Apple claims to have reinvented the Notebook with the new MacBook. But there's a few Windows 8.1 powered devices out there that might have something to say. Here's how they stack up.

Comparing notebooks, especially when you're buying one with your own money, goes beyond a simple spec-on-spec shoot out. But, that's as good a place as any to start. We've lined up three Windows 8.1 devices of similar size and price bracket to the new MacBook that are currently on the market to go toe-to-toe in a quick shootout with Apple's newest, and gold-est, MacBook.

Even the facts and figures show that Microsoft has some pretty fierce competition in its stable. The Yoga 3 Pro launched in late 2014 and is another premium, Core M powered Ultrabook. The Surface Pro 3 is technically a tablet, but with an optional keyboard dock it becomes every bit the laptop. And the new Dell XPS 13 packs a 13.3-inch notebook into the form factor of an 11-inch. Apple isn't the only one doing wonders with shrinking machines. Best VPN providers 2020: Learn about ExpressVPN, NordVPN & more Here's one point that immediately jumps out: ports. Sure, it depends on your purpose, but the new MacBook has just one USB-C port for everything. And that everything includes needing to buy an $80 adapter to do anything. Can't plug in a regular USB device such as a phone or tablet, camera, there's no memory card slot, nothing. So you need this adapter. USB-C is the future. But does the future also involve removing everything else that's useful? The Windows competitors listed aren't what you'd call chunky, or heavy, but they all manage to include some basic ports: full sized USB, memory card slots, outputs for displays. The new MacBook won't even connect to Apple's own external displays out of the box.