Surface Laptop 5 vs MacBook Pro: Which Laptop Will Rule Your Desk in 2024?
What To Know
- The Surface Laptop 5 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for extended work sessions away from an outlet.
- The Surface Laptop 5 provides a decent selection of ports, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a USB-A port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack.
- The MacBook Pro offers a more limited selection of ports, consisting of three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 3 port.
In the competitive landscape of premium laptops, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and the Apple MacBook Pro stand out as two of the most compelling options for discerning users. Both devices offer a blend of style, performance, and portability, but they have distinct features and capabilities that cater to different needs. This comprehensive comparison will delve into the key aspects of each laptop, helping you make an informed decision about which one is the best choice for your workflow and preferences.
Design and Build Quality:
The Surface Laptop 5 exudes elegance with its sleek, anodized aluminum chassis and signature Alcantara fabric-covered keyboard deck. It is available in a range of vibrant colors, including Sage, Sandstone, and Matte Black. The MacBook Pro, on the other hand, maintains its classic unibody design, crafted from high-quality recycled aluminum. Its Space Gray and Silver color options offer a more professional aesthetic. Both laptops are incredibly well-built and durable, ensuring longevity and resilience.
Display:
The Surface Laptop 5 features a vibrant 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen display with a resolution of 2256 x 1504 pixels. It supports Dolby Vision HDR for enhanced contrast and color accuracy, making it ideal for content creation and media consumption. The MacBook Pro comes with a slightly larger 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 3024 x 1964 pixels. It boasts a mini-LED backlit panel that delivers exceptional brightness, color accuracy, and contrast, making it perfect for demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design.
Performance:
The Surface Laptop 5 is powered by Intel’s 12th-generation Core i5 or i7 processors, providing ample performance for everyday tasks and light productivity work. The MacBook Pro offers a wider range of processor options, including Apple’s own M1 Pro and M1 Max chips. These chips deliver significantly faster performance, especially for demanding workloads like video encoding and 3D rendering. Both laptops come with SSD storage that provides lightning-fast boot times and application loading speeds.
Keyboard and Trackpad:
The Surface Laptop 5’s keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with good key travel and responsive feedback. The Alcantara fabric-covered deck provides a soft and warm feel. The MacBook Pro’s Magic Keyboard features a scissor-switch mechanism that delivers a precise and tactile typing experience. Its large Force Touch trackpad is smooth and responsive, supporting a wide range of gestures.
Battery Life:
The Surface Laptop 5 boasts an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for extended work sessions away from an outlet. The MacBook Pro offers a slightly shorter battery life of up to 17 hours, but it supports fast charging via its MagSafe 3 port.
Connectivity and Ports:
The Surface Laptop 5 provides a decent selection of ports, including two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a USB-A port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack. The MacBook Pro offers a more limited selection of ports, consisting of three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 3 port. Both laptops support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity.
Operating Systems:
The Surface Laptop 5 runs on Windows 11, which offers a familiar and versatile operating system with a wide range of software compatibility. The MacBook Pro runs on macOS Monterey, which provides a sleek and intuitive user interface with a strong focus on productivity and creativity. Both operating systems receive regular updates and security patches.
Price and Availability:
The Surface Laptop 5 starts at $999 for the Core i5 model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 for the M1 Pro model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Both laptops are available for purchase from their respective manufacturers and authorized retailers.
The Verdict:
Ultimately, the choice between the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and the MacBook Pro depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize style, portability, and long battery life, the Surface Laptop 5 is an excellent choice. If you demand exceptional performance, a stunning display, and the benefits of macOS, the MacBook Pro is the superior option.
What You Need to Learn
Q: Which laptop has a better keyboard?
A: The MacBook Pro‘s Magic Keyboard generally offers a more precise and tactile typing experience.
Q: Does the Surface Laptop 5 support Thunderbolt 4?
A: Yes, it has two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support.
Q: Can the MacBook Pro run Windows?
A: No, it is not compatible with Windows.
Q: Which laptop is better for video editing?
A: The MacBook Pro with its M1 Pro or M1 Max chips provides significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like video editing.
Q: Does the Surface Laptop 5 come with a stylus?
A: No, it does not come with a stylus, but it supports the Surface Pen as an optional accessory.
