T3 Smack Down: Microsoft Surface Book vs Apple MacBook Pro with Retina
Dan Grabham writes this review for T3.com.
Ultimate 13-inch laptops go head to head
The new Microsoft Surface Book is supposed to be the next chapter in computing. But is Microsoft's new hybrid too ambitious and expensive? As for the MacBook Pro 13-inch, you know what you're getting, but is that still enough?
Surface Book vs. MacBook Pro: Design
The Surface Book’s flexible hinge (which keeps its removable display steadfast) looks like it’s from the future, but it leaves a distracting gap. Elsewhere, the gorgeous aluminium body and glass trackpad are distinctly Mac-like.
It’s beginning to feel a little dated, but Apple’s silver fox is still quite the looker. Its solid aluminium chassis remains as durable as ever and, from its easy-to-open lid to the glowing logo on the back, the MacBook screams premium.
Surface Book vs. MacBook Pro: Features
Click a button and you can detach the Surface Book’s 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000-pixel touchscreen to watch movies, play games or doodle with a Surface Pen. Go large with the really rather lovely 512GB SSD model (£2,249) to banish storage woes.
Two speedy Thunderbolt 2.0 ports, a vibrant 13-inch, 2,560 x 1,600-pixel Retina Display and a Force Touch trackpad make the MacBook Pro a practical if less exciting choice. It does lack a touchscreen and pen support – so no direct scribbling here.
Surface Book vs. MacBook Pro: Performance
Intel’s sixth-generation processor and up to 16GB of RAM mean this hybrid can rip through tasks, and its Nvidia GTX 940M GPU can even handle modern games. Microsoft claims 12 hours of battery life, but we found it to be a bit less.
Though it only packs Intel’s fifth-gen processor, the Pro is no slouch. On the £1,399 model, you get 512GB of flash storage, but a lack of discrete graphics rules out heavy gaming. With ten hours of claimed battery life, it’s great for road warriors.
Surface Book vs. MacBook Pro: Usability
Windows 10 makes it easy to switch from clamshell to tablet mode in a snap. The desktop is massively improved since Windows 8, making productivity a breeze, but tablet mode is still clunky and the Windows Store still lacks apps.
OS X El Capitan is fast and as solid as a rock. The MacBook opens instantly from sleep mode, and its keyboard is comfortable for long typing sessions. The App Store is full of apps designed to take advantage of the Retina Display.
T3 Verdict
Surface Book
RATES: You could replace both your laptop and tablet with the Surface Book; it’s great for work and play.
SLATES: It’s very expensive but it’s also future-proof, so you won’t need to buy another laptop for a while.
Verdict: 4/5
MacBook Pro
RATES: It’s fast and reliable, has apps for every occasion and is much cheaper than the Surface
SLATES: It can’t convert into a tablet, it lacks the latest CPU and there’s no touchscreen.
Verdict: 4/5
Image source: http://www.t3.com/news/t3-smackdown-microsoft-surface-book-vs-apple-macbook-pro-with-retina
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