Mac Vs Microsoft Surface Laptop
Jul 26, 2017 Microsoft Surface Laptop vs Apple MacBook (2017) We compare Microsoft’s Surface Laptop with Apple’s latest MacBook to help you decide which laptop is best for you. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Apple MacBook Air: 13-inch lightweights do battle. The 13-inch Surface Laptop clearly wants to be a Windows version of Apple's smallest and lightest laptop, but the.
Elegant power
Surface Laptop 2
Finally competing
MacBook Air
The Surface Laptop 2 looks identical to the first one save for a new black paintjob, but the important updates are underneath. It's now more powerful while delivering better battery life, and it still has that stunning touch display.
Pros
- Latest generation quad-core processor
- Gorgeous design
- Stunning touch-enabled display
- Superb build quality
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Alcantara keyboard will get dirty easily.
- No USB-C
- Not all colors available in all configurations.
The MacBook Air's latest refresh finally makes it worth considering again, but unless you're tied to having a Mac, the Surface Laptop 2 still represents better overall value.
Pros
- Apple's trademark design and build quality
- Gorgeous Retina display
- Decent battery life
- Thunderbolt 3 USB-C
- eGPU support
Cons
- Dual-core processor
- Less powerful graphics
- Higher entry price
- No legacy ports
The Surface Laptop and the MacBook Air both appeal to a similar type of user — in particular students — especially since they're priced about the same. But there are still plenty of differences to consider.
Surface Laptop 2 vs MacBook Air tech specs
Until the recent refresh, it was impossible to suggest anyone buy a MacBook Air over the Surface Laptop 2, whether you were a Mac fan or not. However, Apple has finally brought its popular laptop back into the present. It now packs a gorgeous display, current hardware, and still comes in an eyecatching design — just like the Surface Laptop 2.
| Surface Laptop 2 | MacBook Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 (quad-core) | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 (dual-core) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 620 | Intel UHD 617 |
| Display | 13.5-inch PixelSense 2256 x 1504 | 13.3-inch Retina 2560 x 1600 |
| RAM | 8GB or 16GB | 8GB or 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1.5TB |
MacBook Air has better outputs
Even though there are no longer any legacy ports on the MacBook Air, it does have a fairly big advantage over the Surface Laptop 2. Not only does it have the new USB-C, but it has Thunderbolt 3 as well. Not only is that future proofing, ensuring the MacBook Air is compatible with the next generation of accessories, but the Thunderbolt 3 opens up a world of possibilities.
You can attach high resolution displays to it, connect fast external storage, and perhaps most interesting of all, hook up an eGPU, putting a full desktop graphics card into your MacBook Air.
The Surface Laptop 2 has no USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 and to get the most from it, you'll be getting the first-party Surface Dock.
That's a pretty big deal for the MacBook Air to have.
Surface Laptop 2 is a nice upgrade on its predecessor
The Surface Laptop 2 itself is only a mild upgrade to the original model, but it has some important improvements. In our review we determined you can expect at least an extra hour from its battery, despite the processor having been bumped to a quad-core over the dual-core from the first one.
It isn't perfect — there's no USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 for example, and the alcantara keyboard can certainly get quite dirty —but compared to the MacBook Air, it's leagues ahead. You're getting cutting edge hardware, with a gorgeous high-resolution, pen enabled screen thrown in for good measure.
Compared to the MacBook Air on its own, the Surface Laptop is simply more powerful. It has a quad-core processor, better onboard graphics and the option for a Core i7 for those who need it.
Best overall value
Microsoft made small, but important upgrades in the Surface Laptop 2, and it's one of the most complete packages you'll find in this price bracket. It's powerful, has great battery life, a high-resolution touch display, digital pen support, and a design that arguably outdoes Apple.
Our Pick
Surface Laptop 2
Slim, sexy, powerful and easily better than a MacBook Air
The Surface Laptop 2 is more powerful and has a less expensive entry model, representing the better overall value.
MacBook buyers can do better
The MacBook Air is finally a laptop Mac fans can consider, but if you're open to Windows then the Surface Laptop 2 is still a better bet. Nevertheless, Apple has delivered the MacBook Air the world has always wanted, and finally brought its iconic model into the present.
Finally good
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air everyone always wanted
With its Retina screen and 2018 spec internals, the MacBook Air is finally worth buying again.
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Protect that BookProtect your Surface Book 2 with one of these cases
Looking for some protection for your Surface Book 2? Here are the best cases we can find right now.
Best for most
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Professional powerhouse
Apple MacBook Pro
The Surface Laptop 3 now comes in two sizes and uses both Intel and AMD hardware inside. Everything that made the first two great remains, except it now has USB-C as well!
Pros
- Stunning touch display
- Digital inking support
- Great battery life
- Two sizes
- Intel and AMD processors
Cons
- No Thunderbolt 3
- Not all colors available in all configurations
The MacBook Pro is packed with hardware to excite the professional market, but all that comes at a high price, though you do also have the option for dedicated graphics.
Pros
- Optional eight-core processors
- Stunning Retina Display
- Can run Windows 10
- Thunderbolt 3
- Dedicated graphics options and eGPU support
The Surface Laptop 3 and MacBook Pro are for very different target audiences. The Surface Laptop 3 is not targeted at the serious power user. The MacBook Pro has the hardware for that type of buyer, with the added bonus of being able to boot into Windows 10 as well.
Surface Laptop 3 vs MacBook Pro basic tech specs
| Category | Surface Laptop 3 (13-inch) | Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch) | MacBook Pro (13-inch) | MacBook Pro (15-inch) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 10 | macOS | macOS |
| Display | 13.5-inch Pixelsense, 3:2 aspect ratio, 2256x1504 (201 PPI) | 15-inch Pixelsense, 3:2 aspect ratio, 2496x1664 (201 PPI) | 13.3-inch Retina 2560 x 1600 (227 PPI) | 15.4-inch Retina 2880 x 1800 (220 PPI) |
| Processor | Intel 10th Gen | AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7 custom CPU | Intel Core i5 or i7 (quad-core) | Intel Core i7 (hexa-core) Intel Core i9 (octa-core) |
| GPU | Intel Iris | AMD Vega 9 AMD Vega 11 | Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | Up to Radeon Pro Vega 20 |
| Memory | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x | 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB LPDDR4x | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3 2133 MHz | 16GB or 32GB DDR4 2400 MHz |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (replaceable) | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD (replaceable) | Up to 512GB SSD | Up to 4TB SSD |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x Surface Connect, 3.5 mm headphone jack | Up to 4 x USB-C Thunderbolt 3, 3.5mm headphone jack | 4 x USB-C Thunderbolt-3, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Battery | Up to 11.5 hours | Up to 11.5 hours | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | Up to 2.79 lbs | Up to 3.4 lbs | 3.02 lbs | 4.02lbs |
Surface Laptop 3 is a great upgrade
The Surface Laptop is one of our absolute favorites and the latest incarnation doesn't change any of that. For the first time, we have a little choice when buying, with both a 13- and a 15-inch model now. The experience of using each is mostly the same, with the biggest change coming underneath. The 15-inch version is exclusively available to consumers with a customized AMD Ryzen Surface Edition APU.
That packs four cores and eight threads on the Ryzen CPU portion, and either a Vega 9 or Vega 11 integrated GPU. Both of these have an additional GPU core over the Vega that AMD would put in other Windows laptops, giving it a little added grunt.
Even on the smaller version, performance takes a serious bump from the Surface Laptop 2, with Intel's 10th Gen processors and all-new Iris Plus graphics on the table. The Surface Laptop 3 isn't targeted at professional applications or creators, but the added horsepower certainly means you can get some good mileage in such areas.
Oh, and it has USB-C now, as well. So you don't need to buy a dongle. Hallelujah!
MacBook Pro has some superior specs
Even though there are no longer any legacy ports on the MacBook Pro, it has one fairly big advantage over the Surface Laptop 3. it has Thunderbolt 3 support on top of USB-C, and Thunderbolt 3 opens up a world of possibilities. You can attach high resolution displays to it, connect fast external storage, and perhaps most interesting of all, hook up an eGPU, putting a full desktop graphics card into your MacBook Pro.
Besides this, the MacBook Pro has six-core processors from Intel right up to a Core i9, options for dedicated graphics that go up to AMD's Radeon Vega Pro, up to 32GB of RAM and up to 4TB of storage. In all cases the AMD graphics options for the MacBook Pro are stronger than the Vega 9 or Vega 11 you're able to get on the 15-inch Surface Laptop 3.
Different laptops for different people
The Surface Laptop 3 is generally a closer match to Apple's MacBook Air in the sense that they're both highly portable yet capable Ultrabooks and they appeal to the same type of laptop buyers.
The MacBook Pro targets a different class of buyer. It's a pro-grade laptop with a ton of powerful options, much better graphics capabilities and if your wallet will go far enough, a ridiculous Core i9 processor.
The Surface Laptop 3 does come in two sizes for the first time, though, and they're both touch-enabled, something you don't get on any MacBook, with pen support for digital inking. The 15-inch model with AMD Ryzen and Vega inside is the better choice there, but the MacBook Pro can still over more outright power.
If you're already looking at the Surface Laptop 3 as something you think you'd like to buy, get it. The MacBook Pro isn't really a direct competitor, and you're going to end up spending a lot of money on the Mac to get anything really worthy.
Best for most
Surface Laptop 3
For most, the Surface Laptop 3 is a better buy
While lacking the ultimate power available in the MacBook Pro, of the two, the Surface Laptop 3 is the better value for most people.
Professional powerhouse
MacBook Pro
Stacked with professional power
The professional buyer looking for massive horsepower and dedicated graphics can get everything they need in the MacBook Pro. Including Windows 10.
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Protect that BookProtect your Surface Book 2 with one of these cases
Mac Vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 2
Looking for some protection for your Surface Book 2? Here are the best cases we can find right now.