Apple MacBook Air 11-inch
Score: 73/100
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Matte Black
Score: 70/100Rankings
The 2014 11.6-inch MacBook Air is an ultra-light ultraportable with solid battery life and fast SSD performance, but its low-resolution screen, limited ports and non-upgradable components make it less suitable for demanding modern use.
The Surface Laptop 5 is a premium 13.5" ultraportable with a high-resolution touchscreen, 12th-gen Intel Evo performance, and up to 18 hours of battery life, targeting students and professionals who value build quality and Windows integration.
| Attribute | Apple MacBook Air 11-inch | |
|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 1.08 kgbest | 1.27 kg |
9 hours | 18 hoursbest | |
11.6 inches | 13.5 inchesbest | |
4 GB | 16 GBbest | |
256 GBbest | 256 GBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 17.3 mm | 14.5 mmbest |
— | 1best | |
0.25 years | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | Apple MacBook Air 11-inch | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Battery Life (hours) | 9 hours | 18 hours |
Memory & Storage(1) | ||
RAM Capacity (GB) | 4 GB | 16 GB |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (kg) | 1.08 kg | 1.27 kg |
Thickness (mm) | 17.3 mm | 14.5 mm |
Performance(2) | ||
Processor Model | Intel Core i5-4260U | Intel Core i7-1255U |
Graphics Type | Intel HD Graphics 5000 | Intel Iris Xe |
Display(2) | ||
Screen Size (inches) | 11.6 inches | 13.5 inches |
Resolution | 1366 × 768 | 2256x1504 |
Connectivity(2) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | 802.11ac | Wi‑Fi 6 |
Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.1 |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 0.25 years | 1 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Reviewers praised its refined design, portability and battery life, while noting the low-resolution display and lack of upgradeability as drawbacks.
Users appreciate the feather-light chassis and long battery, but criticize the small, low-res screen and inability to upgrade RAM or storage.
Professional reviewers praise the Surface Laptop 5 for its premium build, vibrant touchscreen, fast Intel Evo performance and excellent battery life, but criticize the outdated webcam, sparse ports and premium price.
Everyday users love the comfortable keyboard, all-day battery endurance, and stunning display, while repeatedly complaining about the low-resolution webcam, difficulty cleaning Alcantara, and the single USB-C port.
“Exceptional portability at 2.38 lbs; Long real-world battery life of 7-9 hours.”
“RAM and storage are soldered, preventing upgrades; Low-resolution 1366×768 display on an 11.6-inch screen.”
“Silent operation with no fan under light loads.”
