Surface Laptop or Macbook Pro? I’d Pick the Surface Laptop

Both laptops are powerful in their own right, and both shine on their own respective markets, depending on what you want from them.

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• Microsoft Surface Book 1TB, Intel i7 variant priced at P146k
• Microsoft Surface Book is the fastest 13-inch Windows 10 laptop and tablet

As a Macbook user for several years, I’ve always wondered what it would be like to return to the other side of the spectrum and give Windows a chance. So after taking a look at the Surface Laptop, I must say I find it an interesting piece of work that, that if I were to pick between this and the Macbook Pro 2017-inch model, I would give the former a go.

1. The Surface Laptop’s monitor display is also touchscreen.

As an artist, I find this an interesting piece because this would mean sketching or editing works of art in the PC using graphic apps like Adobe Photoshop makes it more practical to use. The only downside to this is that the Surface Laptop’s screen doesn’t go flat so you can’t sketch properly. Plus the Surface Pen – the stylus that you use to draw on the Surface Laptop with – doesn’t come with the unit but if you do have one, it’s a pretty interesting medium for casual artists.

2. The metal-made Surface Laptop is lighter at 2.76 lbs and is 4.77 mm thick.

The Surface Laptop and Macbook Pro are equally light, but personally, if I were to pick a laptop I can carry around or hide inside my bag, I would pick the lighter of the two. Usually, you’d be hard-pressed to find laptop users who don’t put their laptops – especially expensive ones such as the Surface Laptop or the Macbook Pro – inside bags or cases to protect them from scratches. And based on personal experience, adding a case for your laptop means it’s bound to gain a pound or two, so if I were to pick, I’d say the Surface Laptop needs this.

To top it off, the Surface Laptop even has an alcantara finish in the linings of the trackpad area, which feels soft and comfortable – a welcoming change compared to the more sturdy Macbook Pro.

3. The Surface Laptop has a single USB 3.0 port and a mini-display port

While the Macbook Pro’s reliance on USB Type C Thunderbolt ports makes it more advanced, there are still folks who need to use regular USBs for work or school presentations. And to connect your USB to the Macbook Pro 2017 model, you’d have to buy another adapter that lets you connect to your Macbook, which, being Apple, doesn’t come cheap. The Surface Laptop still gives you that option and practicality-wise, that might be a better option for most, especially those who need to save.

4. It even comes in multiple colors!

If you really want a laptop that offers more than just the regular silver and black, you wouldn’t have to worry because the Surface Pro comes in four colors: Platinum, Burgundy, Graphite Gold and Cobalt Blue.

5. It runs PC apps.

Okay, most of you who have never used a Macbook before will find themselves laughing out loud after reading this. But for Apple users such as myself, you’d find this to be just as important as an asset that you’d want in a laptop, especially if you’re a student. But why is that?

Chances are you’ll be running into Windows or PC-only files – things that Macbooks can’t open unless they use third-party apps such as Parallels or Wine to run them (and based on experience, even they have problems.) Not many people own Macbooks as well, so if you’re after the compatibility, then the Windows-powered Surface Laptop is the way to go.

The Surface Laptop is currently running in Windows 10S so unfortunately, it’s locked into the Microsoft Windows app store by default, but fortunately you are given the option to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro until the end of the year before the Microsoft App Store starts charging you with $50 per upgrade.)

Ultimately, I feel that the Surface Laptop feels more practical for most people, and if you need to save up money for a unit instead of buying a unit along with adapters and other extra accessories to make the unit work to its fullest, I’d pick the Surface Laptop any day.

Microsoft Surface Laptop and Macbook Pro 13-inch 2017 (without Touchbar)