I'd get the Surface Pro 3 since I'm used to using a tablet/PC hybrid with an active digitizer for work/school.
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MacBook Air Vs Surface Pro 3
- Thread starter omniatlas
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I'd get the Surface Pro 3 since I'm used to using a tablet/PC hybrid with an active digitizer for work/school.
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
I don't think the Surface is a bad looking product at all.
However, at the end of the day, at least, for me, I prefer function over form and if the new Surface did what I needed better than an iPad or a MBA, I'd get that.
What does that have to do with anything? Does that somehow mean they didn't do it before Apple?
I don't know if this helps anyone, but I currently have a Surface Pro 2, 4300U cpu 128GB model. I am going to sell it on eBay and going back to the 2013 MBA and iPad Mini Retina because the SP2 has been extremely uncomfortable to use sitting on a coach or in bed compared to the iPad. I have no problem holding it with one hand but after a while trying to use it as a tablet, it just is awkward to hold and too heavy. Trying to turn it to Portrait mode to read the internet, magazines and comics is a pretty bad experience. I only use it as a notebook now, which defeats the purpose on why I bought it in the first place. I guess if I used it in a job requiring a pen digitizer or if I was an artist, it may make for sense. But after months in using it, I feel like I just bought an expensive laptop with a detachable keyboard. I also think the 12" is too big for a tablet, but it's just my personal preference. I was hoping MS would take the current SP2 and keep it the same general size but cut the weight to 1.5 lbs and move the screen to be closer to the bezels.
Right! And that too! I actually bought that poor working bluestacks program because I couldn't find the apps I wanted in the windows store. Unfortunately the program is slow and apps constantly crash. I think I used the snap function maybe once in 6 months and I constantly have to fight in closing programs or having menu bars work the first time. Typically the new menu bars are getting in my way when clicking on my apps. I'm sure there is a way to configure them to be more or less sensitive but I don't have to worry about it now.
Fizzoid
macrumors 68020
I know, anyone would think technology has advanced or something... 🙄
Expecting technology products from years ago to be comparable with the products of today is pointless.
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
I recently bought a PowerMac G5 on eBay and that is by far the most heavy computer I've ever seen. I swear Apple put lead weights inside of it. It runs OS X, is heavy and awkward. 😉 😀
kazmac
macrumors G4
thanks for the link
A nice comparison of specs and prices, thanks for posting. I'll wait and see what Apple comes up with.
A nice comparison of specs and prices, thanks for posting. I'll wait and see what Apple comes up with.
No one brings up the fact that the surface 3 has three hours less battery life! That's a lot of hours for working and being productive!
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
There is basically no difference between the two other than naming. Both are completely thermally limited. HD 5000 is maybe 10% faster on average or basically unnoticeable.
I know but it hasn't been talked about much in the overall discussions, people just seem to put it aside.. It's still a considerable difference, of course maybe it's the higher res display of the surface that's responsible for reducing its battery life
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
If it's not being talked about much, then perhaps, it's not a big deal to most folks.
I have a Surface Pro 2 and a MacBook Air. They both are similar in specs. The biggest difference is Windows vs OS X. I think it boils down to one simple question: do you want to run Windows just because you can have an ultrabook that is usable as a tablet?
In my case: no. I bought the SP2 out of curiosity and because I quite often need a Windows computer (that's mainly why I bought it). If I didn't need a Windows machine at all I'd probably not have bought it or, if I did, I'd install various Linux distros to play around. I've tried writing with it at work and boy does it suck. It is no match for plain pen and paper (both fountain pen, ballpoint and pencil). The delay when writing is way too much and both the screen and pen nib are too slippery. No matter what you do it doesn't come near the feel of actual pen and paper. Using the grid in OneNote does help a bit though. Hires support in Windows 8 is frankly non-existent. You can only set a higher dpi but there is nothing that takes good use of it (not even Windows stuff like the mmc). The wifi on the SP2 is quite terrible as it randomly stops working (you need to disconnect and then connect again to get it to work) and the performance is not up to par (if you can get a 150Mbps link out of it you are a god). Not having Thunderbolt is a pity but the usb3 port does make up for it (well, for a bit it does; especially when used with a displaylink dock like the one Lenovo offers).
In my case: no. I bought the SP2 out of curiosity and because I quite often need a Windows computer (that's mainly why I bought it). If I didn't need a Windows machine at all I'd probably not have bought it or, if I did, I'd install various Linux distros to play around. I've tried writing with it at work and boy does it suck. It is no match for plain pen and paper (both fountain pen, ballpoint and pencil). The delay when writing is way too much and both the screen and pen nib are too slippery. No matter what you do it doesn't come near the feel of actual pen and paper. Using the grid in OneNote does help a bit though. Hires support in Windows 8 is frankly non-existent. You can only set a higher dpi but there is nothing that takes good use of it (not even Windows stuff like the mmc). The wifi on the SP2 is quite terrible as it randomly stops working (you need to disconnect and then connect again to get it to work) and the performance is not up to par (if you can get a 150Mbps link out of it you are a god). Not having Thunderbolt is a pity but the usb3 port does make up for it (well, for a bit it does; especially when used with a displaylink dock like the one Lenovo offers).
B...
macrumors 68000
Don't. I'm sure even some people on this forum will buy it, and I'm also sure that manny who do will love it. Just because it's not a Mac doesn't mean it's not a great device.
S.B.G
Moderator emeritus
It's too bad you feel that way. I'm confident the Surface is a great product and will fit the needs of many. It may not be nearly as popular as the iPad or MacBook Air, but it's a decent product in it's own right. It's nice people have a choice in what they can buy.
LOLZpersonok
macrumors 6502a
If you get a 512GB Surface Pro 3, it'll pretty much have the same hardware as a MacBook Air, in its full configuration, with the addition of a higher resolution touchscreen. Also, it's supposed to be about as thick as a MacBook Air when the Air is closed.
A fully configured 13" MacBook Air (Dual Core i7, 512GB storage, 8GB RAM) costs $250 less than a Surface Pro 3 of the same hardware, but then again computers with touchscreens and higher resolutions often cost more than those that don't.
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Obviously you haven't seen the Surface Pro 2 in person. If the Pro 2 is cool (which it is, I've seen one in person and tried it out), then the Pro 3 will be even better. Besides, from experience, this site seems pretty open to non-biased discussion of non-Apple products.
If I had the money, I'd buy a 512GB Surface Pro 3 on its release day.
A fully configured 13" MacBook Air (Dual Core i7, 512GB storage, 8GB RAM) costs $250 less than a Surface Pro 3 of the same hardware, but then again computers with touchscreens and higher resolutions often cost more than those that don't.
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Obviously you haven't seen the Surface Pro 2 in person. If the Pro 2 is cool (which it is, I've seen one in person and tried it out), then the Pro 3 will be even better. Besides, from experience, this site seems pretty open to non-biased discussion of non-Apple products.
If I had the money, I'd buy a 512GB Surface Pro 3 on its release day.
David Pogue captured some people on this forum very accurately 🙂
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/if-you-had-to-be-a-tragic-mythological-figure-86496376264.html
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/if-you-had-to-be-a-tragic-mythological-figure-86496376264.html
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.
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.
freikugeln
macrumors newbie
Great ad!
How unfortunate that he forgot to mention some basic stuff...
Like that it weighs about 800 grams,which makes it pretty much unusable as a tablet.Worse for typing,less steady,3 hours less battery life compared to macbook air 13.Windows dpi scaling that works against the high res screen (alternatively you can use the awesome metro environment and plethora of great apps it offers 😛)
Personally l am more excited about the retina macbook air which is just around the corner especially if it 'll use broadwell.
Microsoft are making improvements with each revision but imo it's still not there yet as a product.Perhaps a couple of model revisions later...Then again l imagine Apple will have their equivalent proposition to offer by then.
alphaod
macrumors Core
Depends on what you get.
The Wacom Intuos and Cintiq has 2048 or 1024 levels depending on product.
Some other lines only have 256 levels. My four year old Thinkpad with a Wacom digitize has only 256 levels.
Is this your prophecy or something? Because at least three poster talked from personal experience...