Windows 8 or Macbook pro

[ahoncbt]

seems like most people think windows 8 is just stupid and pointless and to a extend i understand what they mean.

Should i buy Surface pro or macbook pro?

surface do not have a stand keyboard so its nearly impossible to use on lap.

both cost same with keyboard but mac look and perform very well.

pro is tablet. what you think?

[rfirth]

Depends on what you want. There are also other Windows 8 tablets with other docking options (Thinkpad Helix, Samsung ATIV Pro...). And if a tablet isn't for you, there are many many nice ultrabooks that could suit your needs.

The Surface Pro has a significantly higher resolution screen than the comparable MacBook Pro (1366x768 MacBook Pro vs 1920x1080 Surface Pro). It has a Wacom digitizer, great for taking handwritten notes... handwriting recognition (which is awesome), and tablet form factor. And then there are the materials... magnesium vs aluminum.

[.Markus]

You're comparing two fairly different products. A Macbook Pro is not nearly as portable as a Surface tablet, however far more powerful and useful for proper desktop applications and productivity.

You'll have to decide for yourself what suits you, and what needs you have.

I've got a Macbook pro with retina (which costs as much as 3 Surface pro's in total), with Windows 8 as second OS on Bootcamp. Works well for my purpose and needs....

Good luck with whatever you choose...

[ahoncbt]

You're comparing two fairly different products. A Macbook Pro is not nearly as portable as a Surface tablet, however far more powerful and useful for proper desktop applications and productivity.

You'll have to decide for yourself what suits you, and what needs you have.

I've got a Macbook pro with retina (which costs as much as 3 Surface pro's in total), with Windows 8 as second OS on Bootcamp. Works well for my purpose and needs....

Good luck with whatever you choose...

i think mac book pro with surface is fair comparison. both are full fledged computers.

retina is high end device with high resolution,high end processor for 1499 and surface pro with keyboard and 128gb is $1100

the extra you pay is for good design and high resolution.

i am comparing macbook pro non retina 13 inch vs surface

[.Markus]

Still have to bear in mind, that they're two completely different form factors, just as comparing an iPhone to an iPad

A Surface tablet with a soft cover keyboard won't beat a Macbook or any other laptop with a proper-spaced built in keyboard and extra USB ports etc.

Again, do consider what you will use your computer/tablet for, i.e. mostly browsing and watching youtube movies, or also creating documents and editing photos etc.

[siah1214]

Let's see, Surface pro:

Cheaper, lighter, higher resolution, touch screen, Wacom pen, runs more apps... Ummm I'm gonna have to go with the Pro! :)

A Macbook Pro is not nearly as portable as a Surface tablet, however far more powerful and useful for proper desktop applications and productivity.

They both have i5's and 4 gb of RAM, surface has an SSD, so where's the "more powerful" coming from?

surface do not have a stand keyboard so its nearly impossible to use on lap.

I really don't get this, unless I have a magic lap. I use it in my lap, with the keyboard, all of the time. The pro has a different angled stand, so maybe it's harder to use, but my RT is perfectly happy in my lap (don't read too much into that), keyboard and all.

[.Markus]

They both have i5's and 4 gb of RAM, surface has an SSD, so where's the "more powerful" coming from?

Was more thinking in the lines of the Mac pro I'm using, but yes there you're right. For the basic is the same processor and RAM offered.

However the Macbook has the advantage of a larger screen and a proper keyboard. Hence why I wrote a Surface or any tablet is more for media consuming and basic tasks...

[ahoncbt]

I really don't get this, unless I have a magic lap. I use it in my lap, with the keyboard, all of the time. The pro has a different angled stand, so maybe it's harder to use, but my RT is perfectly happy in my lap (don't read too much into that), keyboard and all.

you have a magic lap then

[rfirth]

you have a magic lap then

That guy had his legs up. If you have your feet flat on the floor - not raised at that strange angle, it will sit just fine in your lap. Yes, a tablet with a docking keyboard, or a full laptop will sit in your lap better, but it's not as bad as many are implying. I haven't tried Surface Pro, but our Surface RT works just fine in my lap.

[peacemf]

if you asked me "buy a windows 8 normal laptop or a macbook pro laptop" i'd say macbook. because windows 8 is for touch really...

when in desktop mode it works well, mostly like windows 7, but the touch interface seems too basic to be a power horse/beef.

[LaP]

I don't think Neowin is the right place to ask such a question.

[threetonesun]

This thread is just a giant pile of misinformation. :laugh:

At the moment, I think the Surface Pro would be more enjoyable to use, but the Macbook Pro can run OSX and Windows 8, which is not true of the Surface. Also, there's the small issue of storage, which does not favor the Surface.

[Order_66]

seems like most people think windows 8 is just stupid and pointless and to a extend i understand what they mean.

Should i buy Surface pro or macbook pro?

surface do not have a stand keyboard so its nearly impossible to use on lap.

both cost same with keyboard but mac look and perform very well.

pro is tablet. what you think?

As someone else pointed out you might not get correct and unbiased info from this forum, windows 8 in any form is not worth the trouble just get the macbook and call it a day.

[ahoncbt]

That guy had his legs up. If you have your feet flat on the floor - not raised at that strange angle, it will sit just fine in your lap. Yes, a tablet with a docking keyboard, or a full laptop will sit in your lap better, but it's not as bad as many are implying. I haven't tried Surface Pro, but our Surface RT works just fine in my lap.

so use surface very uncomfortable?? keep lap straight and dont relax when you use the surface??

seems like surface has a lot of negative and giving up almost everything.

[Raa]

If you're against Windows 8, why not get a Windows 7 laptop? Plenty of choice.

If it's a tablet you want, i'd probably go with a Surface Pro though.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

This thread is just a giant pile of misinformation. :laugh:

At the moment, I think the Surface Pro would be more enjoyable to use, but the Macbook Pro can run OSX and Windows 8, which is not true of the Surface. Also, there's the small issue of storage, which does not favor the Surface.

speaking of misinformation

the surface pro has recently been proven to be a rather good hackentosh machine :rofl:

[123456789A]

so use surface very uncomfortable?? keep lap straight and dont relax when you use the surface??

seems like surface has a lot of negative and giving up almost everything.

Sounds like you made up your mind before you opened this topic. Get the Mcbook Pro.

[siah1214]

so use surface very uncomfortable?? keep lap straight and dont relax when you use the surface??

seems like surface has a lot of negative and giving up almost everything.

You seem really anti-Surface, so why even make this thread?

[threetonesun]

speaking of misinformation

the surface pro has recently been proven to be a rather good hackentosh machine :rofl:

You can only legally and reliable run both operating systems on the Macbook... how about that? :)

[bandit_liberty_rumble]

If you need or want OS X, you're not going to be happy with the Surface, and will want to get the MBP instead.

If you need or want a laptop and tablet in one single device and are fine with Windows 8, you might enjoy the Surface Pro. You would have to make some compromises though depending on the expectations you have of either a tablet or a laptop.

If you need a device optimized for laptop usage, there's a wide array of devices that might be preferable to a Surface Pro and cheaper than a MBP.

If you need a device optimized for tablet usage, you might be happier with an iPad, Nexus tablet or Surface RT.

[Malisk]

If you rely a lot on Windows-specific software, I guess the Surface would be better for you.

Otherwise, I think it depends on how you expect to use it. Do you frequently need to be as mobile as possible, perhaps in cramped spaces like on train or on airplane? And then be able to conveniently use the same device at offices? I think the Surface is the better choice again here. If you think you will often not need the power of a full-fledged laptop and would actually win out on a compromise.

For all other scenarios, I'd go with the MacBook Pro. The touchpad is ridiculously good and it's a much better desktop-oriented operating system. I think the Surface Pro only excels in the scenario where you have to use it in mixed environments and with limited space.

Finally, if you don't really think you even need a laptop that much, you should perhaps look at a tablet instead. The Surface Pro is not a tablet. Don't be fooled by people saying it is both a tablet and a laptop. There are tablets, laptops, and then the Surface Pro in its own category which is neither but have some advantages especially in niche usage.

[ahoncbt]

I decided to buy a Nexus 10(ordered it 3 days ago and got it yesterday evening). amazing device totally worth it.

Glad i didn't buy surface. I also decided to buy Mac book pro. waiting to get good deals online now.