I was left a little underwhelmed by this laptop... What laptop would you recommend I try out to help me ditch my MacBook and escape the Apple ecosystem?
I have researched extensively and narrowed my options down to three laptops: the Galaxy Book4 Edge 14'', Surface Laptop 7 13.8'', and MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14''. In terms of cost-benefit options, I'm still struggling to make the best choice. Everything about the MacBook is acceptable to me except for its weight and ecosystem, but since I've always been a Windows user and I also have an S24Ultra, seamless connectivity and usability seem challenging with an Apple laptop compared to the Surface and Galaxy Book. My priorities are weight, display, and performance. Since I intend to keep my new laptop for at least four years, I need to consider the most future-proof option. My budget is capped at $2,000. Could someone please help me make a decision?
I purchased the Surface Laptop 7 and I can open it up after 3 days and it boots up with no problem. I'm also not having issue with battery life. I've work two days, 8 hours on one charge.
@@PeteMatheson Edge or Chrome (doesn't matter) watching YT videos or might have a tech videos such as this playing in the background. I use Citrix Workspace (remote desktop) for working on my PC at the office to avoid the VPN limitations. I also use Webex (video chat & instant messaging). Other apps that run in the background are Discord, Wallpaper Engine from steam. That's about it for me. But I haven't even opened my Galaxy Book 3 Utlra or my Lenovo Legion 7i with the RTX 3080TI. I even got off my main desktop because I can comfortably take this to Starbucks or where ever and not have to worry about needing an outlet. I've done this at least 7 times since I bought it.
Thanks! Yeah, everything else is good to great, but can't trade all of that when the Mac has all of that, and has done for years now. Perhaps when more arm native apps are available
@@PeteMatheson My thoughts exactly. Of course, Apple has its devs on a much shorter leash, and with the vertical integration on top, it's relatively easy for them to get it done. This is something where Microsoft can't compete unless they dump millions upon millions into a bottomless pit. With the entire Windows world running perfectly fine on x86, it's gonna take a miracle and a half to entice devs to worry about ARM versions. Sure, they can bribe a few of the big players like Adobe, but that's about it. Even Google just emits a faint giggle as users try to install Drive on ARM machines. Honestly, given their track record with Windows mobile and 14 years of WoA, and considering they couldn't even be bothered to keep their QA team for regular Windows around because $$$, I'm not sure if they have it in them.
Yeah that’s really my reason for sending mine back. Why trade in something that actually goes a full day for something that can only manage half a day. I think once more apps get optimised then it may be totally different, but until then…
Maybe explanations would help. If you don't like that Windows goes into hibernation when reaching the 6% limit, just configure your low and critical battery levels & actions to your liking. You say in "Idle mode with screen on" it eats up 10%. What is idle mode with screen on? Screen is the main consumer of battery. If it is on, it eats up battery. Just configure that upon closing the notebook, it goes into sleep mode from which you can come back under one second (and you would not complain about the boot-up tim). And in sleep mode based on other reviews it eats up only 1% or 2% over night. Your 4,5 hours battery consumption is even worse than the Intel machines and this is definitely not the case with the snapdragon machines. What have been the conditions? Working under bright sunshine? Which Samsung Performance mode? High performance? Was it the first day running updates and building indexes? Regarding touchpad: it is all about muscle memory and expectations. Force yourself to work with it for one week, then go back to your Macbook and you would complain about your Macbook's touchpad.
It didn't hibernate. It powered off as though someone pulled the plug. Using it in UK conditions, so a mixture of wind, rain, snow, cold and mid hot lol Using this for 2 weeks and it didn't improve, and left it a few days to ensure Indexing was completed. Idle is when not using it but screen left on, no M series Mac I've used has drained battery that fast. Yeah you don't typically leave it there for hours at a time, but those minutes between tasks, sipping a drink, reading an email etc and you can just watch the battery drain lower ain't good.
I was honestly expecting more from this Windows on ARM push after a year long hype campaign for these X Elite SoC. I’m actually quite concerned what would happen to these when Intel and AMD finally responds later this year. Hope WoA doesn’t go to the back burner again like it has been for the last 12 years.
I've had great results with my Surface Laptop 7 15 inch. The 15 inch has better cooling, slightly better performance, and battery life than the 13 inch model, even if it's the same X Elite chip
Windows PCs and the terrible battery life along with UPDATE AFTER UPDATE..is the reason i am NOW an APPLE fanboy. I loved my Samsung phones, watch and air buds until 2020. The Laptops for windows are brutal compared to the APPLE M1 laptops. In 2020 i went all in on Apple. Started with IPad Pro 11 inch and migrated everything to Apple over 2 years. LOVE my fast and amazing battery life y on my M1 14inch Mac Pro. The only item i miss is the Samsung phones. Arm on PC needs to figure out battery life. Cheers😊
I have researched extensively and narrowed my options down to three laptops: the Galaxy Book4 Edge 14'', Surface Laptop 7 13.8'', and MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14''. In terms of cost-benefit options, I'm still struggling to make the best choice. Everything about the MacBook is acceptable to me except for its weight and ecosystem, but since I've always been a Windows user and I also have an S24Ultra, seamless connectivity and usability seem challenging with an Apple laptop compared to the Surface and Galaxy Book. My priorities are weight, display, and performance. Since I intend to keep my new laptop for at least four years, I need to consider the most future-proof option. My budget is capped at $2,000. Could someone please help me make a decision?
@@PeteMatheson No way, I would consider any iPad instead of a Mac. I guess it depends on what application people depend on daily. For me as a software developer there is no way for me to use IPad OS.
@@ptbauro a lot of youtubers tested all of those, the Samsung always got much worse battery life. One even got half that of the surface. And performance is very inconsistent on the Samsung similar to x86 laptops while the surface is a lot more consistent,
Hey, i’m a student and "need" to pick a laptop. I don’t care about ai and have a gaming pc at home. Do you think i should go arm or stick to x86? Curious to hear your take on this. Thx
Everyone else i see that have both the surface laptop and the Samsung say that the Samsung is terrible, with the Samsung having a battery that's a lot worse, inconsistent performance..
See all the finger prints on his display?? So gross. Its almost more effort having to reach your dispaly when your hands are right on a mouse or trackpad.
Come on we all know this Arm windows still no stable enough! For me I see the ryzen 300 series ai would be curreny the better option for surface laptops.
I was left a little underwhelmed by this laptop... What laptop would you recommend I try out to help me ditch my MacBook and escape the Apple ecosystem?
Surface Laptop, Dell XPS or maybe HP OmniBook
The slow start issue is a problem on windows devices in general, I also have it on my yoga 9i
I have researched extensively and narrowed my options down to three laptops: the Galaxy Book4 Edge 14'', Surface Laptop 7 13.8'', and MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14''. In terms of cost-benefit options, I'm still struggling to make the best choice. Everything about the MacBook is acceptable to me except for its weight and ecosystem, but since I've always been a Windows user and I also have an S24Ultra, seamless connectivity and usability seem challenging with an Apple laptop compared to the Surface and Galaxy Book. My priorities are weight, display, and performance. Since I intend to keep my new laptop for at least four years, I need to consider the most future-proof option. My budget is capped at $2,000. Could someone please help me make a decision?
Maybe a zenbook?
@@Cry2468Altra_gamer Minisforum V3 3-in-1 is the answer
I purchased the Surface Laptop 7 and I can open it up after 3 days and it boots up with no problem. I'm also not having issue with battery life. I've work two days, 8 hours on one charge.
My work is all web based so it's perfect for me. My Galaxy Book 3 Ultra wouldn't last more than 4 hours doing the same exact thing.
Intersting. Perhaps I’ll try one of the surface models! What sort of apps are you running?
@@PeteMatheson Edge or Chrome (doesn't matter) watching YT videos or might have a tech videos such as this playing in the background. I use Citrix Workspace (remote desktop) for working on my PC at the office to avoid the VPN limitations. I also use Webex (video chat & instant messaging). Other apps that run in the background are Discord, Wallpaper Engine from steam. That's about it for me. But I haven't even opened my Galaxy Book 3 Utlra or my Lenovo Legion 7i with the RTX 3080TI. I even got off my main desktop because I can comfortably take this to Starbucks or where ever and not have to worry about needing an outlet. I've done this at least 7 times since I bought it.
Yeah, that battery life is just about the only thing that potentially outweighs the drawbacks. I would have sent it straight back as well.
Thanks! Yeah, everything else is good to great, but can't trade all of that when the Mac has all of that, and has done for years now.
Perhaps when more arm native apps are available
@@PeteMatheson My thoughts exactly. Of course, Apple has its devs on a much shorter leash, and with the vertical integration on top, it's relatively easy for them to get it done. This is something where Microsoft can't compete unless they dump millions upon millions into a bottomless pit.
With the entire Windows world running perfectly fine on x86, it's gonna take a miracle and a half to entice devs to worry about ARM versions. Sure, they can bribe a few of the big players like Adobe, but that's about it. Even Google just emits a faint giggle as users try to install Drive on ARM machines.
Honestly, given their track record with Windows mobile and 14 years of WoA, and considering they couldn't even be bothered to keep their QA team for regular Windows around because $$$, I'm not sure if they have it in them.
Such a shame the machines don't quite live up to the hype. Especially the battery thing was supposed to be a huge deal to me
Yeah that’s really my reason for sending mine back. Why trade in something that actually goes a full day for something that can only manage half a day.
I think once more apps get optimised then it may be totally different, but until then…
One of the best tech reviewers on the web. Love your realistic approach to tech
Ah thank you! 🙏🏼 Very kind of ya 👌🏼
I would love to get a pc like yours. Your setup is awesome. A video talking about what is in your pc would be great.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the effort this guy puts in his videos
Haha! Thank you
I have a feeling that maybe the Surface Laptop 7 and the XPS 13 have better Battery Life than all these other Qualcomm SnapDragon laptops.
Maybe explanations would help.
If you don't like that Windows goes into hibernation when reaching the 6% limit, just configure your low and critical battery levels & actions to your liking.
You say in "Idle mode with screen on" it eats up 10%. What is idle mode with screen on? Screen is the main consumer of battery. If it is on, it eats up battery. Just configure that upon closing the notebook, it goes into sleep mode from which you can come back under one second (and you would not complain about the boot-up tim). And in sleep mode based on other reviews it eats up only 1% or 2% over night. Your 4,5 hours battery consumption is even worse than the Intel machines and this is definitely not the case with the snapdragon machines. What have been the conditions? Working under bright sunshine? Which Samsung Performance mode? High performance? Was it the first day running updates and building indexes?
Regarding touchpad: it is all about muscle memory and expectations. Force yourself to work with it for one week, then go back to your Macbook and you would complain about your Macbook's touchpad.
It didn't hibernate. It powered off as though someone pulled the plug.
Using it in UK conditions, so a mixture of wind, rain, snow, cold and mid hot lol
Using this for 2 weeks and it didn't improve, and left it a few days to ensure Indexing was completed.
Idle is when not using it but screen left on, no M series Mac I've used has drained battery that fast.
Yeah you don't typically leave it there for hours at a time, but those minutes between tasks, sipping a drink, reading an email etc and you can just watch the battery drain lower ain't good.
great review mate
Thank you!
I was honestly expecting more from this Windows on ARM push after a year long hype campaign for these X Elite SoC. I’m actually quite concerned what would happen to these when Intel and AMD finally responds later this year. Hope WoA doesn’t go to the back burner again like it has been for the last 12 years.
I've had great results with my Surface Laptop 7 15 inch. The 15 inch has better cooling, slightly better performance, and battery life than the 13 inch model, even if it's the same X Elite chip
That's very good! Anywhere near the 20hrs of expected battery life ??
The fastest laptop to produce or the fastest laptop in performance 🤔
Can we expect a snapdragon mini pc under 500$ in near future? What about similar cheap laptops below 700$?
I would have thought so, but for now it's focus on the powerful and (meant to be) efficient
My M1 Air. its asleep for three weeks. I lift the lid and BAM!! in literally a second. Right to the desktop.Same with my M1 Max
@ehtasam2080 My M1 Air last night was on before i lifted the lid from sleep. Its less then half a second. in two seconds im in my terminal
Windows PCs and the terrible battery life along with UPDATE AFTER UPDATE..is the reason i am NOW an APPLE fanboy. I loved my Samsung phones, watch and air buds until 2020. The Laptops for windows are brutal compared to the APPLE M1 laptops. In 2020 i went all in on Apple. Started with IPad Pro 11 inch and migrated everything to Apple over 2 years. LOVE my fast and amazing battery life y on my M1 14inch Mac Pro. The only item i miss is the Samsung phones. Arm on PC needs to figure out battery life. Cheers😊
I have researched extensively and narrowed my options down to three laptops: the Galaxy Book4 Edge 14'', Surface Laptop 7 13.8'', and MacBook Pro M3 Pro 14''. In terms of cost-benefit options, I'm still struggling to make the best choice. Everything about the MacBook is acceptable to me except for its weight and ecosystem, but since I've always been a Windows user and I also have an S24Ultra, seamless connectivity and usability seem challenging with an Apple laptop compared to the Surface and Galaxy Book. My priorities are weight, display, and performance. Since I intend to keep my new laptop for at least four years, I need to consider the most future-proof option. My budget is capped at $2,000. Could someone please help me make a decision?
M3 Pro Macbook pro, it's not even close.
Would you consider waiting for the M4 Air?
I'm planning on selling my M3 Max MacBook Pro for an M4 Air 👍🏼
@@PeteMatheson No way, I would consider any iPad instead of a Mac. I guess it depends on what application people depend on daily. For me as a software developer there is no way for me to use IPad OS.
@@mfe888 He said M4 Air, not iPad, learn to read.
22h OF VIDEO PLAYBACK they said
Yep, but wouldn’t you expect more than 4hrs of general use on a device that does 22hrs of pure video playback?
@@PeteMatheson I think with more updates to come battery will be better and all those programs opened you are not helping the battery anyway 😂
Hey mew to the channel. Great review. Could you suggest between Galaxy 4 edge and Galaxy 4 pro ?
You were using a Samsung laptop. lol Use a Surface Laptop and you'll have a completely different experience.
I have friends with surface laptops having similar struggles, but yeah the hardware is super slick on surface 👌🏼
The surface laptop battery life isn't any better
I had a surface book 2 and even though I loved it the CPU died after 7 years andi lost alot of Data
@@ptbauro a lot of youtubers tested all of those, the Samsung always got much worse battery life. One even got half that of the surface. And performance is very inconsistent on the Samsung similar to x86 laptops while the surface is a lot more consistent,
Hey, i’m a student and "need" to pick a laptop. I don’t care about ai and have a gaming pc at home. Do you think i should go arm or stick to x86? Curious to hear your take on this. Thx
I would try with Linux the battery life. My easy guess is that the culprit is Windows.
Why don’t you just stick with the fruit 🍏 it does all what you need and does it well
It does, but I just love trying new stuff out! Keeps it fun ☺️
@@PeteMatheson this is very true
Should have gotten the one terabyte version it comes with a faster chip😂
Not sure the faster chip would do anything but eat battery faster! 😬
Make windows great again
😬
Everyone else i see that have both the surface laptop and the Samsung say that the Samsung is terrible, with the Samsung having a battery that's a lot worse, inconsistent performance..
Throw Linux on it 😁
Thanks so much for the honest review in a world of dishonesty for a buck
How can i get this red and blue wallpaper?
See all the finger prints on his display?? So gross. Its almost more effort having to reach your dispaly when your hands are right on a mouse or trackpad.
Come on we all know this Arm windows still no stable enough! For me I see the ryzen 300 series ai would be curreny the better option for surface laptops.
no
As always, seems to be purely a Windows 11 problem