Apple's MacBook Air vs. Microsoft's Surface Laptop 2

[triangletechie]

I had the new Air and liked some things about it. However, it is just too under powered for simple tasks especially starting at $1200 with a pathetic 128 gb of storage. At least for me, going to any site that had more than 1 ad running caused frequent spinning wheels. I decided to ditch it when it can't even handle simple web browsing without choking.

I've tried to use a Surface laptop and didn't like the keyboard. I know many reviews rave over it but I could never type comfortably on it. I know the butterfly keyboard has its issues, but I do find it more comfortable for me to type on. I don't hate Windows so I would consider a Surface laptop 3 if it has USB-C and maybe a slightly modified keyboard.

 

[milhouse994]

I just replaced my dead 2012 Macbook Air with a Surface Laptop 2. It took a lot of soul searching and questioning wether I really wanted to leave the Mac OS ecosystem after over 10 years. I have to say, the Surface Laptop is a great piece of hardware, has a great screen and Windows 10, although a bit of adjustment, is slick and easy to use.

For me it ultimately came down to the fact that I just wasn't excited about the current Mac lineup. I was faced with buying the latest Macbook Air, which aside from a speed bump, nicer screen and touch ID felt identical to my existing Air. The Surface Laptop 2 was different enough that I decided to take the chance. Just my two cents, YMMV.

 

[Geordiekeith]

A machine in this class would be used for browsing, e-mails and working on documents in the ubiquitous Microsoft Office that those of us who work in the real world have to use when on the move. So those of us who are not fans of the butterfly key design certainly do not not agree that when it comes to key feel, the MacBook Air wins out...

 

[oneMadRssn]

I wonder how well a Hackintoshed macOS would run on the Surface Laptop...

 

[kodos]

The keyboard on the Surface Laptop is light years ahead of the ridiculous keyboard I am typing on right now (2018 15" MBP). I am in pain using this. This right there would make me buy a Surface Laptop rather than a MacBook Air. If I didn't need to develop iOS apps, I'd have bought a ThinkPad instead of this MBP. I have really grown to despise this machine. I hate it. The keyboard is 90% of it.

Oh, and macOS is no longer that stable. I have all kinds of issues with attaching it to my LG Thunderbolt Monitor. Half the time it won't even detect it unless I reboot. It hard locks once or twice a month as well. Battery life is also atrocious compared to my Surface Book 2.

Hate it.

 

[lec0rsaire]

This comes down to whether you prefer macOS or Windows. Everything else is irrelevant. Both are well built machines and good enough for mainstream users.

 

[DVD9]

Doesn't the Surface Laptop 2 have a quad-core CPU?

Yes it does. i5 is quad core.

You can almost always buy the base Surface Laptop 2 for $799- (Platinum color) and the 256GB model in any color for $999-

Bloomberg was spot on in floating the rumor of the Air starting at $799-. That's what it's worth on the market.

 

[Winston-]

Doesn't the Macbook Air only has a Y series processor and a 480p webcam? Quad core cpus, Windows Hello, 3:2 Screen, and the Reliable Keyboard I would argue makes it otherways better but if you want Mac os, Larger trackpad, Thunderbolt 3, Faster storage then the Air is for you.

 

[duervo]

I’m capable of fixing lots of hardware problems with laptops, but it’s such a pain to do, with the surface laptop being glued together, that I refuse to get one or recommend it to anybody.

 

[LordVic]

The base model Surface Laptop 2 features a 1.6GHz 8th-Gen dual-core Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage all for $999, while the base 2018 MacBook Air, offering similar specifications with less storage -- a 1.6GHz 8th-Gen dual-core Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 128GB SSD -- is priced starting at $1,199.

this part of the post is intentionally vague to try and skew the opinions?

the two CPU's, while both technically being 'i5's are NOT entirely comparable.

the MBA is a i5-8210Y series CPU at 7w.

the Surface laptop ships with the Intel Core i5-8250U U series 15w CPU.

performance wise, for benchmarks:
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i5-8250U-vs-Intel-Core-i5-8210Y/m338266vsm651922

on the highest end options (i7)
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-8650U-vs-Intel-Core-i5-8210Y/m353957vsm651922 (not there is no i7 variant macbook air even available)

this puts the Surface Laptop approximately 30-40% 70 - 100%+ faster than the MacBook Air.

WHY Apple ecided to go with the "Y" series after the Air had been a U series for so long is beyond me. I think they were afraid of cannibalizing MbPro 13" sales so purposely gimped the Air.

However, at the higher price point that the air is now, the use of a slower chip continues to potentially reduce the actual value you get per dollar out of the Air.



it's such a weird gimping of the product that the only reason foreseeable is business motivated and not product motivated. the Fct that this part of the article was written without EVER diving into the fact that these are not the same class of CPU is disingenuous and SHOULD be clearly stated if you are doing a direct comparison.

 

[chucker23n1]

I also think it merits noting that Microsoft sells the "Surface Dock" ... a brick-like adapter that makes it easy to attach just the one connector to the side of the computer to "dock" it, and thereby add several USB ports, dual Mini-Displayport video outputs, audio jack for your external speakers and gigabit wired Ethernet. (It also charges the laptop while it's attached.). Apple, by contrast, really sells no such product for the Air.

Apple doesn't, no, but OTOH, the MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt 3 ports. That effectively gives you a very broad selection of USB-C and Thunderbolt hubs and docks.

 

[tgwaste]

This is how this article should had read in its entirety:

The surface doesn't have USB-C ports.
The Air wins.

 

[jeremiah256]

I don't understand why people fixate on the sticker price of things. Consider all the money you'll spend over the entire time you intend to own the product, add it all up and then see which is the less expensive option. I know a lot of Mac owners will keep their MacBooks for many years longer than the vast majority of Windows laptop users. My MacBook Air lasted me 7 years before I decided to replace it. I would rather spend $1199 on another one that will likely last me another 7 years than spend $999 every one to two years.

Your statement was true in the past.

There's no proof that the newer model MacBook Pros (2016 and newer) will have the same extended lifespan as the older models. No evidence yet, but I'm betting all the major manufacturers are pretty equal in terms of longevity of hardware.

And if a non-wealthy family is gathering funds to purchase a computer for Suzy or Timmy to use for college, the immediate price they have to put out is going to be an issue. Plus, being able to purchase a base model Windows laptop that allows Suzy to upgrade the RAM and/or storage as she gets more funds over the years is something that also should be considered.

 

[kingtj]

Absolutely .... I work for a company that has about a 50/50 mix of Macs and Windows laptops deployed and I do support for both of them there. I've got one of the new Macbook Pro 13" models and a Surface Laptop in my office, and can alternate between using either one.

It won't be a popular thing to say in THIS forum ... but Windows 10 has come a long way and keeps innovating in areas where Mac OS X is stagnating right now. I feel like OS X was always the superior OS, but Apple is slipping. They're too interested in iOS devices these days, and in the unification of OS X and iOS (will probably see ARM processor based Mac laptops in the next year).

By and large, our company is dissatisfied with Apple's current offerings. I have one of the new iMac Pros I purchased for my home use, when it first came out. And it was ONLY a possibility for me because my local Micro Center store discounted the thing by $1,000 right out of the gate. A deal like that is tough to turn down, especially when you're a pretty loyal Mac user, invested in the whole Apple ecosystem, from back around 2001, and wanted to upgrade the primary computer at home..... I think it may be the most impressive machine Apple has offered recently, yet the price point is too high without those discounts.

These 2016-17 Macbook Pro models though? Bleah.... They look really pretty, especially with the touch-bars on them. But they're fragile, have unresolved problems with the keyboard and the ribbon cable for the screen inside, and cost more than they should. (Several costly dongle adapters pretty much have to be added in as part of their purchase price, since you can't even attach one to a wired network or plug in an existing USB 2.0/3.0 device without them.)

The new Air comes in at a more acceptable price point, but as you discovered -- there's probably just more overall value in jumping ship back to Microsoft.

It pains me to say that. I had a GREAT run with Apple products over the last decade, plus. But the whole ecosystem is starting to underwhelm. Siri? Coming in last in capabilities vs the competition. HomeKit? More costly and less options than the competitor's home automation solutions. Apple TV? It's ok .... but Roku offers more streaming options and is even working with my local cable company so it can be used in lieu of a traditional set-top box with their TV subscriptions. I'm not saying I'm ready to run away from Apple immediately. But a lot is riding on what they do next. If they head further down a path of trying to get me to just use an iPad as a computer replacement, I'm done with them.

I just replaced my dead 2012 Macbook Air with a Surface Laptop 2. It took a lot of soul searching and questioning wether I really wanted to leave the Mac OS ecosystem after over 10 years. I have to say, the Surface Laptop is a great piece of hardware, has a great screen and Windows 10, although a bit of adjustment, is slick and easy to use.

For me it ultimately came down to the fact that I just wasn't excited about the current Mac lineup. I was faced with buying the latest Macbook Air, which aside from a speed bump, nicer screen and touch ID felt identical to my existing Air. The Surface Laptop 2 was different enough that I decided to take the chance. Just my two cents, YMMV.

 

[project_2501]

I bought a MacBook Air a month ago for use by children in a code club I run.

That MacBook Air was the 2015 model - because we need a keyboard that works - ergonomic and reliable.

The butterfly keyboards are a disaster and I still don't know why Apple persists with them.

 

[Guscat]

Sorry friend, Microsoft has passed Apple in the hardware game, and they're not the only ones.

LOL, no it hasn't.

 

[joiwomcow]

"When it comes to key feel, the MacBook Air wins out"

....what? Macrumors, are you trolling us?

 

[Guscat]

Absolutely .... I work for a company that has about a 50/50 mix of Macs and Windows laptops deployed and I do support for both of them there. I've got one of the new Macbook Pro 13" models and a Surface Laptop in my office, and can alternate between using either one.

It won't be a popular thing to say in THIS forum ... but Windows 10 has come a long way and keeps innovating in areas where Mac OS X is stagnating right now. I feel like OS X was always the superior OS, but Apple is slipping. They're too interested in iOS devices these days, and in the unification of OS X and iOS (will probably see ARM processor based Mac laptops in the next year).

By and large, our company is dissatisfied with Apple's current offerings. I have one of the new iMac Pros I purchased for my home use, when it first came out. And it was ONLY a possibility for me because my local Micro Center store discounted the thing by $1,000 right out of the gate. A deal like that is tough to turn down, especially when you're a pretty loyal Mac user, invested in the whole Apple ecosystem, from back around 2001, and wanted to upgrade the primary computer at home..... I think it may be the most impressive machine Apple has offered recently, yet the price point is too high without those discounts.

These 2016-17 Macbook Pro models though? Bleah.... They look really pretty, especially with the touch-bars on them. But they're fragile, have unresolved problems with the keyboard and the ribbon cable for the screen inside, and cost more than they should. (Several costly dongle adapters pretty much have to be added in as part of their purchase price, since you can't even attach one to a wired network or plug in an existing USB 2.0/3.0 device without them.)

The new Air comes in at a more acceptable price point, but as you discovered -- there's probably just more overall value in jumping ship back to Microsoft.

It pains me to say that. I had a GREAT run with Apple products over the last decade, plus. But the whole ecosystem is starting to underwhelm. Siri? Coming in last in capabilities vs the competition. HomeKit? More costly and less options than the competitor's home automation solutions. Apple TV? It's ok .... but Roku offers more streaming options and is even working with my local cable company so it can be used in lieu of a traditional set-top box with their TV subscriptions. I'm not saying I'm ready to run away from Apple immediately. But a lot is riding on what they do next. If they head further down a path of trying to get me to just use an iPad as a computer replacement, I'm done with them.

I bought my first Mac in 2004. I think even before then I would read people posting this sort of comment about how they were done with Macs. Sorry, I just have trouble buying these comments.

 

[gabeo]

One runs Windows, the other run MacOS. The discussion ends there for me. It doesn't matter how fancy the Microsoft one is.

 

[LordVic]

This is how this article should had read in its entirety:

The surface doesn't have USB-C ports.
The Air wins.

so, you would be willing to accept a low quality $200 laptop just because it has USB-C over a Surface 2? USB-C/Thunerbolt is the only thing that matters to you?
[doublepost=1551222906][/doublepost]

I bought my first Mac in 2004. I think even before then I would read people posting this sort of comment about how they were done with Macs. Sorry, I just have trouble buying these comments.

And currently Mac Sales are down to their lowest point in 8+ years...

you on't have to believe it. The numbers are speaking. Less people are opting for Apples offerings in the last 3-5 years.

 

[MacDanF]

Rocket man, To what software are you referring to ? My windows software cost me almost nothing besides a few games which was also my software cost when I had a Mac.

 

[OdT22]

These are the two machines I chose between last November. No preference on Windows or Mac, as operating systems are just tools to me.. I am comfortable with either or. I ultimately went with the SL2 for the price/value/quality, and haven't looked back.

I do miss the Mac (MBP and MBA) trackpad, admittedly. But I prefer a mouse, so it's a minor complaint against the SL2.

If Apple was making better hardware, I'd have stayed in the ecosystem. Instead, I'm a lost apple customer.

Hope they get it back together someday. I liked the ecosystem and iPhone especially.

The SL2 is a great machine in any case.

 

[kingtj]

I agree... There have ALWAYS been the disgruntled people bashing Apple and declaring they were done with their whole product line. I guess you'll never please all of the people, all of the time. But the lion's share of those complaints seemed to come from people who a Mac was really never well suited for to begin with. For example? Serious gamers, who could have done even the tiniest bit of research in advance and seen that MOST new game titles aren't released in native Mac editions. Others just didn't like the higher cost of "all things Mac", and were part of the crowd who doesn't really care a lot about a given machine's feature set or capabilities, as long as it surfs the web, lets them type up a document or check an email. All they want is a bargain priced laptop or desktop, which was never the market Apple was chasing after.

I think my comment comes from a very different place .... as someone who was a huge Mac advocate for many years. I dumped a big investment in Windows products at home to convert to Mac, and constantly sold people on why the Mac way was "more expensive, but well worth it".

What I'm trying to say here is ... I feel like Apple keeps moving away from everything I liked about it. It used to be truly exciting whenever they released a new product, because it would be almost guaranteed to be "best in class" and a product I'd love to own. Now, they release things like the HomePod speakers and I just shake my head and say, "Not for me." I did buy in to the Apple Watch and that's not a bad product at all. Yet it's still just an accessory that complements everything else. I've owned every iPhone they released since the first model, but for the first time, I bought the new XS Max and then just kept looking back, saying, "What the heck did I just do, blowing over $1100 on THIS?" It's a great phone ... but just not over $1,000 great. If there was ever such a thing as the "reality distortion field", it just feels like it's running out of power as of late.

I bought my first Mac in 2004. I think even before then I would read people posting this sort of comment about how they were done with Macs. Sorry, I just have trouble buying these comments.

 

[pdaholic]

I’ve got a 1tb 2013 rMBP that I’d love to replace. But with Apple’s outrageous pricing, storage options, and keyboard issues, I’m just not keen on buying a new Mac. I actually love all the software side of Apple’s ecosystem, which makes it hard for me to jump ship. So I will keep going with my MacBook until it dies on me and I’m forced to get another. I’m sure a lot of others feel the same, and it’s disappointing that Apple has put its customers in this position.

 

[LordVic]

These are the two machines I chose between last November. No preference on Windows or Mac, as operating systems are just tools to me.. I am comfortable with either or. I ultimately went with the SL2 for the price/value/quality, and haven't looked back.

I do miss the Mac (MBP and MBA) trackpad, admittedly. But I prefer a mouse, so it's a minor complaint against the SL2.

If Apple was making better hardware, I'd have stayed in the ecosystem. Instead, I'm a lost apple customer.

Hope they get it back together someday. I liked the ecosystem and iPhone especially.

The SL2 is a great machine in any case.

yeah, went through the similar buying decision last year, albeit before they offered the updated MBA. ended up with the razer blade stealth. overall yes, I'd prefer the screen dimensions of the MBA or SL2, but the price to what you get in the Razer blew away what Apple was offering.

even TODAY, the MBA from a performance stanpoint can't touch my 1 generation old CPU, despite same core count. the 7500u vs the 8510y is no comparison. And what I paid for the Razer was still less than the MBA. the Razer also came with 16gb ram, 256NVME SSD and a high DPI touchscreen display.
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-7500U-vs-Intel-Core-i5-8210Y/m171274vsm651922

they just completely epicly missed the mark on the laptops since 2016. such an epic ball drop that it really doesn't take a market genius to know you need to keep your products up to date, performance and price comparable (nobody is saying Apple needs to be cheaper), but you can't offer less performance and features, but charge more.

that's just not a winning strategy