aNewDomain — There is a disturbance in the force this fall, and I’m not talking about the latest “Star Wars” movie. No, I am referring to Microsoft’s release of the Surface Book. A notebook PC this innovative, this stylish and this powerful is only supposed to exist in Apple’s universe. Like a true Sith Lord, Microsoft is undermining the very fabric of personal computing.
Microsoft Surface Book
All joking aside, the Microsoft Surface Book is a serious piece of performance hardware. In fact, the most tricked out version of the Surface Book has no equal when you compare technical specifications. The premium version contains an Intel I7 CPU, a customized discreet NVIDIA GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and a 13.5 inch display with a resolution of 3000 X 2000 pixels.
If we compare those specs to the premium version of the Apple MacBook Pro, we will find the Mac’s performance specs lacking. The MacBook comes with an Intel I7 CPU, stock Intel GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, and a 13 inch display with a resolution of 2560 X 1600.
See the chart below for a full comparison.
So What?
Note the price difference between the premium version of the Microsoft Surface Book ($3,199) and the premium version of the Apple MacBook Pro ($2,699). This is a new development in the personal computer space — Apple notebook computers have traditionally been the premium-priced computer. Consumers paid an “Apple Tax” for the privilege of owning the more stylish and more cool Apple product.
But Microsoft has flipped the table. In many ways, the Surface Book is now the stylish and cool computer. And along with that perceived stylishness, consumers are also getting the most powerful notebook PC available. This is a big change and it will be interesting to see how Apple will respond to being leaped over like this.
For aNewDomain, I’m Mark Kaelin.
Feature image: Courtesy of Microsoft News
Chart: Created by Mark Kaelin
