Apr 04, 2017 Microsoft has traditionally dominated the desktop and laptop market so the small Mac numbers aren’t entirely surprising. Apple’s market share strength is on the mobile side with the iPhone iPad. Mar 10, 2020 Arif Bacchus/Digital Trends. Microsoft’s Windows holds around 77 percent of the global desktop market share, with just shy of two-thirds of that being made up by Windows 10. If you throw in. Dec 13, 2012 Forbes takes privacy seriously and is committed to transparency. We've a new report out claiming that Microsoft's market share has fallen from 97%. Apple has certainly grown Mac sales, yes. Microsoft is making a big splash with its latest gear, the Surface Pro 4 and the Surface Book. These pricey products are designed to compete directly. Feb 13, 2020 This statistic shows the operating system market share worldwide on Desktop PCs 2013-2018. In January 2019, the OS market share of the Windows operating system range was at 75 percent. Nov 20, 2019 How many countries does Microsoft operate in, and what is their market share? Discover all relevant statistics and facts on Microsoft now on statista.com! After Steve Jobs was brought back to Apple, he introduced the iMac and revived Mac sales. Microsoft bought a 5% stake in Apple with a $150mn investment in non-voting shares in 1997. Apple's Macs have always had a small but passionate fan base. In 2007, Apple released Mac vs PC ads showcasing the “cool” factor of Macs.
Ever since Apple released those viral Mac vs. PC ads many years ago, Microsoft has tried to come up with funny comparisons of its own — but none of them really stuck. What you’re about to see is easily the best bad anti-MacBook commercial from Microsoft to date, one in which a person named Mackenzie Book recommends the Surface Laptop over Apple’s notebooks. Yes, his nickname is “Mac” so his name really is Mac Book.
The fact that a real person named Mac Book recommends the Surface Laptop 2 over the MacBook Pro in this ad is hilarious. The guy’s name is the only reason why we’d ever bring up this commercial. The narrator keeps telling us that “Mac Book says” the Surface is better than the MacBook, and I laugh every time.
You have to give it to them, Microsoft finally found a way to make fun of Apple’s Macs in its Surface ads.
No matter how great the Surface notebooks might be — and Microsoft does have a small army of Windows 10 PCs for you — it’s still Apple that sets the tone in the laptop industry. And that’s in spite of not having a massive share of the market. macOS devices account for nearly 10% of the market, according to recent data, with Windows sitting at over 87%.
But when it comes to mind share, it’s Apple’s MacBooks that stand out. The Pro and Air models are easily recognizable, and every other company in the business has been trying to clone them for years. The same goes for the iPad, which is the subject of Microsoft’s ads in other Surface commercials.
Laptop vendors have come up with devices that look a lot like Pro or Air laptops for years, and they always advertise them as better MacBook alternatives. Microsoft keeps doing the same thing, pitting its latest Surface machines against whatever Apple equivalents it sees fit.
That said, it’s unclear why Microsoft is reviving its push against the MacBook now, with an ad that sells a Surface Laptop generation that’s been available in stores for close to a year. It’s not like the Surface Laptop 2 is a brand new device that needs clever marketing. Maybe Microsoft should have saved this type of commercial for a next-gen notebook.
The new Mac Book ad follows below, and it’s probably the first of many that Microsoft will try out:
Best 2-in-1 laptop
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Pinnacle Apple
Apple MacBook Air (2018)
The Surface Pro 6 offers an experience no Mac on the market can. Not only can you use a digital pen on it, it's useable as both a tablet and a laptop, combining the use of both an iPad and a MacBook Air into a single device.
Pros
- Windows Hello security
- Digital pen support
- Solid battery life
- Gorgeous display
- Quad-core processors
The MacBook Air is Apple's most affordable notebook, and it's an incredible jump from the previous model. The Retina Display is stunning, it has Apple's Touch ID biometric security, and Thunderbolt 3 support. However, it's underpowered next to the Surface Pro 6.
Pros
- Retina Display
- Can install Windows 10
- Touch ID security
- USB-C Thunderbolt 3
- Solid battery life
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Single dual-core processor option
Considering that both of these run a different OS, that should be one of the main considerations when choosing a laptop. Apple has finally updated the MacBook Air so it can genuinely compete with the best of the Windows ecosystem, but it's still just a laptop. The Surface Pro 6 is a more versatile device, working as both a tablet and a laptop, with a sprinkling of digital notepad thrown in for good measure.
The platform you need or want to use should be one main consideration, and how you want to use your portable computer should be the other.
Apples to oranges (or Windows)
On a hardware level, both of these machines are very good. Laptop design has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, so you can absolutely look to the Windows ecosystem to find a product as visually striking as Apple's always have been.
The MacBook Air is, unsurprisingly, stunning. The same can be said of the Surface Pro 6. But while Apple is using a 7W dual-core Intel Core i5 only in the MacBook Air, Microsoft has stuffed quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors into the Surface Pro 6.
| Surface Pro 6 | MacBook Air (2018) | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Quad-core Intel Core i5-8250U Quad-core Intel Core i7-8650U | 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 620 | Intel UHD 617 |
| RAM | 8GB or 16GB | 8GB or 16GB |
| Display | 12.4-inch 2736 x 1824 PixelSense Display | 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600 Retina Display |
| Storage | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB SSD | 128GB/256GB/512GB/1.5TB PCIe SSD |
| Ports | USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect, microSD, 3.5mm headset | 2 x USB-C Thunderbolt 3, 3.5mm headset |
| Price | From $799 | From $1,199 |
In terms of sheer performance, the Surface Pro 6 has the edge with a better processor and more powerful graphics. However, in reality, Mac OS and Apple's own applications are traditionally well optimized, so day to day general performance will feel very similar.
A couple of the biggest differences are just what you can do with each. The Surface Pro 6 not only has a touch display, but support for inking. Windows Ink is built into the OS and there are a bunch of great apps that make use of it. This is all something you have to get an iPad for from Apple to make use of.
The MacBook Air, by contrast, not only has USB-C, but Thunderbolt 3. Something the Surface Pro 6 notably lacks. That means not only can you use standard accessories, such as docks, displays, and Thunderbolt 3 external SSDs, but you can connect an eGPU with a full desktop graphics card in it. Mac gaming isn't necessarily why you'd want this, but for anyone working with video editing or demanding programs such as CAD, that GPU will be really helpful.
The Surface Pro 6 can expand its connectivity, but you'll need the Surface Dock to do it, and you won't be able to hook up an eGPU at all. It's also worth pointing out that to use the Surface Pro 6 as a laptop, you'll need to spend the extra $130 for a Type Cover.
Choosing between Mac OS and Windows 10
The biggest difference between these two, of course, is the software. Mac OS and Windows 10 have plenty in common and share a lot of the same third party apps — as well as Microsoft Office — but they're still different.
If you haven't entered Apple's ecosystem yet, and you don't have any reliance on its first-party software, such as Final Cut Pro X, then you might be better off considering the Surface Pro 6. The entry-level model is still a little above the MacBook Air on pure hardware, and it's $400 cheaper (without the Type Cover).
Mac OS is very pleasant to use, incredibly well optimized, and always performs well. It also has great software support from Microsoft, such as with the Office Suite, OneDrive, and Skype, as well as notable third-party support from the likes of Adobe and Google. Many of the same apps can be used on a Mac as on Windows 10, but you're going to pay more for the privilege.
There is, however, one more thing. Thanks to Boot Camp, you can easily install Windows 10 on the MacBook Air. The same cannot be said of doing the reverse. So, with the MacBook Air, you can have both platforms.
The choice is yours
When comparing two top devices such as this that run on different platforms, there's no easy way to say which is best. Some will just prefer Windows 10, just as some will automatically lean towards Mac OS.
The platform should be one of the top factors you consider. The other should be what you intend to do with it. The Surface Pro 6 combines the best of a tablet with the best of a powerful Windows 10 laptop. You can get it at a great price, it has a stunning design and build quality, a gorgeous display, and is one of the most flexible machines on the market.
The MacBook Air, by contrast, has plenty in its favor. It always has a keyboard and trackpad attached, it supports the new USB-C standard, and with Thunderbolt 3 connectivity can transform into a powerful desktop rig with dedicated graphics down a single cable. You can't touch the display or write on it with a pen — for that you'll need an iPad — but you can install Windows 10 if you can't decide and want the best of both worlds.
Both of these will be a great fit for your mobile computing needs, but only you can decide which makes the best fit based on their respective differences. That being said, the Surface Pro 6 is just an overall better value thanks ot its lower price, its 2-in-1 nature, and the touchscreen and inking capabilities.
Top 2-in-1
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Microsoft Vs Mac Market Share Prices
The best 2-in-1 you can buy today
Unless you already rely on Mac OS and its first-party software, you should consider getting the cheaper, better spec, equally stunning Surface Pro 6.
Flexible computing
Os Market Share
Apple MacBook Air (2018)
The MacBook Air we always wanted
Apple's most affordable laptop has everything to be your only computer, even the ability to use Windows 10. But it comes at a price.
Microsoft Vs Mac Market Share Vs Pc
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Buyer's guideIs the Surface Pro 6 a no-go for you? Here are some great alternatives
If you're in the market for a new 2-in-1, but Microsoft's Surface Pro 6 isn't doing it for you, check out our picks for best Surface Pro 6 alternatives.