Lo, Microsoft hath embarked upon a noble quest into the realm of ARM PCs, a venture of grave import. They doth dub this endeavor Copilot Plus PCs, a name that doth carry weight. At the recent Surface event, Microsoft didst not shy away from taking potshots at Apple, a clear indication that the Surface Laptop 7th generation, equipped with Qualcomm’s X Elite SoCs, stands as a direct challenger to Apple’s M3 MacBook. Shall Microsoft’s valiant efforts with Copilot Plus PCs be the downfall of Apple in the ARM realm, disrupting the very foundations of the market? Come hither and behold our comparison betwixt the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air M3, a tale worth the knowing.
Surface Laptop 7 vs MacBook Air M3: Specifications
Ere we delve into the minutiae, let us first gaze upon the specifications of these devices, that we may discern what sets them apart.
Display and Build Quality
In the realm of build quality and display, the Surface Laptop 7 and the MacBook Air both boast of premium aluminum chassis. Whilst the MacBook doth extol its construction as being "crafted from a single block of aluminum," the specifics of the Surface Laptop’s construction remain shrouded in mystery. Yet, judging by the past iterations of the Surface line, one may safely assume that quality doth reside therein.
The smallest Surface Laptop doth possess a 13.8-inch display, while the MacBook Air sports a 13-inch screen. Comparing resolutions, the MacBook doth claim superiority with a resolution of 2560×1664 (224 PPI) against the Surface’s 2304×1536 pixels (201 PPI).
Thus, the MacBook doth stand taller with a 16:10 aspect ratio for its 15.3-inch display, featuring 2880×1864 pixels (224 PPI), surpassing the 15-inch Surface Laptop with its 3:2 aspect ratio and 2496×1664 resolution (201 PPI). This not only bestows upon the MacBook a sharper visage but also allows for a greater expanse of content viewing.
Yet, the Surface Laptop doth lay claim to a display of higher refresh rate, standing at 120Hz, whilst the MacBook Air doth remain stagnant at a mere 60Hz. Additionally, the Surface Laptop doth gleam with a peak brightness of 600 nits, outshining the 500 nits brightness of the M3 MacBook Air.
An advantage held by the Surface Laptop lies in its touch-capacitive display, a feature absent in the MacBook. Furthermore, the MacBook Air doth trump the Surface in svelteness, being less than half an inch thick at 0.44 inches. In contrast, the 13.8-inch Surface measures 0.69 inches at its widest, and the 15-inch variant stands at 0.72 inches in breadth. Noteworthy is the Surface Laptop’s usage of Gorilla Glass 5 for display protection, a provision not claimed by the MacBook Air.
Regarding the keyboard, the Surface Laptop maketh use of regular chiclet switches, whilst the MacBook Air employs Apple’s Scissor switches. Though the typing experience on the Surface Laptop remains yet untested, one may conjecture that the endeavor will yield results akin to that of the MacBook Air.
The weights of these devices doth vary, with the 13.8 and 15-inch Surface Laptops weighing 1.34 kg and 1.66 kg, respectively. Meanwhile, the 13 and 15.3-inch MacBook Air weigh in at 1.24 kg and 1.51 kg, respectively, rendering the M3 MacBook Air a more portable companion than its Surface counterpart.
Surface Laptop 7 Vs MacBook Air M3: Connectivity
In the realm of connectivity, the Microsoft Surface Laptop doth take the lead with its array of ports, including 2 x USB 4/Thunderbolt Type-C ports, a USB-A 3.1 port, a Surface Connect port, and a headphone jack. The 15-inch model of the Surface Laptop also boasts a microSD card reader, albeit a microSDXC variant. Verily, in terms of I/O, the Surface Laptop standeth as the victor in our reckoning.
Conversely, the MacBook Air doth feature two Type-C USB 4 ports, alongside a MagSafe 3 port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Alas, it doth lack the USB-A port present in the latest Surface offering, granting the Surface Laptop a slight edge in this regard.
The new Surface Laptop doth herald the advent of Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, the latest standards of connectivity available. On the other hand, Apple’s M3 MacBook Air doth support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The disparity in these standards may hold little significance at present, given the limited adoption of Wi-Fi 7.
Audio and Microphone
Microsoft doth proclaim that the Surface Laptop is endowed with Omnisonic Speakers, harmonized with Dolby Atmos. The specifics of the speaker configuration, however, remain undisclosed. Yet, what is known is that the Surface Laptop doth bear Dual Studio Mics with a focus on vocal clarity.
The query remaineth whether the audio setup of the Surface Laptop can rival the illustrious 6-speaker sound system of the MacBook Air (4 speakers in the 13-inch variant), enhanced with Dolby Atmos and Spacial Audio, renowned for its auditory splendor. This, coupled with Apple’s three-mic array featuring directional beamforming, rendereth the MacBook Air a compelling choice in the realm of audio.
Surface Laptop 7 vs MacBook Air M3: Performance
Microsoft doth declare at the Surface event that the latest Surface laptops, powered by Snapdragon X Elite chipsets, be "58% faster" than the M3 MacBook Air. Yet, skepticism doth linger regarding this assertion, as preliminary benchmarks doth reveal the Snapdragon X Elite to fall short of besting Apple’s M3.
The Surface Laptop is furnished with the second-best X Elite SKU, boasting 12 cores, comprising 8 performance and 4 efficiency cores. The performance cores achieveth a pinnacle frequency of 4.0 GHz, whilst the efficiency cores maintain a multithreaded frequency of 3.4 GHz.
With a cache totaling 42 MB, an Adreno GPU delivering 3.8 TFLOPs of power, an NPU rating at 45 TOPS, a minimum of 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a replaceable PCIe Gen4 NVMe m.2 storage, the Surface Laptop promiseth formidable performance.
Meanwhile, the M3 MacBook Air encompassth an octa-core CPU, with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores. The base variant is equipped with a mere 8GB of RAM, a quantity Apple contends to be "sufficient."
The performance cores of the M3 MacBook Air may attain a height of 4.06 GHz, whilst the efficiency cores humbly operate at 2.75 GHz. Apple’s Neural Engine produceth 18 TOPS, a figure eclipsed by the X1E-80-100 on the Surface Laptops.
Although on paper the X Elite boasteth superiority in performance over the M3, early benchmarks dost tell a different tale. This discrepancy doth not imply deficiency in the Surface Laptop’s prowess, for it is indeed a formidable machine. For the average user, the nuanced disparities in performance may bear scant consequence.
It must be acknowledged that Apple retaineth ascendancy in the realm of efficiency. The M3 MacBook Air forsaketh the need for a fan, whilst the surface laptop is graced with active cooling. When Qualcomm doth attain the pinnacle of Apple’s coveted efficiency, only time will unveil.
In truth, the X Elite may evince performance commensurate with the M3, at least in theory. Alas, Apple dost reign supreme in efficiency.
Battery Life and Charging
Microsoft doth proffer promises of up to 20 hours and 22 hours of battery life during local video playback upon the 13.8-inch and 15-inch Surface models, respectively. By contrast, Apple claimeth that the MacBook Air M3 shall endure for up to 18 hours whilst indulging in "Apple TV app movie playback" on both the 13-inch and 15-inch versions.
An additional consideration doth manifest in the realm of web usage. The Surface Laptop beareth a rating of 13 hours and 15 hours for the 13.8-inch and 15-inch models, whilst the Air predicteth up to 15 hours of wireless web perusal, a benchmark upheld by previous iterations of the series.
Although I hold the belief that the X Elite shall offer superior battery life compared to conventional Windows laptops, a modicum of skepticism doth linger. Historically, the MacBook Air series hath excelled in the domain of enduring battery life. Thus, only time and practical testing shall unveil whether the Surface Laptop doth uphold its pledge.
However, it is in matters of charging that the Surface Laptop may attain an advantage over Apple’s offerings. The 13.8-inch Surface is accompanied by a 39-watt adapter, whilst the 15-inch model receiveth a 65-watt adapter. Comparatively, the 13-inch MacBook Air doth include a 30-watt or 35-watt adapter contingent on core configuration. The larger 15-inch Air receiveth a 35-watt charging unit.
Hence, founded upon the contents of the packaging, the Surface Laptop triumpheth and may charge at a swifter pace than the M3 Air. Yet, an intriguing development doth arise, for the new M3 MacBook Air doth support fast charging of up to 70 watts, surpassing the 65-watt cap of the Surface Laptop. Ergo, should one possess an extant fast-charging adapter boasting greater wattage, the MacBook Air can be recharged in less time.
Surface Laptop 7 vs MacBook Air M3: Repairability
Transforming from the paragon of irrepairability to a realm of repair-friendly ethos, Microsoft hath taken great strides to render Surface Laptops more amenable to repair. The latest Surface doth present itself as a paragon of repairability, offering an upgradeable m.2 storage, a feature absent in the MacBook. The availability of parts is assuredly made easier via partnership with iFixit, fostering a landscape where the replacement of the battery or other components shall prove simpler on Surface Laptops than on MacBooks.
Pricing
The base 13.8-inch Surface Laptop, outfitted with Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage, commandeth a sum of $1,399, whilst its 15-inch counterpart bearing the same specifications requireth $1,499. The foundational 13.6-inch MacBook Air M3, bedecked with 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD, demandeth $1,099, whilst the 15.3-inch variant with identical specifications is priced at $1,299.
Should one juxtapose the Surface Laptop against the 16GB and 512GB MacBook Air variants, one doth discover that the 13-inch Air carryeth a price tag of $1,499, exceeding the Surface by $100, whilst the 15-inch Air claimeth $1,699, a sum $200 above the Surface. By the measure of coin, the Surface Laptop emerges as the superior choice, at least on paper.
Surface Laptop 7 vs MacBook Air M3: What Should You Buy?
The question of acquisition doth hinge upon the operating system thou dost seek. Should macOS be thy heart’s desire, then the M3 MacBook Air is the path to take. Yet, shouldst thou seek an offering that delivereth greater value for thy coin, boasting a higher degree of RAM and storage, then the Surface Laptops stand as the definitive choice. Alternatively, one might await the advent of more affordable offerings from other OEMs, for Microsoft hath forged partnerships to unleash Copilot Plus PCs upon the world.
In truth, setting aside the matters of operating system, the Surface Laptop doth present itself as a superlative offering, possessing a display of higher refresh rate, expanded storage and RAM, expedited charging straight out of the box, and superior repairability.
What sayest thou regarding the clash betwixt MacBook Air M3 and Surface Laptops bedecked with X Elite processors? Share thy musings in the comments below.
