Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The real choice here is the system: the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 runs Windows and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch runs macOS. Beyond that, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has more memory and has more storage, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch 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-inch runs macOS. Pick the one that runs the apps you rely on.
- Memory Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- 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-inch wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch's screen is sharper: 2.5K against 2K.
- Condition Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is sold new.
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 keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch 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 do demanding work: its Apple M1 has the power for photo and video editing.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 leads on performance, the screen, ports and wireless and extras; 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 memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon X2 Plus (10 Core) | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 80 TOPS | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5x | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | Removable Gen 4 SSD | — |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a slightly bigger screen: 13.8" against 13.3". The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a smoother screen, has a brighter screen and has a touchscreen, while the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch has a sharper screen.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.8" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 2K (2304 x 1536) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | — | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | HDR, 600 nits peak; Dolby Vision IQ support | None |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 54 Wh | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | — | 30 W |
| Charges via | USB-C (USB4) and Surface Connect | USB-C |
| Fast charging | Fast charging supported with min. 60W USB-C PD charger or 65W Surface Power Supply (sold separately); no percentage/time claim | — |
| Weight | 1.36 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | Recycled aluminium alloy enclosure (A cover and C bucket) | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Black | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Black, Platinum | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
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-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB4 (charging, data, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x Surface Connect (charging) | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 3 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features and has a sharper webcam, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Automatic backlight, Copilot key | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Face | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Precision haptic touchpad with advanced haptics and adaptive touch mode | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | Dual Studio Mics with voice focus | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, Microsoft Pluton security processor | Touch ID |
Software and model
They run different systems, so this comes down to the apps you use.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | macOS |
| Model number | EP2-60925 | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2026 | 2020 |