Is Microsoft Surface Comparable To Apple Mac

  1. 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.
  2. Oct 26, 2019 Microsoft built the Surface Laptop 3 to be portable first and powerful second, while Apple reversed those priorities when it designed the beastly MacBook Pro. So, while the Surface Laptop 3 isn't.
  3. 2020-4-2  Microsoft's new Surface PCs are the Macs I want Apple to make. Microsoft's Surface line of PCs gets an upgrade, and it continues to make Apple's Mac.

2013-4-15  YES Surface Pro will work with an Apple 24' & 27' LED with Mini display port, but not directly, here is my Setup both at work and at home. I purchased 2x Kanex Snap X Mini Display Port Switch box, so I can use both My Surface and Main computer on the Apple Monitor, at home and at work. 2020-4-3  Microsoft just recently debuted its new Surface Go hybrid tablet-notebook device — and it seems like it’s aimed squarely at the iPad market. The device, which is lower-cost and more portable than Microsoft’s other hybrid devices, is seemingly meant to compete with Apple’s new 9.7-inch iPad, which it unveiled in March. 2019-6-16  Despite if you've previously been a Mac or a PC, you have some great new portable laptop choices in both formats. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 vs. Apple MacBook Pro. That Apple-Microsoft.

At first glance the Surface Laptop is more like the MacBook Air than Apple's 12-inch MacBook. But because the latter seems to be a forgotten product at this piont, we're comparing the Surface Laptop to the 12-inch MacBook.

The target market audience may be a little different, because Microsoft is going after the students directly. However, Apple laptops have long been a favorite of those with student loans. So the comparison seems fair.

Let's take a quick look at these two laptops side by side.

Updated June 7 2017: We modified this story to reflect the refreshed hardware in the Apple MacBook following WWDC 2017.

Surface Laptop and Apple MacBook technical specifications

CategorySurface LaptopApple MacBook
Display13.5-inch Pixel Sense display
10 point multi-touch
12-inch Retina Display
Display resolution2256 x 1504, at 201ppi
Aspect Ratio: 3:2
2304x1440, at 226 ppi
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
SoftwareWindows 10 SmacOS Sierra
Processor7th Gen Intel Core i5 or i77th Gen Intel Core m3, i5 (Y series) or i7 (Y series)
Storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB Solid State Drive (SSD)256GB, 512GB PCIe SSD
Memory4GB, 8GB or 16GB RAM8GB or 16GB RAM
Graphicsi5: Intel HD graphics 620; i7: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640Intel HD graphics 615
PortsOne full-size USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Headset jack, Surface ConnectOne USB-C 3.1
Battery14.5 hours of use12 hours of use
PenSurface PenNo
Weight2.76 lbs2.03 lbs
Dimensions12.13 inches x 8.78 inches x 0.57 inches11.04 inches x 7.74 inches x 0.52 inches
PriceFrom $999From $1,299

We've not spent enough time with the Surface Laptop to get any real feel for it, but looking at it just on paper next to the 12-inch MacBook makes several things clear.

The 'Apple tax' is very real with the MacBook next to the Surface Laptop.

Any concerns about the price of the Surface Laptop can be quickly washed away by looking at pricing for Apple's laptops. The entry-level MacBook is more expensive, and that's with an Intel Core m3 processor. However you look at it, the Kaby Lake Core i5 in the Surface is just better.

All around, in fact, Surface Laptop is better equipped. The base model loses out in storage and RAM, but at every other step on the ladder it's more powerful than the MacBook. The bump in the MacBook specs as of WWDC 2017 closes the gap, but we're still looking at Y series chips, better known as the new versions of Core m.

The Windows 10 S version of the OS could be limiting for some, not like macOS, but it's also easily upgraded to Windows 10 Pro, which levels the playing field.

For a notebook that's not a lot larger or heavier, the Surface Laptop promises better battery life, as well as a performance edge over the MacBook.

Ultimately, if you want a Mac you'll get a Mac. But Microsoft came out swinging with its first traditional laptop.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Make Meetings Fun

Microsoft now lets you spice up your Teams calls with custom backgrounds

With more people now working from home, Microsoft is beefing up Teams with several new features. One of the biggest is the ability to add custom backgrounds during video calls to add a little fun to the experience.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Pinnacle Apple

Apple MacBook Air (2018)

The Surface Pro 6 offers an experience no Mac on the market can. Not only can you use a digital pen on it, it's useable as both a tablet and a laptop, combining the use of both an iPad and a MacBook Air into a single device.

Pros

  • Windows Hello security
  • Digital pen support
  • Solid battery life
  • Gorgeous display
  • Quad-core processors

Is Microsoft Surface Comparable To Apple Mac To Computer

The MacBook Air is Apple's most affordable notebook, and it's an incredible jump from the previous model. The Retina Display is stunning, it has Apple's Touch ID biometric security, and Thunderbolt 3 support. However, it's underpowered next to the Surface Pro 6.

Pros

  • Retina Display
  • Can install Windows 10
  • Touch ID security
  • USB-C Thunderbolt 3
  • Solid battery life

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Single dual-core processor option

Considering that both of these run a different OS, that should be one of the main considerations when choosing a laptop. Apple has finally updated the MacBook Air so it can genuinely compete with the best of the Windows ecosystem, but it's still just a laptop. The Surface Pro 6 is a more versatile device, working as both a tablet and a laptop, with a sprinkling of digital notepad thrown in for good measure.

The platform you need or want to use should be one main consideration, and how you want to use your portable computer should be the other.

Apples to oranges (or Windows)

On a hardware level, both of these machines are very good. Laptop design has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, so you can absolutely look to the Windows ecosystem to find a product as visually striking as Apple's always have been.

The MacBook Air is, unsurprisingly, stunning. The same can be said of the Surface Pro 6. But while Apple is using a 7W dual-core Intel Core i5 only in the MacBook Air, Microsoft has stuffed quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors into the Surface Pro 6.

Surface Pro 6MacBook Air (2018)
ProcessorQuad-core Intel Core i5-8250U
Quad-core Intel Core i7-8650U
1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
GraphicsIntel UHD 620Intel UHD 617
RAM8GB or 16GB8GB or 16GB
Display12.4-inch 2736 x 1824 PixelSense Display13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina Display
Storage128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD128GB/256GB/512GB/1.5TB PCIe SSD
PortsUSB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect, microSD, 3.5mm headset2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 3, 3.5mm headset
PriceFrom $799From $1,199

In terms of sheer performance, the Surface Pro 6 has the edge with a better processor and more powerful graphics. However, in reality, Mac OS and Apple's own applications are traditionally well optimized, so day to day general performance will feel very similar.

A couple of the biggest differences are just what you can do with each. The Surface Pro 6 not only has a touch display, but support for inking. Windows Ink is built into the OS and there are a bunch of great apps that make use of it. This is all something you have to get an iPad for from Apple to make use of.

The MacBook Air, by contrast, not only has USB-C, but Thunderbolt 3. Something the Surface Pro 6 notably lacks. That means not only can you use standard accessories, such as docks, displays, and Thunderbolt 3 external SSDs, but you can connect an eGPU with a full desktop graphics card in it. Mac gaming isn't necessarily why you'd want this, but for anyone working with video editing or demanding programs such as CAD, that GPU will be really helpful.

Is microsoft surface comparable to apple mac to computer

The Surface Pro 6 can expand its connectivity, but you'll need the Surface Dock to do it, and you won't be able to hook up an eGPU at all. It's also worth pointing out that to use the Surface Pro 6 as a laptop, you'll need to spend the extra $130 for a Type Cover.

Choosing between Mac OS and Windows 10

The biggest difference between these two, of course, is the software. Mac OS and Windows 10 have plenty in common and share a lot of the same third party apps — as well as Microsoft Office — but they're still different.

If you haven't entered Apple's ecosystem yet, and you don't have any reliance on its first-party software, such as Final Cut Pro X, then you might be better off considering the Surface Pro 6. The entry-level model is still a little above the MacBook Air on pure hardware, and it's $400 cheaper (without the Type Cover).

Mac OS is very pleasant to use, incredibly well optimized, and always performs well. It also has great software support from Microsoft, such as with the Office Suite, OneDrive, and Skype, as well as notable third-party support from the likes of Adobe and Google. Many of the same apps can be used on a Mac as on Windows 10, but you're going to pay more for the privilege.

There is, however, one more thing. Thanks to Boot Camp, you can easily install Windows 10 on the MacBook Air. The same cannot be said of doing the reverse. So, with the MacBook Air, you can have both platforms.

The choice is yours

When comparing two top devices such as this that run on different platforms, there's no easy way to say which is best. Some will just prefer Windows 10, just as some will automatically lean towards Mac OS.

The platform should be one of the top factors you consider. The other should be what you intend to do with it. The Surface Pro 6 combines the best of a tablet with the best of a powerful Windows 10 laptop. You can get it at a great price, it has a stunning design and build quality, a gorgeous display, and is one of the most flexible machines on the market.

Is microsoft surface comparable to apple mac 2

The MacBook Air, by contrast, has plenty in its favor. It always has a keyboard and trackpad attached, it supports the new USB-C standard, and with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity can transform into a powerful desktop rig with dedicated graphics down a single cable. You can't touch the display or write on it with a pen — for that you'll need an iPad — but you can install Windows 10 if you can't decide and want the best of both worlds.

Is Microsoft Surface Comparable To Apple Mac To Factory

Both of these will be a great fit for your mobile computing needs, but only you can decide which makes the best fit based on their respective differences. That being said, the Surface Pro 6 is just an overall better value thanks ot its lower price, its 2-in-1 nature, and the touchscreen and inking capabilities.

Is Microsoft Surface Comparable To Apple Mac 10

Top 2-in-1

Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Apple

The best 2-in-1 you can buy today

Unless you already rely on Mac OS and its first-party software, you should consider getting the cheaper, better spec, equally stunning Surface Pro 6.

Comparable Java

Flexible computing

Apple MacBook Air (2018)

The MacBook Air we always wanted

Apple's most affordable laptop has everything to be your only computer, even the ability to use Windows 10. But it comes at a price.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Buyer's guide

Is the Surface Pro 6 a no-go for you? Here are some great alternatives

If you're in the market for a new 2-in-1, but Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 isn't doing it for you, check out our picks for best Surface Pro 6 alternatives.