Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black
Core i7-13700H · 16GB · 2023
MacBook Air 13" (M5)
M5 · 13.6″ Liquid Retina · 1.23 kg
MacBook Air 13" (M5) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black lands at 86 and MacBook Air 13" (M5) at 94. That puts MacBook Air 13" (M5) ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black if…
- ✓Current-gen silicon
- ✓Competitive spec-for-dollar
- ✓Manufacturer warranty
Pick MacBook Air 13" (M5) if…
- ✓10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- ✓16 GB unified memory baseline
- ✓Up to 18 hours video playback
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
MacBook Air 13" (M5)CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
MacBook Air 13" (M5) leads on cpu (92 vs 86).
Battery life
MacBook Air 13" (M5)Unplugged endurance for travel and campus
MacBook Air 13" (M5) leads on battery (95 vs 76).
Portability
MacBook Air 13" (M5)Weight, size, and carry-everywhere comfort
MacBook Air 13" (M5) leads on portability (96 vs 89).
Display
MacBook Air 13" (M5)Panel quality for creative and media work
MacBook Air 13" (M5) leads on display (88 vs 86).
Value for money
MacBook Air 13" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 13" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,099 vs $2,399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black | MacBook Air 13" (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Core i7-13700H | — |
| RAM | 16GB | 16 GB unified (base) |
| Release year | 2023 | — |
| Storage | 256GB SSD | ▲ 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB SSD |
| Color | Black | — |
| Chip | — | Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU; 8 or 10-core GPU) |
| Display | — | 13.6″ IPS LED, 2560×1664 at 224 ppi |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery (web) | — | Up to 15 hours |
| Weight | — | 1.23 kg |
| Ports | — | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm |
| OS | — | macOS 16 |
Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black
- +Current-gen silicon
- +Competitive spec-for-dollar
- +Manufacturer warranty
- −Battery varies by config
- −Some SKUs heavy
- −RAM often soldered
MacBook Air 13" (M5)
- +10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- +16 GB unified memory baseline
- +Up to 18 hours video playback
- −No ProMotion 120 Hz display
- −2× Thunderbolt 4 (not TB5)
- −Two ports total
FAQ: Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black vs MacBook Air 13" (M5)
Which is better, Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black or MacBook Air 13" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 13" (M5) scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black worth the price? +
At $2,399, Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in portability.
Is MacBook Air 13" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,099, MacBook Air 13" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in portability.
Does Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black or MacBook Air 13" (M5) 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, Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black or MacBook Air 13" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 13" (M5) — leads on cpu (92 vs 86). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for battery life, Surface Laptop Studio 2 · 16GB · 256GB SSD · Black or MacBook Air 13" (M5)? +
MacBook Air 13" (M5) — leads on battery (95 vs 76). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.