Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition)
The real choice here is the system: the Apple MacBook Air 15 runs macOS and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 runs Windows. On the specs, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 has the edge: it is faster and has more storage.
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Key differences
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Performance
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15's Snapdragon X2 Elite is quicker: it is built for heavy creative work, while the Apple MacBook Air 15's Apple M5 has the power for photo and video editing.
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Gaming
Apple MacBook Air 15 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 15's built-in graphics manages light and older games, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15's built-in graphics isn't made for games.
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Display
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 has the better screen: 15" 3K 600 nits 120 Hz against 15.3" 3K 500 nits.
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Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 18 hours against up to 19 hours.
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Connectivity
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is better connected. Only it has USB-A and a card reader.
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Portability
Apple MacBook Air 15 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is easier to carry at 1.51 kg, against 1.66 kg.
Other differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the Apple MacBook Air 15 runs macOS and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 runs Windows. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Storage Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 15 if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.51 kg.
- You want a slim laptop that slips into a bag: it's 11.5 mm thick.
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Snapdragon X2 Elite is the more powerful processor.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You plug things in: it has USB-A (for older USB accessories) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 600 nits.
Full spec comparison
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 leads on performance, ports and wireless and the screen; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is ahead on performance.
It is faster and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | Snapdragon X2 Elite (12 Core) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 10-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | — | 80 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | — | LPDDR5X |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | — | PCIe Gen 4 removable SSD |
| Storage slots | 0 | 1 |
Screen
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is ahead on the screen.
It has a brighter screen and has a touchscreen, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 15.3" | 15" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1864) | 3K (3270 x 2180) |
| Aspect ratio | — | 3:2 |
| Panel | IPS | LCD |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | Yes |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 600 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | — |
| HDR | None | HDR display |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
| Pen standard | — | Surface Pen compatible |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter and is slimmer, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 19 hours |
| Battery capacity | 66.5 Wh | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 or USB-C | USB-C or Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70 W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | 1.66 kg |
| Dimensions | 340.4 x 237.6 x 11.5 mm | 329 x 239 x 18 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | — |
| Colour | Midnight | Black |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Black, Platinum |
Ports and wireless
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has USB-A and an SD card reader, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x USB-C / USB4, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x Surface Connect, 1x microSDXC Express |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | 2x USB4 |
| External displays (max) | 2 | — |
| Card reader | None | microSDXC Express |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features, and the Apple MacBook Air 15 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p | 1080p Full HD + IR |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | — |
| Keyboard | backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 ANSI or 79 ISO keys, 12 full-height function keys, ambient light sensor | — |
| Login | Fingerprint | Face |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing and Multi-Touch gestures | haptic touchpad |
| Speakers | six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos | — |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | — |
| Pen | No | Supported (sold separately) |
| Security | Touch ID | Windows Hello face authentication |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 15 (M5) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | MDVH4B/A | EP2-61223 |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |