


The MacBook Air's M2 chip is similarly quite capable for all sorts of uses, from basic web browsing to multitasking and even media editing. Photo editing is better handled by the more potent Core i7 chip, but both CPU options are great for general use, and the two-tiered architecture of Intel's latest chips translates into both great performance and excellent energy efficiency. With your choice of 12th Gen Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors, the Surface Laptop 5 has plenty of power for most uses, from homework projects to more-demanding number-crunching for home and work. When it comes to hardware and features, a lot comes down to the core differences between Intel and Mac processors. Since you can get a hold of a Surface Laptop 5 with the same amount of starting memory and storage for $200 less, Microsoft's laptop does earn a minor win here, but let's see how the MacBook Air works to earn those extra 200 bucks.ĪDVANTAGE: Microsoft ADVANTAGE: Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 vs.

The base model sells for $1,199, and pairs the M2 processor with a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, an eight-core GPU, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of SSD storage, It is available in Silver, Starlight, Space Gray, and Midnight color options.Īdditional configurations let you bump up the GPU from the basic eight cores to a more powerful 10-core GPU for $1,499, along with options for more RAM (up to 24GB) and storage (up to 2TB SSD), with a top configuration price of $2,499. The MacBook Air with M2 processor uses the latest version of Apple Silicon to power its slim laptop. It is often highlighted for its portability, but it's also significantly less expensive than the larger and more powerful MacBook Pro options Apple offers, and is the best mix of capabilities and features for general users that may not need the professional-grade capabilities of the Pro models. The 2022 Apple MacBook Air is Apple's own relatively affordable, general-use laptop. Several configurations are available for both the 13.5- and- 15-inch options, with the highest-end models going for $1,699 (Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) and $2,399 (Core i7, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD), respectively. Design options include both bare-metal and fabric-covered lid designs, and the anodized aluminum chassis is available in Platinum, Sage, Matte Black, and Sandstone color options. Higher configurations are offered, with the choice of an Intel Core i7-1255U processor, up to 32GB of memory, and as much as 1TB of storage. The laptop uses integrated Iris Xe Graphics, with no option for a discrete GPU. The 13.5-inch Surface Laptop 5 starts at $999, with an Intel Core i5-1235U processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. Both have touch screens, and both use a standard laptop design (as opposed to a 2-in-1 convertible one). The Surface Laptop 5 comes in two different sizes, the 13.5-inch model considered here, and a larger 15-inch version with a bigger screen. Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software.
