Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Matte Black
Score: 70/100
Apple MacBook Air 2020 13-inch
Score: 80/100Rankings
The 2020 MacBook Air delivers a premium, fanless design with an excellent Retina display and solid battery life, but its entry-level i3 processor and non-upgradable components limit performance for power users.
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 | | |
|---|---|---|
| ↓ lower better | 1.27 kgbest | 1.27 kgbest |
18 hoursbest | 11 hours | |
13.5 inchesbest | 13.3 inches | |
16 GBbest | 8 GB | |
256 GBbest | 256 GBbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 14.5 mmbest | 231 mm |
— | 400 nitsbest | |
1 | 2best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(1) | ||
Battery Life (hours) | 18 hours | 11 hours |
Memory & Storage(1) | ||
RAM Capacity (GB) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Thickness (mm) | 14.5 mm | 231 mm |
Performance(2) | ||
Processor Model | Intel Core i7-1255U | Intel Core i3-1000NG4 |
Graphics Type | Intel Iris Xe | Intel Iris Plus Graphics |
Display(2) | ||
Screen Size (inches) | 13.5 inches | 13.3 inches |
Resolution | 2256x1504 | 2560 × 1600 |
Connectivity(3) | ||
Wi‑Fi Standard | Wi‑Fi 6 | 802.11ac |
Bluetooth Version | 5.1 | 5.0 |
USB‑C Ports | 1 | 2 |
Warranty(1) | ||
Warranty Period (years) | 1 years | 0.25 years |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
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5 for its premium build, vibrant touchscreen, fast Intel Evo performance and excellent battery life, but criticize the outdated webcam, sparse ports and premium price.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.
“The keyboard is the best I've ever used - soft, responsive, and quiet.”
“Battery lasts all day, even with Zoom calls and Chrome tabs.”
“The screen is gorgeous - perfect for reading and media.”
Reviewers praised the refined design, Magic Keyboard and display, while cautioning that the i3 CPU makes it a marginal upgrade; they recommend an i5 or M1 model for better value.
Users love the portability, keyboard and display, but frequently mention the sluggish i3 performance and low-resolution webcam.
