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Comparisons

Apple MacBook Pro vs Microsoft Surface Pro 3: ultrabooks of 2015?

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MacBook Pro 13 inch vs Surface Pro 3 base model – Hardware and Performance

Performance is key when it comes to a workstation and equipment destined to be used as a mobile workstation. Versatility and maneuverability are solved by design, but performance needs to be top-notch if either of these companies wants to actually market their devices towards power users who may employ the MacBook Pro or the Surface Pro 3 as their daily drivers. While we know that both these devices live up to portability expectations through design, how do they fare when it comes to performance?

It is worth mentioning that the base models of the MacBook Pro and the Surface Pro 3 aren’t the best ones available. But since we’re trying to compare two devices that can be used as daily drivers nonetheless, we feel that the base models are of sufficient performance to be used as such. Even though the 13.3 inch MacBook Pro is no match to the larger, 15 inch MacBook Pro and its better specs, the same can be valid for the i3 Surface Pro 3 compared to the i7 variant.

Now the 13 inch Retina MacBook Pro is not much of an upgrade compared to the previous version. The fact that Apple wanted to make this the thinnest ultrabook available did prompt to a trade-off when it comes to hardware. Fanless processors like the Intel Core i5 that’s found in the MacBook Pro are good performers, but not as good as as to say they provide high-end seamless performance. The 2.7 GHz dual-core CPU that’s in the MacBook Pro performs well, but not as well as to compare with previous editions of the MacBook and come out on top. It’s an average performer, but a good one at that.

The CPU is backed by 8 GB RAM, configurable to 16 GB, 128 GB internal storage, Intel Iris Graphics 6100 and 74.9 watt hour battery. Performance is acceptable on the MacBook Pro, but it does not live up to expectations. The 15 inch MacBook performs much better with its i7 Intel chipset, but it costs considerably more, too, which is why I said earlier that we were facing a couple of trade-offs to achieve the lightweight, thin design of the MacBook Pro.

The battery life is advertised as up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi, and in that department, the MacBook Pro does well. It can achieve the 10 hour usage time with Wi-Fi on, although with more intensive tasks like photo and video editing, the battery will konk out at about 7 hours tops. The camera setup on the MacBook Pro is not anything out of the ordinary, as it comes with a 720p FaceTime camera on the front which is optimal for video chat.

The Surface Pro 3 is a powerhouse, right off the bat. Even though it’s a tablet, and as such has limited space for hardware, Microsoft did a great job balancing out the act here. One thing they didn’t nail was battery life, which can sometimes be disappointing at about 7 hours average battery life. Although Microsoft advertises up to 9 hours of battery life on the Surface Pro 3, the device struggles reaching that upper ledge. Nonetheless, for a tablet, it’s pretty impressive and well-balanced.

The Base model of the Surface Pro 3 comes with an Intel i3 4Gen CPU clocked at 1.5 GHz with Intel HD Graphics 4200, 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. Since it’s a full Windows 8.1 device, performance is comparable to traditional ultrabooks. The Surface Pro 3 handles anything you throw at it rather well and it’s fit for power users. Gaming isn’t its strong point, but it can handle mild sessions with certain games. Oh and it’s also got a pretty neat 5 MP camera on the front and rear, with stereo speakers complete with Dolby Audio-enhanced sound, as a bonus.

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The keyboard, metal design and trackpad of the MacBook pro are premium

Compared to the Retina MacBook Pro performance and reported to its purpose, the Surface Pro 3 does extremely well. There have been little complaints about performance with the convertible, but quite a few about software bugs affecting Wi-Fi and other functions within the user interface. Performance-wise, it is hard to find a negative Surface Pro 3 review. Even though the base model is not entirely comparable with the high-end i7 model, it does score great in performance tests and it does fulfill its purpose of being a powerful mobile workstation.

Performance-wise, the trophy has to go to the Surface Pro 3, but not because its performance is better, but because performance balances out the entire device, which we can’t say about the MacBook Pro. There is room for improvement when it comes to Apple’s new MacBook Pro and many are already rather disappointed by the only average power that the ultrabook comes with. Nonetheless, the device still makes for a good daily driver. The point is, for an entirely new device that was supposed to be an ugprade to the line-up, Apple did very little to live up to expectations of performance, power and endurance.

The last thing we need to discuss before reaching our conclusion is ports and connectivity. The new MacBook was a bit criticized for the single USB Type C port that it came with, and luckily Apple did not pull that move with the MacBook Pro. Instead of sporting a single USB-C port, the MacBook Pro gets a charging port (MagSafe 2), 2 pcs Thunderbolt 2 ports, 2 pcs USB 3.0 port, a headphone jack, SD card slot and HDMI. That makes for a much more versatile device with good connectivity, compared to the MacBook 2015.

Stereo speakers, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, dual microphones and OS X Yosemite complete the MacBook Pro hardware and features list and turn this ultrabook into a veritable workstation. Apple did a good job with the device, even though there are some shortcomings with it, if you look closely. Ultimately, the MacBook Pro 2015 is an excellent daily driver, but for the price Apple slapped on it, the company could have launched a more well-balanced machine.

The Surface Pro 3 is a tablet convertible, so there isn’t as much space to make use of when it comes to ports and outs. Still, Microsoft tried cramming in as much connectivity as possible and made the Surface Pro 3 into a great workstation that can handle accessories and peripherals rather well. It’s going to get crowded, but it’s not impossible.

As such, the Surface Pro 3 gets Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, USB 3.0, microSD card reaer, audio jack, Mini displayport, cover port and charging port. Although there aren’t too many ports there, and we could have done better with another USB port, the Surface Pro has all that it needs to be a workstation. Count an adapter that you can get for it (if you don’t already have one) and you’ve got a rather capable device on your hands, with all the ports you need.

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Unlike the MacBook Pro, the Surface Pro 3 is sold separately from the keyboard

Rumors say that the new Surface Pro 4 will improve in this area very much, and will use both USB 3.0 ports and USB Type C ports in its design when it is released this Summer. We’re hoping those rumors are at least half-true, because Type C does have a lot of advantages (mostly speed) that would be suitable for a device launched in 2015. Overall, the Surface Pro 3 offers a great power-user experience, even though battery life and connectivity could be better. Where it counts, which is performance, the Surface Pro 3 excels in my opinion.

Next page: MacBook Pro price vs Surface Pro 3 price and conclusion

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As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Comparisons

4 Most Interesting Crossovers in Gaming

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Gaming crossovers are a great way to bring in new people and drive up interest in a title. With that being said, crossovers aren’t as rare as they once were. More and more gaming companies are now embracing crossovers, to the point that some may say that it has lost its appeal. And while this is true to some degree, there are still crossovers that are really effective when it comes to adding a whole new dimension to a game. To prove our point, we’ve put together a list of five of the most interesting crossovers.

Forza Horizon 4: Halo

Forza Horizon 4 is the eleventh installment in the Forza series. The Forza series is known for its ability to emulate realistic racing conditions and offer accurate representations of real-world cars. And while they’ve partnered with car manufacturers before, Forza Horizon 4 features one of the most interesting collaborations in the entire series.

For a series that prides itself on realistic racing, Forza also knows when to cut loose and have a little fun. Nothing exemplifies this more than the Halo crossover that features Master Chief and the iconic Warthog.

Fortnite: Travis Scott


Fortnite is no stranger to crossovers. But if we had to pick one as the most interesting it would have to be the Travis Scott concert. Not only did this crossover include custom skins and emotes but it also paved the way for one of the most unique digital experiences of 2020.

The Verge’s article on the Travis Scott crossover details that the crossover included an interactive digital concert that turned the Fortnite island into a music stage. What’s great about this crossover is that it hints towards a future wherein music and video games will be working hand in hand to deliver immersive musical experiences to millions of people from all over the world.

Merge Dragons: Rick and Morty



When you think of the popular TV show Rick and Morty, a fantasy puzzle game isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. This is what makes this Rick and Morty crossover so interesting. The sheer absurdity of this crossover shows what gaming collaborations can achieve when one thinks outside the box. The game features original dialogue spoken by the characters that matches their characteristics from the show. It is a fun addition to the puzzle game.

However, this crossover shouldn’t be too surprising as Rick and Morty have appeared in other games, demonstrating how they have become pop culture icons. The comic nature of the duo makes them perfect for every type of genre, including slot games. Foxy Bingo’s pop cultured-themed slots include an official Rick and Morty game that features the iconic imagery and characters from the show. The show has also produced its own game in the form of the Pokémon-clone Pocket Mortys. One thing that all of these games have in common is that they maintain the show’s penchant for fun and wacky adventures. This is seen in Merge Dragons with the exclusive cow-dragon hybrid featured in the crossover event.

Mortal Kombat 11: Rambo


While crossovers in fighting games aren’t exactly new, Mortal Kombat has always had a knack for creating interesting crossovers for their iconic fighting game. One way that they’ve done this is with the inclusion of popular film characters. The franchise has had everyone from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Jason of the Friday the 13th franchise appear in their games.

However, the latest iteration of the game may have topped all of the previous crossovers. This is because Mortal Kombat 11 features John Rambo of the legendary Rambo franchise as one of its available fighters. To add to this, CNet’s article on Mortal Kombat 11 details that Sylvester Stallone voiced the digital John Rambo. This is certainly a treat for fans of the popular action film franchise, as they can finally play as one of the most influential action heroes of all time.

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Comparisons

Loot Crate vs. The Curiosity Box: A Beginner’s Guide to Subscription Mystery Boxes

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With all the loot box shenanigans we’ve witnessed this year, you might have, while searching for more information, accidentally stumbled across something by the name of Loot Crate. Unlike the reviled loot boxes, Loot Crate isn’t a digital gambling scam. Instead, Loot Crate is a physical, subscription-based mystery box you receive in the mail that contains a bevy of geek-related material. Moreover, Loot Crate isn’t the only available service. Alongside the vanilla Loot Crate Classic, the Loot Crate company supplies geeks with anime-themed items with Loot Anime, gaming swag with Loot Gaming (Loot Crate also sells HaloMinecraftFalloutCall of Duty, and Destiny 2 themed boxes), and film/TV merchandise with Harry PotterFireflyMarvel, and Star Trek themed boxes. Loot Crate also has a rival in the form of Geek Fuel, which is more expensive than Loot Crate Classic but contains more (and more expensive) merchandise. While I don’t have a Geek Fuel box to compare to a Loot Crate, I received a different subscription box for Christmas, The Curiosity Box. This mystery box is a joint venture between the company behind Geek Fuel and the YouTube Channel VSauce, which is admittedly cool. So, without further ado, let’s get into what sets apart a Loot Crate from a Curiosity Box and determine which is right for you.

WHAT’S THE SAME

On the surface, Loot Crate and The Curiosity Box seem similar. They arrive in big cardboard boxes and contain random items. Well, not precisely random; each box focuses on a different theme, and the items provided center around that theme. While a lot of geeks subscribe to these boxes for various bits of swag, perhaps the biggest draw is the exclusives. The companies behind these subscription services make deals with other firms to create unique pieces of merchandise that are literally impossible to find anywhere else, aftermarket/marked up eBay sales notwithstanding. Some of these exclusives are just color variants of readily available products, such as a glow in the dark Funko POP Groot figure and orange Quantum Mechanix Tribble.

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Most exclusives, however, aren’t available elsewhere in any other form and include items like the The Walking Dead art print, the Yeti temporary tattoo, the tower of magnetic rings, and “collectible” pins.

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Furthermore, while most exclusives are decorative, some are practical items, such as a pen shaped like the Sledge Saw from Dead Rising 3 and light-up beverage coasters with periodic symbols.

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Finally, these subscription boxes have some of the most awesome, exclusive, geeky shirts this side of ThinkGeek or Hot Topic.

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The exclusive items tend to be the best pieces of merchandise in each box and are usually worth the price of the subscription alone. Usually.

WHAT’S DIFFERENT

Let’s get this out of the way: the most obvious differences are the prices and subscription models. Loot Crate Classic is about $20 per box and comes once a month, while The Curiosity Box is well over $50 and arrives once every three months. More importantly, these boxes are designed for two completely different audiences. The Loot Crate (and likely by extension Geek Fuel) is aimed primarily at adults or older teenagers and provides geek-related decorations and practical items, such as the Dead Rising 3 pen, Star Wars and Deadpool fridge magnets, and a Mega Man car air freshener.

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Also, Loot Crate tends to include non-exclusive products that are part of a series. Case in point, during my brief stint with Loot Crate, I received (among other things) a Kidrobot Glow in the Dark Ooze Action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle vinyl figure and a Funko ReAction Alien figure. I got Donatello and the titular Alien, respectively, but I easily could have found Leonardo or Ripley in my Loot Crate subscriptions instead. However, since The Curiosity Box is almost exclusively made up of exclusive items, there is no element of randomness and everyone receives the same merchandise.

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While Loot Crate caters to the video game, movies, comics, television, and everything pop-culture side of geekdom, The Curiosity Box is more science oriented and is designed for the family. For example, parents who bought the Summer 2017 Curiosity Box got to enjoy a t-shirt, a set of periodic table beverage coasters, a magnetic ring tower, a t-shirt, and a Nikola Tesla (as a sloth) enamel pin, while children will have fun with a temporary tattoo, a unique embroidered sticker patch, a solar system wall decal and poster set, a mobile microscope, and a castle cross-sections book. Finally, the Summer 2017 Curiosity Box came with the Universe Sandbox 2 Steam game, which is fun for all ages.

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Since each Loot Crate and Curiosity Box contains new themes and items, you might find the contents of one particular box more to your liking than another. For example, one Curiosity Box contained a “grow your own glow in the dark crystals” kit, while another included a plush of The Curiosity Box’s mascot, the orange octopus Inq. Meanwhile, past Loot Crates have contained a Batman mug, a Doom Marine Funko POP figure, and the One-Punch Man manga.

While I only have personal experience with Loot Crate and The Curiosity Box, they are not your only options for subscription boxes. Geek Fuel is another decent mystery box, and it has come with its fair share of good products, including a South Park: The Fractured But Whole shirt, a Loony Toons Kidrobot blind box vinyl figure, and an exclusive Legend of Zelda pixel sword power bank. While I cannot recommend the Loot Crate, Curiosity Box, or Geek Fuel (or other) subscription boxes enough, you should research each to know what you should expect from these services. Sure, you technically can’t know what to expect since each box is supposed to be a mystery, but look into each specific subscription and figure out which one is right for you. Which do you think tends to have the best exclusives? Which box caters to your interests? These questions are important and will severely impact your enjoyment. Of course, luck also plays a big role, but that’s also part of the fun.

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Android

Google Drive will Shut Down in 2018

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It seems like yesterday when Google introduced Google Drive 5 years ago. Back then, people didn’t have a good grasp about what Cloud Storage did. Nowadays, there are many Cloud Storage services that it’s only a matter of preference to choose one for your file keeping needs. However, what struck me as an oddity was how Google Drive will pull their Google Drive service come 2018.

That’s right, Google Drive will completely shut down on March 12, 2018. With the software no longer being supported on December 11, 2017. People will have several warnings about this, for now, so they will have plenty of chance to switch to the new version of Drive, Backup and Sync.

This new program is basically a combination of the features between Google Drive and Photos. It’s readily available now for Windows and OSX systems and will be the new host for the Cloud storage. Alternatively, users can get a hold of Drive File Stream, which will become available on September 26, 2017.

The core differences between DFS and BaS come when you compare how they help customers. As shown in the image below:

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A day without Google Drive.

It seems like users will have their first experience without Drive today though. Because as of this morning, the service was down for many users who constantly used the GSuit app. According to the independent site Downdetector, more than 7,000 users are experiencing issues with the service. This has been going on since 10:04 AM EDT, but the number of reports has been lowering afterward. You can check the stats here.

Thousands of users reported Google Drive issues

It’s a shame to see Google Drive go. To be frank, it was my preferred Cloud Storage option besides MEGA. However, it’s not a huge inconvenience considering they are not shutting down a Cloud Storage service altogether. So we at least have that.

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