MacBook Air M2 vs. Surface Laptop 5: technical data
MacBook Air M2 vs. Surface Laptop 5: Preis
It goes without saying that both the MacBook Air M2 and Surface Laptop 5 are sure to weigh heavily on most people's wallets, but Microsoft has a slight advantage over Apple when it comes to their new laptop iterations. The Surface Laptop 5 starts at $999 / £999 for the 13.5-inch laptop, similar to last year's Surface Laptop 4. CPU, not a bad deal. In reality, though, those looking for real performance will want to get a model with 16GB of RAM, pushing the price to $1,499 / £1,499. However, there is an inexpensive option. Unlike the M1-equipped MacBook Air with its cheap sticker of $999 / £999, the MacBook Air M2 starts at $1,199 / £1,249 (unlucky for the UK). That $200 price bump makes a significant difference, as there's no way to get the M2 chip under $1,000 in a MacBook Air. However, you still get the mighty M2 chip, with the pricier $1,499 / £1,549 option offering a 10-core M2 GPU instead of an 8-core GPU. Both options don't come cheap, but at least the Surface Laptop 5 can be had for just under $1,000. Winner: Surface Laptop 5
MacBook Air M2 vs. Surface Laptop 5: Design
Sleek, sophisticated and lightweight, the MacBook Air M2 and Surface Laptop 5 have a lot in common when it comes to design. This year, however, Apple has redesigned the Air to make it more like its MacBook Pro 14 sibling. A choice of colors has been added: Silver, Space Grey, Starlight and Midnight. Standout elements include the loss of the previous model's modern, thin, recessed design in favor of a uniform thickness and a bold, almost borderless display with a cutout for the camera. Its anodized aluminum unibody is simplicity at its best, and the Surface Laptop 5 lives up to that aspect too. Microsoft hasn't mixed up the design of its new Surface Laptop, sticking with the sleek aluminum chassis it's known for. We appreciate its understated elegance, but Apple's redesigned MacBook Air now makes the Surface's bezels stand out even more. However, the Surface Laptop 5 comes in two sizes: 13.5 inches and 15 inches. If you're looking for something more portable or need a bigger screen, Microsoft gives you the choice. Like last year, Microsoft offers accent colors like Platinum with a soft-touch Alcantara deck. There's also a fresh sage green option, a striking sandstone color, and the usual black. These colors add a little flair to an otherwise pointless design. The MacBook Air M2 measures 12 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches and weighs just 2.7 pounds, which is about as ultra-portable as a laptop can get. The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 is slightly larger and heavier at 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches and weighs 2.8 pounds. Of course, the 15-inch is even bigger, measuring 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.58 inches and weighing in at 3.4 pounds. The design change from the MacBook Air M2 now makes the Surface Laptop 5 look a bit dated as it offers a slightly lighter and smaller notebook with a slightly larger screen. Winner: draw
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Portas
Granted, ultralight laptops don't come with a wide range of ports, but Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 has a port that gives it an advantage. Connector C with USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 support (finally), along with a USB-A 3.1 slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port. Not many, but at least there's a USB-A port for connecting a selection of legacy PC peripherals. As for the MacBook Air M2, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the return of the MagSafe charger. You get an extra Thunderbolt port, but we all need a USB-A port from time to time. Either way, you'll need a reliable docking station or USB-C hub for better connectivity options. Winner: Surface Laptop 5
MacBook Air M2 vs. Surface Laptop 5: Anzeige
Screens are a big part of any premium notebook, and the MacBook Air M2 and Surface Laptop 5 have stunning bezels. We're fans of the Surface Laptop 4's screen, whether it's 13.5 inches or 15 inches. In the Surface Laptop 5, Microsoft brings more of that, except with a subtle change in the 15-inch model. We'll see the same 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen (2256 x 1504) with 10-point multi-touch support, but with Dolby Vision IQ support. The 15-inch model is a little different, offering a 15-inch PixelSense touchscreen (2496 x 1664) compared to last year's model (2256 x 1504). You will still see the characteristic 3:2 aspect ratio. We haven't tested the Surface Laptop 5 yet, but since it's identical to the Surface Laptop 4, we know it's a great panel that can hold its own against anything else that's OLED. The problem is, the MacBook Air M2 will be difficult to handle. The MacBook now features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display with 2560 x 1664 pixels compared to the previous version's 13.3-inch displays. Bigger is better, and in this case it certainly is. When we measured the color reproduction of the MacBook Air M2, the Air recorded 75.9% of the DCI-P3 color space. It might be better if you see how Surface Laptop 4's screen covers 77%, which means Surface Laptop 5 might have something similar. In terms of brightness, the MacBook Air shines, averaging 489 nits compared to the M1's 366 nits. That beats the Surface Laptop 4's 349 nits, so the top-end model will need to increase its brightness capabilities to match it. More testing needs to be done, but the MacBook's bigger, brighter screen will be hard to beat. Winner: Undecided Pending Review
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Desempenho
This year, Microsoft equipped the 13.5-inch and 15-inch Surface Laptop 5 models with an acclaimed 12th generation Intel CPU. That sure makes it work, especially when going up against the power of the MacBook Air's M2 chip. The 13.5-inch model comes in two options, including a 12th generation Intel Core i5-1235U processor or an i7-1255U CPU, while the 15-inch laptop comes with an i7-1255U chip. For commercial sales, however, you can expect a 12th generation Intel i5-1245U CPU or an i7-1265U processor. Microsoft claims it's 50% faster than its predecessor, but we'll have to test that. Here's the problem: there's no AMD setup on the horizon (for now), so you're stuck with Intel, which isn't a bad thing. We tested many laptops equipped with 12th generation Intel processors, including the Huawei MateBook X Pro (Intel Core i7-1260P CPU). I mention this particular laptop because its CPU achieved a Geekbench 5.4 multi-core score of 11,142. The MacBook Air M2 scored 8,919. That bodes well for the Surface Laptop 5. However, their chips and brands are different, so we still have to test this ourselves. The M2 chip still shines in other areas. In the Handbrake test, the Air M2 transcoded a 4K video to 1080p in 7 minutes and 52 seconds, which averaged out to 10 minutes. When we ran the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test, the M2 Air's 1TB SSD recorded a read speed of 2800.1 megabytes per second, while the M1 Air recorded a speed of 2692.9 MB/s. That's speed now. With a 12th Gen i7-1255U CPU, the Surface Laptop 5 gets a chance to shine. Winner: Undecided Pending Review
MacBook Air M2 vs Surface Laptop 5: Battery Life
Microsoft has a strong chance of standing out when it comes to battery life, as it claims to be a few hours ahead of the MacBook Air M2's 14 hours and 6 minutes. Microsoft claims the Surface Laptop 5 13.5 offers up to 18 hours of battery life, while the 15-inch option offers up to 17 hours. In our tests of Surface Laptop 4 models, we saw the 13.5-inch variant clock in at 10 hours and 46 minutes, and the 15-inch model lasted just over 12 hours. That's a big leap. The Surface Laptop 5 should also outperform the Air's fast charging capabilities. In our test, the Air could be charged to 50% in 30 minutes with the 67W power adapter. The Surface Laptop comes with a 60W power adapter, which means it might not be as fast. Winner: Undecided Pending Review
MacBook Air M2 x Surface Laptop 5: webcam
It looks like the MacBook Air M2 will have the upper hand in the webcam department; Apple upgraded to 1080p from the usual 720p shooter. In our review, we found that it did a good job of capturing color and clarity, although details were a little grainy. The webcam doesn't seem to be a highlight on the Surface Laptop 5, which retains the same 720p snap. However, Microsoft claims that there are "improved camera experiences" thanks to Windows 11's interactive features. There are also two far-field studio microphones. At the very least, it comes with Windows Hello face authentication for easy login. If these improvements are enough to increase the quality of the same 720p webcam? We have to test. However, if you want a better video conferencing experience, check out our Best Webcams page Winner: MacBook Air M2
MacBook Air M2 x Surface Laptop 5: Outlook
Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 is more of a minor upgrade compared to Apple's revamped MacBook Air M2, but the under-the-hood changes give the Surface a chance to really wage war with Apple's prized MacBook. Of course it's also about the software. If you're more attuned to Windows 11 then the Surface Laptop 5 will be your cup of tea. Do you prefer the macOS experience? The MacBook Air M2 will be your cup of coffee. We haven't reviewed the 13.5-inch and 15-inch Surface Laptop 5s yet, so keep an eye out for the reviews here. In the meantime, check out our comparisons between the Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop 4 and the Surface Pro 9 and Surface Pro 8, along with the best 13-inch laptops available.
FAQs
Which laptops are better than MacBook Air M2? ›
After comparing our test results between the 2022 Swift 5 and the M2 MacBook Air, the verdict is in: the Acer laptop outpaced Apple's darling device in key performance benchmarks.
Is Microsoft Surface Pro better than MacBook Air? ›If you're seeking the better display, the Surface Pro 9 is the one to go for. Similarly, you can grab the Microsoft computer if you prefer the lighter and more portable design. Otherwise, the MacBook Air M2 offers the better performance and has a longer battery life.
Is a MacBook better than a surface? ›There's no question here: if you want raw performance, the MacBook Pro models are the way to go, or at least the 14-inch and 16-inch models. The Surface Pro 8 is available with quad-core Intel 11th Gen processors, all with HyperThreading so that they can act as eight virtual cores.
Is Microsoft or Apple laptop better? ›Verdict. If you fancy a 13-inch laptop, it's clear that the MacBook Air is the superior option. It has a faster performance, nicer design and matches the Surface Laptop in every other major area including battery life, screen specs and ports.
Which laptop can beat MacBook? ›Dell XPS 17 9720
In our view, the Dell XPS 17 is one of the best alternatives for the MacBook Pro. It's got power, thanks to its Tiger Lake chips and NVIDIA RTX 3050 graphics, and it's got the looks too, with a a thin and light design that will make even the biggest Apple fan take notice.
However, you can generally expect a PC laptop, a MacBook Air, or a MacBook Pro to last 3 to 5 years. Similarly, a PC user and an Apple user can both anticipate their desktops will last 5 to 8 years.
Why Surface is better than Mac? ›Both offer excellent brightness and support for HDR content, but only the Surface Laptop 5 includes touch-screen functionality. Apple's Mac lineup is famously missing touch-screen controls, making the Microsoft Surface a better choice if you want more hands-on interaction.
What is the Microsoft Surface equivalent of a MacBook Air? ›Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 is a thin and powerful Windows notebook in the same market segment as Apple's MacBook Air. Here's how the two compare. Microsoft's refresh of its hardware lineup included quite a few staples, including the Surface Pro 9 and the Surface Studio 2 Plus.
Should I get a MacBook Air or Pro for computer science? ›Ultimately, the MacBook Pro is the go-to product for students who want to use their computers for computer science classes, mainly because MacBook Pro is more powerful. There are two sizes: a 13-inch and a 16-inch model.
Why do people prefer Macs or Windows? ›In general, Macs are known for their user-friendliness and approachability. They are considered to be more intuitive than Windows. While the way your iPad/iPhone and MacBook work may differ slightly, they are very similar, so it would be easy to adjust to the computer.
What computers are better than a Mac? ›
- Dell XPS 13 Plus. An innovated 13-inch MacBook alternative. ...
- HP Pavilion Plus 14. An affordable MacBook alternative. ...
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano. A smaller and lighter MacBook Air. ...
- Razer Book 13 (2021) A MacBook Air with more ports. ...
- HP Spectre x360 13.5. ...
- HP Envy 16. ...
- LG Gram 16. ...
- HP Elite Dragonfly G3.
Mac is easier to use and learn as it offers a simple layout for users. It is also considered more intuitive than Windows, which enhances friendliness and approachability.
What is best laptop brand? ›- Lenovo. ...
- Dell. ...
- Acer. ...
- Asus. ...
- MSI. ...
- Microsoft Surface. Microsoft Surface is a crowd pleaser for various reasons. ...
- Razer. The gaming laptops from Razer with their powerful sensors and amazing display features justify their high price tags. ...
- Samsung.
- Run iPhone and iPad Apps. ...
- Edit Currently Open Files. ...
- Type to Speak in Video Calls. ...
- Use iMessage on a Computer. ...
- Copy and Paste Between Apple Devices. ...
- Use AirDrop. ...
- Make a Screen Recording With VoiceOver. ...
- Use Your iPhone as a Wireless Webcam.
Keeping the technology apart, the Microsoft has diverse revenue lines and comparatively the company with higher net profit is Microsoft. All these factors say that Microsoft is more successful than Apple, owing to its market presence.
Which is the No 1 laptop in world? ›1. Apple – Top 10 Laptop Brands. Apple is definitely one of the luxury brands when it comes to Laptops, Smartphones, Computers and Tablets. Apple tops the segments like customer support, build quality, user friendly, design, power and display.
Which laptop brand is best 2022? ›- Dell XPS 13 OLED (2021) The best overall laptop you can buy. ...
- Acer Swift 5 (2022) Best Acer laptop. ...
- MacBook Air M2. ...
- HP Envy 16 (2021) ...
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch, AMD) ...
- Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360. ...
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (9th Gen) ...
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (Gen 6)
- Poor Gaming.
- A Lack of Ports. ...
- Webcam Quality. ...
- Limited Storage Options. ...
- Limited Hardware Upgrades. ...
- Apple Silicon Macs Can't Run Windows. ...
- Software Support. ...
- Price. ...
The US Military has a long history of using Panasonic Toughbook laptops. Some of the laptops that the US military uses are the Panasonic Toughbook CF-54, and the Panasonic Toughbook CF-31.
Will a MacBook last longer than a Windows laptop? ›They don't. Premium Windows devices last as long as Mac devices. They are also cheaper than Mac devices and because of Microsofts upgrade cycle, they are often faster at the end of their lives than they were at the start.
Are Macs safer than Windows? ›
Macs are frequently seen as more secure than PCs, but no internet-connected device is completely immune to threats. Macs have historically faced fewer attacks in part because they were less popular than Windows-based PCs, so cybercriminals simply didn't target them.
Why do professionals prefer Mac? ›Mac computers are easy to use, privacy-forward, and secure. These superlative qualities are also enjoyed by IT teams that support Apple devices, especially for those working in a blended environment, where Mac computers and Windows PCs are welcome and supported.
Why do people think Macs are better than PC? ›Each component in a Mac computer is optimised to perform well and use less power (hence the longer battery life). Although Apple computers use many of the same hardware components as PCs, Apple does a significantly better job at designing their operating system to take full advantage of these components.
What Windows laptop is closest to MacBook? ›- HP Envy x360 13. Best inexpensive 13-inch 2-in-1 alternative. $899 at HP.
- Lenovo Yoga 9i. Best 14-inch 2-in-1 alternative. ...
- Dell XPS 17 9720. Best MacBook Pro 16 alternative. ...
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 2-in-1 Chromebook. Best budget option. ...
- Razer Blade 14. Best MacBook Pro 14 alternative.
Fun fact: There's a version of Microsoft Office written just for Mac. So you can use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on a Mac just like on a PC. macOS also provides built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server.
Can you install Microsoft on MacBook Air? ›The Office apps available from the Mac App Store provide the very latest version of Office on the Mac. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook require a Microsoft 365 subscription to activate.
Which is better MacBook Air M1 or M2? ›In our testing, the M2 has an 18 percent faster CPU than the M1. The new chip doesn't just mean that the new Macs can accomplish more though, they use less power doing so: Apple promises an increased CPU performance of 18 percent with the same energy consumption thanks to various optimizations.
Is the M2 MacBook Air good for computer science? ›Yes, if you get 16 GB Ram, and at least a 512 SSD, or more. DO NOT get the 256 GB drive, it's slow.
Should students buy MacBook Air or pro? ›If you will mostly be writing papers, completing online homework and doing research then the MacBook Air will fit those needs. And if you're film editing, Photoshopping or designing then the MacBook Pro will help you accomplish that. They're both fantastic laptops, so there is no wrong choice.
What should I replace MacBook with? ›However, you can find Windows laptops that are comparable to MacBooks in many respects, but cheaper. Just look for the various “prestige” consumer ranges such as Dell's XPS, HP's Spectre and Asus's ZenBook.
Are MacBook Air worth it? ›
The new MacBook Air is a success on virtually every level. It's got a better screen, thinner and lighter design, better speakers, a much-improved webcam, an excellent keyboard and trackpad, more convenient charging, and excellent build quality.
Do Macs need antivirus? ›In short, yes, you do need antivirus for your Mac. Mac computers are not immune to viruses, and other malware and Mac-targeted attacks are increasingly prevalent. Following best practices for securing your device and using built-in security features can help, but antivirus software can protect your device even further.
What laptop is most similar to MacBook Air? ›- Best overall: Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Nano Gen 1.
- Best budget option: ASUS Zenbook 13 UX325 OLED i7.
- Best premium option: Dell XPS 13.
- Best Alternative with More Ports: Razer Book 13.
- Best for performance: HP Spectre x360 13.5inch 14T.
The M2 MacBook Pro is better suited to buyers who are upgrading from an older machine, rather than 2020's M1 model. Spearheaded by the M2 chip, the device's series of minor improvements offer a good overall package for these buyers, ensuring that they get a slightly more modern and capable machine.
Which is better M1 or M2 MacBook Air? ›In our testing, the M2 has an 18 percent faster CPU than the M1. The new chip doesn't just mean that the new Macs can accomplish more though, they use less power doing so: Apple promises an increased CPU performance of 18 percent with the same energy consumption thanks to various optimizations.
Should I buy M1 MacBook Air or wait M2? ›The M2 is better, but the M1 offers amazing value
However, those still holding on to an Intel-based MacBook Air may want to consider upgrading, as Apple touts a 15x increase in power over the older Intel models. The M2 MacBook Air is the better choice as long as you have the budget to spring for the 512GB version.
- Lenovo. ...
- Dell. ...
- Acer. ...
- Asus. ...
- MSI. ...
- Microsoft Surface. Microsoft Surface is a crowd pleaser for various reasons. ...
- Razer. The gaming laptops from Razer with their powerful sensors and amazing display features justify their high price tags. ...
- Samsung.
- Dell XPS 13 OLED (2021) The best overall laptop you can buy. ...
- Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M2 Pro, 2023) ...
- Acer Swift 5 (2022) ...
- MacBook Air M2. ...
- HP Envy 16 (2021) ...
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 (15-inch, AMD) ...
- Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360. ...
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (9th Gen)
The new MacBook Air is thinner than its predecessors, and while it has received positive reception, there have been reports of users complaining that their MacBook Air is suffering from overheating and throttled performance.
Is 8GB RAM enough for MacBook Air M2? ›8GB is for: Most M2 MacBook owners
I've never seen an out of memory error message, nor do I worry about swap file usage eventually destroying my SSD. If you're concerned about either of those things, or have received the mysterious 'out of memory' message on an M1 Mac, the 8GB version isn't for you.
What are the disadvantages of MacBook Air M1? ›
- Awful 720p webcam.
- IOS apps are a whiff.
- Only two USB-C ports.
- Still has thick bezels.
- Basically the same physical design as the last two years.
- You'll need to wait for better optimization on Rosetta apps.
Most people will be absolutely fine with 8GB of unified memory on their M2 MacBook. Those who know they need more – or who plan on undertaking increasingly intensive, creative workflows or complex software development – will do well to upgrade. It's that simple.
Is Apple M2 worth it? ›Like the new MacBook Pro M2, this new notebook features the Apple M2 chip — making it one of the most performant and overall best laptops you can buy. Despite its steep $1,199 starting price, it's arguably worth every penny due to the value it provides.
Is it worth buying MacBook Air in 2022? ›Verdict. If you are a die-hard fan of Apple products, there is no reason not to buy the new model. However, if you are looking to make a smart purchase, the M1 MacBook Air will do a great job and will last a few more years before becoming outdated. It will also save you a couple of hundred dollars.
Does MacBook Air M2 have slower SSD? ›M2 MacBook Air: Disk speeds
We were particularly keen to see how the base Air got on in this test, following reports that its SSD is up to 50 percent slower on read speeds and 30 percent on write speeds.
If you don't want to spend too much on a MacBook, the MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) with the M1 chip from 2020 is one of the most powerful laptops you can get for the price.