Have you been weighing your options between Apple’s latest M4 MacBook Air and Microsoft’s Surface Laptop? You’re not alone. In 2025, these two ultraportable laptops represent the pinnacle of what Apple and Microsoft offer for mainstream users seeking a blend of performance, portability, and style.
But while both machines have their merits, Apple’s M4-powered MacBook Air has established a clear lead in several crucial categories. As someone who’s spent extensive time with both devices, I’m going to walk you through exactly why the MacBook Air has become the go-to choice for so many users—and whether those advantages might make it the right choice for you too.
Let’s dive into this comprehensive comparison to see exactly where and why the MacBook Air dominates, while still acknowledging where the Surface Laptop might be the better fit for specific needs.
The Evolution of Ultraportable Powerhouses
Before we get into the detailed comparison, it’s worth understanding how these two competitors arrived at their current state.
Apple’s Silicon Revolution
When Apple transitioned from Intel processors to its own custom silicon in 2020, it fundamentally changed the laptop landscape. The M1 chip delivered unprecedented performance-per-watt, allowing MacBooks to achieve remarkable speed while consuming minimal power. With each iteration—M2, M3, and now M4—Apple has further refined this advantage.
The M4 MacBook Air represents the fourth generation of this architecture, building on lessons learned and optimizations discovered over the previous versions. According to Apple’s performance claims, the M4 chip delivers up to 35% better performance than the already impressive M3, while maintaining the same exceptional battery life.
Microsoft’s Surface Evolution
Microsoft’s Surface lineup has always emphasized innovation in form factor and input methods. The Surface Laptop specifically has evolved as Microsoft’s answer to the traditional clamshell laptop, offering premium build quality and an optimized Windows experience.
The latest Surface Laptop continues this tradition, now featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors in a significant shift away from Intel—Microsoft’s own silicon revolution of sorts. As Microsoft’s Surface blog highlights, this move aims to bring many of the same advantages Apple has realized: better performance-per-watt, longer battery life, and improved thermal efficiency.
Performance: Apple Silicon’s Commanding Lead
When comparing the M4 MacBook Air against the latest Surface Laptop, performance is perhaps the most lopsided category in Apple’s favor.
Raw Processing Power
The M4 chip inside the latest MacBook Air represents the culmination of Apple’s aggressive silicon development roadmap. With its 10-core CPU and up to 18-core GPU, it delivers desktop-class performance in an ultraportable form factor.
In benchmark testing, the M4 MacBook Air consistently outperforms the Snapdragon-powered Surface Laptop:
- Single-core performance: 30-40% faster
- Multi-core performance: 25-35% faster
- GPU compute: Up to 2.5x faster in certain workloads
These aren’t just numbers on a chart—they translate to real-world advantages. The MacBook Air handles demanding tasks like 4K video editing, complex photo manipulation, and software development with remarkably little effort, while the Surface Laptop can struggle when pushed beyond everyday productivity tasks.
Efficiency and Thermal Management
Perhaps more impressive than raw performance is how the M4 chip achieves this speed without requiring active cooling. The MacBook Air maintains its fanless design, meaning it operates in complete silence even under load.
The Surface Laptop, while improved with its Arm-based processor, still relies on active cooling that becomes noticeable during intensive tasks. This results in:
- Occasional fan noise during demanding workloads
- Thermal throttling that reduces performance during sustained heavy use
- Warmer external temperatures in certain situations
AI and Machine Learning Performance
With dedicated Neural Engine cores, the M4 MacBook Air excels at AI and machine learning tasks. Apple claims the Neural Engine can perform up to 38 trillion operations per second, enabling features like:
- Real-time language translation
- Advanced photo and video processing
- Voice recognition and natural language processing
- On-device machine learning model training
While Microsoft’s Snapdragon processors include NPU (Neural Processing Unit) capabilities, they currently lag behind Apple’s implementation in both raw performance and software optimization.
Battery Life: A Key Advantage for Everyday Use
For many users, battery life is the single most important laptop feature—and here the M4 MacBook Air shines brilliantly.
All-Day and Beyond
Apple claims up to 22 hours of video playback for the M4 MacBook Air, but real-world usage typically delivers:
- 12-16 hours of mixed productivity work
- 8-10 hours of continuous web browsing with multiple tabs
- 5-7 hours of video editing or other intensive tasks
The Surface Laptop has made significant strides with its move to Arm processors, but still falls short of the MacBook Air by approximately 10-20% in most battery tests.
Standby Efficiency
Perhaps more impressive than active battery life is the MacBook Air’s standby efficiency. Users frequently report opening their MacBook after days of standby to find the battery level nearly unchanged. This “instant-on” experience, combined with minimal battery drain when idle, better matches how many people actually use their laptops in daily life.
The Surface Laptop, while improved, still exhibits more significant standby battery drain—likely due to differences in how Windows and macOS handle background processes and power management.
Software Ecosystem: Integration vs. Compatibility
The operating system decision—macOS vs. Windows—often drives laptop choices more than hardware specs. Both platforms have distinct advantages, though Apple’s vertical integration gives it some notable benefits.
Apple’s Vertical Integration Advantage
When you buy a MacBook Air, you’re getting hardware and software designed in tandem by the same company. This integration enables:
- Optimized performance for first-party apps
- Seamless handoff between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.)
- Features like Universal Control, AirDrop, and Continuity
- Consistent update support for typically 7+ years
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone or iPad, these integration benefits become even more compelling. According to industry research, ecosystem integration ranks among the top three reasons users choose MacBooks over Windows alternatives.
Windows’ Software Compatibility
The Surface Laptop’s primary software advantage comes from Windows’ broader compatibility, especially for:
- Legacy business applications
- Specialized industry software
- Gaming (though the Arm transition complicates this somewhat)
- Broader hardware peripheral support
However, the Surface Laptop’s Arm-based processor introduces some compatibility challenges for Windows. While Microsoft has made significant strides with emulation for x86 applications, performance and compatibility issues can still arise with certain software.
Display Quality: Surprisingly Close
Both Apple and Microsoft prioritize excellent displays in their premium laptops, making this category more competitive than you might expect.
Resolution and Clarity
The M4 MacBook Air offers a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display (2560 × 1664) with:
- 500 nits of brightness
- P3 wide color gamut
- True Tone technology for adaptive color temperature
The Surface Laptop counters with a 13.8-inch PixelSense display (2496 × 1664) offering:
- Similar pixel density
- Comparable color accuracy
- Touch and pen support (a significant advantage over the MacBook)
The Touch Factor
The Surface Laptop’s touchscreen remains a meaningful advantage for certain workflows. Whether you’re annotating documents, navigating websites, or making quick adjustments to creative projects, touch input offers an intuitive alternative that the MacBook Air simply doesn’t provide.
Build Quality and Design: Premium vs. Premium
Both laptops represent their manufacturers’ design philosophies at their best, with premium materials and excellent build quality.
MacBook Air’s Refined Minimalism
The M4 MacBook Air continues Apple’s design language of minimalist precision with:
- Machined aluminum unibody construction
- Remarkably thin profile (11.3mm)
- Lightweight design (2.7 pounds)
- Available in four colors: Silver, Space Gray, Starlight, and Midnight
The overall build quality feels incredibly solid, with zero flex in the chassis and a hinge mechanism that allows one-finger opening while maintaining stability.
Surface Laptop’s Modern Aesthetic
Microsoft’s design approach offers a refreshing alternative:
- Aluminum top and keyboard deck
- Alcantara fabric option for palm rest (on select models)
- Slightly thicker profile (14.7mm)
- Comparable weight (2.8 pounds)
- Available in Platinum, Matte Black, Sandstone, and Ice Blue
The Surface Laptop’s build quality rivals the MacBook Air’s, though some users report slightly more chassis flex under pressure.
Keyboard and Trackpad: Apple’s Subtle Edge
Input methods can make or break the laptop experience, and here Apple maintains a slight advantage.
Keyboard Comfort and Reliability
After resolving the issues with its butterfly keyboard design years ago, Apple’s current Magic Keyboard offers:
- 1mm of key travel
- Firm, responsive feedback
- Excellent reliability record
- Full-sized function row
- Backlit keys with automatic brightness adjustment
The Surface Laptop keyboard is also excellent, with:
- 1.3mm of key travel (slightly deeper than the MacBook)
- Well-spaced keys with good tactile feedback
- Comparable reliability
- Similar backlighting capabilities
Many users find the slightly deeper key travel of the Surface Laptop more comfortable for extended typing sessions, though the difference is subtle.
Trackpad Precision
Apple maintains a significant lead in trackpad quality:
- Larger surface area (significantly bigger than the Surface Laptop’s)
- More precise tracking and gesture recognition
- Haptic feedback that simulates clicking anywhere on the surface
- Better palm rejection algorithms
While Microsoft has improved Windows’ trackpad drivers considerably, the hardware and software integration of Apple’s trackpad creates a noticeably better experience for most users.
Port Selection and Connectivity: Practical Considerations
Modern ultraportables often sacrifice port variety for thinness, and both machines make different compromises.
MacBook Air’s Minimal Approach
The M4 MacBook Air offers:
- Two Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- MagSafe charging port
This relatively minimal selection means dongles or hubs will be necessary for many users, though the dedicated charging port (separate from the Thunderbolt ports) is a practical advantage.
Surface Laptop’s Traditional Mix
Microsoft provides a more conventional selection:
- One USB-C port (Thunderbolt 4)
- One USB-A port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Surface Connect port for charging
The inclusion of a USB-A port is particularly valuable for users with legacy peripherals, potentially eliminating the need for dongles in many scenarios.
Value Proposition: Premium Pricing on Both Sides
Neither the MacBook Air nor the Surface Laptop targets budget-conscious buyers—both command premium prices justified by their design, build quality, and performance.
Price Comparison
For comparable configurations (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD):
- M4 MacBook Air: $1,499
- Surface Laptop: $1,399
While the Surface Laptop has a slight price advantage on paper, the MacBook Air’s performance lead often justifies the premium for users who will leverage that additional capability.
Longevity and Future-Proofing
An often-overlooked aspect of value is how long a laptop remains useful. Here, Apple has established a significant advantage:
- Software support: MacBooks typically receive macOS updates for 7+ years
- Performance headroom: The M4 chip’s power means it will handle future software demands better
- Resale value: MacBooks consistently retain value better than Windows laptops
According to resale analysis data, MacBooks typically retain 10-15% more of their value after three years compared to premium Windows laptops like the Surface.
My Thoughts: Why the MacBook Air Pulls Ahead
After extensive time with both machines, I believe the M4 MacBook Air’s dominance stems from Apple’s focused approach to solving the core problems that matter most to mainstream users:
- All-day battery life that eliminates range anxiety
- Silent, cool operation even under demanding workloads
- Consistent, predictable performance without unexpected slowdowns
- Seamless ecosystem integration for Apple device owners
- Class-leading build quality that inspires confidence
The Surface Laptop excels in different areas—touchscreen versatility, Windows software compatibility, and port variety—but these advantages tend to matter to more specialized user groups rather than the mainstream.
For the majority of users seeking a premium ultraportable that simply works exceptionally well day after day, the MacBook Air has become the default choice for good reason.
Conclusion
The M4 MacBook Air’s dominance over the Surface Laptop isn’t about flashy features or marketing—it’s about delivering substantially better performance, battery life, and overall user experience in a similarly priced package.
Microsoft’s Surface Laptop remains an excellent choice for Windows-dependent users, those who prioritize touch input, or users who need specific Windows-only software. The competition between these platforms ultimately drives innovation benefiting consumers on both sides.
However, for users who simply want the most capable, reliable, and efficient ultraportable laptop—particularly those already using other Apple devices—the M4 MacBook Air’s advantages are difficult to ignore. Apple’s vertical integration and focused silicon development have created a package that sets new standards for what users should expect from a modern laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can the M4 MacBook Air run Windows applications?
The M4 MacBook Air cannot natively run Windows or Windows applications. However, virtualization solutions like Parallels Desktop for Mac can run many Windows applications at near-native speeds. Microsoft’s Remote Desktop app also allows connecting to Windows machines. For users heavily dependent on specific Windows software, the Surface Laptop remains the more straightforward choice.
2. How does the M4 MacBook Air handle creative applications like Adobe’s Creative Suite?
Adobe has optimized most of its Creative Suite applications for Apple Silicon, resulting in excellent performance on the M4 MacBook Air. Applications like Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator run significantly faster on the MacBook Air compared to similarly priced Windows laptops, including the Surface Laptop. Video editing in Premiere Pro is particularly impressive, with smooth playback of 4K footage that would cause stuttering on many ultraportable Windows machines.
3. Which laptop is better for students?
For most students, the MacBook Air’s advantages in battery life, performance, and reliability make it the superior choice. The ability to last through a full day of classes without charging is particularly valuable in educational settings. However, students in specific programs requiring Windows-only software or tablet-like functionality for note-taking might benefit more from the Surface Laptop’s touchscreen and Windows compatibility.
4. How do gaming capabilities compare between these laptops?
Neither laptop is designed primarily for gaming, but there are significant differences. The Surface Laptop offers better compatibility with Windows games but less graphical power. The M4 MacBook Air has substantially more GPU performance but a more limited game library. Apple Arcade and growing support for AAA titles on Mac provide gaming options, but serious gamers would find the Surface Laptop’s Windows compatibility more beneficial despite its weaker graphics performance.
5. What about upgradeability and repairability?
Both laptops offer limited user upgradeability, with RAM and storage soldered to the motherboard. However, third-party repairability rankings typically rate the Surface Laptop slightly higher for repair access. That said, Apple’s extensive service network and AppleCare warranty options can make practical repairs more convenient for many users despite the more integrated design. Both devices should be purchased with future needs in mind, as internal upgrades after purchase are not possible.