Choose the Surface Pro 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You carry it around every day.
- You prefer Windows.
Microsoft Surface Pro 13 (12th Edition) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
The Surface Pro 13 is the stronger all-rounder: it is lighter and has the nicer screen. The MacBook Air 13 lasts longer on a charge.
The Surface Pro 13 is the stronger all-rounder: it is lighter and has the nicer screen. The MacBook Air 13 lasts longer on a charge.
The Surface Pro 13 is the stronger all-rounder: it is lighter and has the nicer screen. The MacBook Air 13 lasts longer on a charge.
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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 | Surface Pro 13 | MacBook Air 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 512 GB | |
| Screen | 13.6" 2.5K IPS |
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
Surface Pro 13 wins
Its screen is sharper and uses OLED for deeper blacks.
-
Battery life
MacBook Air 13 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Surface Pro 13 wins
It is the lighter one to carry around.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer macOS.
-
Performance
Evenly matched
Both have the power for editing and other demanding work.
-
Display
Surface Pro 13 wins
Its screen is sharper and uses OLED for deeper blacks.
-
Battery life
MacBook Air 13 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Surface Pro 13 wins
It is the lighter one to carry around.
Choose the Surface Pro 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You carry it around every day.
- You prefer Windows.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer macOS.
-
Performance
Evenly matched
Both have the power for editing and other demanding work.
-
Display
Surface Pro 13 wins
Its screen is sharper.
-
Battery life
MacBook Air 13 wins
It should go longer between charges.
-
Portability
Surface Pro 13 wins
It is the lighter one to carry around.
Choose the Surface Pro 13 if…
- You spend long hours looking at the screen.
- You carry it around every day.
- You prefer Windows.
Choose the MacBook Air 13 if…
- You often work away from a plug.
- You prefer macOS.
Spec by spec
Change configurations| Specification | Surface Pro 13 | MacBook Air 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| There is little between them for speed: both handle demanding work like photo and video editing. | ||
| Processor | Snapdragon X2 Plus | Apple M5 |
| Graphics | Integrated | Apple M5 8-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | — |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | — |
| Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | — |
| Storage interface | Solid State | — |
| CPU cores | — | 10 |
| Core types | — | 4 performance + 6 efficiency |
| Manufacturing process | — | 3nm |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 153 GB/s |
| Screen | ||
| The Surface Pro 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper and uses OLED for deeper blacks. The MacBook Air 13's screen is bigger, though. | ||
| Screen size | 13" | 13.6" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1920) | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | — |
| Brightness | — | 500 nits |
| HDR | HDR | — |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | — |
| Color range | — | Wide color (P3) |
| Battery and size | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 should last longer between charges, while the Surface Pro 13 is lighter to carry. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 15 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47.7 Wh | 53.8 Wh |
| Charges via | USB-C | MagSafe 3 |
| Weight | 0.895 kg (2.0 lb) | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) |
| Dimensions | 411 x 272 x 84 mm (16.18 x 10.71 x 3.31 in) | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) |
| Hinge | detachable | — |
| Color | Platinum | Silver |
| Colors available | Platinum | Silver |
| Charger | — | 40 W |
| Fast charging | — | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 6 |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Apple N1 |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 12 MP front | 1080p |
| Keyboard | Premium Alcantara fabric, two color options (Surface Pro 13-inch Flex Keyboard) | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys |
| Speakers | Built-In | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio |
| Pen | Included | — |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Touchpad | — | Force Touch trackpad |
| Microphones | — | Three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the Surface Pro 13 runs Windows, the MacBook Air 13 macOS. | ||
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
| Specification | Surface Pro 13 | MacBook Air 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| There is little between them for speed: both handle demanding work like photo and video editing. | ||
| Processor | Snapdragon X2 Plus | Apple M5 |
| Graphics | Integrated | Apple M5 8-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | — |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | — |
| Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | — |
| Storage interface | Solid State | — |
| CPU cores | — | 10 |
| Core types | — | 4 performance + 6 efficiency |
| Manufacturing process | — | 3nm |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 153 GB/s |
| Screen | ||
| The Surface Pro 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper and uses OLED for deeper blacks. The MacBook Air 13's screen is bigger, though. | ||
| Screen size | 13" | 13.6" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1920) | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | OLED | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | — |
| Brightness | — | 500 nits |
| HDR | HDR | — |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | — |
| Color range | — | Wide color (P3) |
| Battery and size | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 should last longer between charges, while the Surface Pro 13 is lighter to carry. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 15 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47.7 Wh | 53.8 Wh |
| Charges via | USB-C | MagSafe 3 |
| Weight | 0.895 kg (2.0 lb) | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) |
| Dimensions | 411 x 272 x 84 mm (16.18 x 10.71 x 3.31 in) | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) |
| Hinge | detachable | — |
| Color | Platinum | Silver |
| Colors available | Platinum | Silver |
| Charger | — | 40 W |
| Fast charging | — | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 6 |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Apple N1 |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 12 MP front | 1080p |
| Keyboard | Premium Alcantara fabric, two color options (Surface Pro 13-inch Flex Keyboard) | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys |
| Speakers | Built-In | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio |
| Pen | Included | — |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Touchpad | — | Force Touch trackpad |
| Microphones | — | Three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the Surface Pro 13 runs Windows, the MacBook Air 13 macOS. | ||
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
| Specification | Surface Pro 13 | MacBook Air 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| There is little between them for speed: both handle demanding work like photo and video editing. | ||
| Processor | Snapdragon X2 Plus | Apple M5 |
| Graphics | Adreno | Apple M5 8-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | — |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | — |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | — |
| Storage interface | Solid State | — |
| CPU cores | — | 10 |
| Core types | — | 4 performance + 6 efficiency |
| Manufacturing process | — | 3nm |
| Memory bandwidth | — | 153 GB/s |
| Screen | ||
| The Surface Pro 13 has the nicer screen: it is sharper. The MacBook Air 13's screen is bigger, though. | ||
| Screen size | 13" | 13.6" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1920) | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | — |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | — |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 500 nits |
| HDR | enriched HDR | — |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | — |
| Color range | — | Wide color (P3) |
| Battery and size | ||
| The MacBook Air 13 should last longer between charges, while the Surface Pro 13 is lighter to carry. | ||
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 15.5 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47.7 Wh | 53.8 Wh |
| Charges via | USB-C | MagSafe 3 |
| Weight | 0.89 kg (2.0 lb) | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) |
| Dimensions | 306.6 x 228.1 x 50.0 mm (12.07 x 8.98 x 1.97 in) | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm (11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 in) |
| Hinge | detachable | — |
| Color | Platinum | Silver |
| Colors available | Platinum | Silver |
| Charger | — | 40 W |
| Fast charging | — | Fast-charge capable with 70W or higher USB PD power source |
| Ports and wireless | ||
| Both cover the same everyday connections. | ||
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 6 |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | — | Apple N1 |
| Features | ||
| Webcam | 12 MP front | 1080p |
| Keyboard | Premium Alcantara fabric, two color options (Surface Pro 13-inch Flex Keyboard) | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys |
| Speakers | Built-In | Four-speaker sound system with Dolby Atmos support for Spatial Audio |
| Pen | Included | — |
| Backlit keyboard | — | Yes |
| Login | — | Fingerprint |
| Touchpad | — | Force Touch trackpad |
| Microphones | — | Three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Software and model | ||
| Pick by the apps you use: the Surface Pro 13 runs Windows, the MacBook Air 13 macOS. | ||
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |
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