Microsoft Surface Book vs. Surface Pro 4 vs. Surface Pro 3 vs. MacBook Pro
Which Surface makes the most sense for you? Here's how they stack up against one another, and against the Apple competition.
That was a great comparison if you want a new tablet, and don't care which operating system it runs. But what if you're dead-set on a Windows laptop?
Well, that's what Microsoft's Surface is supposed to be all about: a tablet that can replace your laptop, thanks to a detachable keyboard. But as of today now there are four different Microsoft Surface computers on sale -- including the Surface Book , which looks like a laptop to begin with.
It can all be a little bit overwhelming. Maybe this chart can help?
Here, we're comparing the Microsoft Surface 3 , the Surface Pro 3 , the new Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book , plus a 13-inch MacBook Pro for reference. And because Microsoft doesn't always include the keyboard in its size, weight and pricing calculations, we decided to add all of those to the chart so you know exactly what you're getting into.
Microsoft Surface Specs Comparison
| Surface 3 | Surface Pro 3 | Surface Pro 4 | Surface Book | 13-inch MacBook Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $499 | $799 | $899 | $1,499 | $1,299 |
| Price with keyboard | $630 | $930 | $1,030 | $1,499 | $1,299 |
| Display | 10.8-inch 1,920x1,280-pixel resolution | 12-inch 2,160x1,440-pixel resolution | 12.3-inch 2,736x1,824-pixel resolution | 13.5-inch 3,000x2,000-pixel resolution | 13.3-inch 2,560x1,600-pixel resolution |
| Pixel density | 213 | 216 | 267 | 267 | 227 |
| Dimensions (imperial) | 10.52 x 7.36 x 0.34 inches | 11.5 x 7.93 x 0.36 inches | 11.50 x 7.93 x 0.33 inches | 8.67 x 12.3 x 0.30 inches | 12.35 x 8.62 x 0.71 inches |
| Dimensions (metric) | 267 x 187 x 8.7mm | 292.1 x 201.4 x 9.1mm | 292.10 x 201.42 x 8.4mm | 220.2 x 312.3 x 7.7mm | 314 x 219 x 18mm |
| Weight | 1.37 lbs. (622g) | 1.76 lbs. (800g) | 1.69 lbs. (766g) for Core M, 1.73 lbs. (786g) for Core i | 1.6 lbs. (726g) | 3.48 lbs. (1580g) |
| Thickness with keyboard | 0.53 inches (13.5mm) | 0.55 inches (14mm) | 0.51 inches (13.1mm) | 0.9 inches (22.8mm) | 0.71 inches (18mm) |
| Weight with keyboard | 1.95 lbs. (884g) | 2.41 lbs. (1093g) | 2.33 lbs. (1057g) for Core M, 2.37 lbs. (1075g) for Core i | 3.48 lbs. (1579g) | 3.48 lbs. (1580g) |
| Operating system | Windows 8.1 (free upgrade to Windows 10) | Windows 8.1 Pro (free upgrade to Windows 10) | Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro | OS X El Capitan |
| Processors | 1.6GHz 4-core Intel Atom x7 | Up to 5th-gen 1.7GHz 2-core Intel Core i7 | Up to 6th-gen 2-core Intel Core i7 | Up to 6th-gen 2-core Intel Core i7 | Up to 5th-gen 3.1GHz 2-core Intel Core i7 |
| Graphics | Intel HD | Up to Intel HD 5000 | Up to Intel Iris 540 | Intel HD 520 or Nvidia GeForce | Intel Iris 6100 |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| RAM | 2GB / 4GB | 4GB / 8GB | 4GB / 8GB / 16GB | 8GB / 16GB | 8GB / 16GB |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours video playback | Up to 9 hours Web browsing | Up to 9 hours video playback | Up to 12 hours video playback | Up to 12 hours video playback |
| Networking | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0, optional LTE | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 | 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.0, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x Micro USB (charging), 1 x headset jack | 1x USB 3.0, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x Micro USB, 1 x headset jack, 1x charging port | 1x USB 3.0, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x SurfaceConnect (charging and docking), 1 x headset jack | 2x USB 3.0, 1x SD card reader, 1x Mini DisplayPort, 1x SurfaceConnect (charging and docking), 1x headset jack | 2x USB 3.0, 2x Thunderbolt 2, 1x HDMI, 1x SD card reader, 1x headset jack, 1x MagSafe 2 (charging) |
| Cameras | 3.5MP front, 8MP back | 5MP front, 5MP back | 5MP front, 8MP back, Windows Hello face authentication | 5MP front, 8MP back | 720p front webcam |
| Hinge | 3-position | Freely positionable to 150 degrees | Freely positionable to 150 degrees | Freely positionable to 125 degrees, tablet reversible | Freely positionable to 135 degrees |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Extras | $49 stylus, $129 Type Cover | $49 stylus, $129 Type Cover | Included stylus, $129 Type Cover, $159 Type Cover with fingerprint sensor | Included keyboard dock with built-in Nvidia GPU ($1899 or higher models), included stylus | Force Touch trackpad |
As you're surely noting right now, there are quiet a few differences here, most notably what's included in the box. The Surface Pro 4 now comes standard with the stylus, and the laptop-like Surface Book has both stylus and keyboard dock in the box. And while the detachable tablet portion of the Surface Book might be exceptionally thin and light for a Windows PC, it's the same weight and a good bit thicker than a 13-inch MacBook Pro as soon as you dock it.
(Never mind that Microsoft says the Surface Book has twice the performance of Apple's 13-inch laptop. It might if you buy the model with Nvidia GeForce graphics, which cost $1,899 and up.)
Meanwhile, if you're in love with the Surface concept of kickstand plus detachable keyboard, you might be tempted to pick up the cheapest Surface 3 -- but don't be tricked into thinking you're getting a deal at $499. Not only does it not include the keyboard, it's a major step down in terms of screen quality and processing power. The hinge is less flexible, too.
And if you're considering shelling out an additional $100 for the Surface 3 model with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of solid state storage -- which I'd definitely recommend -- the entry-level Surface Pro 4 starts looking even better: you're looking at only a $300 difference for a larger, thinner, more capable tablet with an included stylus.
I'm sure you'll draw your own conclusions from the chart, but keep in mind that specifications never tell the whole story. We'll have full reviews of the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book right here at CNET in the weeks to come.