Surface Pro vs MacBook Pro (2017)

If you’re on the market for a new laptop at the moment, there are probably two main contenders in your mind: Microsoft’s Surface Pro and Apple’s MacBook Pro. Both have been recently released and include high-end specs – so which is more deserving of your hard-earned cash?

Here, we compare the design, features and spec of both the Surface Pro and MacBook Pro to help you decide which is best for you.

Interested in how the Surface Pro compares to the previous generation? Take a look at our Surface Pro 4 vs Surface Pro comparison review.

UK pricing and availability

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of which is best, let’s first look at the pricing and availability of the Surface Pro and MacBook Pro. It’s slightly difficult to compare directly as each have multiple configurations, so instead we’ve decided to lay out each below.

The Surface Pro is a slick piece of technology that features the same hybrid design that has made the Surface line so popular in the past. For those unaware, the Surface Pro sports a design that allows it to be used like a tablet, or attached to a keyboard (sold separately) that transforms it into a portable – and powerful – laptop.

However, there is a drawback to being a tablet AND a laptop, and that’s screen size. After all, the 12.9in iPad Pro is one of the biggest tablets on the market and is regarded as too big for a number of tasks.

This means that unlike the MacBook Pro, the Surface Pro is only available in a single (relatively small) screen size: 12.3in, putting it more in line with Apple’s standard 12in MacBook. While some will be happy with the 12.3in display, most users tend to opt for something larger, around 13-15in.

Beyond the display, the Surface Pro is a sleek and attractive 2-in-1 that’ll look great in any environment. Why? The Surface Pro is a rather impressive 8.5mm thick and weighs only 768g, making it both thinner and lighter than the 14.9mm, 1.37kg 13in MacBook Pro. While the MacBook Pro is still regarded as a thin and lightweight laptop, it’s a real achievement for Microsoft.

Speaking of the MacBook Pro, how does it compare in the design department? Despite being the thicker and heavier of the two devices, Apple’s 2017 MacBook Pro has a trick up its sleeve: the Touch Bar.

First introduced in late-2016, the Touch Bar is a touch-enabled OLED strip that sits across the top of the MacBook Pro keyboard, replacing the traditional function keys with app-based contextual controls. So, if you’re watching a movie using QuickTime, you’ll be presented with media controls while if you’re using Photoshop, you’ll get access to relevant shortcut keys.

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