Microsoft's first laptop, the Surface Book, has been getting positive reviews from consumers and gadget enthusiasts. According to Mashable, the 13.5-inch Surface Book is a direct competitor of Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro, even declaring it to be twice as fast than the latter.
Long-time Mac users who want to try the new Surface Book may find the actual migration a frightening leap. Apple has successfully made its system so different from Microsoft Windows that Mac loyalists have become creatures of habit. Microsoft aims to give a solution by launching a web page directed at helping MacBook users migrate to Surface Book.
For our readers who have just switched to the new Surface Book, or are thinking about purchasing the new Microsoft laptop but is daunted by the task ahead, here are step-by-step instructions:
Create a Microsoft Account
On your MacBook (and other Apple products), you used your Apple ID to download apps, purchase music and movies at iTunes, and sync all your Apple devices. Similarly, you will need a Microsoft account to do all that.
Signing up for a Microsoft account requires you to input your name, email, and credit card information. Note that if you've used other Microsoft services in the past like Xbox, Hotmail, and Skype, you already have an existing Microsoft account.
Moving your Files
Microsoft suggests using a USB-based external hard drive for transferring your files from your old MacBook to the new Surface Book. Make sure the external hard drive is compatible with both Mac and Windows.
For photos:
1. On your Mac, open "Photos."
2. Go to the menu bar at the top of your screen and click "Edit" and "Select all."
3. Click "File" and "Export."
4. Once a pop-up window appears, set "Subfolder Format" to "Moment Name" and click "Export."
5. Select your external hard drive from the "Devices" section and finish exporting.
6. Connect the external hard drive to your Surface Book. The folder may open automatically, or if not, click the "Removable disk" notification that will appear at the right side of your screen. Choose "Open folder" to view files.
7. Ctrl + A to select all folders.
8. Ctrl + C to copy.
9. On the left pane, select "Pictures under this PC" and press Ctrl + V to paste your photos.
You may use the same process for documents, downloads and music. Here's how you can easily find all your files on Mac:
1. Open "Finder" in the pop-up dock at the bottom of your screen.
2. On the menu bar, click "Go" and then "Home." Your folders and files will appear on a pop-up window.
Note that files created with Apple applications such as iMovie and GarageBand will not work on Surface Book. Files created within Apple's iWork applications can be exported to their corresponding Microsoft Office formats: Pages to Word, Keynote to PowerPoint, and Numbers to Excel.
Syncing iPhone and iTunes, and iCloud
Microsoft assures users that iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices will work just as great with the Surface Book.
Users can download and install iTunes on the Surface. Authorize the Surface Book to playback previous iTunes content. Here's how to do it:
1. Click the menu icon on the uppermost left of the window.
2. Select "iTunes Store" and "Authorize This Computer." It will prompt you to enter your Apple ID and password.
Similarly, you can download iCloud for Windows and easily transfer all the content stored in your iCloud to your new Surface Book. Even saved bookmarks on Safari can be transferred to Microsoft Edge through iCloud.
Microsoft also dedicated one whole page for Mac users to learn Microsoft's basic tools, shortcuts, and functions.
The Surface Book tablet and laptop in one is priced from $1,499 to $3,199. It has a 13.5-inch touchscreen display, 8GB to 16GB memory, and comes with a range of Intel Core processors.