Main points
- The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and Apple MacBook Air M2 are two of the most popular and highly-acclaimed laptops on the market today.
- The Surface Pro 9 comes with a USB-C port, two Surface Connect ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.
- The Surface Pro 9 is a great choice for professionals who need a device that can handle everyday tasks and is also capable of running creative applications.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 and Apple MacBook Air M2 are two of the most popular and highly-acclaimed laptops on the market today. Both devices offer a unique blend of performance, portability, and versatility, catering to the needs of professionals, students, and creatives alike. But which one is the better choice for you? To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put the Surface Pro 9 and MacBook Air M2 head-to-head in a comprehensive comparison.
Design
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 retains the iconic 2-in-1 design of its predecessors, featuring a sleek magnesium alloy body and a detachable keyboard cover. The device is incredibly thin and lightweight, weighing just 0.88 pounds without the keyboard.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 boasts an equally impressive design, showcasing a unibody construction crafted from 100% recycled aluminum. It’s even thinner and lighter than the Surface Pro 9, measuring just 0.44 inches thick and weighing 2.7 pounds.
Display
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 features a 13-inch PixelSense Flow display with a resolution of 2880 x 1920 pixels. The display supports Dolby Vision HDR and offers a bright, vibrant, and color-accurate experience.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 comes with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels. It also supports P3 wide color gamut and delivers excellent image quality with deep blacks and vivid colors.
Performance
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 is available with a choice of 12th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. These processors provide ample power for everyday tasks, web browsing, and light video editing. However, the Surface Pro 9 is not a gaming laptop and may struggle with demanding applications.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 is powered by Apple’s M2 chip, which offers significantly better performance than the Surface Pro 9’s Intel processors. The M2 chip delivers lightning-fast performance for most tasks, including video editing, graphic design, and software development.
Battery Life
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 offers impressive battery life, lasting up to 15.5 hours on a single charge. This makes it a great choice for professionals who need a device that can last a full workday without needing to be plugged in.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 has slightly better battery life than the Surface Pro 9, lasting up to 18 hours on a single charge. This makes it an excellent option for travelers or anyone who needs a laptop that can last for extended periods without needing to be recharged.
Connectivity
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 comes with a USB-C port, two Surface Connect ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a MagSafe 3 port, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
Operating System
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 runs on Windows 11, which offers a wide range of features and applications. Windows 11 is also compatible with most peripherals and software.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 runs on macOS Ventura, which is known for its user-friendly interface, excellent performance, and strong security features. macOS Ventura also comes with a variety of built-in apps and is compatible with a wide range of popular software.
Price
Surface Pro 9: The Surface Pro 9 starts at $999 for the base model with an Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM. The top-of-the-line model with an Intel Core i7 processor and 16GB of RAM costs $1,599.
MacBook Air M2: The MacBook Air M2 starts at $1,199 for the base model with an M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. The top-of-the-line model with an M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage costs $1,899.
The Verdict
The Surface Pro 9 and MacBook Air M2 are both excellent laptops that offer a unique blend of performance, portability, and versatility. The Surface Pro 9 is a great choice for professionals who need a device that can handle everyday tasks and is also capable of running creative applications. The MacBook Air M2 is a better choice for professionals who need a powerful laptop for demanding applications, such as video editing or software development.
Ultimately, the best choice for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a versatile 2-in-1 device that can handle most tasks, the Surface Pro 9 is a great option. If you need a powerful laptop for demanding applications, the MacBook Air M2 is the better choice.
Basics You Wanted To Know
1. Which device has a better display?
Both the Surface Pro 9 and MacBook Air M2 have excellent displays, but the MacBook Air M2’s Liquid Retina display is slightly larger and offers a higher resolution.
2. Which device is more powerful?
The MacBook Air M2 is significantly more powerful than the Surface Pro 9, thanks to its M2 chip.
3. Which device has better battery life?
The MacBook Air M2 has slightly better battery life than the Surface Pro 9, lasting up to 18 hours on a single charge.
4. Which device is more portable?
The Surface Pro 9 is slightly more portable than the MacBook Air M2, weighing just 0.88 pounds without the keyboard.
5. Which device is better for students?
The Surface Pro 9 is a more versatile device for students, as it can be used for both note-taking and running creative applications.
6. Which device is better for professionals?
The MacBook Air M2 is a better choice for professionals who need a powerful laptop for demanding applications, such as video editing or software development.
7. Which device is better for travelers?
The MacBook Air M2 has slightly better battery life and is more portable than the Surface Pro 9, making it a better choice for travelers.
8. Which device is better for gaming?
Neither the Surface Pro 9 nor the MacBook Air M2 are ideal for gaming, as they are not equipped with dedicated graphics cards.
9. Which device is better for creative professionals?
The MacBook Air M2 is a better choice for creative professionals, as it offers better performance for demanding applications, such as video editing and graphic design.
10. Which device is better for everyday use?
Both the Surface Pro 9 and MacBook Air M2 are great choices for everyday use, as they offer a good balance of performance, portability, and versatility.