Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

Updated Nov 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) are closely matched at 61 and 60/100. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) edges ahead on Storage and Display, while the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) leads on Processor and Integrated Graphics — pick the one whose strengths match what you'll actually use.

Performance is scored from the laptop's CPU and GPU; few laptops have a published whole-system benchmark.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) are closely matched

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

Where Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) stands out

Display Refresh rate: 120 Hz (100% more)
Ports USB Type A: 1
Design & Weight Dimensions: 30.1 × 22 × 1.75 cm

Where Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) stands out

Processor model: Apple M5
Display resolution: 2560 × 1664 px
Sound Number of microphones: 3

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.
No SD card reader.

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
Storage isn't user-upgradeable.
60 Hz panel — less smooth than 120 Hz+ rivals.
No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.

Winner by category for Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Category	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)	Winner
Processor	42	63	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Integrated Graphics	37	40	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Discrete Graphics	0	0	Tie
Memory	49	49	Tie
Storage	65	35	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Display	58	49	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Sound	59	84	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Webcam	50	50	Tie
Battery	0	100	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Connectivity	85	85	Tie
Input	85	85	Tie
Ports	50	46	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Design & Weight	41	59	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Security	96	52	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Performance	96	64	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Nov 2026.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) is a Windows 11 Pro commercial notebook built on ARM architecture. Powered by Snapdragon® X2 Plus or Elite processors with a Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU delivering up to 80 TOPS, it features a 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 16 hours of active web usage.

Best for all-day mobile productivity and web workflowsBest for secure enterprise deployments utilizing Windows Pluton and facial recognition

Pros

High-resolution 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate
Extensive memory and storage configurations ranging up to 64GB LPDDR5x RAM and 2TB Gen 4 SSD
Comprehensive connectivity including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB4 ports
Strong modular serviceability with easily replaceable core internal and external components

Cons

Display is optimized strictly for touch interaction and does not support pen input accessories
ARM-based architecture may require emulation for certain legacy x86 applications

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

The Apple MacBook Air M5 is a mid-tier subnotebook designed for everyday consumer and lightweight use, sitting between the entry-level MacBook Neo and the premium MacBook Pro. Powered by the Apple M5 system-on-a-chip, this model is offered in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes and features integrated Apple graphics.

Best for Everyday productivity and lightweight portable computingBest for Users prioritizing high-speed Wi-Fi 7 connectivity

Pros

Updated wireless capabilities featuring a Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 card
Available in both 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display configurations
Configurable with up to 32 GB of unified memory and 2 TB of storage

Cons

Soldered storage and unified memory cannot be upgraded by the user after purchase

Source

MacBook Air (Apple silicon) - WikipediaProvides historical context, product tiering in the 2026 lineup, screen size options, and base hardware specifications.

Video — reviews used (2)

Highlights reviewer comparisons, evaluation categories, and specific hardware details such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0 support.

Generated Aug 6, 2026

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)

Check Price on Amazon

Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

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Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) is 0.13 kg (11%) heavier than Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5).

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Processor

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Processor model

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Integrated graphics model		Apple M5

Memory

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Memory capacity	16 GB	16 GB
Technology
Memory upgradeable	No	No

Storage

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Storage capacity	512 GB	512 GB
Socket type	N/A	N/A
PCIe version	4	N/A
Storage upgradeable	Yes	No

Display

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Size	13.8 in	13.6 in
Display resolution	2304 × 1536 px	2560 × 1664 px
Aspect ratio	3:2	16:10
Refresh rate	120 Hz100% more	60 Hz
Response time	N/A	N/A
Display type		Liquid Retina IPS
Brightness	600 nits20% more	500 nits
Has pen support	No	N/A
Has touch support	Yes	No
Screen-to-body ratio	86%	83%

Sound

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Number of speakers	N/A	4
Power	N/A	N/A
Has Dolby Atmos	Yes	Yes
Number of microphones	2	3

Webcam

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Webcam resolution	1920 × 1080 px	1920 × 1080 px

Battery

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Battery capacity	N/A	53.8 Wh
Maximum charge power	N/A	70 W

Connectivity

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Wi-Fi technology
Bluetooth technology		Bluetooth 6

Input

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Has a backlit keyboard	Yes	Yes
Has a numpad	N/A	No

Ports

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
USB Type A	1	0
USB Type C	2	2
Thunderbolt technology
Has an HDMI port	No	No
Has a card reader	No	No
Has a headphone jack	Yes	Yes

Design & Weight

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Color		N/A
Dimensions	30.1 × 22 × 1.75 cm	21.5 × 30.41 × 1.13 cm
Weight	1.36 kg	1.23 kg10% less

Security

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
Has a fingerprint scanner	N/A	Yes
Has infrared face recognition support	Yes	No

Performance

Feature	Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)	Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5)
PassMark CPU Mark	N/A	26,857
Active cooling	Yes	No
Release Date	June 16, 2026	March 11, 2026

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) rates higher at 65/100 versus 45/100 for Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) — a 20-point lead. Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) are compared side by side above across every spec in the laptops category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 65/100 for Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and 45/100 for Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5).

At launch, Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) was the more affordable option ($1099) versus Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) ($1599). Weigh that against the overall scores (65/100 vs 45/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.

If you want the higher-rated laptops option overall, Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) (65/100) edges out Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) (45/100). But if Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.