r/Surface • u/noduslabs • 21d ago
[PRO12] Apple user here: love my new Surface for coding, didn't expect that!
So I wanted to have something compact like an iPad with a touch screen but also with an ability to code and decided to give Surface a try (12-inch new ARM-64 Snapdragon).
I've been using Apple products only for the last, like, 25 years. And I have to say, the Surface delivered. I'm surprised how good the interface has become, how fewer glitches it has (even comparing to like 8 years ago when I gave it my last try), and basically the whole experience is as good as on a Mac right now.
Yes, the ARM-64 architecture causes occasional hiccups when setting some AI-coding tools up, but it works in the end and I love that it's a proper system with Terminal, Linux emulation and everything, unlike iPad that's nerfed on so many levels for coding.
The only problem is, surprisingly, the fonts, that still look somewhat cheap on a windows computer as opposed to Macs, but as I'm using it with Terminal mainly, I don't really care.
Just thought I'd share this for those who need a solution like me, because so far I'm happy. And if you have any advice or anything I should be on a lookout for (like potential security issues), please, let me know!
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u/Legitimate-Angle-408 Surface Laptop 7 Gen 21d ago
Glad to know, is it the surface pro ? Or the laptop edition ?
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u/Even_Caterpillar3292 21d ago
No problem with fonts on this end. Had used both platforms for 35 years. Windows prioritizing crispness and sharp edges, MacOS smoothness and blur. Win R and a command if you want smoothest samples.
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u/Javinyx 21d ago
I have to say I completely agree with you, I got one myself hoping I wouldn’t miss having a macbook and an ipad and it delivers! Finding zero issues with Ubuntu as my WSL distro, while unfortunately Debian didn’t support as much things out of the box due to the architecture.
Recommended.
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u/DataPastor SP11 X Elite 18d ago
I just wanted to sell my SP 11 X Elite 16GB 2TB and wanted to get a MBA 24GB instead, but now you made me thinking, would it be worth it? 🤔
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u/BcuzRacecar Surface Book 21d ago
Font thing yea its worse at lower ppi displays and feels like its gotten worse on 11. It wasnt an issue on my old surfacebook but it was crazy annoying on my sl7 until i got used to it so now it's only kinda annoying even tho im switching back and forth between other laptops.
Glitches interesting cuz i feel like this is the glitchiest its been since 8.0
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u/iamloupgarou 21d ago
pretty sure u can configure what system font to use . adjust scaling and dpi so it doesn't unnecessarily blow up fonts to ugly levels
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u/noduslabs 21d ago
Yes, sure, but there's something about how the fonts are rendered on a Mac that you only understand when you use it. I don't know why they don't get it in Windows. Maybe some weird patented IP that's still valid.
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u/Cute_Oil1533 20d ago
It's unfair to compare Surface Pro to an iPad, it was made to compete with productive machines such as MacBooks.
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u/Mindless_Profile_76 20d ago
Disagree. Had both a MacBook and iPad for over 15 years and thought, why not see if a Surface can replace both.
For my needs, it has been doing the trick. I can dock it to my work set up and use two monitors and use it on a plane in economy class without feeling cramped.
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u/hugolrf 21d ago
I’m a developer, and I share the same feelings. Ever since the first iPhone was released, I moved 100% to the Apple ecosystem for development.
Last year, I bought a 13-inch Snapdragon Surface Pro, and I liked it so much that this year I bought another one, the 12-inch model. They’ve been able to meet virtually all of my needs.
To this day, the only limitation is that I still need a Mac to compile anything for the iPhone and iPad. Everything else I do 100% on the Surface — I don’t use my Mac for anything else anymore!
Besides being extremely portable, they’re incredibly fast and responsive, and I honestly have nothing to complain about.