Microsoft's Latest Surface Devices - Compact Models - Stack Up Against MacBook Air and iPad Pro
Downsized Surface Devices: A Budget-Friendly Battle Against Apple's Macs and iPads
Microsoft dropped a pair of compact Surface devices last week, challenging the MacBook Air and iPad Pro markets. The Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Pro 12-inch have trimmed sizes and wallet-friendly prices compared to their predecessors, but at the cost of some specs.
Budget-Friendly Cuts
To keep costs down, Microsoft trimmed features across both devices. The 13-inch Surface Laptop, available in ocean blue, violet, or platinum finishes, has reduced its panel resolution from 2304 x 1536 to 1920 x 1280 and ditched HDR and the 120Hz refresh rate. The 12-inch Pro model forgoes the keyboard by default, and the redesigned Surface keyboard now lays flat instead of at an angle. Microsoft also removed the Surface Pen slot, opting for the accessory to charge directly on the Pro's back. The Pro's display also dropped from 120Hz to 90Hz, while maintaining 2196 x 1464 resolution.
Gone are the Surface Connect ports, replaced with USB-C 3.2 ports. Although this minimizes cable clutter, it may lead to trip hazards with the danger of cables pulling your devices to the floor. Internally, both devices are powered by the 8-Core Snapdragon X Plus chip, losing two cores from the default of prior models, and feature 16GB of RAM, with 256GB storage as the default, upgradeable to 512GB.
Holding Their Own Against Apple?
When matched up against Apple's MacBook Air and iPad Pro, these smaller and cheaper Surface devices falter in raw specs, but there's a catch: Throughout this comparison, efficiency and affordability are key.
The display on the MacBook Air offers more features and supports higher resolutions, with a 60Hz refresh rate at 2560 x 1664, while Apple's iPad Pro 11-inch model boasts a sharp resolution, an OLED panel, and a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. The Snapdragon chip powering the Surface duo falls behind Apple's M4 chip in both single-core and multi-core performance.
One noteworthy advantage the 12-inch Surface Pro shares with Apple's offerings is its fanless cooling system, an improvement over prior Surface iterations. Unfortunately, the 13-inch Surface Laptop still includes fans.
Cost-Effective Contenders
Microsoft's primary focus appears to be keeping costs low, resulting in compromises – a strategy that pays off in terms of affordability. These devices are cheaper than Apple's counterparts. A starting price of $899 for the Surface Laptop 13-inch and $799 for the Surface Pro 12-inch bests the MacBook Air's starting price of $999 for the 13-inch model and $1,199 for the 15-inch model. The iPad Pro's starting prices are $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch upgrade.
If budget is a primary concern, the new Surface lineup may hold more appeal. However, the difference in cost between the base Surface Laptop and the MacBook Air is only $100. Adding accessories, like the keyboard to the 12-inch Pro for an additional $150 or expanding the Surface Laptop's storage to 512GB for an extra $100, will speedily bring costs up. And if conflicting with Apple's devices, remember that performance usually holds a premium.
The Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Pro 12-inch are now available for preorder on platforms like Amazon, Microsoft, and other retailers, with shipping scheduled for May 20th.
The new Surface devices from Microsoft, including the Surface Laptop 13-inch and Surface Pro 12-inch, are positioned as a more budget-friendly alternative to Apple's MacBook Air and iPad Pro, appealing to consumers who prioritize affordability over high-end tech specifications. The battle of these gadgets in the technology sector offers a choice between efficiency and raw performance, with Microsoft focusing on cost reduction and Apple emphasizing premium features.
