MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4: Battle Of Brand Supremacy

Wondering which to purchase between the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4? It’s an excellent factor we’ve written this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 comparability!
With this comparability article, we’ll make your decision-making course of a neater one. We will achieve this by evaluating each laptops in each facet in order to provide you deeper insights into how they differ when it comes to the options they provide.
These points will embody their design in addition to their CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and battery life efficiency. After analyzing each laptops in every part, I’ll fee one over the opposite based mostly on their efficiency capabilities and the options they provide.
To conclude, I give you our knowledgeable advice on the finish of the article in case you continue to aren’t in a position to decide one between the 2 laptops.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4: My Initial Thoughts

For some years now, we have now borne witness to the Microsoft vs Apple showdown that has made the 2 manufacturers push their improvements additional. While it began out majorly as a software-based battle, the battleground has now shifted to the {hardware} area.
Surface laptops have continually gone face to face with MacBooks for the battle of supremacy. In truth, it has gotten to the extent that with each new launch, Microsoft will get nearer to stealing the MacBook’s crown.
However, Apple nonetheless at all times manages to get the most effective over them. This time round Microsoft introduced the battle on to Apple’s doorstep by claiming that their Surface Pro 4 is 50 p.c sooner than Apple’s 2011 13-inch MacBook Air.
Could this be true? Well, we’ll evaluate each gadgets spherical by spherical to know which is quicker and which is superior.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 Design, Dimension And Weight Comparison

Truly, magnificence lies within the eyes of the beholder, however I doubt anybody would suppose the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 aren’t lovely. Even although I believe the design of the MacBook Air is starting to look a bit outdated, it’s nonetheless very modern.
Both the MacBook Air and Surface Laptop 4 are additionally very transportable, but sturdy sufficient to face up to a number of knocks right here and there.
As we proceed to research these laptops’ designs and builds, let’s take the primary take a look at the MacBook Air.
If you’ve owned or seen earlier MacBook Air fashions, then you definately already know the way Apple has designed the 2011 MacBook Air we’re at present reviewing. Apple remains to be sticking by its easy design and unibody aluminum development.
Most of all, the MacBook Air’s construct construction stays the identical. Apple nonetheless makes use of the wedge-shaped design to construct the MacBook Air.
What this interprets to is that the thickest portion of the laptop computer remains to be on its rear aspect. Moving in direction of the tip of the lid and base of the laptop computer, it slims right down to a very skinny construction that curves right into a flat edge.
This makes the laptop computer look distinctive and exquisite while you view it from a aspect angle. In truth, no viewing angle makes the laptop computer look unattractive.
Even while you view the laptop computer from its backside, you’ll discover that it’s almost as easy because the lid. Only a partition line and the absence of the gorgeous white Apple brand make the underside of the MacBook Air much less lovely in comparison with its lid.
Looking on the MacBook Air as a complete, Apple’s choice to retain the wedge form construct didn’t extra than simply maintain the laptop computer’s identification. It additionally made positive that the MacBook Air remained compact.
To give extra element, the MacBook Air measures 325 x 227 x 3.0 – 17 mm (W x D x H). By all requirements, this can be a moderately sized laptop computer.
It additionally isn’t very heavy. The MacBook Air weighs simply 1350 g.
This is just not a lot of a shock although, since Apple has at all times discovered a option to hold issues gentle because of their wonderful craftsmanship. Despite how sturdy their laptops are as a result of their unibody aluminum development, they’re not often heavy.
Add the MacBook Air’s sturdiness to the colour choices Apple has to supply and you’ll have a premium-looking sturdy laptop computer in your fingers. In case you’re questioning, the colour choices you get for the MacBook Air embody Gold, Space Gray, and Silver.
Now that I’ve given you an summary of the design of this MacBook Air, it’s time to overview the bodily design of the Surface Pro 4.
When it involves premium design strengthened with a sturdy construct, the Surface Pro 4 may be very a lot on the identical web page because the MacBook Air. The Surface Pro 4 has a premium design with a easy, however strong chassis that’s constructed with magnesium unibody casing.
Like the MacBook Air that includes the Apple brand, the Surface Pro 4 solely options the Microsoft brand on its lid. Every different a part of its physique is clear and freed from any design sample.
However, not every thing in regards to the Surface Pro 4’s design theme is much like the MacBook Air’s. Unlike the MacBook Air whose design is sort of solely similar to that of its predecessors, the Surface Pro 4’s design options extra modifications.
The Surface Pro 4 appears like an enormous step in direction of the development of the Surface Pro line. These enhancements will be primarily seen in its show and chassis.
To give extra element, Microsoft has elevated the Surface Pro 4’s show dimension by just some inches – from 12 inches to 12.3 inches. The higher information, nonetheless, is that Microsoft was in a position to do that with out making the machine’s general footprint bigger.
Ironically, Microsoft was in a position to dispose of greater than half a millimeter of the Surface Pro 4’s thickness – from 9.1mm to eight.4mm.
To provide you with an summary of its footprint, the Surface Pro 4 measures 292 x 201 x 8.45 mm (W x D x H). This makes it extra compact in comparison with the MacBook Air.
You could also be itching to find what “magic” Microsoft carried out to realize the smaller footprint; I’ll assist you perceive. Microsoft merely eliminated the capacitive Windows button that took up about three-tenths of an inch on the show.
That was not all although. Microsoft additionally needed to shift the show’s optical stack nearer to the display screen panel.
In case you’re questioning, the show’s optical stack features a sequence of sensors, diodes, and pixels beneath the show panel. These elements make up the important thing level of Microsoft’s PixelSense display screen expertise.
As you’d count on, the Surface Pro 4’s show is a superb one. It produces pictures which are vibrant and sharp sufficient so that you can get pleasure from your films, edit photographs or just browse the net.
Likewise, the MacBook Air’s show can also be an excellent show. However, earlier than we go additional into the show particulars of the 2 gadgets, it seems as if the Surface Pro 4 already has the sting over the MacBook Air.
To begin with, the Surface Pro 4 comes with a 12.3-inch show that gives a 2K decision of 2736 x 1824. Meanwhile, the MacBook Pro includes a 13.3-inch show that has an HD+ decision of 1440 x 900.
Comparatively, the Surface Pro 4’s show decision which leads to a whopping 267 PPI fully blows the MacBook Air’s 128 PPI, away.
The Surface Pro 4’s show additionally occurs to be brighter and extra color-accurate than the MacBook Air’s. While the Surface Pro 4 can supply 396 nits of brightness, the MacBook Air can not supply past 322 nits.
In addition, the Surface Pro 4’s bezels are a lot thinner in comparison with the MacBook Air’s. Even although the Surface Pro 4’s bezels are barely thick going by at present’s requirements, they nonetheless align with the modern-day design.
The MacBook Air, alternatively, has bezels which are clearly indicative of its previous design. Its bezels are method too thick.
Another factor that offers the Surface Pro 4 an edge over the MacBook Air is that its show is touch-enabled. In use, the Surface Pro 4’s show may be very responsive to the touch.
It additionally presents an unimaginable degree of sensitivity to make the stylus expertise a way more productive one. Along with the improved Surface Pen, the Surface Pro 4’s show presents 1,024 ranges of strain.
Speaking of the Surface Pen, Microsoft has enhanced its options, making it really feel extra like a pencil. The enhancements Microsoft made on this Pen plus the show’s distinctive high quality makes you get top-of-the-line “stylus-display” experiences ever.
Microsoft additionally improved the Surface Type Cover to provide you a extra snug typing expertise. The Surface Pro 4’s new backlit Type Cover is thicker and feels extra inflexible than those of earlier fashions.
This makes it supply deeper key travels and higher tactile suggestions. In case you don’t know what key journey means, it’s the distance a key travels from its regular place to its totally pressed place.
At the tip of the day, the Surface Pro 4’s deeper key journey makes it really feel extra like a real laptop computer’s keyboard. However, it doesn’t full this expertise with out its well-known kickstand.
You might want to prop up the kickstand behind the Surface Pro 4 to an excellent angle so as so that you can totally get pleasure from your typing classes. Fortunately, you may transfer the kickstand between 22 to 150 levels.
With this function and its rigidity, you’re lined with nearly each sensible state of affairs that may assist you kind comfortably.
Having talked lots in regards to the Microsoft Surface Pro 4’s show and keyboards, let’s do the identical for the MacBook Air.
The MacBook Air doesn’t let down its true laptop computer legacy both. Like the Surface Pro 4’s Type Cover, the MacBook Air’s backlit keys supply wonderful tactile suggestions.
There’s an excellent quantity of steadiness between the tightness and sensitivity of the MacBook Air’s keys. That being mentioned, its key travels are additionally satisfying.
Both gadgets’ glass touchpads are additionally very easy and responsive. However, the MacBook Air’s touchpad is barely bigger than the Surface Pro 4’s.
While the MacBook Air’s touchpad measures 4.1 x 3-inch in dimension, the Surface Pro 4’s touchpad dimension is 4 x 2-inches. Aside from their dimension distinction, each gadgets’ touchpads are simply as silky and as aware of multitouch gestures.
Inputs apart, the audio system beneath the MacBook Air aren’t as audible as I’d have most well-liked them to be. On the brilliant aspect, this laptop computer’s speaker is able to producing an excellent quantity of bass with minimal distortion.
Comparatively, the Surface Pro 4’s audio system are higher than the MacBook Air’s. Unlike the MacBook Air whose audio system are constructed internally, the Surface Pro 4 has a twin, front-facing speaker set that’s positioned on both aspect of its show.
This positioning makes the Surface Pro 4 venture sounds higher. They are additionally able to producing clear sounds with minimal distortion, even when enjoying audios with heavy bass.
One facet the place the MacBook Air convincingly has the Surface Pro 4 crushed is when it comes to port choices. While the MacBook Air presents 2 USB 2.0 ports and a Thunderbolt bolt, the Surface Pro 4 solely comes with only one USB 3.0 port.
The lesser port choice on the Surface Pro 4 is just not too shocking contemplating it has a slimmer construct. If we’re to concentrate on the brilliant aspect, the Surface Pro 4’s extra compact construct ensures that it weighs lower than the MacBook Air.
With a complete weight of 786 g, the Surface Pro 4 is far lighter than the 1350 g MacBook Air.
Overall, the most important distinction between the Surface Pro 4 and MacBook Air’s design is the design performance the Surface Pro 4 presents. Consequently, this distinction develops into many different options that set each gadgets aside.
For the Surface Pro 4 to function a pill and an environment friendly laptop computer alternative, it needed to supply good options. Some of those will be seen within the machine’s wonderful show, progressive design, and superior keyboard.
As a end result, the Surface Pro 4 beats the MacBook Air in nearly each facet that has to do with design and construct.
Hence, the Surface Pro 4 scores an eight on this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 design and construct comparability. Meanwhile, the MacBook Air scores a seven.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 Processor (CPU) Performance Comparison

When it involves their processor configurations, the MacBook Air and Surface Pro are very completely different. They each supply quite a lot of configuration choices for his or her processing unit, however the configuration choices they supply aren’t the identical.
Let’s first take into account what Apple presents for the MacBook Air.
You can select to purchase your MacBook Air with both a dual-core Intel Core i5-2557M or a dual-core Intel Core i7-2677M processor. Note that these processors have a tendency to supply various specs that affect the processing energy you get from them.
One of the specs we are able to take into account is their base and most frequencies. Basically, the bottom frequency determines how briskly every processor can run.
The base frequency signifies how briskly a processor runs when it’s working underneath a much less intensive workload.
Meanwhile, the utmost frequency is how briskly the processor will get when operating with a couple of of its cores underneath a extra intensive load.
With the Intel Core i5-2557M processor, your MacBook Air will be capable of run at a base frequency of 1.70 GHz. Meanwhile, you’re going to get most frequencies of two.70 GHz.
If you equip your MacBook Air with the Intel Core i7-2677M processor, you’re going to get a base frequency of 1.80 GHz. As for the utmost frequency, it is going to be in a position to run at a most pace of two.90 GHz.
The Surface Pro 4, alternatively, presents three dual-core processor configuration choices. Depending in your configuration selection, Microsoft can equip the Surface Pro 4 with an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor or an Intel Core i5-6300U processor.
You can even purchase the Surface Pro 4 with an Intel Core i7-6650U processor.
As for his or her specs, the Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor has a base frequency of 900 MHz and a most frequency of two.20 GHz. Meanwhile, the Intel Core i5-6300U processor has a base frequency of two.40 GHz and a lift frequency of three.00 GHz.
The Intel Core i7-6650U processor, alternatively, presents a base frequency of two.20 GHz and a lift frequency of three.40 GHz.
For sake of this comparability, our MacBook Air overview unit comes with the Intel Core i5-2557M processor. Meanwhile, our Surface Pro 4 unit options the Intel Core i5-6300U processor.
With any of those processors, the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 supply spectacular energy to effectively deal with all of your day by day computing operations.
Both gadgets can simply deal with your internet shopping duties in addition to your doc enhancing and spreadsheet package deal preparation duties. In truth, they’ll equally switch their immense energy into executing extra intensive duties.
For some particular examples, the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 will help you execute photograph and video enhancing duties.
To definitively rank and evaluate the processing energy these gadgets are able to providing, I consulted the Cinebench R10 benchmark check. The Cinebench R10 benchmark is a software that helps to determine the precise efficiency functionality of a laptop computer’s processor.
This benchmark check is split into two sections often known as the single-core and multi-core assessments. The single-core facet assessments for when solely one of many processor cores is made to run underneath a selected computing workload.
Meanwhile, the multi-core facet assessments for when greater than one of many processor’s cores is made to run underneath an intensive workload.
At the tip of every facet of the check, the benchmark generates a rating that denotes the efficiency functionality of the laptop computer’s processor.
With the reasons out of the best way, let’s learn how each the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 in contrast on this check.
The check outcomes confirmed that the Surface Pro 4 is miles forward of the MacBook Air when it comes to processor efficiency. While the MacBook Air scored 3456 factors within the single-core facet of the check, the Surface Pro 4 did higher with a rating of 4656 factors.
In the multi-core facet, the Surface Pro 4 scored 10558 factors, surpassing the MacBook Air’s 6223 factors.
Due to this clear efficiency distinction that has been indicated within the check outcomes, the Surface Pro 4 emerges victorious on this spherical. Therefore, the Surface Pro 4 scores a 9 on this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 processor efficiency comparability.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Air scores an eight.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 Memory (RAM) Performance Comparison

Unlike within the processor facet, Apple doesn’t supply a couple of configuration choice for the MacBook Air’s reminiscence. You solely get 4 GB DDR3 RAM.
Fortunately, Apple permits potential upgrades of this RAM to a most reminiscence dimension of 8 GB.
On the opposite hand, Microsoft offers three reminiscence configuration choices for the Surface Pro 4. You should buy the Surface Pro 4 with 16 GB, 4 GB, or 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM.
For the file, our MacBook Air overview unit comes with the 4 GB DDR3 RAM dimension. Meanwhile, our Surface Pro 4 options the 8 GB LPDDR3 RAM configuration.
With these reminiscence configuration choices, each gadgets have sufficient juice to energy by way of your common multitasking actions. Are you seeking to stream a number of 1080p YouTube movies with about 18 Chrome tabs operating within the background?
This is not any drawback in any respect for both machine. In truth, whereas they execute these operations concurrently, they’ll nonetheless have sufficient energy left to run Skype, Photoshop, and Slack within the background.
Moving on, I’ve taken information of their efficiency on a benchmark check to additional guarantee you of their multitasking and productiveness energy. Essentially, these benchmark outcomes may even assist to tell apart which of the gadgets has a superior reminiscence efficiency.
The benchmark check I’ve thought of for this is named the PCMark 7 benchmark check. In case you aren’t aware of the PCMark check, it’s a benchmark check that’s used to guage a laptop computer’s general system and reminiscence efficiency.
This benchmark carries out the check by simulating memory-intensive operations like internet shopping, doc preparation, or video conferencing. At the tip of the check, the benchmark software charges the laptop computer’s efficiency by awarding a rating based mostly on its efficiency.
Basically, the upper the rating, the higher the efficiency the laptop computer can supply.
Now over to the efficiency of the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4.
Just like we recorded within the processor facet, the Surface Pro 4 continues to increase its profitable streak on this facet. With a rating of 5229 factors, the Surface Pro 4 outperformed the MacBook Air which was solely in a position to obtain a rating of 3561 factors.
Based on this end result, the Surface Pro 4 wins on this facet as properly. It scores an eight on this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 reminiscence efficiency comparability.
On the opposite hand, the MacBook Air scores a seven.

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MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 Storage Options And Performance Comparison

Though each the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 function the identical storage sorts, their storage sizes are completely different. While the MacBook Air includes a 256 GB SSD, the Surface Pro 4 comes with a 1 TB SSD storage drive.
Both gadgets additionally supply SD Card choices for further exterior storage.
Performance-wise, each gadgets’ storage drives are significantly quick sufficient to supply snappy operation speeds. I wasn’t in a position to receive a file switch check end result, so I solely took information of how each gadgets carried out within the CrystalDiskMark benchmark check.
For these which are questioning, the CrystalDioskMark is a benchmark software that helps to check how briskly a laptop computer’s storage disk is. It carries out its check by checking the learn and write speeds of the storage disk.
Just so that you don’t get confused, I’ll clarify what learn and write speeds imply. A storage drive’s learn pace exhibits how briskly it’s going to take to open information.
Meanwhile, the write pace exhibits how briskly it’s going to take to avoid wasting information.
With all of that being mentioned, let’s take into account the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4’s performances on this check. As the outcomes clearly point out, the Surface Pro 4 continues to drag additional away from the MacBook Air when it comes to efficiency.
To make you perceive higher, the MacBook Air recorded a sequential learn pace of 210.8 MBps. Meanwhile, the Surface Pro 4 delivered a a lot sooner fee of 666 MBps.
The MacBook Air was solely in a position to outperform the Surface Pro 4 within the sequential write pace facet. Compared to the Surface Pro 4’s 154.2 MBps sequential write pace, the MacBook Air had a greater write pace of 209.7 MBps.
Nonetheless, the Surface Pro 4 nonetheless wins this spherical. After all, the efficiency hole between the write speeds of each laptops isn’t very broad, however the efficiency hole of their learn pace is gigantic.
Besides, the Surface Pro 4 presents a bigger capability storage choice in comparison with the MacBook Air. Due to all of those causes, the Surface Pro 4 scores an eight on this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 storage efficiency comparability.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Air scores a seven.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 Graphics Card Performance Comparison

The MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 are very completely different on the subject of graphics configurations. While Apple equips its MacBook Air (13-inch, 2011) with just one graphics card choice, Microsoft presents a couple of choice for its Surface Pro 4’s GPU.
To be exact, the MacBook Air (13-inch, 2011) solely comes with an Intel HD Graphics 3000. This graphics card has a base frequency of 350 MHz and a lift frequency of 1200 MHz.
In case you’re questioning, this graphics card doesn’t include a devoted VRAM (Video RAM).
On the opposite hand, you should purchase the Surface Pro 4 with both an built-in Intel HD graphics 515 or an built-in Intel HD graphics 520 GPU. Microsoft additionally ships the Surface Pro 4 with an built-in Intel Iris Graphics 540 GPU.
Like the MacBook Air’s graphics card configuration, the Surface Pro 4’s graphics card configuration choices don’t supply devoted VRAMs.
In phrases of their pace properties, the Intel HD graphics 515 has a base frequency of 300 MHz and a lift frequency of 850 MHz. As for the Intel HD graphics 520 GPU, it has a base frequency of 300 MHz and a lift frequency of 1000 MHz.
Meanwhile, the Intel Iris Graphics 540 GPU has a base frequency of 300 MHz and a lift frequency of 1050 MHz.
To keep away from any confusion, it is best to take notice that our Surface Pro 4 overview unit options the Intel HD graphics 520 graphics card.
Performance-wise, it isn’t exhausting to immediately acknowledge that neither the MacBook Air nor the Surface Pro 4 is a perfect machine for gaming fanatics. To be extra particular, neither of them has been constructed to easily play intensive video games.
Regardless, each gadgets are competent sufficient to run most video games at medium-low high quality settings. Just don’t count on both of the 2 gadgets to be able to enjoying trendy gaming titles at top quality.
At most, it is possible for you to to play some demanding video games on the Surface Pro 4 for those who cut back the gaming decision and hold the settings low. To again up this declare, I retrieved a file the place the Surface Pro 4 was in a position to play Tomb Raider on low settings.
It performed the sport at good body charges of 82 frames per second. The MacBook Air, alternatively, supplied lesser body charges of 32.1 frames per second.
On one other gaming check, the Surface Pro 4 was nonetheless in a position to outperform the MacBook Air. The Surface Pro 4 was in a position to play BioShock Infinite at body charges of 58.1 frames per second.
Meanwhile, the sport was barely playable on the MacBook Air which ran the sport at 26.3 frames per second.
I additionally thought of each gadgets’ outcomes on the 3DMark benchmark check. Basically, the 3DMark is a benchmark software for assessing a laptop computer’s graphics card efficiency capabilities.
It checks how properly a laptop computer can deal with graphically intensive duties by simulating some graphical duties resembling gaming, image, or video processing. In this check, the upper the laptop computer’s rating, the higher its efficiency.
That being mentioned, the Surface Pro 4 outperforms the MacBook Air once more. While it achieved a rating of 5853 factors, the MacBook Air scored a lesser of 3808 factors.
Since the Surface Pro 4 outperformed the MacBook Air in each facet of the assessments, it wins this spherical too. Hence, the Surface Pro 4 scores an eight on this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 graphics card efficiency comparability.
The MacBook Air, alternatively, scores a seven.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 Battery Life And Performance Comparison

Just like within the earlier part, there are not any comparable traits between each gadgets’ configurations on this part. While the MacBook Air comes with a 50 Whr lithium-polymer battery, the Surface Pre 4 includes a 38.2 Wh Lithium-ion battery.
According to Apple, this MacBook Air will probably be in a position to last as long as 7 hours with common utilization like internet shopping actions. Meanwhile, Microsoft guarantees that the Surface Pro will be capable of supply a runtime of as much as 9 hours.
However, the battery check outcomes I’ve gathered counsel that each the MacBook Air and Surface Pro 4 don’t supply the promised runtimes.
To make it clearer to you, the check I thought of is named the continual internet browsing check. This check consists of a steady internet browsing check course of underneath Wi-Fi with the laptop computer’s display screen at medium display screen brightness.
On this check, the MacBook Air couldn’t last more than 5 hours and 10 minutes. Though the Surface Pro 4 couldn’t meet up with the promised runtime too, it was in a position to outlast the MacBook Air.
The Surface Pro 4 was in a position to final for 7 hours and seven minutes.
Since the Surface Pro 4 outlasted the MacBook Air on this check, it wins on this facet too. To spherical off, the Surface Pro 4 scores a seven on this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 battery life efficiency comparability.
Meanwhile, the MacBook Air scores a six.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4: Our Rating Summary

Rating Areas | MacBook Air (13-inch, 2011) | Surface Pro 4 | Notes/Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Design | 7 | 8 | The Surface Pro 4 beats the MacBook Air in nearly each facet that has to do with design and construct. |
Processor (CPU) | 8 | 9 | Due to the clear efficiency distinction that has been indicated within the check outcomes, the Surface Pro 4 emerges victorious on this spherical. |
Memory (RAM) | 7 | 8 | Based on the check outcomes I thought of for this part, the Surface Pro 4 wins on this facet as properly. |
Storage | 7 | 8 | The Surface Pro 4 presents a bigger capability storage choice in comparison with the MacBook Air. Besides, it presents a lot better storage speeds. |
Graphics Card | 7 | 8 | Since the Surface Pro 4 outperformed the MacBook Air in each facet of the assessments, it wins this spherical too. |
Battery Life | 6 | 7 | The Surface Pro 4 outlasted the MacBook Air on this check, so it wins on this facet too. |
Our Average Rating | 7 | 8 | On common, the Surface Pro wins general. |
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4: Frequently Asked Questions

If you utilize your MacBook Air for gentle operations, it ought to be capable of final you for five to 7 years or above.
However, for those who normally execute heavy duties like photograph or video enhancing, creating animations, or enjoying video games, then the MacBook Air could not last more than 5 years.
Since the Surface Pro 4 was launched in 2015, it’s 7 years previous as of 2022 once I wrote this comparability article.
When I printed this text in March 2022, the MacBook Air bought for $279.00 on Amazon.
Currently, there was no point out of any new help for this machine. The final help Microsoft had in place for the Surface Pro 4 was until November 13, 2021.
No, it doesn’t. The MacBook Air has a really sturdy and inflexible construct, so it doesn’t break simply.
According to the check end result I obtained, the Surface Pro 4’s battery can final for 7 hours and seven minutes
No, it isn’t. The MacBook Air doesn’t function a touchscreen show.
With correct care and upkeep, your Surface Pro 4 ought to be capable of final for two to three years.
According to the check outcomes shared on this article, the MacBook Air lasts for five hours and 10 minutes.
Yes, you may. You should buy a Surface Pen in your Surface Pro 4 as a result of it’s helpful for taking notes or making sketches.
MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4: My Final Thoughts

Overall, there are not any doubts regarding the superiority of the Surface Pro 4 over the 2011 MacBook Air. It outperforms the MacBook Air in each important facet.
If you purchase the Surface Pro 4 as an alternative of the MacBook Air, you’ll be getting a greater all-round efficiency. In addition, the Surface Pro 4 presents a useful design that lets you use it both in pill or laptop computer type.
Aside from the performance of its design, the Surface Pro 4 can also be a really lovely machine. Though the MacBook Air is not any ugly machine both, the Surface Pro 4’s extra trendy design theme provides it an edge when it comes to look.
Hence, based mostly on our complete comparability of the MacBook Air vs Surface Pro, we advocate:

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However, in case you are in quest of a cheaper conventional laptop computer, you should purchase the MacBook Air.
I hope you discovered this MacBook Air vs Surface Pro 4 comparability useful? If you discovered the comparability useful, click on Yes to “Was this post Helpful?” beneath.
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Finally, for extra laptop computer comparability evaluations, go to our Laptop Comparison Reviews web page. You may additionally discover our Laptop Specs web page very useful.
References And Further Reading
- freelancertamal.com – Apple MacBook Air overview (13-inch, mid 2011) – freelancertamal
- freelancertamal.com – Apple MacBook Air 13-inch Review Battery Life
- engadget.com – MacBook Air overview (mid 2011) | Engadget
- digitaltrends.com – Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch (Mid-2011) Review | Digital Trends
- pocketlint.com – Apple MacBook Air (mid 2011) overview
- trustedreviews.com – Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (mid 2011) Review
- help.apple.com – MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011) – Technical Specifications
- notebookcheck.com – Review Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2011 (1.7 GHz, 256 GB SSD) Subnotebook
- freelancertamal.com – Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, 2011) – Specs Reviews, Deals
- techradar.com – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 overview | TechRadar
- pcmag.com – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review | PCMag
- freelancertamal.com – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 overview – freelancertamal
- digitaltrends.com – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 Review: Redefining the Laptop | Digital Trends
- freelancertamal.com – Surface Pro 4 Review: Brighter, Faster But Way Less Battery Life | freelancertamal
- notebookcheck.com – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 (Core i5, 128 GB) Tablet Review
- freelancertamal.com – Microsoft Surface Pro 4 – Specs, Reviews, Deals – Itechguides.com