MacBook Air Vs Surface Pro 3

[LOLZpersonok]

Countless experiences turned me off. I gave MS countless chances and Ive had enough!

I have used the surfaces a bit and they do look very nice at first glance, but they are by MS.

Everything MS does is half baked. I am very satified with .

I agree that the pressure sensitive stylus is probably essential for certain artists.
has nothing that can compare to that.

Again, saying that everything a company does is "half-baked" is most likely an opinion. I'm somewhat of an opposite of what you are. Microsoft's products work well for me and I have no gripes about them. I don't have any gripes for Apple's products either.

If I had the money, I'd have a high end Apple laptop as my portable machine, and my desktop would be a high end Windows machine. I'd do something similar for my "portable-portable" devices. My phone would be an Android and my tablet would be an iPad. Like those taco commercials or Internet meme or whatever, "why can't we have both?"

I have a late 2006 iMac, and even though it works decently fast, it is still a piece of crap. Yes, I said it. This model of iMac is known for its defective GPU. I found a workaround so it doesn't use the GPU so that it will be usable, but that means animations are slow. I'd so love to have a new Retina Display MacBook Pro. Or iMac, but then I'd get a high end Windows laptop.

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It baffles me how some people can deny how great the Surface 3 is. The reason I have a Macbook Air 2013 is because it was absolutely the best device on the market at the time I purchased it. Nothing could compare to its amazing battery life, and flawless balance of CPU performance to GPU. However if I was faced between the 2014 Macbook Air and the Surface 3, it would have been a no brainer.

The MBA is an absolutely gorgeous machine, but the Surface 3 is the new kid in the block. Gorgeous resolution, great performance, good size and weight (the Surface 2 was chunky), and fantastic form factor.

I don't think there are many people willing to say that the three extra hours the MBA gets on a charge is better than having a 3:2 aspect ratio and much higher pixel density.

Considering that performance and price is roughly the same, the Surface 3 has a clear edge on hardware while having to work with such a daring form factor.

Hardware wise the Surface 3 is the best thing on the market right now. Some people have a problem with Windows 8's interface, but the system is extremely stable. Mavericks on the other hand, has a great interface and usability but it lacks the stability of Windows (I never thought I would say this). I consider the two OSs capable, but each needs to improve tremendously before I can say which one is better.

You said it really well. If you put a 13" MacBook Air and 512GB Surface Pro 3 side by side, the performance would be roughly the same, but in my honest opinion, I think that for right now (in 2014), the Surface Pro 3 is a more innovative device, while the MacBook Air was the most innovative device of 2008 and even now. We, however, do have to wait for the Surface Pro 3 to come out before we can truly judge how good it is.

Yes, with the same hardware configurations, the Surface Pro 3 costs $250 more than a fully configured MacBook Air, but as I mentioned this most likely comes from the higher resolution screen and the fact that it is a touchscreen. Computers with touchscreens alone (high resolution aside) cost notably more than those without.

I never heard of OS X 10.9 having stability issues. Now that I look it up, I see people saying that OS X 10.7 is probably the best OS X to have right now. Luckily I'm on 10.7.5 right now, and I think it's a great system.

I have to still say that Apple makes good products as well, otherwise I'm gonna get publicly executed

 

[Cod3rror]

I really don't like OSX and I would not get a MacBook Air, Surface Pro 3 on the other hand is IMO, amazing! And a much more impressive engineering achievement than a MacBook Air.

Once Broadwell gets released, Surface Pro 4 is going to be even more impressive!

 

[C. Robert]

I really don't like OSX and I would not get a MacBook Air, Surface Pro 3 on the other hand is IMO, amazing! And a much more impressive engineering achievement than a MacBook Air.

Once Broadwell gets released, Surface Pro 4 is going to be even more impressive!

The trackpad on the macbook air is better engineering than anything that has ever came out of Microsoft. I use a keyboard with my iPad and whenever I have to use the touch screen while using it, I get extremely annoyed.

 

[kelon111]

The trackpad on the macbook air is better engineering than anything that has ever came out of Microsoft. I use a keyboard with my iPad and whenever I have to use the touch screen while using it, I get extremely annoyed.

You never used a Microsoft mouse? MS made some great mice many years ago.
MS makes some great keyboards as well (e.g. Sidewinder X4 ).

Even the trackpad on the macbook air isn't as good as a decent mouse.

Supposedly Apple has the best software and hardware for trackpads but it can't compete with a $20 mouse.

 

[C. Robert]

You never used a Microsoft mouse? MS made some great mice many years ago.
MS makes some great keyboards as well (e.g. Sidewinder X4 ).

Even the trackpad on the macbook air isn't as good as a decent mouse.

Supposedly Apple has the best software and hardware for trackpads but it can't compete with a $20 mouse.

I have used nice keyboards but no trackpad is as good as the one on a mac. Mice I don't know I haven't used a mouse in about 5 years and don't plan on it. If you can fit the sidewinder x4 on a macbook or laptop then thats cool but I don't see it happening.

 

[Quu]

It no doubt has a great screen, the MacBook Air has yet to make the jump to a "Retina" resolution.

But apart from that I think I'd prefer the MacBook Air. The ease of use on the lap, the stability when you hold it, the keyboard is going to feel better and the trackpad is larger.

And although they assure us a lot of engineering has gone in to that hinge design on the Surface Pro 3 I wonder how tight it will be after a year of heavy use? I'm weary about it.

Microsoft is changing all the tried and tested features we take for granted. Hinges, keyboard mechanics, touch pads, the charge port, the way you balance the system on your lap etc

I know this is their 3rd attempt and you might say they've worked out all the kinks by now but each time they've altered the hinge design, this one has the most moving parts of all three attempts, this doesn't fill me with confidence.

Contrast this with the MacBook Air. The unibody design, the same hinge system we've had since the Aluminium Powerbook era, the same full sized glass trackpad we've enjoyed since 2008-9, the same keyboard design since the first Air in 2008. These are all things that work insanely well.

I wonder how many of you remember (or were even born yet ) when the Titanium Powerbook came out. Apple used a terrible terrible hinge design which broke all the time. It was quite a big problem.

When they changed to a new hinge with the Aluminium Powerbooks there was another issue, the metal latch that was magnetically deployed when the notebook was closed had a tendency to fail after a few months usage so the laptop would spring open an inch at random times. Apple solved this problem by using magnets to keep the shell closed instead of a retracting latch. But these issues took time to solve and they felt like a natural progression towards reliability.

What Microsoft is doing with these surfaces it just feels risky to me and I don't want to be a guinea pig, I'd rather wait it out a couple more years first for it to reach a level where I have no concerns about that kick stand of the click on type cover.

 

[Cod3rror]

The trackpad on the macbook air is better engineering than anything that has ever came out of Microsoft. I use a keyboard with my iPad and whenever I have to use the touch screen while using it, I get extremely annoyed.

Not a big fan of touchpads, IMO it's much more convenient to touch the screen directly.

I was sceptical at first, but after you get used to it, you find yourself using it all the time.

IMO, the more methods of input, the better.

 

[C. Robert]

Not a big fan of touchpads, IMO it's much more convenient to touch the screen directly.

I was sceptical at first, but after you get used to it, you find yourself using it all the time.

IMO, the more methods of input, the better.

I have a keyboard on my iPad and having to touch the screen is terrible. The touchpad on MacBooks is the best way to be productive.

 

[Cod3rror]

I have a keyboard on my iPad and having to touch the screen is terrible. The touchpad on MacBooks is the best way to be productive.

The problem is, you're comparing an iPad (toy) to a Surface (a PC).

And the best way to be productive is a mouse and a keyboard.

 

[kelon111]

What Microsoft is doing with these surfaces it just feels risky to me and I don't want to be a guinea pig, I'd rather wait it out a couple more years first for it to reach a level where I have no concerns about that kick stand of the click on type cover.

The guinea pigs were the ones who were using 5 lbs+ tablets many years ago.
Many of them are glad that they did that though.

Tablets used to only be for professional work and they were very expensive to make. Also , don't forget that they were ugly and relatively heavy. You should also realize that software has finally caught up to the tablet technology; 5+ years ago that wasn't the case.

 

[Quu]

The guinea pigs were the ones who were using 5 lbs+ tablets many years ago.
Many of them are glad that they did that though.

Tablets used to only be for professional work and they were very expensive to make. Also , don't forget that they were ugly and relatively heavy. You should also realize that software has finally caught up to the tablet technology; 5+ years ago that wasn't the case.

My point isn't that tablets are untested. The iPad is a tried and tested design.

My point is that I have concerns about this hybrid approach. Specifically the power connector that they've changed several times, the type cover they've changed three times, the kick stand that they've changed three times, the new digitiser for pen input.

There are just a lot of unknowns.

I can tell you this, to me the iPad is unusable on your lap. It falls over too easily. And some would say that the Surface Pro 3 fixes that with its stand. But to me looking at journalists using the product, it seems unstable. It seems a mile away from the stability I get with a notebook.

So this begs the question, do I wanna spend $700 minimum to find out if this experiment works? - I don't. I'd rather wait a few more years.

I should point out, I did not buy the first iPhone. I waited until the iPhone 3GS when all the kinks were worked out and the App Store was available.

I did not buy the first iPad. I waited for the iPad 2 where the first smart cover came out and gave us an elegant solution to propping the iPad up on a table.

I did however buy the first MacBook Pro and I was burned by that experience which is why I skipped the original Retina MacBook Pro even though I wanted one badly.

It pays to wait sometimes. I know the Surface Pro 3 is the 3rd iteration and by my own choosing criteria this would be the one I should get right? But they keep changing the design so much each iteration. The new hinge has even more points of failure than the previous ones and I'd really like to see them stop changing the physical form factor and just upgrade the internals, that's when I'll be satisfied.

 

[crashoverride77]

The trackpad on the macbook air is better engineering than anything that has ever came out of Microsoft. I use a keyboard with my iPad and whenever I have to use the touch screen while using it, I get extremely annoyed.

Amen
Its like these windows people do not now know what an apple trackpad feels like. I bet they get so annoyed with their crap touchpads that having a massive touchscreen must be a revelation. And ur next sentence is also spot on. Why would I wanna touch a 12 inch screen when it's upright. Especially when I have the best keyboard and trackpad in the business.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

I don't think I can prefer any Windows machine to one running OSX. That's just me and my work. So even if the Air doesn't have the form factor and the screen tech of the Surface, it's still a no brainer. Air all the way.

But if I have deep pockets, this can replace my iPad. One of my favorite treats in device shopping is the biggest capacity I can get. So instead of hanging on to my iPad Air's 128gb, I can have a slightly heavier and thicker tablet with 512gb. Now that price is even more expensive than the max'd out MBA but like I said, deep pockets to replace my iPad. USB slot for external drives and full windows games. I may not buy this generation's but I'm eyes wide open to what a Broadwell/Skylake Surface is going to dish out especially in terms of GPU power. iOS move aside.

I couldn't do it. Too big. 1.8 pounds and a 12" screen is a gigantic for a tablet.

 

[Fizzoid]

Have you used the Surface Pro 3?

I think we know the answer to that due to his indepth comments as to why...

 

[kelon111]

Amen
Its like these windows people do not now know what an apple trackpad feels like. I bet they get so annoyed with their crap touchpads that having a massive touchscreen must be a revelation. And ur next sentence is also spot on. Why would I wanna touch a 12 inch screen when it's upright. Especially when I have the best keyboard and trackpad in the business.

Apple does not make the best laptop keyboards in the business.

I bet you never used an IBM Thinkpad.

I've used the touchpad on a MacBook Air before but I end up using a mouse for video games and work that required more precision.

 

[C. Robert]

Apple does not make the best laptop keyboards in the business.

I bet you never used an IBM Thinkpad.

I've used the touchpad on a MacBook Air before but I end up using a mouse for video games and work that required more precision.

Yes they do make the best keyboards. IBM doesn't really make anything good or that differentiates from any other Microsoft laptop. If playing video games with a mouse is your thing then why even bother with a mac?

The touchpad on mac is so good that they sell it as a stand alone product.

 

[kelon111]

edit:delete

 

[crashoverride77]

Yes they do make the best keyboards. IBM doesn't really make anything good or that differentiates from any other Microsoft laptop. If playing video games with a mouse is your thing then why even bother with a mac?

The touchpad on mac is so good that they sell it as a stand alone product.

Exactly, the touchpad is that good. And IBM thinkpad when was that, in the 90s haha. I am by far not an apple fanboy but there is no argument here.

 

[C. Robert]

Exactly, the touchpad is that good. And IBM thinkpad when was that, in the 90s haha. I am by far not an apple fanboy but there is no argument here.

I actually didn't even know IBM was still producing?

 

[Abacus2039]

I would expect that most people using a Surface Pro 3 in a commercial/professional capacity will also buy the MS docking station option. That turns the SP3 into an OK desktop with a full battery of ports, allowing use of external Monitors, full size keyboard, external/network storage, etc

I don't believe the SP3 snap on keyboard is intended for full time use. The lack of backlighting also limits home use if you like to use your device in the dark.

I always buy docks with my laptops. Using a laptop as a laptop in the office is kind of unproductive. A 12/14 inch screen is fine on the road, but anywhere else there is no substitute for a big screen, big keyboard, and a place to park your laptop out of the way.

I have a docking station at the office, at my largest client, and at home. My 11.6" ultrabook converts to and from a desktop in seconds. No plugging in cables, power cords, or any of that nonsense. Just dock and work.

Given the "Pro" allusion in the name, I find the lack of genuine docking options for the MBP inexplicable.

I know that aftermarket solutions like Henge and Landing Zone exist, but the lack of a proper docking port on the MBP makes me wonder about the ease of use and durability of those solutions.

Edit: Just realized I was in the Air forum, not the MBP forum. Post is still relevant to MBA.

 

[rambo47]

The Surface Pro 3 might be more innovative but one of the main questions I care about is usability. And that includes things like battery life. The MBA trumps the SP3 significantly in this respect. Some SP3 users are complaining about needing to reboot to get the wireless driver to be recognized. That would drive me up a tree in short order.

What initially intrigued me about the SP3 is the possibility of replacing multiple devices with just one device. Sounds great, but the reality of how I work and play makes this insignificant for me. And the SP3 may be a great tablet, but from early reviews it seems to be trying too hard to be something it's not - a great laptop.

The biggest factor for me, however, is OSX vs. W8. IMHO, OSX wins hands down.

 

[great high wolf]

I know that aftermarket solutions like Henge and Landing Zone exist, but the lack of a proper docking port on the MBP makes me wonder about the ease of use and durability of those solutions.

Edit: Just realized I was in the Air forum, not the MBP forum. Post is still relevant to MBA.

I know it doesn't carry the power, so you have to plug in a whole two cables, but surely Thunderbolt must count as a docking port these days? One cable connects you to a monitor, USB sockets for keyboard/mouse, FireWire, Ethernet, audio in/out, etc.

 

[Serban]

surface is not a perfect tablet and not a perfect laptop...its only for Microsoft users

 

[Abacus2039]

I know it doesn't carry the power, so you have to plug in a whole two cables, but surely Thunderbolt must count as a docking port these days? One cable connects you to a monitor, USB sockets for keyboard/mouse, FireWire, Ethernet, audio in/out, etc.

My machines are 1.5 to five years old so Thunderbolt has never been applicable, until now anyway.

Keyboard, mouse, ethernet, printer, monitor, external drive, phone, and power. That's eight cables by my count.

Plus, I have another cable clipped to the side of the monitor so clients can plug in their own USB devices instead of me doing it. Some clients are funny that way.

So at a minimum, in the absence of a docking station, I have nine cables to contend with every time I arrive at and leave the office.

Plus, and this is a biggy, where do you physically place your laptop so that it is out of the way of your work papers, files, reference materials and coffee?

When I have a client sitting opposite me my desk must be neat, tidy, and presentable. That is to say, it must be suggestive of a professional workspace.

A rats nest of cables does not look professional. Placing a $2,500 laptop in the middle of it all where it is susceptible to errant cups of fluid is not only unsightly, but stupid. I've used a few different configurations, but by and large most docking stations allow the laptop to be mounted directly under the monitor, out of the way and out of danger.

So I think I will stick with my docking stations. They make a lot of sense to me. YMMV.

 

[C. Robert]

The problem is, you're comparing an iPad (toy) to a Surface (a PC).

And the best way to be productive is a mouse and a keyboard.

Surface is not a PC. One USB, no keyboard, top heavy, and the trackpad is garbage when you do buy the $130 half baked type cover. It's just not good at anything but bad at everything. No one wants to carry a 12 inch tablet or a laptop with minimal lapability (what a word) that needs to be set up like a transformer going from a car to a robot.

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surface is not a perfect tablet and not a perfect laptop...its only for Microsoft users

Exactly, it's the all season tires of the tech work. Good at nothing and bad at everything.