How is Surface Pro 4 compared with rMBP 15" 2015?

[hajime]

Hi, I am using MBP 17" 2010 mid model. I am not so satisfied with the performance. Performanance-wise both in general and in 3D CAD, how is the top end i7 16GB version of SP4 compared with the top end version of rMBP 15" 2015? Is it true that Apple has done something to make the SSD in the current rMBP 2015 very fast? Perhaps faster than that in SP4?

We don't know when the 2016 Mac models will be out. If I buy rMBP 15" 2015 now and a new one come up in March or June, I will not be happy about it. Some SP4 users have been complaining about bugs but after some updates, some seem to be ok with it except for the power drain while sleep issue.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Yes the SSD in macs is very fast but other manufacturers are catching up.

More importantly the SP4 has a dual core 15w chip with limited thermal overhead and poor integrated graphics. The 15 inch rMBP has a quad core chip the best ever integrated graphics ever released (although the next sky lake version should be a fair bit better) and has a dedicated graphics option that will help with 3D CAD, although it's thermals aren't the best it can run your professional apps far better than the SP4.

You can wait or buy now but why you wouldn't be happy with a far superior computing experience I can't fathom. A new model of all computers is only ever a few months away, that is buying tech.

 

[maflynn]

I think you're comparing two different products aimed at two different market segments. The SP4 is a great tablet/laptop replacement if you're coming from a MacBook Air or even a 13" MBP. The 15" MBP is a great computer that quite easily out performs the SP4. As noted the CPU and GPU are much faster then the SP4.

If you want potability, and good performance, the SP4 is a nice solution. If you want more horsepower but less portability, the MBP is a better choice.

I will had that since you're coming from a 17" laptop, the adjustment from a 17" display to a 12" display (sp4) may be too much and the 15" will be a better and easier transition.

 

[peterpan123]

I think you're comparing two different products aimed at two different market segments. The SP4 is a great tablet/laptop replacement if you're coming from a MacBook Air or even a 13" MBP. The 15" MBP is a great computer that quite easily out performs the SP4. As noted the CPU and GPU are much faster then the SP4.

If you want potability, and good performance, the SP4 is a nice solution. If you want more horsepower but less portability, the MBP is a better choice.

I will had that since you're coming from a 17" laptop, the adjustment from a 17" display to a 12" display (sp4) may be too much and the 15" will be a better and easier transition.

I consider to buy the SP4 because of its light weight, touch screen and stylus. rMBP 15" is better but it is too heavy for me as I carry several items and I am a bit tired of using two machines for about four years with the same appearance.

If Apple could make a lightweight Macbook Pro with touch screen, pencil and a dedicated GPU, that would be the best

 

[brent12]

New MBP's with Skylake processors will likely be out in the first half of this year so you might want to wait if staying with MBP. On the other hand the updated MBP will not support touch which I really want. I use my iPad a lot and when I go to my MBP I find myself touching the screen but of course it doesn't respond. The Surface Book (or similar) would give you similar performance with touch capabilities.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

New MBP's with Skylake processors will likely be out in the first half of this year so you might want to wait if staying with MBP. On the other hand the updated MBP will not support touch which I really want. I use my iPad a lot and when I go to my MBP I find myself touching the screen but of course it doesn't respond. The Surface Book (or similar) would give you similar performance with touch capabilities.

There won't be any touch this year OSX doesn't support it and there have been no signs at all of it being developed.

It's the last thing I want on a computer myself (and I'm certainly not the only one there're many of us who hated it when they've tried touchscreen Windows machines) but I can't see it in a Mac before late 2017 and with their current attitude maybe never....

 

[skaertus]

I consider to buy the SP4 because of its light weight, touch screen and stylus. rMBP 15" is better but it is too heavy for me as I carry several items and I am a bit tired of using two machines for about four years with the same appearance.

If Apple could make a lightweight Macbook Pro with touch screen, pencil and a dedicated GPU, that would be the best

These are two very different computers. The SP4 is good, but it is far slower than the 15" rMBP. If you are unhappy with the performance of the 17" MBP, perhaps you will not be happy with the performance of the SP4 either.

As for weight, the 15" rMBP is still much lighter than the 17" MBP. if you already carry the 17" MBP around, the 15" rMBP should be a big improvement anyway. As for a redesign... well, you never know. Probably not in 2016, but in 2017... but Apple is full of surprises. You should at least wait for Apple to launch the Skylake version.

Now, can I ask you why are you considering these two very different laptops? There are middle-term laptops that could fit your needs.

The 13" rMBP, for instance, is a great machine, and it is lighter than the 15" rMBP, althought not as light as (but more powerful than) the SP4.

And what about the Surface Book? It is smaller and lighter than the 15" rMBP, and it has a GPU, and is more powerful than the SP4.

First thing, you have to decide what you want. You said you are between a powerful desktop replacement running OS X and a light two-in-one running Windows. There's a world of a difference between those computers and several other machines could fit your needs.