Highlights
- The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air both offer excellent battery life, but the MacBook Air has a slight edge.
- If you’re looking for a laptop with a larger display, longer battery life, and more versatile operating system, the Surface Laptop is a great choice.
- If you’re looking for a laptop that is thinner, lighter, and has a higher resolution display, the MacBook Air is a great choice.
The battle between the Surface Laptop and Apple MacBook Air has been raging on for years, with both devices offering their own unique set of features and capabilities. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the key differences between these two premium laptops to help you make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
Design and Build Quality
Both the Surface Laptop and MacBook Air are known for their sleek and stylish designs. The Surface Laptop features a unibody construction made of aluminum and magnesium, giving it a sturdy and well-built feel. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, is made of an aluminum unibody that is incredibly thin and lightweight.
In terms of aesthetics, the Surface Laptop offers a more traditional laptop design with a 3:2 aspect ratio display. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, has a more modern design with a 16:10 aspect ratio display.
Display
The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air both offer excellent displays, but there are some key differences. The Surface Laptop has a 13.5-inch PixelSense display with a resolution of 2256 x 1504. The MacBook Air has a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600.
The Surface Laptop’s display is slightly larger, but the MacBook Air’s display has a higher resolution. Both displays offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, but the MacBook Air’s display is slightly brighter.
Performance
The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air are both powered by Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, but there are some differences in performance. The Surface Laptop is available with up to 16GB of RAM, while the MacBook Air is available with up to 8GB of RAM.
In terms of graphics, the Surface Laptop has an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620, while the MacBook Air has an integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics. The MacBook Air’s integrated graphics are slightly more powerful, but both devices are capable of handling basic graphics tasks.
Battery Life
The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air both offer excellent battery life, but the MacBook Air has a slight edge. The Surface Laptop is rated for up to 14.5 hours of battery life, while the MacBook Air is rated for up to 18 hours of battery life.
In real-world testing, both devices can easily last through a full day of use on a single charge. However, the MacBook Air‘s longer battery life is a definite advantage if you’re often on the go.
Connectivity
The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air both offer a similar set of connectivity options. Both devices have two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a USB-A port, and a headphone jack. The MacBook Air also has a microSD card slot, while the Surface Laptop does not.
Operating System
The Surface Laptop runs Windows 10, while the MacBook Air runs macOS. Both operating systems have their own strengths and weaknesses, so it really depends on your personal preference.
Windows 10 is a more versatile operating system that allows you to run a wider variety of software. macOS is a more streamlined operating system that is known for its ease of use and stability.
Price
The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air are both priced similarly. The Surface Laptop starts at $999, while the MacBook Air starts at $999.
Which One Should You Buy?
The Surface Laptop and MacBook Air are both excellent laptops that offer their own unique set of features and capabilities. Ultimately, the best device for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
If you’re looking for a laptop with a larger display, longer battery life, and more versatile operating system, the Surface Laptop is a great choice. If you’re looking for a laptop that is thinner, lighter, and has a higher resolution display, the MacBook Air is a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which laptop has a better keyboard?
The Surface Laptop has a slightly better keyboard than the MacBook Air. The Surface Laptop’s keyboard has more travel and a more tactile feel, while the MacBook Air’s keyboard is shallower and less tactile.
2. Which laptop has a better trackpad?
The MacBook Air has a slightly better trackpad than the Surface Laptop. The MacBook Air’s trackpad is larger and smoother, while the Surface Laptop’s trackpad is smaller and less responsive.
3. Which laptop is better for gaming?
Neither the Surface Laptop nor the MacBook Air is ideal for gaming. However, the Surface Laptop has slightly better graphics performance than the MacBook Air, so it is the better choice for casual gaming.