving the keyboard behind and keeping it safe is a messy business and removing and attaching the screen again and again over time will result in faster wear and tear.

 

[ClixT]

Thanks for chiming in! Have you tried the HP Active Pen with the Spectre x360?
It's surprising that Adobe Premiere Pro just crashes - what version of Adobe CS are you using?

I'm using the Dell active pen, which based from many owners, said it's way better than the HP active pen. I think it's alright if one is just using it to make doodles and take notes, but I don't think it's sufficient enough for my needs (sketches and some renderings). I think it crashed because it has something to do with my custom power plan at the time (it wasn't plugged in). I haven't tried it again with HP recommended in battery or plugged. I'm using CC 2015

 

[RSB54]

I have a x360 and love it, really is just what I need. I weighed it against the Surface Pro at the time and went with the Spectre because I expected to use it as a notebook most of the time. Something to consider is the size of the SP as a tablet, I've found that I rarely use the x360 in tablet mode because it is pretty big. However, I use it frequently on my lap with keyboard down and screen facing me (don't recall the mode name). that is a great mode, which acts as a "lap tablet" and uses the touch-screen.
they both have plusses. just be realistic with what you need it for.

 

[rsud93]

So, if anyone's curious, I got a chance to try out both devices. Surface Book by far has the better typing and trackpad experience. Keys are clicker, whereas the Spectre keys are very soft and squishy. The spectre trackpad requires a lot more force to click, where the Surface Book is effortless. The screen is also crisper in the Surface, obviously, but I also noticed the weird 'dots' behind the screen on the Spectre - I assume they have something to do with touchscreen functionality. Although I still prefer the 'normal' laptop design, but the Surface Book is original and unique and it might grow on me.

 

[Katokatokato]

So, if anyone's curious, I got a chance to try out both devices. Surface Book by far has the better typing and trackpad experience. Keys are clicker, whereas the Spectre keys are very soft and squishy. The spectre trackpad requires a lot more force to click, where the Surface Book is effortless. The screen is also crisper in the Surface, obviously, but I also noticed the weird 'dots' behind the screen on the Spectre - I assume they have something to do with touchscreen functionality. Although I still prefer the 'normal' laptop design, but the Surface Book is original and unique and it might grow on me.

Agree with you on the trackpad - the spectre trackpad is way to large, resulted in me frequently accidentally hitting it with my palm, the the corners of it were all mushy and felt like cheap breakable plastic.

Disagree on the keyboard - the spectre has one of the best feeling keyboards I've ever used. Tactile keys, great travel, not mushy or wobbly like most other keyboards.

 

[rsud93]

It could be the demo unit I was using too, maybe it's been used too much, who knows? The Spectre I tried out though had noticeably 'softer' feel and didn't quite click back as much as the Surface Book demo. I personally love clicky keys on keyboards!

 

[leo74]

I was torn between the two as well and ended up with the Surface Book for two reasons (be aware that those are entirely subjective):
I like the surface pen and use it a lot. I am not so sure about the HP pen.
I use my device in tablet mode quite a bit in meetings and if you flip the screen, the keyboard on the Book is on the inside and protected.
Rotating the screen on the X360 makes your keyboard the base of the device and the part sitting on the surface of wherever you put it.. Just didn't like that.

 

[ClixT]

I was torn between the two as well and ended up with the Surface Book for two reasons (be aware that those are entirely subjective):
I like the surface pen and use it a lot. I am not so sure about the HP pen.
I use my device in tablet mode quite a bit in meetings and if you flip the screen, the keyboard on the Book is on the inside and protected.
Rotating the screen on the X360 makes your keyboard the base of the device and the part sitting on the surface of wherever you put it.. Just didn't like that.

Those are just a few reasons why I wanted to sell my Spectre in favor of the SB.

 

[Hardcore1973]

I own both the Surface Book and the HP Spectre x360 2nd gen with the 6th gen cpu. The Surface Book is 5x better. Better keyboard, touchpad, way better screen, better sound, better battery (pretty close tho), pen input (even tho you can buy a pen for the HP), and better trackpad. Plus your Surface Book will keep its value longer because it's a new product. Hope this helps I buy every new device for testing and do small reviews on them for my customers.

 

[Tony Aguib]

I read all the comments but in my personal opinion none of them justifies the price difference between SP x360 and SB. I am like you torn between the 2 and the only thing that kept me from buying the SP x360 is that it doesn't support "Windows Hello". SP x360 Camera doesn't have the necessary hardware for facial recognition (IR, 3D) and it doesn't have a fingerprint scanner so using Windows Hello is off the table for the life of the laptop if you decide to buy it. I know this may sound insignificant to many but to me if i am buying a new device then i would want to have the latest technology in it.

 

[Dush Ku]

The idea of the flip around where you put the keyboard/trackpad face down on a surface doesn't appeal to me. I like the way Surface Book keeps they keys pointed up when you flip the screen.

 

[worwig]

This is an OLD thread, so I assume the OP has made a decision by now.
I was in the exact same situation. My laptop was probably 9 years old (it originally came with Vista :grin: ) I really wanted something with a touch screen. I looked at, and really like the x360. A sweat machine in most respects. But I wasn't convinced.
BUT, I wanted a bit more screen real-estate. For the work I do, a larger screen really helps. The taller Surface Book makes it much more useful for me. So that was my main goal.
I believe the Book is better because it has a better battery life. Better screen. Better trackpad. And a few other nice tweaks as pointed out. It cost a good bit more, so it may not be worth it, particularly if you are wanting a slightly smaller format like the x360.
You aren't going to be 'wrong' getting either one IMHO.

 

[john_ferrier]

There are two reasons to chhose SB over x360:
1) 3:2 aspect ratio is far better than 16:9 for most tasks.
2) HP latops' quality and reliability are below the average.

 

[jmerrey]

I've owned both. If you don't care about using it as a tablet, or using the pen much, I'd say you can get more for the money with the x360. It's REALLY nice, and the battery life is amazing. I'm not talking about rated battery life, but rather real world usage. The tablet mode is awkward and heavy on the x360, while the Book clipboard is obviously very light and thin. Also, the pen input is far superior on the Book. As stated above, it depends on your work flow. If it will be mainly used as a laptop, the x360 is quite amazing at a great price.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

For me, the Surface Book is the strongest overall package. It's great at everything. I didn't like the track pad or keyboard on the x360. Plus the x360 suffers from heat throttling. My second choice from the Surface Book would have been the Dell XPS13. It's also an excellent laptop.