If price is a significant factor, the MacBook Air may be the more appealing option. For those who prioritize software compatibility with Windows or require specific Windows software for work or gaming, the Surface Laptop might be the more suitable choice. The MacBook Air is known for its longer battery life and lightweight design, making it good for travel and long working sessions away from power outlets. On the other hand, the Surface Laptop often offers more versatile connectivity with a broader range of ports and possibly a touchscreen, which could be advantageous for certain tasks or preferences. Keep in mind that transitioning between macOS and Windows could require some adjustment and the purchase of new software. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple MacBook Air (2022)
Very good for software development
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has no clear advantages over the Apple MacBook Air (2022).
Key differences
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.4/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Air (2022) is somewhat better.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
8.0/10
7.2/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
10.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
7.6/10
7.2/10
13.6in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
486.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Air has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The MacBook Air is renowned for its high-resolution display and bright panel, offering crisp and vivid visuals ideal for everyday tasks and professionals in engineering and design who depend on accurate color representation thanks to its wide color gamuts. However, its standard refresh rate is not optimized for 3D applications where a high refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5's display also meets the needs for general and engineering tasks with good color accuracy and resolution, but like the MacBook Air, it lacks the high refresh rate required for optimal gaming and 3D rendering experiences.
Battery
15.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Air has 15 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has best in class build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$899
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) has a price of $899 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
6.4/10
6.1/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1664
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
10.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022), with its integrated GPU, offers satisfactory performance for 3D tasks but is limited in gaming due to fewer compatible titles and a standard screen refresh rate; in contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", while also having an integrated GPU suitable for moderate 3D use and a standard refresh rate, runs Windows, which supports a broader range of popular games.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
7.1/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.1/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) offers a powerful Apple M2 chip and a GPU built into the same system, which is efficient for various engineering and design tasks and showcases a high-quality screen, but comes with lesser RAM and storage compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.6in
SIZE
13.5in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.4in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple MacBook Air (2022) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
"The Apple MacBook Air M2 Entry is a very good, but too expensive daily MacBook. The new MacBook Air M2 is undoubtedly once again a very good mobile companion, but we are still a little bit disappointed on a very high level, which is definitely connected with the increased price point. The new chassis is extremely slim and the front edge is no problem during typing, but the bezels are pretty wide for a modern device and in addition with the vertical space required for the notch, the new Air has larger footprint than some Windows rivals."
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Air (2022) or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
About Apple
Apple, an American technology company, is one of the world’s largest company in terms of market capitalization. Their MacBook laptops feature a slim, minimalistic design, class-leading battery life, and premium display and speaker quality. In 2020 Apple switched from using Intel processors to their own silicon chips which have excellent performance and efficiency. The macOS operating system is the second most widely used OS, after Windows.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Laptops evaluated
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Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
101,595
Recommendations made
22,013
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.