Surface Pro 3 vs. MacBook Pro

[Squachy]

Firefox and Adobe Reader are industrial standards - almost every person on the planet uses these. If they suck on a mainstream platform, there's something wrong. The problem isn't the Surface, the problem is that Microsoft apparently isn't capable of getting even the largest software developers to fully support the platform (and yes, that includes scaling as all high-end devices now have retina-type screens on W8). And that's where the Surface and all other W8 devices fall short. The OP wanted to know whether he should buy a Surface Pro 3 over the Macbook Pro he's used to working with. My answer is simple: no. If you're used to things working like a charm on OS X, W8 simply isn't for you. W8 is still a construction site years after it's been introduced. As I said - I use (or have to use) both platforms and simply don't see the appeal of Windows 8. The Surface Pro 3 itself is a fine device but that's pointless without decent software.

Are you using app versions or the desktop version....
cuz the desktop versions have been proven over and over....(Since they've been available for every windows)
And you have a surface pro, with full win8. Just go to desktop mode and use the desktop versions for full compatibility.

 

[explosive0]

I had both the SP3 and retina MacBook Pro. Sold the SP3 and back to using my MacBook Pro as my primary device.

 

[MBSMD]

I had both the SP3 and retina MacBook Pro. Sold the SP3 and back to using my MacBook Pro as my primary device.

Care to say why?

 

[astell]

Firefox and Adobe Reader are industrial standards - almost every person on the planet uses these. If they suck on a mainstream platform, there's something wrong. The problem isn't the Surface, the problem is that Microsoft apparently isn't capable of getting even the largest software developers to fully support the platform (and yes, that includes scaling as all high-end devices now have retina-type screens on W8). And that's where the Surface and all other W8 devices fall short. The OP wanted to know whether he should buy a Surface Pro 3 over the Macbook Pro he's used to working with. My answer is simple: no. If you're used to things working like a charm on OS X, W8 simply isn't for you. W8 is still a construction site years after it's been introduced. As I said - I use (or have to use) both platforms and simply don't see the appeal of Windows 8. The Surface Pro 3 itself is a fine device but that's pointless without decent software.

I work in IT and neither of these are industrial standards and your claims that almost every person on the planet uses them are just that - claims. Just because you cannot see the appeal of Windows 8 doesn't mean there isn't one nor does it mean you're opinion is fact.

Chrome - good example: doesn't scale and is completely unusable on the Surface unless you start tinkering with the registry.
It's not Windows 8's fault that Firefox sucks, it's Microsoft's fault. Somehow they don't seem to have the same leverage on the industry Apple has. On Mac OS, pretty much every piece of software released in the last 2 years has been retina-enabled and looks fantastic. On W8, half of the apps look like complete crap or don't work at all. If these were minor devs that don't have the resources, I'd understand. But we're talking about the biggest tech companies in the world not supporting the platform. So again: yes, the Surface Pro 3 has great hardware and is very innovative, but W8 kills it as a viable alternative for people who consider switching from OS X.

Drawboard PDF - just tried to look it up -> Drawboard: PDF Annotation for your mobile device -> "can't find the server" + good look filling in Adobe Acrobat online surveys with that one. The native reader (which kicks you over to "Metro" every time you open a PDF?). There are some apps that businesses can't go without - and all Adobe apps go in that category. Unless Adobe support is there, the platform is useless for everyone except for home users.

I don't use Chrome as I don't like it, but I have a number of friends who use it on their Surfaces daily and have very few issues - no they haven't made registry issues. It isn't Microsofts fault Firefox sucks - that fault falls on the people who make Firefox. Microsoft has far more leverage on the industry than Apple does. There are hundreds of millions of pieces of software which only run on Windows.

The fact you keep saying retina-enabled very clearly shows your level of knowledge. As has been made very clear on these forums - The SP3 is a great alternative to people switching from OS X - there are tons of testimonies by people who have made the switch.

All you really come off as is a Microsoft hater, not someone with any valid points or credibility.

 

[markyjns]

I have my mac i5, 8gb and a few weeks ago bought the SP3 i5 256/8. The Surface knocks my mac out of the water, W8 is a much more fluid OS than OSX.

On W8, the interface looks good but from a productivity standpoint it just gets out of my way, unlike OSX which is constantly giving me messages that this or that needs updating and a restart is required, remind you in 1hr, or next day!!
Add to that OSX is very dated (I'm on Mavericks) and has little industry support in terms of programs in my experience. W8 brought me back to the PC after many many years in appleland.
I don't regret it one bit in fact I'm loving it.

The SP3 is a beautiful machine as a workhorse or for a relaxing time on the couch, oh and the other big thing the really big differentiator Apple STILL haven't got right is of course.... Touch, they still haven't got touch sorted for the mac!!

 

[Coreldan]

The SP3 is a beautiful machine as a workhorse or for a relaxing time on the couch, oh and the other big thing the really big differentiator Apple STILL haven't got right is of course.... Touch, they still haven't got touch sorted for the mac!!

Funny thing is that I think if Apple was to put touch on their laptops, touch screen laptop markets would pretty much skyrocket. But they still keep telling themselves that it adds no value to the customer. And once/if Apple adds it, it suddenly becomes like the best feature ever, best thing since sliced bread even if it's been done way before Apple, once again

I'm not really in the market for a laptop, but if I was, I'd definitely get a touch screen one these days.

 

[rdubmu]

Firefox is not an industry standard. Many businesses require you to use Internet Explorer to use their internal intranet webpages. It isn't Microsoft's fault Firefox sucks, it's Mozilla's fault.

The latest internet explorer has improved a lot. Ensure you are using windows update.

 

[wookiee2cu]

All comes down to users, at my work for some of the sites we use they are IE only; anything else I use FireFox as IE seems buggy to me. Just use what works best for you but it seems Chrome is quite the drain on the battery so you may want to pass on that one.

 

[astondg]

And once/if Apple adds it, it suddenly becomes like the best feature ever, best thing since sliced bread even if it's been done way before Apple, once again

I'll start by saying that I agree with your sentiment on Apple being late to the party and I'm all for touch laptop screens.

To add to that, I think Apple does tend to invest more time and money in making things work well. For example Health Kit recently, now a lot of others have similar services (Microsoft has the very good Health Vault for example and there are a heap of apps for tracking this stuff) but Apple has used it's extensive resources and influence to get other medical systems and practices on board that make the service simpler and arguably more useful for the average person. A similar thing may be happening with NFC at the moment although I'll reserve judgement on that one until it's confirmed and the details announced.

I know Apple has a history of outright innovation, and that's what people have come to expect, but I think their biggest strength is innovating within an existing domain, making things simple and user friendly. I quite like that. Unfortunately, because of their marketing attitude, the media and general perception, I do think it comes across as 'we did it first'. I also don't think their argument of 'waiting for the technology to mature' is always valid, sometimes they are just late.

And I think they're just wrong on touch screen laptops. They seem to have no intention of going down that path.

 

[Tsang Fai]

I have my mac i5, 8gb and a few weeks ago bought the SP3 i5 256/8. The Surface knocks my mac out of the water, W8 is a much more fluid OS than OSX.

On W8, the interface looks good but from a productivity standpoint it just gets out of my way, unlike OSX which is constantly giving me messages that this or that needs updating and a restart is required, remind you in 1hr, or next day!!
Add to that OSX is very dated (I'm on Mavericks) and has little industry support in terms of programs in my experience. W8 brought me back to the PC after many many years in appleland.
I don't regret it one bit in fact I'm loving it.

The SP3 is a beautiful machine as a workhorse or for a relaxing time on the couch, oh and the other big thing the really big differentiator Apple STILL haven't got right is of course.... Touch, they still haven't got touch sorted for the mac!!

Your story is similar to mine. I was a Windows users before I studied in university. I did buy an iMac and a MacBook Air - I appreciated the beauty outlook of the MacOS but to be honest I don't think MacOS, in terms of functionality/software/ease of use, is more superior than Windows. Then later I installed Parallel and ran Windows 7 on my Mac. And now with SP3 & Win 8.1, I enjoy the touchscreen & pen, plus some useful Metro app (not many, but there are some useful ones), it becomes more obvious SP3 is the wiser choice over MacBook Air. I am making my choice in terms of functionality/software/ease of use.

I think the discussion is not suitable for those Windows haters & Mac haters.

 

[Tsang Fai]

Let me add that the major difference between SP3 and MacbookPro

1. Touchscreen
2. Pen
3. Desktop software + Tablet apps

For the OS, it is a matter of preferences. Yes, you can live with a laptop without touchscreen & pen. But in the long run people will get used to this. Remember, we are always working with a laptop from a short distance and touch screen & pen are a very natural and nice feature the hardware & OS should support.

Microsoft is trying hard to offer the best experience of using a laptop. People blaming Surface/Win8 simply have not used them at all. And they are just not the right people to criticize on Microsoft.

 

[Poirots Progeny]

I have a sp3 i5/512gb and i7/512gb. Great devices, though the i7 battery life takes a hit when it starts getting to hour and I've had out shut down after two hours of PhotoShop (there's an update announced, if it doesn't fix it this goes back - the i5 is stable, so all good there).

Thing is, the mbp is a different beast. In terms of power - and consistent power - the sp3 can't touch it. The mbp has a proper keyboard. Depends on what you do, work, study or whatever, but the overall experience of using the mbp is different. And miles better for work. Actual work. As a writer I would never hammer out a draft on the sp3 keyboard. I would connect a usb mechanical to it. Which I actually do. I have a 2014 mbp. I'm not a fan of osx so boot camp and w8.1 straight away. But then I hate the fact it's a pain to get at the ssd, so everything is vpn'd and nothing stays local. I own a publishing house so lots of devices here - have the razer blade 14 - basically a non-gimped mbp. Get that. But, going by this thread, you're looking for a treat. Treat yourself. Don't get an i7, though I don't think you'd need it - and enjoy. Though you've got a beast and I'd suggest you just put windows 8.1 on there. I hate touchscreens and don't want the screen in using touched - just me - and the retina with w8.1 on out: Sublime. Plus that's cheaper. Oh, the chap saying use the Bluetooth keyboard: Spot on. My two pennies

 

[Tsang Fai]

The Surface Pro type cover is a real keyboard. Why people feel that it is "not real"???
The keys are as big as MacBook keys, typing is easy. It is even better than most other laptops. The good thing is you can detach when you don't want it. And the touchpad outperforms many other laptops.
It is indeed a very well designed, practical keyboard for doing serious work.
I think people preferring traditional laptop just have a very traditional mind.
I am more open-minded. If something is good I would go for it regardless how strange other people may think.

 

[rdubmu]

I find all versions of the type cover are comfortable to use and they keys are big. My only issue is the type cover 1 was loud and the type cover two had a horrible track pad, while the type cover 3 is an improvement over both of them.

 

[Poirots Progeny]

I find that the mbp has greater travel (depth) with the keys, hence better for writing loads - if you find the shallow type cover convenient, well great. However it is not a full depth keyboard, even if the key sizes are similar. They are slightly smaller than the mpb, and the shape is different (essentially near flat versus concave). Either way this is all academic - buy what you like people! No one needs "convincing" - try it out. However, a full sized laptop has many advantages over a tablet. For all the obvious reasons. There are disadvantages too of course.

 

[Poirots Progeny]

I find all versions of the type cover are comfortable to use and they keys are big. My only issue is the type cover 1 was loud and the type cover two had a horrible track pad, while the type cover 3 is an improvement over both of them.

The type cover 3 is soooo much better. Really works so well.