Ondrej Holzman Microsoft is getting more and more involved in the hardware arena, where it has recently been directly or indirectly challenging Apple. After with their machines sailed into the waters of professionals and creatives, Microsoft is now attacking students and similar less demanding users who are primarily interested in price, durability and style. The new Surface Laptop is an attack not only on the MacBook Air.
Microsoft has tried different things in recent years. It first came with the Surface Pro tablet, to which it added a keyboard and a stylus so that users could get the most out of it. He then introduced hybrid Surface Book, which can function as a laptop or as a tablet. However, after experiments in various areas, Redmond finally returned to the classics - the thin Surface Laptop is a classic laptop and nothing else.
It is definitely not an admission of defeat from Microsoft that the Surface Pro or Surface Book might not catch on, but rather this company has realized that if it really wants to compete with students, it has to come up with a proven recipe. And we can also very simply call this recipe an improved MacBook Air, because on the one hand, the MacBook Air was often chosen by students as the ideal machine, and on the other hand, it is one of the biggest competitors of the Surface Laptop.
Modern student notebook
However, one thing is clear at first glance: while the Surface Laptop is the laptop of 2017, the MacBook Air, despite all its popularity, is desperately lagging behind as it waits in vain for a revival. At the same time, both machines start at 999 dollars (24 crowns without VAT), which, among other things, is one of the main reasons why they go against each other on the market.
Therefore, it is good to see where the biggest differences between these two laptops are. In addition, the Surface Laptop has a touchscreen (and Pen support) similar to the Surface series, promises a longer battery life (14 vs. 12 hours) and is lighter (1,25 vs. 1,35 kg).
The display is very important. While the MacBook Air is still desperately looking for Retina, Microsoft, like everyone else, is deploying a thinner display (2 by 256 pixels with a 1:504 ratio) that is much closer to a 3-inch MacBook or MacBook Pro. After all, overall, the Surface Laptop is closer to these machines than the MacBook Air, with which it shares the same price, which is key, and the size of the display (2 inches).
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Since students need their laptops to last a whole day of lectures without having to recharge, Microsoft worked really intensively on the battery. The result is a claimed endurance of 14 hours, which is very decent. At the same time, young people often rely on how their computers look, so Microsoft engineers have done a very thorough job here as well.
Competition is only beneficial
The body of the Surface Laptop is made of a single piece of aluminum, without any screws or holes, but what sets it apart from the rest is the keyboard and its surface. Microsoft calls the material used Alcantara, and it is a synthetic microfiber leather that is very durable and is used in luxury cars. In addition to a fresh look, it also brings a slightly warmer writing experience.
Since it was not possible to make holes in the Alcantara, the sound of the Surface Laptop comes from under the keyboard. The omission of USB-C is a bit of a surprise, Microsoft only opted for USB-A (USB 3.0), DisplayPort and a 3,5mm headphone jack. With Intel Core i7 processors of the seventh generation and Intel Iris graphics, the Surface Laptop will nevertheless be significantly faster than the MacBook Air and, according to Microsoft, it should even attack the MacBook Pro in some configurations.
But the Surface Laptop is definitely not about performance, so not in the first place. Microsoft is clearly attacking a different segment of the market here, where the emphasis is above all on price, and for $999 it definitely offers more than the repeatedly mentioned MacBook Air. In addition, Microsoft would certainly also like to attack Chromebooks, which are an extremely popular solution in American schools. That is why, along with the new laptop, the company also introduced the Windows 10 S operating system.
The modified version of Windows 10 is tailor-made for the Surface Laptop, it is supposed to ensure that the laptop does not slow down unnecessarily over the years, and above all, only applications from the Microsoft store can be installed in it, which is supposed to ensure maximum security and trouble-free operation. If you would like to install other applications on Windows 10 S, you will have to pay $50, but this will not apply until later.
Operating system aside, Apple should definitely step up their game here. If he doesn't do it, the Surface Laptop will most likely be eyed by his loyal customers who have no idea what to replace the aging MacBook Air with. In terms of hardware, the new iron from Microsoft is completely different, and Apple can only compete with it thanks to the MacBook or even the MacBook Pro, which are much more expensive. The Surface Laptop is somewhere in between, where the MacBook Air should have been today.
The question remains as to how Apple will deal with the MacBook Air, but its users are increasingly saying that the apple company still hasn't presented an adequate replacement for them when they want to replace the computer. Microsoft has now shown what such a successor could look like. It's only good that Microsoft is finally starting to really put pressure on Apple in the area of hardware as well.
can't help but agree
What is this article? Is that some MS fan writing here on the apple server? Macbook Air has a boot in the form of a macbook pro without a touchbar and that is a different machine. Most of all, I like the limitation on MS ntb, the smallest store in the world and they will bind users to it, or you can pay 50 USD and MS will allow you to install other applications as well? You can't even laugh at that anymore. Windows RT was a huge success, so MS probably wants to follow up??
The Macbook Pro Escape isn't a replacement for the Air because it doesn't cost $999. Let Apple say what it wants.
Agreement. If I were to recommend Air to silicon heaven, I don't have a meaningful replacement.
In any case, I will decide if I do not start to slowly leave the Apple platform.
Because of iOS, the mobile probably doesn't have much competition (at least in terms of what I want). I stop using the iPad, the children already have it on the table.
I really have no substitute for MAC :-).
The watch sucks for me, I have a better one from Garmin for my use.
Apple TV is ok, but it still can't do 4K, which is quite basic these days, when a new 4K TV costs 15 thousand ;-). My next TV will definitely have 4K.
So take a Windows laptop for a few days and work on it. Those thoughts of leaving Mac will pass you by quickly :-)
That's exactly the problem ;-). With Windows 8, I said you can't bring it to my house, so I bought Aira. However, Windows 10 is not my cup of tea either. Unfortunately, the rule is: every other OS from MS costs 2 things, stop paying. So hopefully they will succeed ;-).
Unfortunately, Linux doesn't help me either, because it doesn't have iTunes.
So, let's have a competition to see who can get their head out of the pr.... and gave an advisory product.
1. Apple is a nice replacement for Air at a similar price level and at least with a reasonable display.
2. MS some meaningful and functional OS (at least like W7). Lenovo Yoga or Asus Zenbook should have quite nice HW, or directly MS is trying and it will be necessary to have at least an advisory tuned SW support for its HW.
Unfortunately, even the most beautiful and brilliant laptop has one big, heavy ball at its feet, which is called Windows.
I have been working with Windows since version 3.1 (year 93?), so I have some experience, I switched to Mac 3 years ago and I finally feel that I can work as I want and not as dictated by the manufacturer. Sometimes I have to turn on Windows on the other laptop and I usually get bored quickly.
"I feel that I can work as I want and not as dictated by the manufacturer"... interestingly, I feel rather the opposite, and I do it 50 to 50 on osx and win.
Me, I've also been working on both systems for some time now, and if I should have feelings like - I have to work as the manufacturer wants and not me, then it will definitely be with macOS. Btw. on macOS I love working on a laptop, once I'm working on two large monitors I prefer windows.
Otherwise, I work on Windows every day at work, because the development environment from MS is not completely for alternative platforms (at least at the time). And it can be done.
However, at home I do something completely different on Air, and quite often I already have some purchased software for that, which solves my cases nicely and comfortably. Not in all cases it will probably have a replacement on Windows.
In reality, there is not that much of a difference, after all you are working in applications and not in the OS.
The days when Windows crashed are long gone.
But where :-D
E.g. I start Windows, I just want to do something quickly, Windows just decides to update the system, I wait 20 minutes before they kindly let me go to work. Not really…
ULTBs with Windows definitely start faster than MBAs.
You probably have it set up somehow wrong. Or you're using some prehistoric version of XP.
Win 10, default settings.
I don't agree. Some time ago, I had to work in Windows for a while, and it was difficult for me to remember what an application crash is, lag due to loading and installing updates, waiting for shutdown due to updates and other joys that I no longer know on Mac.
Then the problem is with you.
Really? And how did you figure that out?
Because I don't see similar problems either with myself or with my colleagues at work who work on W10 or W8.
In that case, your Win is probably broken or old, or you have strange applications.
I work on Windows daily and have no problem. If the problem is not between the keyboard and the chair.
Otherwise, I agree, competition is always good for the customer.
I would just like to see the laptop after 6-12 months of use. I imagine the cloth will be stained with sweat and chafed, so it will look terrible.
This fabric is used in the automotive industry in interior design and quite often for seats. If you have a car, definitely see how the front seats are strained for getting in and out. It cleans well and is very durable. So after a year of use, if you don't rub your ass on it, it will still look good.
"Since students need their laptops to last a whole day of lectures without having to recharge, Microsoft worked really intensively on the battery. The result is a claimed endurance of 14 hours, which is very decent. "
My HP has a stated battery life of 13:30 and even if I turn off everything and set the display to minimum, I don't get more than 5 hours. If I do this on a macbook, I get to 6-7, and that's from 2012 and has a much more advanced HW. (HP is a year old). Let anyone say what they want, but "Microsoft has worked on the battery" usually simply means that the endurance will be half as much as stated. The Surface is a nice piece of equipment, it will find its buyers and MS has taken care of it, but I don't believe that it will be able to compete with the MacBook Air in terms of battery life, even the one that is x years old.
IMHO Microsoft pulled some capable people from Apple because Apple is resting on their laurels in the HW area and they probably had no work there :-D I hope Apple kicks things up a notch and finally releases the new HW that everyone is waiting for.
Entry level replacement for MacBook Air, Mac Pro, iMac, SSD as a base and Bluetooth keyboard with Touchbar for desktops.
.. Macbook SE, Mac mini, ..
4GB of RAM is insufficient even for such limited windows. I would be interested in the prices of better equipped ones. It is important to buy it for schools and students. In addition, it is also safe if programs can only be installed from the MS store. If they put Visual Studio and MS Office there, it will be an ideal device for schools. In addition, MS will gain additional potential customers. As an office notebook, it can also be good for companies. At least they have better data security.
I like how Nadella works for MS. Tim Cook is totally behind.
And what about OSX? :)
Personally, the unrivaled trackpad app is enough for me to reject any Win NB. And that's not even mentioning other things like real durability, precise construction, and especially Mac OS and everything nice related to it. But if a few saved crowns are worth it to someone to mess around with these "macbook killers" every day, then that's his business.
Laptop for students for 25000? Not everyone has a dad who buys them everything. I don't know, but I had a laptop for NOK 5500 and it did everything I needed.
I had a laptop for 17000 black disgusting plastic ASUS :D I saved up for it for a year. If there was something similar back then, I would definitely save up more.