Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4)
The real choice here is the system: the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13 runs macOS. Beyond that, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has more storage and has a brighter screen, while the Apple MacBook Air 13 has a sharper screen.
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Key differences
- Operating system Depends on you
They run different systems: the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13 runs macOS. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Storage Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
- Sharpness Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13's screen is sharper: 2.5K against 2K.
- Brightness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's screen is brighter (600 against 500 nits), so it's easier to see near a window.
- Touchscreen Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
Only the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a touchscreen.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You need Windows programs or want to play PC games: it runs Windows 11, which runs almost anything.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 600 nits.
- You like to tap, scroll and sign things on screen: it has a touchscreen.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 if…
- You own an iPhone or prefer a Mac: it runs macOS and works smoothly with Apple devices.
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.24 kg.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 leads on performance and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on performance.
It has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100 | Apple M4 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Apple M4 8-core GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 45 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5x | — |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | — |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | Gen 4 SSD (removable) | — |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a brighter screen and has a touchscreen, while the Apple MacBook Air 13 has a sharper screen.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.8" | 13.6" |
| Resolution | 2K (2304 x 1536) | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) |
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 20:13 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | — |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 500 nits |
| Colour range | sRGB and Vivid colour profiles | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR 600 nits peak | — |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter and is slimmer, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 54 Wh | 53.8 Wh |
| Charger | 39 W | 30 W |
| Charges via | USB-C, Surface Connect | MagSafe 3 (also charges via Thunderbolt 4 USB-C) |
| Fast charging | — | Fast-charge capable with 70W USB-C adapter (no time claim) |
| Weight | 1.34 kg | 1.24 kg |
| Dimensions | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm |
| Materials | Anodized aluminum casing | Aluminium enclosure (100% recycled aluminium) |
| Colour | Sapphire | Midnight |
| Colours available | Platinum, Black, Sapphire, Dune | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight |
Ports and wireless
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has USB-A and has Wi-Fi 7, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB 4 (charging, data, DisplayPort 1.4a), 1x USB-A 3.1, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x Surface Connect (charging) | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40Gb/s, charging, DisplayPort, USB 4), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | — | 2 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features, and the Apple MacBook Air 13 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 12MP Center Stage |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit, mechanical keys, QWERTY with F1-F12 row, Copilot key, media and brightness buttons | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 79-key ISO (UK), 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Face | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Precision Haptic touchpad | Force Touch trackpad (Multi-Touch) |
| Speakers | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos | Four-speaker sound system, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | Dual Studio Mics with voice focus | Three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, BitLocker support, Windows 11 Secured-core PC, Microsoft Pluton, Windows Hello face authentication | — |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
It is newer, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (7th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Model number | ZGM-00064 | — |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |