When it comes to choosing a new laptop, the decision between Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 7 and Apple’s MacBook Air M3 is no small feat. Both brands have a storied history of innovation and quality, and their latest offerings push the boundaries even further. I’m excited to explore these two powerful gadgets since I enjoy looking into the details of technology. This comparison will help you in selecting the laptop that best fulfils your requirements, whether you’re a professional, a student, or simply someone who wants an excellent laptop.
Introduction
Choosing between the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3 can feel like choosing between two equally appealing desserts. Each has its unique flavor, and depending on your preferences and needs, one might be more suitable for you than the other. The Surface Laptop 7, with its Snapdragon X Elite processor, offers higher base storage and RAM, faster charging, and a touch-capacitive display. On the other hand, the MacBook Air M3 boasts a powerful M3 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, and legendary battery life.
So, let’s dive in and see what each of these laptops brings to the table.
Specifications Overview
Surface Laptop 7
- Display:
- 13.8-inch, 2304×1536 pixels (201 PPI), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 600 nits
- 15-inch, 2496×1664 pixels (201 PPI), 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 600 nits
- Processor:
- Snapdragon X Plus or Elite (13.8 inch)
- Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100, 12-core (15 inch)
- RAM:
- Up to 64GB LPDDR5X
- Storage:
- Up to 1TB SSD (replaceable)
- Battery Life:
- Up to 20 hours (13.8 inch)
- Up to 22 hours (15 inch)
- Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
- Ports:
- 2 x USB 4 / Thunderbolt, 1 x USB 3.1, 1 x Surface Connect, 1 x Headphone jack, 1 x microSDXC card (15-inch)
- Weight:
- 1.34 kg (13.8 inch)
- 1.66 kg (15 inch)
- Price:
- Starting at $1,399 (13.8 inch)
- Starting at $1,499 (15 inch)
MacBook Air M3
- Display:
- 13.6-inch, 2560×1664 pixels (224 PPI), 60Hz, 500 nits
- 15.3-inch, 2880×1864 pixels (224 PPI), 60Hz, 500 nits
- Processor:
- Apple M3, 8-core
- RAM:
- Up to 24GB unified memory
- Storage:
- Up to 2TB SSD (non-replaceable)
- Battery Life:
- Up to 18 hours
- Connectivity:
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Ports:
- 2 x USB 4 / Thunderbolt, 1 x Headphone jack, MagSafe 3
- Weight:
- 1.24 kg (13.6 inch)
- 1.51 kg (15.3 inch)
- Price:
- Starting at $1,099 (13.6 inch)
- Starting at $1,299 (15.3 inch)
Design and Build Quality
Surface Laptop 7
The Surface Laptop 7 maintains the sleek and premium feel that Microsoft is known for. It sports an aluminum chassis available in several color options, including Platinum, Graphite, Sapphire, and Dune. The bezels are thinner than previous models, giving it a more modern look. At 0.69 inches thick for the 13.8-inch model and 0.72 inches for the 15-inch model, it is slightly thicker than the MacBook Air but still highly portable. Additionally, Gorilla Glass 5 adds another layer of durability to the Surface Laptop 7.
MacBook Air M3
Apple’s MacBook Air M3 is crafted from a single block of aluminum, offering a slim, lightweight design that’s hard to beat. Available in Silver, Starlight, Space Gray, and Midnight, it’s a design icon in the laptop world. The 13.6-inch model is among the lightest laptops on the market at only 0.44 inches in thickness. The MacBook Air’s build quality is top-notch, feeling both sturdy and luxurious.
Winner: MacBook Air M3 – Its ultra-thin, lightweight design edges out the Surface Laptop 7 in terms of portability and elegance.
Display
Surface Laptop 7
- Pros:
- 120Hz adaptive refresh rate
- Higher brightness (600 nits)
- Touch-capacitive display
- Cons:
- Lower resolution compared to MacBook Air
MacBook Air M3
- Pros:
- Higher resolution (224 PPI)
- Liquid Retina display
- Cons:
- Lower brightness (500 nits)
- No touch support
- 60Hz refresh rate
The Surface Laptop 7 offers a smoother experience with its 120Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for tasks like scrolling through documents and browsing the web. The MacBook Air, however, provides a sharper display with its higher pixel density.
Winner: Tie – The choice depends on your preference: a higher refresh rate and touch capability with the Surface or a sharper display with the MacBook.
Performance
Surface Laptop 7
- Processor: Snapdragon X Elite (12-core)
- RAM: Up to 64GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB (replaceable)
MacBook Air M3
- Processor: Apple M3 (8-core)
- RAM: Up to 24GB
- Storage: Up to 2TB (non-replaceable)
Microsoft’s Snapdragon X Elite processor claims to outperform the M3 in multithreaded tasks, boasting a powerful 45 TOPS NPU and 3.8 TFLOPs GPU. The MacBook Air, with its M3 chip, is no slouch either, delivering excellent performance across various tasks, from web browsing to video editing.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7 – It edges out with higher RAM capacity and a potentially more powerful processor, depending on specific tasks.
Battery Life and Charging
Surface Laptop 7
- Battery Life: Up to 22 hours
- Charging: 65W fast charging
MacBook Air M3
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
- Charging: Supports 70W fast charging with compatible adapter
The Surface Laptop 7 promises longer battery life and includes a more powerful charger out of the box. However, the MacBook Air supports even faster charging with an additional adapter.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7 – Better out-of-the-box charging and longer battery life.
Keyboard and Trackpad
Surface Laptop 7
- Keyboard: Chiclet style
- Trackpad: Haptic touchpad
MacBook Air M3
- Keyboard: Chiclet style with Scissor switches
- Trackpad: Force Touch trackpad
Both laptops offer excellent keyboards and trackpads. The MacBook Air’s Scissor switch keyboard is highly regarded, while the Surface Laptop’s haptic touchpad provides a responsive experience.
Winner: Tie – Both keyboards and trackpads are highly functional and comfortable to use.
Connectivity
Surface Laptop 7
- Ports:
- 2 x USB 4 / Thunderbolt
- 1 x USB 3.1
- 1 x Surface Connect
- 1 x Headphone jack
- 1 x microSDXC card (15-inch)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
MacBook Air M3
- Ports:
- 2 x USB 4 / Thunderbolt
- 1 x Headphone jack
- MagSafe 3
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
The Surface Laptop 7 offers more versatile connectivity options, including an additional USB-A port and
a microSDXC card slot on the 15-inch model.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7 – More ports and newer wireless standards.
Audio and Microphone
Surface Laptop 7
- Audio: Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Microphone: Dual far-field Studio Mics
MacBook Air M3
- Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support
- Microphone: Three-mic array with directional beamforming
Both laptops provide excellent audio quality with support for Dolby Atmos. The MacBook Air’s three-mic array might offer slightly better voice recording quality.
Winner: Tie – Both provide great audio and microphone capabilities.
Pricing
Surface Laptop 7
- 13.8-inch: Starting at $1,399
- 15-inch: Starting at $1,499
MacBook Air M3
- 13.6-inch: Starting at $1,099
- 15.3-inch: Starting at $1,299
The MacBook Air offers a lower starting price, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
Winner: MacBook Air M3 – More affordable starting price.
Repairability
Surface Laptop 7
- Pros: Replaceable SSD
- Cons: Limited upgradability beyond storage
MacBook Air M3
- Pros: Durable build
- Cons: Non-replaceable components
The Surface Laptop 7’s replaceable SSD is a notable advantage for those who may need to upgrade their storage in the future.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7 – Better repairability with replaceable storage.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3 ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize a higher refresh rate display, better connectivity, and longer battery life, the Surface Laptop 7 is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you value a sharper display, ultra-thin design, and a lower starting price, the MacBook Air M3 should be your go-to.
- For professionals and power users: Surface Laptop 7
- For students and casual users: MacBook Air M3
Both laptops are fantastic in their own right, and you can’t go wrong with either. Happy shopping.
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