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This face-to-face comparison of Surface Book 3 vs. MacBook Pro 2020 shows just how powerful today’s laptops have become.
Microsoft’s Surface Book 3 is one of the most capable 2-in-1 laptops, with up to 50% better performance than the Surface Book 2 and up to 17.5 hours of battery life. And unlike the MacBook Pro, you get a detachable touchscreen, pen holder, and optional Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro 2020 now offers up to 10th generation Intel Core processors, a faster 3733 MHz RAM, and a new Magic Keyboard that is much better than Apple’s awkward, shallow butterfly keyboard. Additionally, Apple now offers twice the storage on the MacBook Pro in all configurations.
We have yet to test both laptops, but we know the main specs and features, so here is our initial version of what laptop the Surface Book 3 battle against MacBook Pro 2020 will be. And stay tuned for our full reviews.
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: compared specs
| Microsoft Surface Book 3 | Apple MacBook Pro 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $ 1,599 (integrated graphics); $ 1,999 / $ 1,999 (discrete GPU), $ 2,299 (15 inches) | $ 1299 to $ 1,999 |
| Monitor | 13.5 inches, 3000 x 2000 | 13.3 inch, 2560 x 1600 |
| Battery duration | 15.5 hours with connected keyboard (13.5 inches), 17.5 hours (15 inches) | 10 hours |
| Processor | Core i5-1035G7, Core i7-1065G7 | Intel 8th Gen Core i5 and i7, and 10th Gen Core i5 and i7 |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB | 8GB, 16GB, 32GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Plus, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 | Intel UHD, Intel Iris Plus |
| Ports | 2 USB type A, 1 USB type C, SD card, 3.5mm audio | 2 to 4 Thunderbolt 3 USB-C, 3.5mm audio |
| Dimensions | 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.9 inch | 12 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches |
| Weight | 3.38 pounds; 3.62 pounds with GPU | 3.1 pounds |
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: performance
Both the Surface Book 3 and MacBook Pro 2020 come with a reasonably expansive range of specs, making the comparison a bit tricky.
Let’s start with the MacBook Pro 2020. The $ 1,299 and $ 1,499 models make use of older 8th generation Core i5 and Core i7 processors. These chips are possibly a little long on the tooth. However, both the Core i5 and i7 are quad-core processors capable of reaching 3.8GHz and 4.5GHz respectively. Therefore, they will not be disappointing in use in the real world.
The $ 1,799 MacBook Pro is more future-proof as it comes with either a tenth-generation Core i5 chip or an optional Core i7 CPU. The Core i5 can hit 3.8 GHz and the Core i7 on the $ 1,999 model can hit 4.1 GHz. And both Ice Lake CPUs come with Intel’s Iris Plus integrated graphics, so they can handle tasks graphically more demanding than 8th generation processors.
The $ 1,599 Surface Book 3 comes standard with the latest 10th generation chips from Intel, specifically the Core i5-1035G7 and Core i7-1065G7. These CPUs can be combined with up to 32 GB of RAM. Since the entry-level Surface Book 3 has access to newer chips than the cheaper MacBook Pro, you probably have the Apple machine.
Microsoft extends its leadership with its optional discrete graphics. The $ 1,999 Core i7 model has a GeForce GTX 1650 GPU with 4GB of dedicated video memory. This graphics card easily outperforms Intel’s Iris Plus graphics and is not only suitable for rendering tasks, but can also handle some modern games.
Anticipated winner: Surface Book 3
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: display
The MacBook Pro 2020 comes with the same Retina display as its predecessor, but it’s still a great panel. This screen has a fairly sharp resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and is bright at 485 nits based on our laboratory results. It is also compatible with Apple’s wide P3 color gamut and TrueTone technology, which automatically adjusts color temperature to better adapt to ambient lighting conditions.
The 13.5-inch PixelSense display on the Surface Book has a sharper resolution of 3000 x 2000 pixels, and offers 10-point multi-touch support, something the MacBook Pro can’t match. In our previous tests of the Surface Book 2, that screen reached a brightness rating of 374 nits, which is behind the MacBook Pro.
Early winner: tie
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: design
Things are a bit boring here, as the design of the Surface Book 3 and MacBook Pro 2020 has not changed from their respective predecessors. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that rings true here. Both devices are pretty attractive premium machines, but what looks best will depend on individual tastes.
There is no doubt that the MacBook Pro 2020 is a strong example of industrial design, with a well-made aluminum body and Apple’s clean, minimalist aesthetic. We would have liked to see Apple crop the display bezels a bit, but we’ll probably have to wait another year for that to happen.
The Surface Book 3 is undoubtedly the most interesting machine, with its fulcrum hinge connecting the tablet and the rest of the laptop securely. However, the hinge adds volume to the laptop, and its smaller, squarer touchpad and rounded edges aren’t quite as smart as the design of the 13-inch MacBook Pro in our eyes.
However, the MacBook Pro is more portable as it weighs 3.1 pounds and is 0.61 inches thick, compared to 0.9 inches thick and 3.38 pounds for the Surface Book 3. The Surface Book 3 with the Nvidia GPU raises the weight to 3.62 pounds.
Anticipated Winner: MacBook Pro 2020
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: keyboard and touchpad
Surface Book 3 has the same keyboard as its predecessor, which is a very good thing, just like Surface Laptop 3, Surface Book 2 offers a great touch typing experience.
The MacBook Pro 2020 marks the final death of the Butterfly keyboard mechanism that was a literal point of conflict for many MacBook users. The low-profile keyboard has been replaced by a scissor key mechanism that offers 1mm of travel.
But things are likely to change when it comes to the trackpad, as the MacBook Pro has the well-established Force Touch trackpad, which has long been the best, as well as one of the larger laptop trackpads. As the Surface Book 3 continues on the smaller, albeit quite decent, trackpad of its predecessor, let’s say that the MacBook Pro 2020 will win on the front of the trackpad.
Early winner: tie
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: Ports
The first two models of MacBook Pro 2020 get just one pair of Thunderbolt 3 ports, while the top two specs get four. There’s also a headphone jack, but that’s about it.
Surface Book 3 doesn’t support the Thunderbolt 3 high-speed standard, but you do get one USB port plus two USB Type-A ports to accommodate peripherals with a standard-size USB connection. And unlike the MacBook Pro 2020, the Surface Book 3 has an SD card slot, which photographers will probably appreciate.
Anticipated winner: Surface Book 3
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: battery life
The 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 is estimated to last 15.5 hours of “typical device use” when in portable mode. The MacBook Pro 2020 is rated for 10 hours of wireless web use and 10 hours of movie playback from the Apple TV app.
Based on our previous tests, the Surface Book 2 lasted 13 hours and 8 minutes in our wireless web browsing test with 150 nits of screen brightness, and the new MacBook Pro 2020 lasted 10 hours and 21 minutes in our test.
Anticipated winner: Surface Book 3
Surface Book 3 vs MacBook Pro 2020: early verdict
This is difficult to call. Both the Surface Book 3 and MacBook Pro 2020 have strengths and few shortcomings.
The MacBook Pro offers a lighter design, a brighter screen and a larger touchpad and should offer great performance. You also get an excellent battery and a much improved keyboard. However, you will need to spend $ 1,799 if you want the latest Intel 10th gen processors and faster RAM. The MacBook Pro also doesn’t offer full-size USB ports, which could be a drawback for some.
Surface Book 3 is the more versatile of the two machines and offers a 2-in-1 design with a sharper screen that you can use as a tablet or laptop. On paper, the Microsoft system also offers longer battery life and discrete graphics available. The only drawbacks are the thick design, the lack of Thunderbolt 3 compatibility and the relatively small touchpad.
Right now, we’d say Surface Book 3 has the advantage in terms of great power for your money, but check back once we’ve reviewed both laptops for our final verdict.
