The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) offers higher performance for tasks like engineering, 3D modeling, and machine learning thanks to its more powerful processor and graphics. It also provides a high-resolution Mini LED display, which is better for color-intensive tasks, and has a longer battery life, but it's heavier and significantly more expensive. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is much less expensive, lighter, and more portable, making it suitable for general use and attending to basic tasks on-the-go. Its performance, however, is not intended for intensive applications and its screen is not as advanced as the MacBook Pro's. If you need a high-performance laptop for advanced tasks and can afford it, the MacBook Pro is the better choice, but if you're looking for something more budget-friendly for everyday tasks, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is a good option. 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 14 (2021)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class overall build quality
Excellent battery life
Best in class speakers
Best in class keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.4/10
7.0/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
479.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
13.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) excels in general use due to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, high-quality mini LED screen, long battery life, and relatively good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has less storage, less RAM, a lower-grade IPS screen with lower resolution, shorter battery life, and although more portable, delivers fair performance for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.8/10
6.0/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is somewhat better.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is equipped with a robust GPU that is conducive for 3D applications and has a high screen refresh rate, which is ideal for smooth visuals, but keep in mind that popular games may not be compatible with its operating system. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a fair GPU that can handle gaming to a certain extent, but with its lower screen refresh rate and less powerful graphics, it may not deliver the same level of performance or visual fluidity as the MacBook Pro.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
6.5/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is equipped with a powerful Apple M1 Pro CPU and a substantial amount of RAM, paired with a high-quality Mini LED display which makes it highly suitable for demanding engineering and design tasks, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, with its less robust Intel processor, lower RAM, and standard IPS screen, offers enough power for less intensive tasks but may lag in performance for more complex engineering applications.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.1/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
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
8.3/10
7.0/10
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
9.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
9.2/10
6.9/10
14.2in
SIZE
12.4in
3024 x 1964
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
479.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 offers a high-resolution display combined with exceptional brightness and color accuracy, which enhances the visual experience for everyday tasks as well as providing the rich, precise color range needed for engineering and design work. However, it lacks a high refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth visuals in 3D environments. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a good display for daily tasks and sufficient color representation for some design purposes, but its screen doesn't meet the high refresh rates required for optimal gaming and 3D rendering, nor does it have the superior resolution and panel quality of the MacBook.
Battery
13.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 13.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.2in
SIZE
12.4in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
10.0/10
7.8/10
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has best in class build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,905
$565
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) has a price of $1,905 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
"In the Apple MacBook Pro 14 2023, the M2 Pro is slowed down. From the improved 5nm process, the new M2 Pro is a very solid upgrade. Graphics performance has increased by about 25% in tandem with a clear improvement in efficiency. The processor has also seen a performance leap of up to 20%, but this is accompanied by an increase in consumption of up to 25%. Fundamentally, Apple its maintaining its advantage over AMD and Intel, particularly in optimized applications where the results are very good in view of the comparatively low power consumption."
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (2021) or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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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