Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition)
It's a trade-off: the MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen, while the Surface Laptop 13.8 lasts longer on a charge.
It's a trade-off: the MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen, while the Surface Laptop 13.8 lasts longer on a charge.
The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the stronger all-rounder: it is faster and lasts longer on a charge. The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen.
The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the stronger all-rounder: it is faster and lasts longer on a charge. The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen.
It's a trade-off: the MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen, while the Surface Laptop 13.8 lasts longer on a charge.
The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the stronger all-rounder: it is faster and lasts longer on a charge. The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen.
The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the stronger all-rounder: it is faster and lasts longer on a charge. The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen.
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Pick the configurations
This comparison starts with each model's base configuration. Pick the ones you're considering and the whole page compares exactly those.
| Spec | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | |
| Memory | 16 GB | |
| Storage | 512 GB |
Dashed options are sold in another configuration. Picking one switches the other specs to match.
Which one to choose
-
Performance
Evenly matched
Both have the power for editing and other demanding work.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
-
Performance
Evenly matched
Both have the power for editing and other demanding work.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
-
Performance
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
A higher-class chip: quicker with big projects and many apps open.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You edit photos or video, or run other heavy apps.
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
-
Performance
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
A higher-class chip: quicker with big projects and many apps open.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You edit photos or video, or run other heavy apps.
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
-
Performance
Evenly matched
Both have the power for editing and other demanding work.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
-
Performance
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
A higher-class chip and more memory: quicker with big projects and many apps open.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You edit photos or video, or run other heavy apps.
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
-
Performance
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
A higher-class chip and more memory: quicker with big projects and many apps open.
-
Display
MacBook Air 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
They weigh about the same.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You prefer macOS.
Choose the Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You edit photos or video, or run other heavy apps.
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer Windows.
Spec by spec
Change configurations| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| There is little between them for speed: both handle demanding work like photo and video editing. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Plus |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Platinum |
| Colors available | Silver | Platinum |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, USB-A 3.2, 3.5 mm audio jack, Surface Connect |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| There is little between them for speed: both handle demanding work like photo and video editing. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Plus |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Platinum |
| Colors available | Silver | Platinum |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, USB-A 3.2, 3.5 mm audio jack, Surface Connect |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the faster laptop, with a higher-class chip. The MacBook Air 13 is not far behind, so either copes with heavy work. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Elite |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Platinum |
| Colors available | Silver | Platinum |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 3.5 mm audio jack, Surface Connect |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the faster laptop, with a higher-class chip. The MacBook Air 13 is not far behind, so either copes with heavy work. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Elite |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Platinum |
| Colors available | Silver | Platinum |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, USB-A 3.2, 3.5 mm audio jack, Surface Connect port |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| There is little between them for speed: both handle demanding work like photo and video editing. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Plus |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Platinum |
| Colors available | Silver | Platinum |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio jack, 1x Surface Connect |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the faster laptop, with a higher-class chip and more memory. The MacBook Air 13 is not far behind, so either copes with heavy work. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Elite |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Black |
| Colors available | Silver | Black |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2 X USB-C / USB4 ports, USB-A 3.2, 3.5 mm audio jack, Surface Connect port |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p Full HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
| Specification | MacBook Air 13 | Surface Laptop 13.8 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 is the faster laptop, with a higher-class chip and more memory. The MacBook Air 13 is not far behind, so either copes with heavy work. | ||
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Elite |
| CPU cores | 10 | — |
| Core types | 4 performance + 6 efficiency | — |
| Manufacturing process | 3nm | — |
| Memory bandwidth | 153 GB/s | — |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 64 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Storage type | — | SSD |
| Screen | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. | ||
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Brightness | 500 nits | — |
| Color range | Wide color (P3) | — |
| HDR | — | HDR |
| Touchscreen | — | Yes |
| Battery and size | ||
| The Surface Laptop 13.8 should last longer between charges. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | — |
| Charger | 40 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 | Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) | 1.36 kg (3.0 lb) |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) | — |
| Color | Silver | Black |
| Colors available | Silver | Black |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio jack, 1x Surface Connect |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | — |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p Full HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | — |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | — |
| Speakers | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio | — |
| Microphones | Three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the MacBook Air 13 runs macOS, the Surface Laptop 13.8 Windows. | ||
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Released | 2026 | — |
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