Microsoft Says Its New Surface Book 2 is Twice as Powerful as Latest MacBook Pro

[HobeSoundDarryl]

The big question is whether these are going to be more reliable than the previous ones, which had horrendous reliability problems leading Consumer Reports to pull its recommendation:

"At issue, the publication says, is the “predicted reliability” of the Microsoft machines compared to most other brands, which Consumer Reports said was worse by a "statistically significant margin."

Consumer Reports based its decision on the results of an annual subscriber survey about the products such people own and use.

It estimates Microsoft’s laptops and tablets will experience breakage rates of 25% within two years of ownership, loosely defined as any issue that comes up that prevents the computer from working as the owner expects.

As a result, Consumer Reports added that it couldn’t currently recommend any other Microsoft laptops or tablets, including the latest Surface Pro model that was introduced in June."

Didn't this crowd rip CR for being biased, on the dole, etc when they gave a less-than-great review of a MB Pro not long ago? Why is CR only right when they find fault with competitor offerings? (disclaimer: I'm a big fan of trusting CR reviews & ratings myself)

Similarly, why are analysts stupid only when they are not gushing praise and/or ranking Apple #1 in some report?

Why do specs not matter when Apple stuff does not have the best specs... but when Apple does win some spec contest, then they do matter at that time?

Why are market share reports biased or just wrong when Apple is not rated #1 but then quoted & referenced when Apple is #1?

And why is patent law broken when it's working AGAINST Apple but key to protecting intellectual capital when it's working FOR Apple?

Somehow & some way, I think all this goes together. Can anyone connect the dots?

 

[dogslobber]

But, Windows.

 

[Alain W]

Windows has come a long way. It's a lot better than what people think.

No it really isn't.

 

[leman]

The 15" model is a really awkward computer. What is it supposed to be? A gaming laptop? Well, of course, if one uses a 15W CPU then one can also fit a 65W GPU...

But of course, congrats to Microsoft. They've really upped their hardware game. I still don't get their designs and I have no interest in their products, but their overall design and build quality does rival market leaders.

P.S. The 13.5" looks nice!

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

The marketers at Microsoft should realize by this point that the "we're more powerful" dick waving doesn't work. It hasn't worked on their previous devices either. And again the MacBook Pro will continue to outsell the Surface.

 

[WhatdoIkn0w4now]

I love my Macs. However Apple needs to step up the hardware game, on the desk\laptop side. A great UI/X isn't going to trump the latest and greatest. Especially the GPU and spec specs. When I look at the current iMac and MBP it looks like they are at least ~2 years behind in those two areas.

 

[840quadra]

Ah, Microsoft, is that even a Retina MacBook Pro in the picture? It looks like the long discontinued 13" unibody MBP.

Also is the display P3, HDR, or have anything besides a really high pixel density?

The detachability is interesting, but there appear to be cheaper alternatives in the Windows world that offer HDR screens, touch, and reasonable horsepower.

 

[AppleFan360]

I admit Windows 10 "works" but its still Windows and has all of the annoying characteristics that I've always disliked enough to move to MacOS. The new Surface Pro 2 can be 20 times more powerful than the Macbook Pro but if the user experience sucks, it really doesn't matter.

 

[gaximus]

The hinge is horrible

 

[Vanilla35]

Not really a fan of laptops/desktops anymore, but I suppose these are nice for people that prefer Windows. Although I am sure there are cheaper options out there. Hopefully Microsoft's hardware issues have been fixed also. I think they are finding out it's harder than they thought.

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to lean towards liking these laptop/tablet mixed devices as my default. I don't like a desktop because it's not portable. I also don't like the traditional laptop because it's too fixed (slouching on couch and using it is awkward), and sometimes on the couch or anywhere outside of a flat surface, I want to tap the screen to navigate, since it's awkward to use your wrist in such positions.

I never thought about this a couple years ago, but I think bill gates might slowly becoming right in my mind.

The laptop AND tablet alternative is not convenient for me. I hate having to go get the tablet wherever it is located if it's not where I need it. I'd rather have an all in one device, otherwise there is always going to be that nagging that I could be doing something right now, but instead I have to wait until I get back on my "real" computer.

 

[bartoszp]

I'd buy in an instant if I could run macOS on it. Especially that my MacBook Pro's screen just broken and I'm looking for a replacement.

I hate the choice between just two USB/charging ports (I use two external screens, mouse+keyboard, a tablet) or crappy touchbar, not to mention lack of memory card slot (I take a lot of pictures).


Bartosz

 

[Jim Lahey]

Probably a decent machine that will be ideal for many people. My personal experiences of these Surface products is that they feel like recycled ice cream cartons compared to anything Apple makes, but everyone has different priorities.

Windows 10 is, in my opinion, a steaming heap of garbage. But again, others may feel differently. Choice is good.

 

[LukasValine]

People in this thread are saying windows has gotten better... guys, windows is so, so much worse than it used to be. There are literal ads in the start menu. Windows randomly installs crap applications without your permission, and computers come loaded with so much third party bloatware its not even funny. And Windows is basically spyware now - tracking everything you do and sending to Microsoft. Don't like internet explorer? Oh look, it got renamed and Microsoft helpfully pinned it to your desktop without your permission.

 

[truthertech]

Didn't this crowd rip CR for being biased, on the dole, etc when they gave a less-than-great review of a MB Pro not long ago? Why is CR only right when they find fault with competitor offerings?

Similarly, why are analysts stupid only when they are not gushing praise and/or ranking Apple #1 in some report?

Why do specs not matter when Apple stuff does not have the best specs... but when Apple does win some spec contest, then they do matter at that time?

Why are market share reports biased or just wrong when Apple is not rated #1 but then quoted & referenced when Apple is #1?

And why is patent law broken when it's working AGAINST Apple but key to protecting intellectual capital when it's working FOR Apple.

Somehow & some way, I think all this goes together.

Wow, slow down there Hobe1. You are mixing Apples and oranges. This survey isn't Consumer Reports opinion, but rather the results of consumers. I don't think any objective person would be comfortable with the reported, by consumers, of 25% of the Surface having reliability problems.

 

[iMi]

Anyone who says "too bad it runs Windows" clearly hasn't used Windows lately.

I have tried the full Windows experience full time (and for a while) after well over a decade of using a Mac exclusively and while I would say that I definitely prefer macOS, I don't think Windows is bad. In fact, we are slowly approaching OS parity where both platforms are very stable, have awesome features and are fast and fluid.

Whatever the preference, I would not bet against Windows at this point. It's moving in the right direction and fast.

 

[npmacuser5]

Tech specs are just that, have limited value to most consumers useage. The first Surface’s; marginal Laptop, limited Tablet, questionable reliability, nice design idea. What sets Apple apart, the total package of hardware, software, and ecosystem. The concept of all in one still has merit. Apple may want to rethink their long term strategy in this market.

 

[GeneralChang]

I'm betting they're comparing entry level models against each other, meaning that statement in full reads "twice as powerful as a laptop that costs $300 less." Still decent value for the power, but not nearly as good marketing copy.

Also, can we get some people freaking out about a max of 16 gigs of RAM on this like we had for the MacBook Pro? Those threads were so much fun to read.

 

[DNichter]

The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to lean towards liking these laptop/tablet mixed devices as my default. I don't like a desktop because it's not portable. I also don't like the traditional laptop because it's too fixed (slouching on couch and using it is awkward), and sometimes on the couch or anywhere outside of a flat surface, I want to tap the screen to navigate, since it's awkward to use your wrist in such positions.

I never thought about this a couple years ago, but I think bill gates might slowly becoming right in my mind.

The laptop AND tablet alternative is not convenient for me. I hate having to go get the tablet wherever it is located if it's not where I need it. I'd rather have an all in one device, otherwise there is always going to be that nagging that I could be doing something right now, but instead I have to wait until I get back on my "real" computer.

I think it can definitely work if the experience is just as good on both. I have used a windows "tablet" before and it is a pretty poor experience. Now if Apple could build a device like this that ran macOS and pulled off to be an iOS tablet, it would be the best of both worlds. I don't see Apple ever doing this though.

 

[truthertech]

I am sure the "more powerful" claims are comparing a maxed out Surface to the lowest end config Macbook Pro. That is nothing new though, I would do the same if I was in marketing.

Come on. You wouldn't do that because it would be dishonest, and ineffective because once a company tries to deceive the public, their credibility is shot, everything else they claim is suspect. Not to mention, a lot of consumers don't want to deal with a slimy company.

 

[stopthenonsense]

And 100 percent more of a chance of sucking.

 

[AppleFan360]

I find it amusing how someone could treat Windows as such as POS OS, when it's powering so many businesses (particularly financial services) responsible for trillions upon trillions.

The OS isn't that complicated, or rubbish - and let's not pretend macOS is some kind of perfect OS either.

MacOS of course is not perfect but every business I've worked for have issues with Windows and the security breaches lately have been getting out of hand. I trust MacOS way more than Windows right now.

 

[QCassidy352]

People in this thread are saying windows has gotten better... guys, windows is so, so much worse than it used to be. There are literal ads in the start menu. Windows randomly installs crap applications without your permission, and computers come loaded with so much third party bloatware its not even funny. And Windows is basically spyware now - tracking everything you do and sending to Microsoft. Don't like internet explorer? Oh look, it got renamed and Microsoft helpfully pinned it to your desktop without your permission.

Gotta agree. I dual boot into win10 on my MBP and run windows 7 at work. I much prefer 7. The bloat, the ads, the auto updating, the nag alerts... I don't really get why people say win10 is such an improvement. What about it?

 

[udayan81]

Half the people making lame arguments about how it runs windows. Windows is quite stable nowadays and there are no issues i have faced. You guys are stuck in Windows 98 or something i suppose. At any rate, as far as i remember, the surface book started out as a tablet comparison to iPad, and now it has become a full blown small laptop ?

 

[mikefj2004]

While I'm deeply involved with Apple and it's ecosystem, I certainly appreciate Microsoft's innovation. As of late, Microsoft has certainly been pushing the envelope.

 

[DNichter]

macOS and Windows are both very stale in my eyes