MacBook Pro vs. Microsoft Surface Book
MacBook Pro vs. Microsoft Surface Book
Microsoft and Apple have long been fierce competitors. This rivalry gained attention in the mid-90s when Steve Jobs announced Apple’s agreement with Microsoft to bring the Office Suite to the Mac for the first time.
Over the years, both companies have consistently released products to outshine each other. Apple’s iPod outperformed Microsoft’s Zune, and the iPhone surpassed the Windows Phone.
Recently, Microsoft has adopted Apple’s strategy of integrating hardware and software, resulting in highly acclaimed products like the Microsoft Surface Pro and the Microsoft Surface Studio. Their versatile laptop, the Microsoft Surface Book i7, is a direct competitor to the Apple MacBook Pro. But which one stands out? Here’s a head-to-head comparison.
Display
For tasks like video editing, sound mixing, or presentations, display quality is crucial. The Microsoft Surface Book i7 has a 13.5-inch display, slightly larger than the MacBook Pro’s 13.3-inch screen. Despite the minimal size difference, the Surface Book offers superior pixel resolution at 3,000 x 2,000 compared to the MacBook Pro’s 2,560 x 1,600. The Surface Book also boasts a better color and contrast ratio of 1,750:1 versus the MacBook Pro’s 1,000:1. Additionally, the Surface Book features a touchscreen, which the MacBook Pro lacks. However, the MacBook Pro’s brighter screen can sometimes make images appear crisper.
Power and Performance
While both systems can be upgraded, let’s focus on their base models. The Microsoft Surface Book comes with 8GB of RAM, a dual-core i7 processor, and a dedicated GeForce GTX 965M GPU, offering 1.0 teraflops of GPU performance. In contrast, the base MacBook Pro has an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and no standalone graphics card. Thus, the Surface Book outperforms the MacBook Pro in this category.
Connections
Apple has streamlined the MacBook Pro’s ports to just four Thunderbolt 3 ports, requiring multiple adapters for most connections. The Surface Book i7, however, includes two USB 3.0 ports, an SD card reader, and a Mini DisplayPort, eliminating the need for additional adapters.
Choosing the Right Laptop
Ultimately, the best laptop for you depends on your preferences and ecosystem. If you’re already invested in either the Windows or Apple ecosystems, it’s easier to stay within that system. Transferring files and software to a new operating system can be cumbersome and may require repurchasing software. Both the MacBook Pro and the Surface Book i7 are excellent machines, so choose the one that fits your needs and preferred OS ecosystem best.
