I agree 100% with you on this. The arrogance of Apple is slowly paying them off. You see a lot of ''Apple die-hards'' looking for non-Apple alternatives. Even people who never even thought about leaving Apple/Mac in the past.
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I bought a SurfaceBook
- Thread starter maflynn
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I agree 100% with you on this. The arrogance of Apple is slowly paying them off. You see a lot of ''Apple die-hards'' looking for non-Apple alternatives. Even people who never even thought about leaving Apple/Mac in the past.
OP - Not sure why some of the negativity in this thread. Anyway, it's been great hearing your thoughts on the SB. Thank you--if you've seen me around the forums you'll know that I'm looking at getting one next year, so I appreciate all the hands-on feedback that I can get. Great to hear that I'm not making the wrong decision. Cheers.
It's also a tablet, and has a good keyboard/trackpad.
My 12" iPad Pro was what - $800-900? How much is a 13" retina? $1,500..?
$1,600 for a device that combines both, is a pretty good deal in my mind.
And yep, I replaced both devices with a SB.
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Thinking about it, I had to buy the Pencil and Smart Keyboard separate...so about $280-300 on top of the price of the iPad Pro? The SB comes with all that stuff..
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I have a Surface Book. The track pad is not in the same league as the MacBook. It also makes for a horrendous tablet.
Love that laptop. If I were to switch to Windows that would've been my first choice.
It`s been coming for some time; had someone put this to me 10-15 years ago I would have flat out laughed. Now I own a Microsoft Surface Book and will likely move to a second in 2017 (SB2 - i7 & Performance Base) as long as the experience remains solid, which I fully expect.
The upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update will bring ever more dimension to Surface. Apple has been trading on emoji`s and social media for far too long, with the core OS offering little to no improvements in productivity, coupled with diminishing stability for literally years.
I feel that Microsoft is now where Apple was when Steve Jobs returned; Microsoft has a dynamic team delivering innovative & exciting hardware/software solutions, are they perfect? No, equally Microsoft is heading in a very good direction in 2016. Was a time I would have unreservedly recommend the Mac, these days I pretty much disregard it.
I have one last hope with the 15" MBP, "if" Apple wakes up and sorts out the specification for the pricing, equally Surface Book 2 launches with a 10 series dGPU, and there`s some talk of a Quad Core option the MBP may well be out of the equation, before the pen hits the paper...
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New Yoga 910 is very nice, only thing I don't like is the display 16:9 aspect ratio, Yoga is begging for a 3:2 display. Nor am I sure if the 910 has an active digitiser & Pen support. I Know the Yoga 900S has Pen support, the outgoing Yoga 900 does not.
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Meh. I have the Surface Pro 4, and it failed its first batch of update installations out of the box, forcing me to figure out how to force manual installations. Happened again on the anniversary update. In the end, it's Windows. The tablet UI of Windows 10 is just superficial when the apps are still not optimized for touch.
One thing I do realize, the form factor makes it feasible now to have a Windows portable gaming device that is not a laptop. I can disconnect the keyboard, connect a controller, and it feels like having a portable gaming console with just the monitor in front of you.
But for laptop use, I'm still more productive with a Mac. The Surface's trackpad is better than majority of other Windows laptops out there, but it's nothing compared to Mac. I had to buy and use a mouse to be productive on my Surface Pro, while I stopped using a mouse since my first Macbook.
One thing I do realize, the form factor makes it feasible now to have a Windows portable gaming device that is not a laptop. I can disconnect the keyboard, connect a controller, and it feels like having a portable gaming console with just the monitor in front of you.
But for laptop use, I'm still more productive with a Mac. The Surface's trackpad is better than majority of other Windows laptops out there, but it's nothing compared to Mac. I had to buy and use a mouse to be productive on my Surface Pro, while I stopped using a mouse since my first Macbook.
Sure, but people complain that the MacBooks are too expensive, too slow and lack connectivity. And then they go and spend the same amount of money on a hybrid tablet with an anaemic CPU? And that is supposed to make sense?
Milage vary`s; had no issue on three W10 systems with updates, and have yet to break out the mouse on my Surface Book as for me the trackpad is as good as my current Retina`s barring the implementation of gestures. I have yet to look at the trackpad settings, so may well be able to fine tune the trackpad further.
Not a huge fan of the SP4, I did consider one, however the battery life is below my needs and display too small for a primary system. Window 10 undoubtedly requires more consideration & management by the user, that said for me the trade off`s are worth it versus what the Surface Book brings to the table.
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You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. The i5 & i7 (Iris) options for the SP4 are very capable CPU`s. it`s blatantly obvious that you are just another Apple apologist, therefore you should not be taken seriously for even one second...
FWIW I don't own a SP4 or have any interest in purchasing one, I do own and run multiple Mac`s & W10 systems employed in professional environments.
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Add me to the list of converts. I also have a 12" mb, 13" and 15" pro plus an iMac.
Having been so disappointed with the last couple of keynotes and the final straw being he new mbp and massive uk price hike I decided to try a surface book.
So far it has exceeded my expectations and I am now slowly selling off the macs and will be replacing them with books in the office.
I will just keep the iMac purely for iOS development.
The one area I feel ms needs to improve is Windows scaling, although some of it falls on developers there is still issues in scaling in Windows itself.
But also agree ms is on the right track with their windows 10 road map and loved the anniversary update
Having been so disappointed with the last couple of keynotes and the final straw being he new mbp and massive uk price hike I decided to try a surface book.
So far it has exceeded my expectations and I am now slowly selling off the macs and will be replacing them with books in the office.
I will just keep the iMac purely for iOS development.
The one area I feel ms needs to improve is Windows scaling, although some of it falls on developers there is still issues in scaling in Windows itself.
But also agree ms is on the right track with their windows 10 road map and loved the anniversary update
What a shame this thread is filled with such negativity.
I'm a 25+ year Mac user. As of this year I'm finally planning on building my own desktop PC, and am looking for a Windows laptop to replace my late 2013 rMBP when it finally gives up (which is still years away, as this thing is rock solid for my uses).
macOS is the best OS around, no doubt. It's just a shame that Apple waste it on their poor hardware.
So - OP, can you post some pics of the Surface Book? We don't have Microsoft retail stores in the UK so getting to any kind of store that actually stocks them is difficult. Interested to hear more of your thoughts on it.
I'm a 25+ year Mac user. As of this year I'm finally planning on building my own desktop PC, and am looking for a Windows laptop to replace my late 2013 rMBP when it finally gives up (which is still years away, as this thing is rock solid for my uses).
macOS is the best OS around, no doubt. It's just a shame that Apple waste it on their poor hardware.
So - OP, can you post some pics of the Surface Book? We don't have Microsoft retail stores in the UK so getting to any kind of store that actually stocks them is difficult. Interested to hear more of your thoughts on it.
Don't Currys / PC world & John Lewis display them near you?
I popped by Currys yesterday for a quick look and spent a little time in front of the surface pro 4, personally I thought it was a really nice product.
I'm sure they had the surface book there as well so will be heading back today / tomorrow for a look.
My nearest John Lewis is a long way away, but that's a good point, I should make a trip. Our local PC World only stoked crappy £200 laptops last time I was in there, but I'll check again. Maybe they've restocked higher spec machines now they know they have a lot of disenchanted Mac users on the way
@Queen6 Have you had any problems with sleeping/waking or hibernating? I've read many reviews and some complain bitterly about the surface book not suspending properly. Some even complain about the computer getting hot while sleeping and crashing. Similar problems also when detaching the screen.
Just curious what your experience is. I am considering getting one, but did not for the issues mentioned that affect possibly a small minority of buyers.
First of all, I was talking about the surface book, not surface pro. Second, i7 Surface Pro 4 with cover is essentially the same price as the non-touchbar MBP, which is faster, has better display/keyboard/SSD/battery/connectivity. I am perfectly aware that the SP is a tablet and therefore has a different purpose and that its can be an excellent device for someone who needs it.
But this doesn't have anything to do with my post. You can call me 'Apple apologist' as much as you can, this doesn't change the real world facts facts. At the same price point, the non-touchbar MBP is faster, has more then double the battery life, better display, a proper keyboard and fast contemporary IO, compared to the SP4. It just doesn't make sense to dismiss the first one as a professional device and praise the second one at the same time.
P.S. I also find it very cute how Microsoft purposely hides the real CPU/GPU specs from the customer.
My nearest John Lewis is a long way away, but that's a good point, I should make a trip. Our local PC World only stoked crappy £200 laptops last time I was in there, but I'll check again. Maybe they've restocked higher spec machines now they know they have a lot of disenchanted Mac users on the way
I must admit I was thinking the same thing until I got there.
Seems Currys / PC world both now have designated areas for the Surface lines, similar to that of how they've always kept macbook in its own area for display.
I presume Microsoft have started asking retailers for dedicated space to show off the premium products, just like Apple have done for many years.
I'll be popping in to a different branch today so will report back
In all transparency I need to test this aspect of the Surface Book; so far I have turned off Connected Standby & sharing of Microsoft updates. I will let the Surface Book sleep tonight with a full charge and see what results after 12 hours or so. Also need to dig through what MS schedules W10 to do in the quiet hours to.really get a full picture.
Similarly to Mac's if the system does not sleep it can be problematic to resolved due to many variables. Microsoft is very aggressive with updates, with several "worker" applications designed to optimise the OS in periods the user is not active.
I will post back with my observations, likely in a different thread, which I will link to this thread.
Update Surface Book is fully charged, now in standby/hibernation
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With the decline in the sale of Apple's production, people are shifting from Apple products to non-Apple alternatives and find even better results than expected. Apple's reputation is significantly going down and it's really disappointing. According to Forbes, Apple is the tenth of the world's most reputable companies, however, I was searching its name in the top 3
http://www.forbes.com/sites/karsten...s-most-reputable-companies-2016/#4c471db54f95
http://www.forbes.com/sites/karsten...s-most-reputable-companies-2016/#4c471db54f95
That's exactly my point!! I hate this arrogance and I'm looking for alternatives because of this!
Nothing has changed you remain to be an Apple Apologist; the summation of a systems capabilities is not limited to the CPU in isolation, as stated you are clueless without any real world experience, this is very obvious to me as a seasoned engineer & professional user of both macOS & Windows...
If the Mac works for you fine, equally grow up, understand others have differing needs & requirements. I work and interact directly with scientists, geophysicists & geologists, amongst many others; none share you language, equally some share your passion. Your posts simply come across as little more than a juvenile who has bought overly into Apple`s sales & marketing. Your closing comment only serves to exemplify & reenforce my previous statement...
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For me, I would love to try the surface studio and have no problem with the pricing (its much the same as iMac pricing and poses much better value than a Wacom Cintiq).
The biggest hurdle for me would always be the fact I do need Mac OS X as pretty much everyone I deal with on a day to day basis in the graphics and print production is using Mac and for the sake of colour accuracy and file compatibility it's just par for the course. There is just a common language shared and it makes fixing any potential issues so much simpler.
Give me the surface studio running Mac OS X and I would buy today ..... As it stands, as much as I think it looks a great computer and more appealing than the current iMac lineup, I would have to pass.
The biggest hurdle for me would always be the fact I do need Mac OS X as pretty much everyone I deal with on a day to day basis in the graphics and print production is using Mac and for the sake of colour accuracy and file compatibility it's just par for the course. There is just a common language shared and it makes fixing any potential issues so much simpler.
Give me the surface studio running Mac OS X and I would buy today ..... As it stands, as much as I think it looks a great computer and more appealing than the current iMac lineup, I would have to pass.
I'm happy with the Surface Book, it does everything I want it too, I have not had one issue.
Congrats @Queen6 on your new machine.
I think Apple and MS are on different trajectories. Apple being a bit complacent, arrogant and maybe protecting their position instead of innovating. MS because they missed out on the mobile smart phone market seem to be more hungry and willing to take chances. Not all of the surface products were winners, and even the SufaceBook and Surface Pro 4 had issues. Those issues have long been resolved, and we have a stellar product imo.
Congrats @Queen6 on your new machine.
I think Apple and MS are on different trajectories. Apple being a bit complacent, arrogant and maybe protecting their position instead of innovating. MS because they missed out on the mobile smart phone market seem to be more hungry and willing to take chances. Not all of the surface products were winners, and even the SufaceBook and Surface Pro 4 had issues. Those issues have long been resolved, and we have a stellar product imo.
For me it`s not about the price, it`s the value the hardware & software represents. I can easily recoup the cost of a maxed 15" MBP in a matter of days, equally the hardware & software must meet my needs. Apple`s corporate hubris & arrogance only serves to repel....
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One word "Solid "
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Oh come on, no need for this self-righteous patronising speech. I am certainly not dismissing the merit of the Surface and I am the first to admit the MS is the only company in the industry, other than Apple, who truly attempts to innovate. I have clearly pointed out in plenty of posts. I personally might be not interested in the Surface line of products, because I don't find them interesting or useful, but I have bough a bunch of these things for some of our employees and they seem to be happy, so thats great.
And anyway, I was merely pointing out the obvious discrepancy in the logic of some posters (not you btw, you have so far been very consistent in your statements, even though we seem to have very different views), who criticise the MacBook Pro as being underpowered and too expensive, but for some reason praise the just-as-underpowered and similarly price Surface line. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't know if its the lack of clarity in my post or some sort of cognitive bias, but nothing I said justifies this sort of response.
As to my final statement: sorry, but thats true. They simply say things like "Intel i7 CPU' or "Nvidia graphics". I was unable to find more detailed specs on the Surface website. If you think thats ok and customer-friendly, cool. But to accuse me of being juvenile because I point out obvious lack of transparency on MS's side, just because you seem to like the product? Not really what one would expect from a mature adult.