Comparison Between Mac Air And Microsoft Surface Laptops
Microsoft introduced the new Surface Laptop at its #MicrosoftEDU event in New York City. The latest Surface device from Microsoft is a normal laptop and comes with the newest version of Windows 10 that’s competing with Chromebooks. The Surface Laptop, however, is a bit different — and it’s going head to head with Apple’s lower-end MacBook devices. At the event, Microsoft’s Panos Panay compared the Surface Laptop with some of Apple’s most popular MacBook devices. Panay mentioned that the Surface Laptop is lighter and thinner than any MacBook Pro or Air, and the laptop also had more battery life than Apple’s MacBook, MacBook Air, and even the MacBook Pro.
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Microsoft remote desktop connection mac. So how does the Surface Laptop compete against Apple’s MacBook devices? We put together a handy table where you can compare some of the key components of each of the devices. We are only comparing the entry-level model of the devices since there are quite a lot of different variants available for them:
2020-3-26 Microsoft Surface Laptop rocks the new Windows 10 S, while Apple’s MacBook Air runs MacOS Comparing Apple and Microsoft operating systems is. Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Apple MacBook Air: 13-inch lightweights do battle. The 13-inch Surface Laptop clearly wants to be a Windows version of Apple's smallest and lightest laptop, but the.
| Component | Surface Laptop | MacBook Pro | MacBook Air | MacBook |
| Display | 13.5-inch PixelSense Display (2256 x 1504, 201 PPI, touch-enabled) | 13.3-inch Retina Display (2560×1600, 227PPI) | 13.3-inch display (1440×900) | 12-inch Retina Display (2304×1440, 226PPI) |
| CPU | 7th gen Intel Core i5 | 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 | 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor | 1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core m3 processor |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR3 | 8GB LPDDR3 | 8GB LPDDR3 | 8GB LPDDR3 |
| GPU | Intel HD 620 | Intel Iris Graphics 540 | Intel HD Graphics 6000 | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
| Battery | Up to 14.5 hours of video playback | Up to 10 hours iTunes movie playback | Up to 12 hours iTunes movie playback | Up to 11 hours iTunes movie playback |
| Storage | 128GB SSD | 256GB PCIe-based SSD | 128GB PCIe-based flash storage | 256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage |
| Ports | One USB 3.0 port, one Mini DisplayPort, Surface Connect, 3.0mm headphone jack, SD card slot | Two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, 3.55 headphone jack, no SD card slot | Two USB 3 ports, Thunderbolt 2 port, MagSafe 2 power slot, SD card slot, 3.mm headphone jack | USB-C port, 3.55mm headphone jack |
| Dimensions | 12.3″ x 8.79″ x .0.57″ | 11.97″ x 8.36″ x 0.59″ | 12.8″ x 8.94″ x 0.68″ | 11.04″ x 7.74″ x 0.52″ |
| Weight | 1.25 kg | 1.37 kg | 1.35 kg | 0.98 kg |
| Price | $999 | $1,499 | $999 | $1,299 |
The Surface Laptop beats the MacBook Air in most parts, and it also gives the MacBook Pro a run for its money. For instance, the Surface Laptop’s battery lasts up to 14.5 hours — and the entry-level MacBook Pro’s battery life only lasts 10 hours for video playback. The device is also lighter than the MacBook Pro as well as the MacBook Air. At the end of the day, the real life experience of the Surface Laptop will reveal whether it’s a better laptop than the MacBook Pro. It is also worth noting that Apple didn’t update the MacBook Air recently, and the Air line is essentially dead for the company — so it also wouldn’t be appropriate to compare the Surface Laptop with a laptop that came out years ago.
Nevertheless, if you want to get a Surface Laptop for yourself, you can pre-order one right here.
Comparison Between Mac Air And Microsoft Surface Laptops For Sale
Elegant power
Surface Laptop 2
Finally competing
MacBook Air
The Surface Laptop 2 looks identical to the first one save for a new black paintjob, but the important updates are underneath. It's now more powerful while delivering better battery life, and it still has that stunning touch display.
Pros
- Latest generation quad-core processor
- Gorgeous design
- Stunning touch-enabled display
- Superb build quality
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Alcantara keyboard will get dirty easily.
- No USB-C
- Not all colors available in all configurations.
The MacBook Air's latest refresh finally makes it worth considering again, but unless you're tied to having a Mac, the Surface Laptop 2 still represents better overall value.
Pros
- Apple's trademark design and build quality
- Gorgeous Retina display
- Decent battery life
- Thunderbolt 3 USB-C
- eGPU support
Cons
- Dual-core processor
- Less powerful graphics
- Higher entry price
- No legacy ports
The Surface Laptop and the MacBook Air both appeal to a similar type of user — in particular students — especially since they're priced about the same. But there are still plenty of differences to consider.
Surface Laptop 2 vs MacBook Air tech specs
Until the recent refresh, it was impossible to suggest anyone buy a MacBook Air over the Surface Laptop 2, whether you were a Mac fan or not. However, Apple has finally brought its popular laptop back into the present. It now packs a gorgeous display, current hardware, and still comes in an eyecatching design — just like the Surface Laptop 2.
| Surface Laptop 2 | MacBook Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 (quad-core) | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 (dual-core) |
| Graphics | Intel UHD 620 | Intel UHD 617 |
| Display | 13.5-inch PixelSense 2256 x 1504 | 13.3-inch Retina 2560 x 1600 |
| RAM | 8GB or 16GB | 8GB or 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB or 1.5TB |
MacBook Air has better outputs
Even though there are no longer any legacy ports on the MacBook Air, it does have a fairly big advantage over the Surface Laptop 2. Not only does it have the new USB-C, but it has Thunderbolt 3 as well. Not only is that future proofing, ensuring the MacBook Air is compatible with the next generation of accessories, but the Thunderbolt 3 opens up a world of possibilities.
You can attach high resolution displays to it, connect fast external storage, and perhaps most interesting of all, hook up an eGPU, putting a full desktop graphics card into your MacBook Air.
The Surface Laptop 2 has no USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 and to get the most from it, you'll be getting the first-party Surface Dock.
That's a pretty big deal for the MacBook Air to have.
Surface Laptop 2 is a nice upgrade on its predecessor
The Surface Laptop 2 itself is only a mild upgrade to the original model, but it has some important improvements. In our review we determined you can expect at least an extra hour from its battery, despite the processor having been bumped to a quad-core over the dual-core from the first one.
It isn't perfect — there's no USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 for example, and the alcantara keyboard can certainly get quite dirty —but compared to the MacBook Air, it's leagues ahead. You're getting cutting edge hardware, with a gorgeous high-resolution, pen enabled screen thrown in for good measure.
Compared to the MacBook Air on its own, the Surface Laptop is simply more powerful. It has a quad-core processor, better onboard graphics and the option for a Core i7 for those who need it.
Best overall value
Microsoft made small, but important upgrades in the Surface Laptop 2, and it's one of the most complete packages you'll find in this price bracket. It's powerful, has great battery life, a high-resolution touch display, digital pen support, and a design that arguably outdoes Apple.
Our Pick
Surface Laptop 2
Slim, sexy, powerful and easily better than a MacBook Air
The Surface Laptop 2 is more powerful and has a less expensive entry model, representing the better overall value.
MacBook buyers can do better
The MacBook Air is finally a laptop Mac fans can consider, but if you're open to Windows then the Surface Laptop 2 is still a better bet. Nevertheless, Apple has delivered the MacBook Air the world has always wanted, and finally brought its iconic model into the present.
Finally good
MacBook Air
The MacBook Air everyone always wanted
With its Retina screen and 2018 spec internals, the MacBook Air is finally worth buying again.
Comparison Between Mac Air And Microsoft Surface Laptops 2016
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