Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core i5 1.6GHz vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" 7th Edition
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core i5 1.6GHz 2019, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Space Gray
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" 7th Edition 2024, Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Black
What Buyers Say
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core i5 1.6GHz 2019, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Space Gray
Users are overwhelmingly pleased with this refurbished MacBook Air, noting its near-mint physical condition, smooth performance for everyday tasks, and excellent value compared to buying new. A few minor issues are mentioned, such as a slightly worn charger or an occasional screen glitch, but these are seen as negligible trade-offs for the price. One verified buyer reported a serious activation lock issue with the previous owner's Apple ID, though others dismissed this as user error.
Pros
- Near-mint physical condition
- Smooth performance for everyday tasks
- Excellent value for the price
- Good battery health
- Bright and beautiful display
Cons
- Minor activation lock issue reported
- Charger quality may be slightly worn
- Battery life shorter than older models
- Occasional screen glitch when switching modes
- Lack of USB-A ports
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" 7th Edition 2024, Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Black
Users are very satisfied with the Surface Laptop, praising its build quality, smooth trackpad, excellent screen brightness, and long battery life. One reviewer noted a printer connectivity issue, but overall sentiment is highly positive. The magnetic charging port is also appreciated for its durability.
Pros
- Excellent screen brightness
- Smooth trackpad
- Great battery life
- Well-constructed build
- Magnetic charging port
Cons
- Printer connectivity issue
Scores
Specifications
| Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core i5 1.6GHz | Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" 7th Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | ||
| CPU* | Intel Core i5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100★ |
| CPU Multi-Core Score | ||
| Cores | 2 | 12★ |
| Frequency | 1.6 GHz | 3.4 GHz★ |
| L3 Cache | — | 6 MB★ |
| Graphics | ||
| GPU* | Intel UHD Graphics 617★ | Qualcomm Adreno |
| GPU Benchmark Score | ||
| Type | integrated | integrated |
| VRAM Type | Shared | Shared |
| Memory & Storage | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 32 GB★ |
| RAM Generation | LPDDR3 | LPDDR5X★ |
| Storage 1 | 128 GB | 1 TB★ |
| Storage 1 Type | SSD | NVMe SSD★ |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13.3" | 15" |
| Resolution | 2560 px★ | 2496 px |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh Rate | — | 120 Hz★ |
| Brightness | — | 600 nits★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB-C Ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB Ports | 0 | 1★ |
| Thunderbolt | Thunderbolt 3 | USB4 |
| HDMI | 1 x HDMI | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7★ |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Bluetooth 5.4★ |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000 | — |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 1.25 kg★ | 1.66 kg |
| Battery | 30 Wh | 66 Wh★ |
| OS | macOS | Windows 11 Home |
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core i5 1.6GHz 2019, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Space Gray
- Strong reliability (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong affordability (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong portability (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong social proof (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average ram (5th percentile)5th %ile
- Below average cpu (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average storage (8th percentile)8th %ile
- Below average gpu (28th percentile)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15" 7th Edition 2024, Snapdragon X Elite, 32GB, 1TB SSD, Black
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong screen (89th percentile)89th %ile
- Strong reliability (82nd percentile)82nd %ile
- Strong user sentiment (81st percentile)81st %ile
- Below average gpu (13th percentile)13th %ile
- Below average affordability (14th percentile)14th %ile
Pricing
Apple MacBook Air 13.3" Core i5 1.6GHz 2019, 8GB, 128GB SSD, Space Gray offers 6.1x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 71 overall, wins 6 of 8 usage categories and 15 of 28 specs.