Comparison of Microsoft's Latest Surface Devices, With a Slimmer Profile, Against Apple's MacBook Air and iPad Pro
Shrinkin' and Slicin': A Brash New Take on Microsoft's Surface Lineup
Microsoft's recent announcement sent the tech world abuzz, as they brought to light a pair of ultraportable devices - the Surface Laptop 13-inch and a reimagined Surface Pro 12-inch. Bent on competing with the MacBook Air and iPad Pro masses, these fresh offerings boast a smaller stature and wallet-friendlier price tags, but the question remains: Are these budget-friendly Surface models strong enough to take on the giants of Apple?
Let's dive in, but remember, with every treasure comes a tole.
Scaled Down, Low Key
Following the footsteps of their predecessors, the new Surface devices took a significant leap towards miniaturization. The 13-inch Surface Laptop ditched the 13.8-inch screen, embracing a more modest 1920 x 1280 resolution to accommodate the shrunken display (leaving HDR on the curb). Meanwhile, the 12-inch Surface Pro finds itself shedding weight in the form of a keyboard that can no longer call its home default, along with a slash in refresh rate to 90Hz from 120Hz. The devices also bid goodbye to the Surface Connect ports, replacing them with USB-C 3.2 ports. As a result, the prominent duo leans more heavily on Qualcomm's 8-core Snapdragon X Plus chip, which, while efficient, won't draw Apple's M4 chip into a corner.
Economical Edge
Pricing is, without a doubt, where these budget-friendly Surface contenders shine. The 13-inch Surface Laptop claims the throne at only $899, a price tag noticeably lower than Apple's MacBook Air ($999 for the 13-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model). The Surface Pro 12-inch takes the crown at an even more aggressive $799, undercutting the base iPad Pro price by $200 ($999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch upgrade).
A Fight to the Core
When comparing raw specs, Apple's offerings usually come out on top, but it's not a complete wipeout. The Surface models may be held back by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus chip, but they do pack a punch when it comes to battery life, offering up to 16 hours of video playback on the Surface Pro 12-inch and all-day battery life on the iPad Pro and MacBook Air, albeit with varying hour estimates.
Display-wise, Apple still takes the lead, with the Liquid Retina panel in the MacBook offering HDR at a 2560 x 1664 resolution (albeit with a 60Hz refresh rate), while the iPad Pro sports sharper, OLED displays and variable refresh rates of up to 120Hz.
On the Fence?
The question of price versus performance again surfaces, with the budget Surface lineup delivering an impressive punch in the wallet department. However, there's no denying the compromises made to achieve this affordability. On the flip side, Apple's offerings provide superior performance and advanced display capabilities, but the price might be a determining factor for some.
In conclusion, the shrink-and-save Surface models are a force to be reckoned with in the budget laptop market, but it remains to be seen if their limited specs can truly stand against Apple's heavy hitters.
Preorders for the Surface Laptop 13-inch are available on Amazon, Microsoft, and other retailers. The Surface Pro 12-inch is also open for preorder on Best Buy, Microsoft, and Amazon, with shipping set to begin on May 20th.
Sources:
- Microsoft (2023, March 22). Microsoft Surface Pro 12" Tech Specs
- Apple (2023). MacBook Air
- Apple (2023). iPad Pro
- Microsoft (2023, March 22). Microsoft Surface Laptop 13" Tech Specs
- The Verge (2023, March 22). Microsoft's new cheaper Surface Laptop and Surface Pro are available for preorder
- In the tech world's ongoing saga of 'Microsoft Surface vs MacBook', the new Surface devices are making a statement with their lifestyle-friendly miniaturization, aiming to be affordable gadgets for the tech-savvy.
- The economical Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch are priced at $799 and $899 respectively, undercutting the base models of Apple's MacBook Air and iPad Pro. Yet, they still manage to offer all-day battery life and competitive display specifications.
- As consumers weigh their options, they'll find themselves contemplating the balance between technology's latest advancements, displayed in high-resolution HDR screens and powerful processors, and the convenience of budget-friendly prices offered by Microsoft's scaled-down Surface lineup.
