The MacBook Pro 13 (2020) excels in performance for general use, 3D/machine learning, and engineering tasks, with higher build quality and significantly longer battery life, but it is more expensive and less portable than the Surface Laptop Go 3. The Surface Laptop Go 3 stands out for its portability and lower price, has a touchscreen and more compact form factor, but it offers less power for demanding tasks, and the battery life isn't as long as the MacBook Pro's. If budget and portability are top concerns, the Surface might be a better fit, but for more intensive tasks, the MacBook Pro could be worth the investment. 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 Pro 13 (2020)
Good for engineering and design
Good overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Best in class battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
Excellent portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.3/10
6.8/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is equipped with a higher resolution screen, better GPU performance, and offers silent operation, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a lower resolution, less capable GPU, and does not match the screen quality and processing power of the MacBook Pro, which makes it less favorable for rigorous engineering or design work.
Content Creation
7.8/10
7.3/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for content creation, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) 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
7.8/10
7.1/10
6.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is somewhat better.
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
6.8/10
13.3in
SIZE
12.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the MacBook Pro's high-resolution Retina display offers crisp text and vibrant images, while the Surface Laptop Go's slightly lower resolution still provides clear visuals for everyday tasks. In engineering and design, the MacBook Pro excels with a wide color gamut that ensures accuracy for detailed work, whereas the Surface Laptop Go, while still good, doesn't quite match the MacBook's color fidelity. When it comes to 3D applications, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates; the MacBook Pro's higher resolution and better panel type offer a somewhat better experience, but neither are ideal for high-end 3D work.
Battery
20.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has 8 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 Pro 13 (2020) has best in class build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,249
$699
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a price of $1,249 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $699.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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
6.3/10
6.1/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
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 Pro 13 (2020) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has a decent GPU suitable for some 3D applications but its MacOS may limit game compatibility; the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 also offers fair graphics with Windows 11 allowing wider game availability, although neither laptop has a high refresh rate screen crucial for fast-paced gaming.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
12.4in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 to have excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
"The MacBook Pro 13 is still a very good subnotebook. The 2022 MacBook Pro 13 might look like recycling at first, because the device is completely identical to the old model expect for the new M2 SoC. We have to admit that we were surprised to see another iteration of the MBP 13 as well. The laptop is obviously familiar, but this does not change the fact that it is still a very good subnotebook. You get an excellent chassis with good stability, a very good display, good input devices and the new M2 chip is very powerful and efficient."
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.