Highlights
- The Surface Laptop includes a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack.
- The Surface Laptop starts at $999 for the base model with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD.
- You are on a budget and want a premium device at a more affordable price.
The rivalry between Microsoft Surface Laptop and Apple MacBook Pro is a classic battle between two tech titans. Both devices offer premium designs, powerful performance, and innovative features. But which one is the right choice for you? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit the Microsoft Surface Laptop against the Apple MacBook Pro to help you make an informed decision.
Design
Microsoft Surface Laptop: The Surface Laptop boasts a sleek and minimalist design with a signature Alcantara fabric keyboard deck. Its 13.5-inch PixelSense display is sharp and vibrant, with a 3:2 aspect ratio that provides ample vertical space for productivity. The device is also incredibly thin and lightweight, making it easy to carry around.
Apple MacBook Pro: The MacBook Pro exudes elegance with its unibody aluminum chassis and iconic glowing Apple logo. Its 13.3-inch Retina display offers stunning visuals with True Tone technology for adaptive color adjustment. The MacBook Pro is slightly heavier than the Surface Laptop but still remains portable.
Performance
Microsoft Surface Laptop: The Surface Laptop is powered by Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, providing ample performance for everyday tasks and light creative work. The integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics enables smooth graphics handling. Storage options range from 128GB to 1TB SSD, ensuring fast boot times and app loading speeds.
Apple MacBook Pro: The MacBook Pro features Apple‘s M1 chip, which offers exceptional performance and energy efficiency. It outperforms the Surface Laptop in both single-core and multi-core tasks, making it an ideal choice for demanding workloads such as video editing or software development. Storage options include 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD.
Battery Life
Microsoft Surface Laptop: The Surface Laptop delivers impressive battery life, lasting up to 15 hours on a single charge. This makes it an excellent companion for extended work sessions or travel.
Apple MacBook Pro: The MacBook Pro also boasts excellent battery life, offering up to 20 hours of video playback. It features a large 58.2-watt-hour battery, providing ample power for all-day use.
Connectivity
Microsoft Surface Laptop: The Surface Laptop includes a USB-C port, a USB-A port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack. It supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 for fast wireless connectivity.
Apple MacBook Pro: The MacBook Pro offers two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a MagSafe 3 charging port. It supports Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 for seamless wireless connections.
Operating System
Microsoft Surface Laptop: The Surface Laptop runs Windows 11, which offers a familiar and intuitive user interface. It provides a wide range of software compatibility and supports touch and pen input.
Apple MacBook Pro: The MacBook Pro runs macOS Monterey, Apple’s proprietary operating system. It is known for its user-friendly interface, excellent performance optimization, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Price
Microsoft Surface Laptop: The Surface Laptop starts at $999 for the base model with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of SSD. The higher-end models with i7 processors and larger storage capacities come at a premium.
Apple MacBook Pro: The MacBook Pro starts at $1,299 for the base model with the M1 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD. Upgrading to higher storage capacities and more RAM increases the price significantly.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, the best choice between the Microsoft Surface Laptop and Apple MacBook Pro depends on your individual needs and preferences.
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop if:
- You prefer a versatile device with a touchscreen and pen support.
- You value long battery life and a lightweight design.
- You are familiar with the Windows operating system.
- You are on a budget and want a premium device at a more affordable price.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro if:
- You need exceptional performance for demanding workloads.
- You prefer the seamless integration with other Apple products.
- You appreciate the user-friendly macOS operating system.
- You are willing to pay a premium for a high-end device.
Answers to Your Questions
1. Which device has a better display?
Both the Surface Laptop and MacBook Pro offer excellent displays. The Surface Laptop’s 3:2 aspect ratio provides more vertical space, while the MacBook Pro’s Retina display offers slightly higher resolution and True Tone technology.
2. Can I use both devices for gaming?
While neither device is specifically designed for gaming, the MacBook Pro with the M1 chip offers better graphics performance than the Surface Laptop. However, both devices are not suitable for heavy-duty gaming.
3. Which device is more durable?
The MacBook Pro‘s unibody aluminum chassis provides excellent durability. The Surface Laptop‘s Alcantara fabric keyboard deck may be prone to stains and wear over time.
4. Can I upgrade the storage and RAM on both devices?
The storage and RAM on the Surface Laptop are not user-upgradeable. The MacBook Pro offers user-replaceable SSD storage, but the RAM is soldered onto the logic board.
5. Which device has better customer support?
Both Microsoft and Apple offer excellent customer support through their dedicated websites, phone lines, and retail stores.