14 DAY TRIAL // The battle between Microsoft and Apple is making the headlines once again today, as yesterday the Cupertino-based company introduced a new 12-inch MacBook that, at least on paper, seems to be the best alternative to Microsoft’s pricey Surface Pro 3.
It’s a well-known fact that, since Microsoft debuted the Surface Pro 3 in May 2014, the company has been promoting the device as the best replacement for the traditional laptop in general, and for the MacBook in particular, pointing out that it comes with top hardware specs and better battery life.
But with the new MacBook, Apple is finally fighting back and the company hopes that Surface Pro 3 is no longer the better device. But is this true? Read on to find out.
Display and resolution
Needless to say, the Surface Pro 3 runs Windows 8.1 Pro and will be upgradeable to Windows 10 when the new OS comes out, whereas the new MacBook is powered by Mac OS X Yosemite.
In terms of display, they both come with a 12-inch display, but specs are slightly different. The Surface Pro 3 features a ClearType Full HD display with a resolution of 2160x1440 pixels, while the MacBook comes with an IPS screen with a resolution of 2304x1440 pixels. An aspect ratio of 3:2 is being used by the SP3, while the MacBook uses a 16:10 configuration.
“The Surface Pro 3 has touch support. The MacBook doesn’t. A digital pen is also offered to Microsoft customers.”
The Surface Pro 3 also comes with touch support, while the MacBook needs to be entirely used with a mouse and keyboard because no, touch input is not available.
At the same time, the Surface Pro 3 also comes with a digital pen that’s fully integrated with Microsoft OneNote and comes with no more, no less than 256 levels of pressure sensitivity. No such feature is available on the MacBook.
Winner: Microsoft Surface Pro 3
CPU and RAM
As far as the CPU is concerned, Microsoft offers buyers several CPU configurations, starting with an Intel Core i3 and ending with an i7 on the top-of-the-range models. The CPU in question is an i7-4650U unit that runs at 1.7 GHz in normal mode but can go as high as 3.3 GHz in Turbo mode.
Apple’s MacBook features a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor whose performance can be increased to 2.6 GHz in Turbo mode.
In terms of RAM, there are two options for Surface Pro 3 buyers: 4 GB and 8 GB. The MacBook comes with 8 GB of RAM and this is the only available configuration.
Winner: Microsoft Surface Pro 3 (more configuration options and slightly better performance)
Storage
Both the Surface Pro 3 and the MacBook come with a top configuration that includes 512 GB of storage, but in both cases, 256 GB setups are also available. At the same time, the Surface Pro 3 also offers 64 GB and 128 GB versions for entry-level models that are available at a lower price and thus give customers more choices.
What’s more, Microsoft is also offering a microSD card slot on its Surface Pro 3, so buyers can expand storage capacity with an additional 128 GB.
Both devices support cloud services and Microsoft is betting on OneDrive to give buyers even more storage on their tablets.
Winner: both devices offer almost the same versions
Battery and cameras
Since Apple’s new MacBook isn’t yet available, battery specs might not be entirely accurate, but we’re going to compare the two devices on paper based on the information we have from their manufactures.
In the case of the Surface Pro 3, the tablet comes with a battery that can provide a maximum of 9 hours of web browsing, but battery life can be significantly lower when doing more demanding tasks, such as video editing or gaming. The MacBook is said to provide similar battery life for browsing, but the same mention is valid here too: autonomy can be greatly impacted by running processes.
The Surface Pro 3 comes equipped with 5-megapixel cameras on front and back for video calls and any other task that might require such a device. Both cameras can record videos in 1080p. The MacBook, on the other hand, comes with a camera that can only shoot in 480p.
Winner: Microsoft Surface Pro 3
Dimensions and form factor
The MacBook is by definition a laptop that comes with a non-removable keyboard, so it cannot be used as a tablet and does not feature a touch-capable screen. The Surface Pro 3, on the other hand, is in essence a tablet that can become a laptop with the help of a removable keyboard and also features touch support.
Microsoft’s device weighs only 0.79 kg, while the MacBook is a little bit heavier, as it has a weight of 0.92 kg. In terms of size, they are pretty much similar: 7.93 x 11.5 x 0.36 inches (201 x 292 x 9.1 mm) for the Surface Pro 3 versus 7.72 x 11.04 x 0.52 inches (196 x 280 x 13.2 mm) for the MacBook.
Winner: the devices are very similar, but the Surface Pro 3 can also be used as a tablet
Pricing
This is where the Surface Pro 3 isn’t doing very well, but there’s no doubt that the MacBook is not really a very affordable device either.
The new MacBook can be yours for $1,300 if you go for the 256 GB version, while the top model with 512 GB of storage space costs $1,600.
In the case of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3, things are not at all encouraging. The Surface Pro 3 costs $799 for the entry-level version with an i3 processor, 64 GB of storage space, and 4 GB of RAM, and goes all the way up to $1,849 (with a $100/€73 discount) for the top model with i7, 512 GB of storage space, and 8 GB of RAM.
Winner: Apple’s 12-inch MacBook
Conclusion
The Surface Pro 3 is available in several configurations and also features a touch-capable screen, so while you indeed have to pay more for this device, there’s no doubt that you can also do more things either at a desk or on the go.
The Pro 3 can also be used as a tablet, and that’s pretty much its main advantage. With the Surface Pen, the Pro 3 becomes the key companion for artists and students who want to remain productive on the go, although battery life might more or less impact their work.
The MacBook, on the other hand, loses the battle when it comes to portability, as the Surface Pro 3 is clearly a device that’s a lot easier to carry around. Simply because it’s a tablet that becomes a laptop and vice versa.
Apple’s device, on the other hand, is a little bit more affordable and comes with better value for the price, at least for the entry-level configuration. At the same time, it’s also likely to provide better battery life than the Microsoft rival does.
| Surface Pro 3 | Apple 12-inch Macbook | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 12-inch ClearType Full HD | 12-inch IPS display |
| Resolution | 2160 x 1440 | 2304 x 1440 |
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 16:10 |
| Touch support | Yes | No |
| CPU | Intel i3/i5/i7 up to 1.7 GHz | Intel Core M at 1.2 GHz |
| RAM | 4 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 64/128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB |
| Battery | up to 9 hours of browsing | up to 9 hours of browsing |
| Camera | 5 MP front and rear 1080p | 480p unit on front |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 | Wi-Fi 802.11ac/802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ports | Full-size USB 3.0, microSD card reader, Headset jack, Mini DisplayPort, Cover port, Charging port | USB-C port |
| Sensors | Ambient light sensor Accelerometer Gyroscope Magnetometer | None |
| Dimensions | 7.93 x 11.5 x 0.36 inches 201 x 292 x 9.1 mm 0.79 kg |
7.72 x 11.04 x 0.52 inches 196 x 280 x 13.2 mm 0.92 kg |
| Pricing | $799 to $1,849 | $1,299/$1,600 |
