The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) excels in battery life and has a slightly larger trackpad, offering a fanless design for silent operation, which could be appealing if noise is a concern. It runs macOS, which might be preferable if you're accustomed to Apple's ecosystem or use software exclusive to it. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a higher-resolution touch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio, which can be great for productivity tasks and web browsing. It also offers more storage and memory, better suiting tasks that require more resources, and it runs Windows, which may be necessary if you rely on Windows-specific 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 Pro 13 (2022)
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 5 13"
Excellent portability
Key differences
Software Development
7.8/10
7.2/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for software development, though the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) 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
7.2/10
13.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
497.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has a high-resolution display and exceptional brightness, providing crisp images with vibrant colors for general use and engineering work where accurate color representation is key. Its display covers a wide range of color gamuts, catering well to engineering and design professionals who need precise color accuracy. However, it lacks a high refresh rate, making it less suitable for 3D work, where smoother motion representation is crucial.
Battery
20.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 has 20 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 Pro 13 (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.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) is well-suited for general use with its high-quality screen, long battery life, and good portability offering silent operation and a premium build quality, but with less RAM and storage compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Gaming and AI
6.5/10
6.1/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
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 Pro 13 (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has an Apple M2 GPU which is adequate for some 3D tasks, but its MacOS limits compatibility with many popular games, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" runs Windows 11 Home and is equipped with an Intel Iris Xe GPU which is similarly fair for gaming and 3D applications, and it supports a broader range of games. Both laptops have IGPs (integrated graphics processors) and similar refresh rates, which are decent for casual gaming and 3D work, but neither is optimal for high-end gaming or professional 3D rendering, where a dedicated GPU and higher refresh rates would offer better performance.
Engineering and Design
7.5/10
7.1/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) offers a high-quality screen, excellent keyboard, and silent operation, making it preferable for design tasks where such features matter, but it comes with a less-powerful integrated GPU than some alternatives.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.4/10
6.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for content creation.
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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
13.5in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" to have excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,219
$1,200
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) has a price of $1,219 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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How the Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2022) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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."
"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 Pro 13 (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.
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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.
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.