Surface Book vs. MacBook Pro - Your thoughts?

[James Falconer]

Thinking and wondering out loud here... My 'daily driver' computer is a MacBook Pro (don't hate on me folks)... but I'm wondering... what are the pros and cons of MacBook Pro vs Surface Book? The Surface Book looks like a great piece of hardware, I've actually checked it out a bit on a recent trip. The hinging on the device is really interesting, and how you dock/undock it is cool.

In your mind, if you had to compare a top-of-the-line MacBook Pro vs the Surface Book, what are the key pros of each? Truth be told I've used both Mac OS (these days OS X - of course) and Windows computers all my life, starting with Windows 3.1. In fact, Windows XP was one of my favorites However in recent years it's been all about OS X in my life. Starting to feel like some Windows 10 love may be in order. Whether that's on a Surface Book or something more budget friendly remains to be seen.

Sound off folks. Convince me to pick one up. Or not. Just talk to me!!

 

[v535]

IMO, both utilizes a weaker dGPU. I guess you're using Non retina MBP. Now that, all issues were fixed by FW update by MS, I think its better to try SB for a few days as a daily driver and if you're happy with it, then keep it. Its really hard to recommend either one, because MBP are built to last for several years and also since apple is in control of it, you can always squeeze more performance out of it. Some MS Apps such as MSO works better on windows than in OS X. SB is a 2 in 1 PC whereas MBP is not.

 

[James Falconer]

I'm using a Retina MacBook Pro. 15".

Good advice though. Trying things out as a daily driver is always a good way to go. Bring both, see if I prefer one... and ween myself off one or the other (have gone through this process before!) lol

 

[peter leung 10586]

I don't like the appearance of mac book series. their design makes me feel they are pretending to be slim. their edges are slim but their inner portions are thick. surface books don't have this problem. surface books are flat.

 

[James Falconer]

That is true. Remember the first time I picked one up, was surprised at how flat it was. The build is solid... only 'quirk' is that hinge!

 

[ytrewq]

I think the key differences are pretty clear from the specs. The issue is how much they matter to you.

Key things for me:
1) Pen. This has completely changed the way I work. I spend a lot of time in meetings, and being able to take notes with a pen in OneNote is a life-changer. I also spend a lot of time editing other people's documents. Being able to write my changes on a pdf in digital ink and then send it back to the author is huge for me.

2) Touchscreen. Another game-changer for me. I use it a lot (When I'm not using the pen or keyboard, I am 50/50 touchpad vs touchscreen.)

3) Removable screen for tablet mode. Again, another game changer. When I'm using the pen in a meeting or editing documents, I put the keyboard aside and the whole thing becomes much more comfortable for pen input.

4) Windows Hello. It's been glitch for me since the last firmware update; hopefully they'll fix it in the next update. But when it was working, it was awesome. If you haven't used it before, it's hard to explain how nice it is when your computer simply recognizes you. No passwords.

5) Upcoming authentication methods for web and apps. If you watched Build, then you know that the upcoming update to Windows 10 will extend Windows Hello-style authentication to web pages and apps. Which means not having to remember whether a particular website requires 6 or 8 characters/capitals/numbers/symbols/etc. for their passwords. It's not out yet, and it may take some time for different websites to get on board, but based on how nice Windows Hello is for logging in, expanding it to websites will be a really nice feature.

6) Weight. Game changer, game changer, game changer. MBP is 4.5 pounds. SB is 3.3 pounds with keyboard, 1.6 pounds without. The SB is light enough that I bring it with me every time I walk to someone else's office and every meeting. It's like my wallet and wedding ring -- it doesn't feel right not to have it all the time. With my old 4.5 pound laptop, I would only lug it around when I really felt it would be helpful.

Those are the things that mattered to me. I love my SurfaceBook.

 

[James Falconer]

Wow - didn't realize all of those points. Thanks a bunch for posting that!

 

[SlowPokeInTexas]

I own a MacBook pro as my primary laptop and I bought a Surface Book 4 512 for my wife for Christmas.

Subjectively speaking, the pen and the tablet are the only advantages of the SB. The Mac is more stable, has a better keyboard, and a better touchpad.

 

[James Falconer]

So you might say, for an artist or creative professional, the Surface Book may be a better choice? That said, thinking about creative professionals, what about the Surface Pro vs. the iPad Pro? (with Pencil).

 

[Steve Adams]

surface pro all the way. Ipad your tied to IOS os, the surface pro has much better OS and firepower for doing everything, easier to connect devices too, keyboard is better, the pen is nicer, and running real software instead of apps makes it a no brainer. I would rather and do use real photoshop/autocad/etc, insetead of app versions of each.

As far as the mbp vs SB, again, SB hands down, touchscreen, detachable screen, pen support and windows based. Makes it, again a no brainer.

 

[midnightfrolic]

Surface book for me. More support for win32 apps. Becomes a tablet on demand. Full touch screen.

 

[Steve Adams]

This fall, I am splurging on on the 1tb surface book. Its too sweet not to buy.

 

[James Falconer]

Well, all good points about the Surface Book here.

Good point about the apps. Being tied to iOS apps on the iPad Pro probably not the best, however I suppose it depends what you need to do. Pros and cons to each. Tough decision.

 

[manurk112]

I've both a macbook pro retina, and an SB i5 ogpu. Here are my thoughts :

for the surface book :
- the screen is gorgeous : the definition, the aspect ratio, and the colors blow away the macbook pro
- keyboard is a little better, you have a little more key travel and it feels a tad better
- battery life (but that might depend on which version of the retina you have : mine is a 2014 i5 haswell 13 inch version
- windows is better for some programs (microsoft office)
- having the pen option, in one note, is great
- the detachable screen is quite useful
- last but not least, the concept is innovative, and fun

Now, not everything is perfect :
- Bugs : even if it's waaayyy better than at the beginning, you still have the occasional black screen when you detach / reattach the book, or the once every two weeks BSOD
- form factor : there are two limits to the form factor : first of all, the weight repartition is different than a classic laptop, with the top being more heavy ; for me, the issue is not that the computer tries to fall from my knees (which it doesn't), but it's more than when you use it on your lap, the center of gravity is more towards the hinge, and it's a little less conformable, for the keyboard tends to raise a little. So the natural reaction is to apply more weight when you type. in the end, it's not a real problem, but when you compare it to the mac, it's a little less confortable. the other issue is that the opening angle is not as wide as a traditional laptop, so when you use it on your bed, it's not as good as a traditional laptop.
- trackpad : the SB trackpad is a very good trackpad... for a windows machine ; but when you use the trackpad of the mac, you see that there is still quite ? good difference between the two.
- microsoft quality control : I bought two surface successively, the first one had major light bleed, and the second one had some issue with the screen resistance when you write (some halo effect). Finally, I sent back the second one, and kept the first one, as my belief is that there are very few perfect units of surface book out there, probably because microsoft factory quality control lacks consistency. and I can live with the light bleeding. But when you think that the machine cost more than 2000 ?, it's unnerving not to have perfect quality. The mac is way closer than perfection in that aspect.

Now after two months of use, I like the SB, because it's innovative, it's a great machine for work, but it still has a few quirks that sometimes push you back to the mac. as for the mac, it's not as innovative, there are some things that you're lacking after having used the surface book (touch screen interaction, pen, MS office on windows...), but in the end, it feels more rounded. if you compare it to 80's cars, the Macbook pro is like a mercedes benz SL. It looks good, it works all the time, you can rely on it every time. The surface book is more like a ferrari : it's good looking, very fast, way better in some aspect than the merc, and not as good in other. If you have enough money to have both, then go for it, it's fun. If you have money for only one car, going for the mercedes (the mac) is probably a more secure choice, cause it will never let you down. It's not as shiny and new as the ferrari, but it will last a long time, work well. Maybe the surface will be as good in 1, 2 or 3 generation, but you feel like the main issues the mac had at launch (ghosting issue, yellow taint screen, etc.) have been ironed out. As for the surface, it's not the case.

 

[Steve Adams]

I've both a macbook pro retina, and an SB i5 ogpu. Here are my thoughts :

for the surface book :
- the screen is gorgeous : the definition, the aspect ratio, and the colors blow away the macbook pro
- keyboard is a little better, you have a little more key travel and it feels a tad better
- battery life (but that might depend on which version of the retina you have : mine is a 2014 i5 haswell 13 inch version
- windows is better for some programs (microsoft office)
- having the pen option, in one note, is great
- the detachable screen is quite useful
- last but not least, the concept is innovative, and fun

Now, not everything is perfect :
- Bugs : even if it's waaayyy better than at the beginning, you still have the occasional black screen when you detach / reattach the book, or the once every two weeks BSOD
- form factor : there are two limits to the form factor : first of all, the weight repartition is different than a classic laptop, with the top being more heavy ; for me, the issue is not that the computer tries to fall from my knees (which it doesn't), but it's more than when you use it on your lap, the center of gravity is more towards the hinge, and it's a little less conformable, for the keyboard tends to raise a little. So the natural reaction is to apply more weight when you type. in the end, it's not a real problem, but when you compare it to the mac, it's a little less confortable. the other issue is that the opening angle is not as wide as a traditional laptop, so when you use it on your bed, it's not as good as a traditional laptop.
- trackpad : the SB trackpad is a very good trackpad... for a windows machine ; but when you use the trackpad of the mac, you see that there is still quite ? good difference between the two.
- microsoft quality control : I bought two surface successively, the first one had major light bleed, and the second one had some issue with the screen resistance when you write (some halo effect). Finally, I sent back the second one, and kept the first one, as my belief is that there are very few perfect units of surface book out there, probably because microsoft factory quality control lacks consistency. and I can live with the light bleeding. But when you think that the machine cost more than 2000 €, it's unnerving not to have perfect quality. The mac is way closer than perfection in that aspect.

Now after two months of use, I like the SB, because it's innovative, it's a great machine for work, but it still has a few quirks that sometimes push you back to the mac. as for the mac, it's not as innovative, there are some things that you're lacking after having used the surface book (touch screen interaction, pen, MS office on windows...), but in the end, it feels more rounded. if you compare it to 80's cars, the Macbook pro is like a mercedes benz SL. It looks good, it works all the time, you can rely on it every time. The surface book is more like a ferrari : it's good looking, very fast, way better in some aspect than the merc, and not as good in other. If you have enough money to have both, then go for it, it's fun. If you have money for only one car, going for the mercedes (the mac) is probably a more secure choice, cause it will never let you down. It's not as shiny and new as the ferrari, but it will last a long time, work well. Maybe the surface will be as good in 1, 2 or 3 generation, but you feel like the main issues the mac had at launch (ghosting issue, yellow taint screen, etc.) have been ironed out. As for the surface, it's not the case.

I was thnking more like mac = Chevette (basic computer to get you to point b from point a no options, no goodies, basic transportation), the surface book = Porsche 911 turbo, reliable, fast, smooth, handles great, has all the latest tech, and everyone wants to own one.

Accurate car analogy there.

or, using todays standards MacBook = Hyundai accent , surface book = tesla model S p90d.

 

[worwig]

My analogy.

I ride a motorcycle to work year round. Sometimes it sucks when it is cold and raining, but a lot of times it puts a smile on my face that few other things (legally) can.

I just took a week long work trip. I rented a Toyota something front wheel drive. It never did anything really wrong, and it never did anything good. I did not look forward to the daily travel. It was a boring appliance.

I still find my Surface Book interesting in ways. I will occasionally unclip the Clipboard and turn it to landscape mode, even when I really didn't need to. It is just so thin and light, I like to do it. Though I have to admit, since they have gotten so many of the major bugs out of it, it is starting to get boring too. :grin:

 

[Steve Adams]

My motorcycle analogy,

MacBook = 50cc scooter. Surfacebook = ducati multistrada 1200!

 

[explosive0]

surface pro all the way. Ipad your tied to IOS os, the surface pro has much better OS and firepower for doing everything, easier to connect devices too, keyboard is better, the pen is nicer, and running real software instead of apps makes it a no brainer. I would rather and do use real photoshop/autocad/etc, insetead of app versions of each.

As far as the mbp vs SB, again, SB hands down, touchscreen, detachable screen, pen support and windows based. Makes it, again a no brainer.

I think your points on the keyboard and Windows being a better OS are very subjective. I recently switched back to my MacBook Pro, so I think otherwise.

I'm a traveling Consultant and just could not deal with the issues I was experiencing, especially when on the road. I once had mine go completely crazy in the middle of a meeting with one of my client Directors. It was embarrassing. With the MBP, I have consistent performance, which is my #1 requirement, at least for my use case. YMMV, of course.

 

[Steve Adams]

I think your points on the keyboard and Windows being a better OS are very subjective. I recently switched back to my MacBook Pro, so I think otherwise.

I'm a traveling Consultant and just could not deal with the issues I was experiencing, especially when on the road. I once had mine go completely crazy in the middle of a meeting with one of my client Directors. It was embarrassing. With the MBP, I have consistent performance, which is my #1 requirement, at least for my use case. YMMV, of course.

YMMV......Yes, It does.

 

[NYChaos]

Mac = Lexus. Well made, beautiful, reliable.

SB = Jaguar. Exotic, beautiful, strange, erratic, leaves you stranded in the middle of the road 10 times a month.