How Apple's MacBook stacks up against the Windows competition

Laptop showdown

Comparison notebooks, especially when you're ownership one with your own money, goes across a unproblematic spec-on-spec shoot out. Only, that's as good a identify every bit any to commencement. We've lined upward three Windows 8.1 devices of similar size and price bracket to the new MacBook that are currently on the market place to go toe-to-toe in a quick shootout with Apple's newest, and golden-est, MacBook.

Even the facts and figures show that Microsoft has some pretty fierce competition in its stable. The Yoga three Pro launched in tardily 2022 and is another premium, Core M powered Ultrabook. The Surface Pro 3 is technically a tablet, but with an optional keyboard dock information technology becomes every bit the laptop. And the new Dell XPS thirteen packs a 13.3-inch notebook into the form factor of an 11-inch. Apple isn't the simply one doing wonders with shrinking machines.

Here's one point that immediately jumps out: ports. Sure, it depends on your purpose, but the new MacBook has but ane USB-C port for everything. And that everything includes needing to buy an $80 adapter to exercise annihilation. Tin't plug in a regular USB device such as a phone or tablet, camera, there's no memory card slot, nada. So you lot need this adapter. USB-C is the future. Merely does the hereafter as well involve removing everything else that's useful? The Windows competitors listed aren't what y'all'd call chunky, or heavy, just they all manage to include some basic ports: total sized USB, memory card slots, outputs for displays. The new MacBook won't even connect to Apple's own external displays out of the box.

MacBook

The MacBook is a gorgeous looking machine, though. Apple generally does pattern pretty well and this is no exception. The colors are a nice touch, and while gold for a laptop volition split opinions, the space gray looks very dainty. And Apple finally went Retina on a sub-thirteen incher. While it'south likely a slap-up looking display, you lot'll be every bit every bit pleased with the display on the Surface Pro 3 which is closest in terms of resolution and size. The Yoga 3 Pro and the XPS 13 both have QHD+ 3200x1800 resolution options on a slightly bigger panel, and both are pretty amazing to look at. Oh, and all three of the Windows devices have touchscreens at to the lowest degree as an option.

And in one case yous've seen the Infinity Display from Dell, exist it 1080p or QHD+, bezels become apparent wherever you lot get.

Whatsoever serious comparisons such equally battery life, general performance and so on will but get in when existent people get the real MacBook in their hands away from Apple's launch outcome. But one thing is clear: Information technology's really nice, but we've got some equally exciting options to choose from running Windows, also.

Ativ Book 9

There is, another, likewise. One we haven't mentioned notwithstanding and for good reason. The new Samsung Ativ Book 9 could be the single closest competitor to the MacBook when it comes to the hardware. It's well-nigh the aforementioned size, weight, similarly priced, Core Thou power and has a loftier-res, non-impact display. We've got an Ativ Volume 9 on the way to take a proper look at. We were really impressed with information technology back at CES, and at present it's actually on sale, there's some other Apple v Samsung battle to be had.

And then stay tuned for more on that.