Wait for Surface Pro 4 or get the new retina MacBook?

[saintforlife]

I am going to need to buy a new laptop before the end of the year and am considering getting either the Surface Pro 4 or the retina MacBook. Portability is my main requirement, running Office apps, web browsing and the ability to stream HD videos (Netflix, YouTube etc.) for long periods of time without stutters.

Things I like about the retina MacBook are the new retina screen (216 ppi), the trackpad (Apple always does a good job here), and the 2 lb weight (which makes it lighter than the Surface Pro 3 + type cover keyboard). My biggest concern with the MacBook is the Core M processor and how it will perform. But now I hear that the Surface Pro 4 might also come with the same Broadwell Core M chips.

Just wondering if the Surface Pro 4 will be able to stream HD qualilty video without stutters? The rumored fanless design concerns me and I wonder if at high loads the processor starts throttling and it starts skipping frames. Also do you guys think that the Surface Pro 4 could be thinner and lighter than the SP3 making it even more portable? Could we expect battery life improvements on the SP4 with the new Broadwell chips?

 

[Ltauhmise]

You realize most people can't make a distinction in sharpness when you exceed a certain ppi? So I would not consider that as a selling point. The i5 and i7 are superior in performance to the 1st generation m processor. The surface pro offers more flexibility to add peripherals. The surface pro offers dynamic functionality with its kickstand. It's ultimately up to you what you purchase. Just be aware that isheep tend to flock in drove while wearing blinders.

Take a step back and look at what you need out of a machine. Research your options. And then make a decision. Good luck.

 

[Blacklac]

Wait til the 4 drops with Core M, buy a cheaper SP3. Profit?

 

[CliveSinclair]

Streaming doesn't just depend on CPU/GPU power - most depends on Speed and quality of connection. My little Asus T100 streams HD video just fine as does my i7/256gb and i7/512gb SP3's - on a 100mb connection. Streaming via 3G is a different matter.

 

[Guzzler3]

If Apple had included 2 Type-C USB ports and/or a magsafe charger in place of another Type-C USB, and a touch screen and a pen, even I would have consider it. But as it stands, personally I thing the SP3 is a far better piece of equipment. The weight difference isn't that much even with the SP3 keyboard.

 

[colinkiama]

You might as just buy a tablet if that's what you are going to do, but if you are sure you want one,of these laptops, you might as well just get the Macbook.
Sent from my awesome Lumia 735

 

[th34monk3ys]

Please don't tell me you buy a mac and put windows on it, so detest this just over priced pc's. The surface would offer more capability and Compatibility.

Native windows o/s
Native to office
Native internet explorer and flash support
Touch and desktop windows o/s (win10)
Screen is touch screen, retina is higher quality but not that much!
Keyboard and mouse or tablet mode with continuum.
Able to run games or stream from xbox if your into that sort of thing!
Pen for writing in one note!

Usual accessories for sync to tv/usb devices etc not a buggy but still there!

 

[colinkiama]

@OP I personally wouldn't have posted here, since this is Windows Central, there is going to be bias for Microsoft

Sent from my awesome Lumia 735

 

[WillysJeepMan]

SP4 or new rMB?

My suggestion: neither. Dell XPS 13

 

[runamuck83]

Is there really any question as to which you should get? I think not

 

[vEEP pEEP]

Running Office apps - Surface ....
Streaming - network connection has a lot to do with that.

What are the prices of these two devices? Does that affect you?

Thanks,

Mr. V

 

[onlysublime]

No way anyone should get a Core M unless portability and battery life is above all else. The performance hit is too much. It wouldn't make sense to go to a slower CPU. Core M is like the modern version of the Celeron. Avoid. Heck, you don't even get that much of a battery boost with Core M. Broadwell has so far been very disappointing. Hopefully Skylake makes up for it.

And also, because Broadwell came out so late, it's running into the introduction of Skylake. So at this point, skip Broadwell and go to Skylake. The improvement from Haswell to Broadwell has so far been very tiny.

 

[yihong kang]

You are comparing apples and oranges.
The whole point of surface pro is 2 in 1.
New MacBook is still a traditional laptop, no touch, no pen, can't be used as a tablet.

For a laptop less than 13.3 inch, I would definitely prefer a 2 in 1, since you won't use it primarily for work. You can also take a look at yoga 3 pro. It is larger than MacBook, a little bit heavier than MacBook, but much more flexible.

I bought the yoga 2 pro more than a year ago, since then, I don't even look at traditional laptop anymore. You are not losing goodies of traditional laptops when get a yoga (probably just a little bit heavier, and pricier), but you get much more in return.

 

[polbit]

As others have said, you are comparing apples and oranges. Macbook is a traditional non-touch laptop. SP3 is a hybrid device that's primarily a tablet. If you are going to be using the device as a laptop 90% of the time, then SP3 doesn't make sense. If you are going to be using it as a tablet most of the time, then Macbook is not an option.

As far as Core M, Anandtech did an excellent review on performance, and the findings might surprise you - the CPU is very close to i5, while GPU runs out of headroom faster - for games, etc. Core M might be an issue, for productivity (or video), there really isn't much difference. Here's the link to the review (Yoga 3 Pro):

AnandTech | Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro Review: Refreshed With Faster Core M

 

[Blacklac]

Call it apple to oranges all you want, but they are all direct competitors.

 

[polbit]

Call it apple to oranges all you want, but they are all direct competitors.

In a same way that a Jeep Wrangler and a Mazda Miata are.

 

[Blacklac]

In a same way that a Jeep Wrangler and a Mazda Miata are.

They are both mobile computers. Comparing them to vehicles doesn't change anything and frankly isn't a good comparison nor does it suddenly make them not competitors, like my point was. They are direct competitors, like any other mobile computer in their price range, whether they are nearly identical or slightly different.

 

[polbit]

They are both mobile computers. Comparing them to vehicles doesn't change anything and frankly isn't a good comparison nor does it suddenly make them not competitors, like my point was. They are direct competitors, like any other mobile computer in their price range, whether they are nearly identical or slightly different.

That was me agreeing with you - Miata and Wrangler are actually cross-shopped a lot more often than most people think. They are both cars, and are in some respects competitors for the fun or 2nd car market. At the same time, they are very different cars.

I think the analogy fits, but besides that, my argument still stands - do you want a mostly tablet hybrid, or a pure laptop?

 

[EMINENT 1]

If you want to be limited in what you can do, Macbook.

If you want to be limited in processing power, Macbook.

If you want to be limited in types of ports and storage options, Macbook.

If you want to be limited in using a separate phone and tablet os forever, Macbook.

If you want to omit the ability to use touch on your screen, Macbook.

If you want to be limited in ability to use your pc as a tablet when you want, Macbook.

I think the decision is clear, go Macbook.

 

[Blacklac]

That was me agreeing with you - Miata and Wrangler are actually cross-shopped a lot more often than most people think. They are both cars, and are in some respects competitors for the fun or 2nd car market. At the same time, they are very different cars.

I think the analogy fits, but besides that, my argument still stands - do you want a mostly tablet hybrid, or a pure laptop?

My bad, I thought you were being sarcastic. Im probably a little confrontational today, too, which didn't help. Lol. Dieting makes me cranky. :/