Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

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

For most buyers the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is the better pick — it scores 67/100 to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)'s 57, leading on Processor and Integrated Graphics. Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) instead if storage and connectivity matter most to you, where it comes out ahead.

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

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) leads overall

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

Why it stands out

Display Brightness: 1,600 nits (167% more)
Processor model: Apple M4 Pro (12 Core)
Integrated graphics model: Apple M4 Pro GPU (16 Core)

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)

RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
Storage isn't user-upgradeable.
No USB-A ports — older accessories need an adapter.

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-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.

Winner by category for Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Category	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)	Winner
Processor	70	41	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Integrated Graphics	40	37	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Discrete Graphics	0	0	Tie
Memory	59	41	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Storage	40	65	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Display	52	50	Tie
Sound	84	59	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Webcam	50	50	Tie
Battery	96	33	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Connectivity	72	87	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Input	85	85	Tie
Ports	76	57	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Design & Weight	55	45	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)
Security	52	96	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Performance	100	100	Tie

In-depth analysisAI

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

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)

The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is a high-performance compact laptop designed for intensive professional workloads and creative projects. Built around Apple silicon chips such as the M5 Pro, it features a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display with up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness. Weighing from 3.5 pounds and offering up to 24 hours of battery life, it provides workstation-class capabilities in a highly mobile form factor.

Best for HDR video editing and color-critical media productionBest for Mobile professionals requiring multi-day light usage or extended work sessions a

Pros

Bright 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display delivering up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness
Exceptional energy efficiency with up to 24 hours of battery life
Compact 3.5 lb chassis that balances high-end processing power with portability

Cons

Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED display model does not support touch input

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) is a premium business-focused notebook powered by Snapdragon® X2 Plus or Snapdragon® X2 Elite processors with integrated Qualcomm Hexagon NPU capabilities. It is designed for enterprise users and professionals requiring high performance, extensive battery longevity, and robust security features like a Microsoft Pluton security processor. The device features a large PixelSense Flow touchscreen display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a generous selection of memory and storage options, and modern connectivity including Wi-Fi 7.

Best for All-day enterprise productivity and active web usageBest for Secure corporate environments requiring hardware-level encryption and biometric Best for Media consumption and multitasking on a large, high-refresh-rate touch display

Pros

Equipped with advanced Snapdragon X2 processors and up to 80 TOPS NPU performance
High-resolution 15-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate
Robust enterprise security suite including Windows Hello facial recognition and a Microsoft Pluton processor
Extensive battery performance offering up to 19 hours of local video playback
Comprehensive connectivity featuring USB4, Wi-Fi 7, and a MicroSDXC Express card reader

Cons

Pen input and compatibility with accessories like the Surface Slim Pen are not supported
Carries a heavier footprint at 3.67 lbs compared to smaller notebook variants

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.

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)

Check Price on Amazon

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

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Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)

Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) is 0.06 kg (4%) heavier than Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro).

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Processor

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Processor model

Integrated Graphics

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Integrated graphics model

Memory

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Memory capacity	24 GB50% more	16 GB
Technology
Memory upgradeable	No	No

Storage

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Storage capacity	512 GB	512 GB
Socket type		N/A
PCIe version	N/A	4
Storage upgradeable	No	Yes

Display

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Size	14.2 in	15 in6% more
Display resolution	3024 × 1964 px	3270 × 2180 px
Aspect ratio	16:10	3:2
Refresh rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Response time	N/A	N/A
Display type
Brightness	1,600 nits167% more	600 nits
Has pen support	No	No
Has touch support	No	Yes
Screen-to-body ratio	86%	85%

Sound

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Number of speakers	6	N/A
Power	N/A	N/A
Has Dolby Atmos	Yes	Yes
Number of microphones	3	2

Webcam

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Webcam resolution	1920 × 1080 px	1920 × 1080 px

Battery

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Battery capacity	72.4 Wh	N/A
Maximum charge power	96 W48% more	65 W

Connectivity

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Wi-Fi technology
Bluetooth technology

Input

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Has a backlit keyboard	Yes	Yes
Has a numpad	No	N/A

Ports

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
USB Type A	0	1
USB Type C	3	2
Thunderbolt technology
Has an HDMI port	Yes	No
Has a card reader	Yes	Yes
Has a headphone jack	Yes	Yes

Design & Weight

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Color
Dimensions	31.26 × 22.12 × 1.55 cm	32.9 × 23.9 × 1.83 cm
Weight	1.6 kg4% less	1.66 kg

Security

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
Has a fingerprint scanner	Yes	N/A
Has infrared face recognition support	No	Yes

Performance

Feature	Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro)	Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
PassMark CPU Mark	32,723	N/A
Active cooling	N/A	Yes
Release Date	November 8, 2024	June 16, 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 Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) comparison

They are closely matched: Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) scores 60/100 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) scores 60/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 points. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.

Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) 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 60/100 for Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) and 60/100 for Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition).

It's close — Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) (60/100) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition) (60/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.