Windows surface pro 3 or MacBook Air?

[Laddey]

Hi guys... As the title says I'm contemplating either the surface pro 3 or the MacBook Air.

I require a laptop for the odd bit of portfolio work/college work and just general day to day things such as Netflix, Facebook, Instagram etc.

I may play the odd game. I kinda have the daoc itch again lol.

In regards to the operating system... Will MacBook Air run basically everything I require for day to day use? Will downloading things such as large torrent files be much of a problem? Usually video file types.

I'm not sure which one to choose. The surface pro 3 looks awesome and I'm a fan of windows... Maybe because I've never experienced a MacBook Air.

Any pros/cons you can point out?

Thanks

 

[Overdriven]

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/review/2359938/surface-pro-3-vs-macbook-air-head-to-head-review
http://www.geek.com/apple/which-is-better-microsoft-surface-pro-3-or-apple-macbook-air-1601693/

It really comes down to if you can live with such a poor App market, but can say "At least I can use Office properly"

If I were to be on the road a lot, I'd pick the S3 - Played with one a few days ago, absolutely loved it - But then, I've never really been pro-Apple.

 

[leggy]

I've been using OSX on a laptop for about 5 years and have never had an issue (still have the same macbook pro with a few upgrades - SSD, RAM etc.). I regularly use newsgroups and bittorrent without issue and have MS Office installed (it does the job). Macs now accomodate a Windows install via the Bootcamp system (install refit for more dual booting options) for the odd non-gfx intensive game. Even then most good indie games are OSX compatible. As for DAoC....

The App base isn't as bad as you'd think. There are usually excellent alternatives where a native OSX version doesn't exist.

Never used a surface so I couldn't comment on that.

 

[Laddey]

Thanks for the response guys.

The app base wouldn't be too much of a problem as the apps I tend to use offer browser support anyway.

I doubt I'll be playing any highly demanding games anyway.

Word processing and Netflix will be the biggest use I suppose, and the MacBook Air wins that based on the price.

 

[Scouse]

It really comes down to if you can live with such a poor App market

It's got fuck all to do with an app market.

Windows Surface Pro is a laptop with a floppy keyboard. You can do what the fuck you like on it, so installing software from any source - rather than a shitty app market - is fair game.

Wouldn't touch the macbook air with a barge pole tbfh.

 

[Overdriven]

It's got fuck all to do with an app market.

Windows Surface Pro is a laptop with a floppy keyboard. You can do what the fuck you like on it, so installing software from any source - rather than a shitty app market - is fair game.

Wouldn't touch the macbook air with a barge pole tbfh.

I agree.

Also... /Thread

 

[Ch3tan]

Get a high end ultrabook for a lot less than a macbook air or a surface.

 

[Laddey]

It's got fuck all to do with an app market.

Windows Surface Pro is a laptop with a floppy keyboard. You can do what the fuck you like on it, so installing software from any source - rather than a shitty app market - is fair game.

Wouldn't touch the macbook air with a barge pole tbfh.

Any specific reason you wouldn't go near the macbook? If it was between a MacBook or any other laptop, which would you choose?

Get a high end ultrabook for a lot less than a macbook air or a surface.

Any recommendations?

 

[Ch3tan]

For scouse's post laddey, you pay a premium for the apple brand. In term's of technical specification most ultrabooks are much better than the macbook.

I can't recommend anything particular, but if I was in the same boat I'd only get a macbook if I was loaded and really tied into the apple eco system, and only buy a surface if I really need ultra portable office apps.

 

[Laddey]

For scouse's post laddey, you pay a premium for the apple brand. In term's of technical specification most ultrabooks are much better than the macbook.

I can't recommend anything particular, but if I was in the same boat I'd only get a macbook if I was loaded and really tied into the apple eco system, and only buy a surface if I really need ultra portable office apps.

Yeah thanks good points.

I don't need really portable office apps really. Only to build a portfolio and upload documents to a database. So maybe an ultrabook would be more suitable because of the price.

Thanks lads

 

[soze]

I am thinking about getting a Mac Book Pro soon because I have a Windows Ultrabook (work machine), I have the money and want to try something new. Having played with a hell of a lot of Ultrabooks none of them made me think I would rather have them than the MBP.

The main feature of the Air is the battery life witch is still better than anything that weighs the same. Check here for more comparisons http://www.ultrabookreview.com/177-ultrabooks-macbook-air-good-great

If I did not already have a fairly high spec laptop in my bag would I be buying a Mac Book Pro? Absolutely not. Unless you are an existing Mac user the only reason to get one is to be that flash cunt with a Mac. If you are coming from Windows you will end up with some top notch (anyone who says different is a knob) hardware with an OS where everything is just a little bit more difficult and stupid. I would spend my money on a Yoga 2.

 

[Scouse]

I can't recommend anything particular, but if I was in the same boat I'd only get a macbook if I was loaded and really tied into the apple eco system, and only buy a surface if I really need ultra portable office apps.

This.

 

[Scouse]

I am thinking about getting a Mac Book Pro soon because I have a Windows Ultrabook (work machine), I have the money and want to try something new.

Meh. It's a lot of money to spunk on a new experience - especially when that experience is hobbled and limited.

 

[soze]

Meh. It's a lot of money to spunk on a new experience - especially when that experience is hobbled and limited.

My laptop at home watches porn holds my iTunes library and stream TV when there is two things I want to watch. The MBP can do all of that as well as any PC. Yes it is a lot but I have never had a Mac and they hold their value really well too so i can sell it in a year and lose a lot less than I did on my Windows Laptop..

 

[caLLous]

The MBP can do all of that as well as any PC.

...and costs a shitload more. So you'll be spending a lot more for the same "experience" (watching porn, gayTunes and streaming TV).

 

[Hawkwind]

My Mrs has been using a MBP for 2 years and is now beginning to hate it. The MS Office product for OSX is a pile of wank. So bad, she has started to hog my gaming laptop (Office 2013) to do her work on. Crafty cow knows I will get pissed off with that situation and buy her a new laptop.

On Topic. Surface 3 is awesome but all depends on usage. sounds like yours is light so if you can put up with OSX then air might be your best option.

 

[soze]

...and costs a shitload more. So you'll be spending a lot more for the same "experience" (watching porn, gayTunes and streaming TV).

No I will be spending less overall for a different experience and the chance to learn something new. Any Ultrabook I buy will lose half its value in two years the Mac won't. Plus I already have an Ultrabook but as it is works I will not use it for iTunes and porn. And I am not about to buy a cheap slow machine so IF I buy a laptop it will be a MBP.

 

[caLLous]

"learn something new" lol... Take your existing laptop and put a flavour of Linux on it. Learn something new and worthwhile.

 

[soze]

"learn something new" lol... Take your existing laptop and put a flavour of Linux on it. Learn something new and worthwhile.

I would say the split between Macs that I look at vs Linux I look at is about 99% Mac. Not because Linux does not break but because i work for a Microsoft Partner and we don't deal with people who use Linux a lot. Also I don't have a current laptop that is the point.

 

[Overdriven]

The MS Office product for OSX is a pile of wank. So bad, she has started to hog my gaming laptop (Office 2013) to do her work on.

I'm doing a little dance. Right now.

 

[leggy]

that experience is hobbled and limited.

I'm not an apple defender but this is simply not true. Maybe true for iOS devices but definitely bollocks for OSX.

 

[leggy]

The MS Office product for OSX is a pile of wank.

Every version up until 365 has been pretty bad in terms of user interface. The new office products are usable. I'd not go as far as pile of wank but I get your point

 

[Hawkwind]

Every version up until 365 has been pretty bad in terms of user interface. The new office products are usable. I'd not go as far as pile of wank but I get your point

Not going to spend on getting 365 for OSX, I'd rather spend more and get a Win 8.1 laptop and put it on that. Probably another Yoga 2 Pro. After 2 years of doing home IT support on her MBP I am totally fed up with it. KDE is more intuitive as a desktop GUI. But that is just me, well and the wife who finally admits it was a mistake. The only reason she insisted on it was due to working with graphic designers who told her to get mac for compatibility.

Each to their own, we like what we like for whatever reasons

 

[ECA]

with graphic designers who told her to get mac for compatibility.

God damn they're still spouting that shit?

 

[Hawkwind]

God damn they're still spouting that shit?

Yep, the turtle necked, john lennon glasses wearing hipsters! I met a few of them at an event and just laughed when one started on about Macs and 'zero viruses'. Clueless fuckwits! I take great delight in upsetting them, my god given right as an engineer! Just saying that designers make things look pretty, engineers make make things that work and are functional is usually enough to get started

 

[Embattle]

God damn they're still spouting that shit?

Yes.

Personally I would get an S3 and I agree with some reviews I've seen that the product is certainly getting better with each revision and that the S4 should be perfect

 

[Scouse]

S4 should be perfect

Yeah. I'd have gone for an S3 if it had built-in 4G tbh.

 

[Cadelin]

I have a macbook pro for work (Had 3 in the last 7 years).

From the little information you have provided it sounds like a mac book air would be suitable for your use case. I find the air a little lacking when it comes to running lots of demaning stuff but it is absolutely fine for the standard stuff you describe. I can't comment on the surface except to say I don't know anyone with one.

It should also be noted that the people advocating mac actually have experience with them, while nobody here has said they have done anything more than play around with a surface.

 

[Hawkwind]

I have a macbook pro for work (Had 3 in the last 7 years).

From the little information you have provided it sounds like a mac book air would be suitable for your use case. I find the air a little lacking when it comes to running lots of demaning stuff but it is absolutely fine for the standard stuff you describe. I can't comment on the surface except to say I don't know anyone with one.

It should also be noted that the people advocating mac actually have experience with them, while nobody here has said they have done anything more than play around with a surface.

I have had and used every variant of the Surface, RT - Pro 3. All of them have been good. The Pro 2 & 3 are excellent, very powerful machines and easily the best laptop replacement I have come across so far. I use my pro 3 (512 Gb) for work and no longer take my laptop on work trips at all. Such a weight saving and does everything I need. Video's, Office, Work Engineering Tools....

 

[Scouse]

I use my pro 3 (512 Gb) for work and no longer take my laptop on work trips at all

What about mobile connectivity? Do you dongle up or just not bother until you're near wireless...?