Choosing between the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3 can be tough, as both are excellent devices with their own strengths.
This comparison will help you decide which one is the better choice for your needs by comparing their features head-to-head.
Design and Build Quality
The design and build quality of a laptop are crucial factors that affect its durability and portability. Both the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3 are crafted from high-quality materials, but they have some differences.
Surface Laptop 7
- Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 2.79 lbs (1.27 kg)
- Thickness: 0.57 inches (14.48 mm)
- Colors: Platinum, Matte Black, Cobalt Blue, Sandstone.
The Surface Laptop 7 features a sleek aluminum body available in multiple colors, giving users a choice that suits their style. It is slightly heavier and thicker than the MacBook Air M3, but still highly portable.
MacBook Air M3
- Material: Recycled aluminum
- Weight: 2.7 lbs (1.22 kg)
- Thickness: 0.44 inches (11.3 mm)
- Colors: Silver, Space Gray, Gold
The MacBook Air M3 is crafted from recycled aluminum, making it not only lightweight and thin but also environmentally friendly. Its slim profile and lighter weight make it very easy to carry around.
Winner: MacBook Air M3
The MacBook Air M3 is slightly lighter and thinner, and its use of recycled materials is a plus for environmentally conscious buyers.
Display
A good display is essential for any laptop, especially if you use it for tasks that involve graphics, such as video editing, gaming, or watching movies. Here’s how the displays of these two laptops compare.
Surface Laptop 7
- Size: 13.5 inches
- Resolution: 2256 x 1504
- Aspect Ratio: 3:2
- Touchscreen: Yes
The Surface Laptop 7 has a vibrant 13.5-inch touchscreen display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, providing more vertical screen space which is great for productivity tasks like writing and browsing.
MacBook Air M3
- Size: 13.6 inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1664
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
- Touchscreen: No
The MacBook Air M3 features a slightly larger 13.6-inch display with a higher resolution. However, it does not have a touchscreen, which might be a downside for some users.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7
The Surface Laptop 7’s touchscreen and unique 3:2 aspect ratio provide a more versatile and productive display experience.
Performance
Performance is one of the most important aspects to consider when buying a laptop. Both the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3 offer good performance, but they are powered by different types of processors.
Surface Laptop 7
- Processor: Up to Intel Core i7 (10th Gen)
- RAM: Up to 16GB
- Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
- Graphics: Integrated Intel Iris Plus
The Surface Laptop 7, with its Intel Core i7 processor, delivers reliable performance for everyday tasks and moderate multitasking. It is a solid choice for work and casual use.
MacBook Air M3
- Processor: Apple M3 chip
- RAM: Up to 24GB
- Storage: Up to 2TB SSD
- Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU
The MacBook Air M3, powered by the Apple M3 chip, offers exceptional performance and efficiency. It handles intensive tasks with ease, making it ideal for creative professionals and heavy users.
Winner: MacBook Air M3
The Apple M3 chip offers superior performance and efficiency, making the MacBook Air M3 the better performer.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor for those who need to use their laptop on the go. Both laptops offer good battery life, but there are differences in how long they last.
Surface Laptop 7
- Battery Life: Up to 11.5 hours
The Surface Laptop 7 provides a decent battery life of up to 11.5 hours, which is sufficient for a full day of work or school without needing to recharge.
MacBook Air M3
- Battery Life: Up to 18 hours
The MacBook Air M3, with its impressive battery life of up to 18 hours, can easily last through extended work sessions and travel without needing a recharge.
Winner: MacBook Air M3
The MacBook Air M3 significantly outlasts the Surface Laptop 7 in battery life, making it a better choice for long work sessions.
Operating System
The operating system (OS) can greatly influence your user experience, so it’s important to choose a laptop with an OS that fits your needs.
Surface Laptop 7
- OS: Windows 11 Home
The Surface Laptop 7 runs on Windows 11 Home. Windows is a versatile and widely used OS, compatible with a wide range of software and hardware.
MacBook Air M3
- OS: macOS
The MacBook Air M3 runs on macOS, known for its smooth user experience and integration with other Apple products. It is ideal for users who are already in the Apple ecosystem.
Winner: Tie
The choice between Windows and macOS depends on personal preference and specific software needs.
Connectivity
Connectivity options are important for attaching peripherals and external devices. Let’s see how these two laptops compare in terms of ports and wireless connectivity.
Surface Laptop 7
- Ports: USB-C, USB-A, Surface Connect, headphone jack
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0
The Surface Laptop 7 offers a good range of ports, including both USB-C and USB-A, which provides flexibility for connecting various devices.
MacBook Air M3
- Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), headphone jack
- Wireless: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
The MacBook Air M3 comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which are very fast but might require adapters for some peripherals. Its wireless connectivity includes the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7
The Surface Laptop 7 offers a more versatile selection of ports, including both USB-C and USB-A.
Price
Price is often a deciding factor when purchasing a laptop. Here’s a look at the starting prices for both models.
Surface Laptop 7
- Starting Price: $899
The Surface Laptop 7 is more budget-friendly with a lower starting price, making it a good option for those looking for value.
MacBook Air M3
- Starting Price: $1,099
The MacBook Air M3 is priced higher, but it offers superior performance and features that justify the cost for many users.
Winner: Surface Laptop 7
The Surface Laptop 7 is more budget-friendly, offering good value at a lower starting price.
Overall Winner
After comparing these two laptops across various features, it’s clear that each has its strengths. However, the MacBook Air M3 stands out in terms of performance, battery life, and build quality, making it the overall better choice for most users.
Winner: MacBook Air M3
While the Surface Laptop 7 has its strengths, especially in terms of display and connectivity options, the MacBook Air M3’s superior performance, battery life, and build quality make it the overall better choice for most users.
| Feature | Surface Laptop 7 | MacBook Air M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Build Quality | ❌ | ✅ |
| Display | ✅ | ❌ |
| Performance | ❌ | ✅ |
| Battery Life | ❌ | ✅ |
| Operating System | ✅ | ✅ |
| Connectivity | ✅ | ❌ |
| Price | ✅ | ❌ |