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In the never-ending war between Apple and Microsoft, a new battle has started this year with the release of the MacBook Air M2 and Surface Laptop 5. Both have very sleek looks, a lot of power under the hood, and long-lasting batteries that keep them on the battlefield for hours (as tested in the MacBook Air, at least).
- MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5 Comparison Table
- MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: DESIGN
- MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Display
- MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Performance
- MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Connectivity
- MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Pricing and Availability
- Which one should you buy?
- SURFACE LAPTOP 5 pros and cons
- MacBook Air M2 pros AND cons
- FAQs
In our last MacBook Air M1 vs. Surface Laptop 4 matchup, Apple’s nearly perfect laptop won, but that doesn’t mean Microsoft’s great ultra-thin laptop went down without a fight. In this year’s fight, Apple used an upgraded M2 silicon chip as its trump card. It even had a new look with a bigger screen and narrower borders. But Microsoft has a trick up its sleeve: the Surface Laptop 5 now has a fast 12th Gen Intel processor, which gives it an edge.
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5 Comparison Table
| MacBook Air M2 | Surface Laptop 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 13.6 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 x 1664), up to 500 nits peak brightness, True Tone technology | 13.5-inch PixelSense Display (2256 x 1504), touch support, Dolby Vision IQ support |
| Resolution | 2,560 x 1,664 | 2,256 x 1,504 |
| RAM | ||
| Storage | 256GB,512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Processor | Apple M2 | 12th-gen Intel Core i5-1235U, 12th-gen Intel Core i7-1255U |
| Battery | 52.6Whr battery Up to 18 hours of video playback 30W charger | Up to 18 hours of typical use 60W charger |
| Price | $1,199 | $999 |
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: DESIGN
When it comes to design, the MacBook Air M2 and Surface Laptop 5 have a lot in common. Both are slim, stylish, and light. This year, though, Apple changed the design of the Air so that it looks more like the MacBook Pro 14. It even came in Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, Midnight, and Midnight. It stands out because it doesn’t have the previous model’s cool, sleek, receding wedge shape. Instead, it has a uniform thickness and a big, almost bezel-less screen with a notch for the camera.
Its anodized aluminium unibody is a great example of how simple things can be, and Surface Laptop 5 is the same way. Microsoft didn’t change anything about the look of its new Surface Laptop. It has the same sleek, all-aluminum chassis that it’s known for. We like how simple and sleek it is, but the new design of Apple’s MacBook Air makes the bezels on the Surface stand out even more. The Surface Laptop 5 is available in two sizes: 13.5 inches and 15 inches. Microsoft lets you choose whether you want something more portable or need a bigger screen. You can get this macbook from its official website.
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Display
Now, let’s talk about the second thing you’ll probably look at when you buy a laptop: the screen. People spend most of their time staring at their screens, which is both the focus of their work or studies and a reflection of who they are. Both laptops have great screens, which is good news, but there are important differences between the two.
As we already said, the bezels on the Surface Laptop 5 are thicker and the corners are squared. The screen on the MacBook Air M2 is round and has a cutout in the middle of the top. Since I’ve been using the MacBook Air M2 for months, we can tell you that the notch isn’t at all annoying. Because of this, you get thinner bezels, which makes it all worth it. But this Apple laptop doesn’t have touch input, so if you’re a digital illustrator, for example, you might find it lacking.
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Performance
Both laptops are great in terms of how well they work, but they aren’t the best. Both start with 256GB of SSD storage, but the Surface Laptop 5 goes all the way up to 1TB. On the other hand, a 2TB SSD can be used with the MacBook Air M2. Both devices start out with 8GB of RAM, but the Surface Laptop 5 can go up to 32GB and the MacBook Air M2 can only go up to 24GB. If you need a lot of local storage, the MacBook Air M2 gives you more space. If you want more RAM, you can get it as an option on the Surface Laptop 5.
If you’re worried about RAM or speed, you should know that macOS Ventura isn’t as demanding as Windows 11. So, even though the Microsoft laptop has more RAM, it might not handle tasks as well as the Apple laptop. That doesn’t even take into account the fact that the Apple M2 chip is faster and uses less power than its Intel counterparts.
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Connectivity
Both laptops can connect wirelessly with 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, but Microsoft uses Bluetooth 5.1 and Apple uses Bluetooth 5.0. The MacBook Air has a headphone jack, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, and a MagSafe 3 port. This one lets you charge without using up one of your two Thunderbolt connections. Thunderbolt/USB 4 is also used by Microsoft, but it is only used for one port. It does have a USB-A 3.1 port, which could be useful for older devices. There is also a Surface Connect port on the Surface Laptop 5, which is used for power adapters, docks, and other hardware.
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Pricing and Availability
The Surface Laptop 5 comes in two sizes: this one, with a screen size of 13.5 inches, and a bigger one with a screen size of 15 inches. Both have touch screens, and they look like any other laptop (as opposed to a 2-in-1 convertible one).
The Surface Laptop 5 with a 13.5-inch screen and an Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage starts at $999. The laptop has built-in Iris Xe graphics, and there is no way to add a separate GPU.
Which one should you buy?
In our MacBook Air M2 Price Guide, we show that Apple’s 2022 MacBook Air is currently on sale for up to $150 off. Every configuration is on sale, and AppleCare is also on sale. You can also compare the best deals in our roundup of MacBook Air deals. On the Microsoft side, the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 starts at $999 and can be bought directly from Microsoft. You can get up to 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a Core i7 processor as upgrades.
SURFACE LAPTOP 5 pros and cons
Pros:
- Slim, modern design
- Free upgrade to Windows 10 Pro
- Excellent touchscreen
Cons:
- The low refresh rate of top 60Hz
- AMD option is not available
MacBook Air M2 pros AND cons
Pros:
- Gorgeous 13.6-inch screen
- 1080p webcam
Cons:
- More expensive than M1 model
FAQs
Is Surface or MacBook better?
If you want raw performance, the MacBook Pro models, or at least the 14-inch and 16-inch ones, are the way to go. The Surface Pro 8 comes with quad-core Intel 11th Gen processors that can work as eight virtual cores thanks to HyperThreading.
Is it worth upgrading to MacBook Air M2?
The M2 variant of the MacBook Pro is recommended to customers who are moving from an earlier laptop rather than the M1 model, which will be released in 2020. These customers will receive a somewhat more advanced and capable machine as a result of the device’s succession of relatively insignificant enhancements, which are led by the M2 chip and offer a decent overall package for these customers.
Should I buy MacBook or Microsoft?
The build quality of MacBooks is greater, and the UNIX-based MacOS operating system gives them an advantage over other computers. Windows laptops are compatible with every other software and hardware, including the ecosystem. If you want to feel at home in the Apple garden, the only way to do so is to purchase a laptop that runs Apple’s macOS operating system rather than Microsoft’s Windows.