MacBook Air 15" (M5)
M5 · 15.3″ Liquid Retina · 1.51 kg
Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver
Core i7-13700H · 16GB · 2023
MacBook Air 15" (M5) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Air 15" (M5) lands at 94 and Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver at 86. That puts MacBook Air 15" (M5) ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick MacBook Air 15" (M5) if…
- ✓Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- ✓10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- ✓Up to 18 hours video playback
Pick Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver if…
- ✓Current-gen silicon
- ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
- ✓Manufacturer warranty
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
MacBook Air 15" (M5)CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
MacBook Air 15" (M5) leads on gpu (88 vs 81).
Battery life
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Unplugged endurance for travel and campus
MacBook Air 15" (M5) leads on battery (95 vs 76).
Portability
TieWeight, size, and carry-everywhere comfort
Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.
Display
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Panel quality for creative and media work
MacBook Air 15" (M5) leads on display (90 vs 86).
Value for money
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 15" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $2,399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | MacBook Air 15" (M5) | Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | — |
| RAM | 16 GB unified (base) | 16GB |
| Storage | 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Display | 15.3″ IPS LED, 2880×1864 at 224 ppi | — |
| Battery (video) | Up to 18 hours | — |
| Battery (web) | Up to 15 hours | — |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | — |
| Ports | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm | — |
| OS | macOS 16 | — |
| CPU | — | Core i7-13700H |
| Release year | — | 2023 |
| Color | — | Silver |
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
- +Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- +10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- +Up to 18 hours video playback
- −Heavier at 1.51 kg
- −2× Thunderbolt 4 (not TB5)
- −No ProMotion
Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
- −Battery varies by config
- −Some SKUs heavy
- −RAM often soldered
FAQ: MacBook Air 15" (M5) vs Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver
Which is better, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is MacBook Air 15" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,299, MacBook Air 15" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in battery.
Is Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver worth the price? +
At $2,399, Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in portability.
Does MacBook Air 15" (M5) or Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for performance, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) — leads on gpu (88 vs 81). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for battery life, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 512GB SSD · Silver? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) — leads on battery (95 vs 76). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.