Microsoft Surface Pro 11 vs Apple MacBook Air M4: definitive in-depth comparison

The battle between ultralight laptops and two-in-one devices is fiercer than ever. Microsoft and Apple have launched two real heavyweights for the user looking for power, portability and premium design: the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 and the Apple MacBook Air with M4 chip. The comparison between both devices not only faces OS different, but also usage philosophies and productivity concepts. Choosing one over the other can significantly influence daily experience, so it's essential to analyze each detail carefully.

In this article, we'll thoroughly break down the technical specifications, features, designs, display differences, and much more, based on data and tests conducted by leading technology outlets today. If you have doubts about which of the two best suits your daily life, here is the definitive guide. to make an informed decision.

Comparison of specifications and configurations

One of the first aspects that we must consider when facing the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 and the Apple MacBook Air with M4 is your configuration of hardwareBoth start at similar prices, but their customization options vary and can significantly influence the final cost.

El MacBook Air 13 (M4) part of the 999€, with a 4-core M10 processor in the CPU, 8 or 10 cores in the GPU, 16 GB of RAM and a SSD 256GB. From there, the RAM can be increased up to 32GB and the storage up to 2TB, although the upgrades come at a fairly high price. The top-of-the-range model can easily exceed €2.200.

In the case of Surface Pro 11, we also find a starting price of around €999, with the Snapdragon X Plus chip, 16GB of RAM and 256GB SSD, as well as an IPS display. The real jump comes when choosing the model with OLED and Snapdragon X Elite, where we get up to 64GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, reaching €2.499 in its most equipped version.

Both models, therefore, offer a variety of advanced configurations which makes them extremely powerful machines, although the Surface Pro 11 is positioned as the only one of the two with a 64GB RAM option. However, Apple continues to focus heavily on complete integration between hardware and software, allowing it to take advantage of every component.

Design and user experience

If there is something that catches your attention as soon as you see these devices, it is their careful design and manufacturing quality. The Macbook Air M4 opts for the classic clamshell design (traditional laptop type), while the Surface Pro 11 opt for a 2-in-1 tablet format with a removable keyboard.

Apple's laptop is, according to many analyses, simply Perfection in the ultrabook segment: Its chassis is incredibly thin, light, yet durable, and every detail—from the keyboard to the hinge—exudes a premium feel and durability that's hard to beat. Apple has maintained the minimalist elegance of its design throughout and completes the experience with an industry-leading haptic touchpad.

In turn, the Surface Pro 11 It's not far behind either. Its entire body is made of aluminum and it features an excellent adjustable rear kickstand, the best implemented to date on a tablet device. This allows the screen to be placed in multiple positions., ideal for working, drawing, or viewing multimedia content. However, with the keyboard attached, it loses some of that extreme lightness and may be less stable than the MacBook Air on soft surfaces (such as your lap).

Both offer several color options and a recognizable style: Apple with its understated elegance, and Microsoft with its customizable keyboard cases and slightly more striking finishes.

Keyboard and trackpad: typing feel

The MacBook Air keyboard remains the market benchmarkThe Magic Keyboard stands out for its excellent feel, short travel, and precision, and is considered the best for long periods of typing. The Force Touch trackpad adds an extra layer of functionality, with gesture support and haptic feedback, resulting in an unbeatable user experience.

La Surface Pro 11 offers a detachable keyboard (Surface Pro Flex), which comes at an extra cost. While it's very well-built and offers comfortable keys, it doesn't match the MacBook's level of stability and comfort, especially when used on uneven surfaces. The Surface Pro's trackpad is haptic and responsive, but its smaller size makes it less precise for certain tasks. For those who value comfortable and precise typing, Apple's team is one step ahead.

Screens: technology and image quality

In the screen section, we find two proposals of the highest quality but with different approachesThe MacBook Air features a 13,6-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1664 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and excellent maximum brightness. This display It stands out for its color fidelity, good luminosity and notable contrasts within LCD technology..

The Surface Pro 11, meanwhile, comes in two versions: a 13-inch IPS display with a 2880 x 1920 resolution and an OLED model with the same specs, which offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and much higher contrast. Its 3:2 aspect ratio means a bit more vertical space, ideal for productivity and reading long documents. Additionally, The OLED panel allows for a truly immersive experience, especially for those who consume a lot of audiovisual content or work with images.On the downside, this panel consumes more battery than the IPS.

The MacBook Air maintains a 60Hz refresh rate, compared to the Surface's 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother experience when browsing and scrolling through menus. The Surface display is also touch-enabled and compatible with the Surface Slim Pen, a clear advantage for designers, digital artists, and those looking to annotate or draw directly on the screen.

Performance: processors and efficiency

The Apple MacBook Air M4 debuts the M4 chip, which marks a significant leap in performance and energy efficiency.According to tests by Digitaltrends and Fstoppers, Apple's laptop dominates benchmarks in both single-core and multi-core performance. This translates into greater agility in everyday use, opening programs, and performing light content creation or semi-professional video editing.

On the Microsoft side, the Surface Pro 11 mounts the Snapdragon X Plus or X Elite chip, both based on ARM architecture. These processors offer good power and outstanding energy efficiency, but they still face certain limitations in the compatibility and optimization of some professional programs, especially software such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom or Premiere, where the MacBook Air M4 clearly has an advantage and demonstrates a more mature hardware-software integration.

Storage and connectivity

In both cases, the base storage is 256GB SSD, with expansion options (up to 2TB on the MacBook Air and 1TB on the Surface Pro 11). The SSD drives in both devices use flash technology without mechanical components, which translates into Higher speed, lower noise and high resistance to shocks and falls compared to traditional hard drives.

At the port level, Both teams include ports USB-C websites (Thunderbolt 4 on MacBook Air and USB4 on the Surface Pro 11), although there are slight differences. The MacBook Air adds a MagSafe charging connector and a 3.5mm headphone output, while the Surface Pro 11 lacks a jack, but adds a nanoSIM slot ideal for mobile connectivity on the go and improved wireless connectivity.

The Surface also surpasses the MacBook Air in the inclusion of a model with USB-A ports in the case of the Surface Laptop, although the Surface Pro 11 is dominated by USB-C and the ease of connection via adapters.

Operating system and user experience

The daily user experience is strongly influenced by the operating system. The MacBook Air, with macOS, offers intuitive navigation, logs in and syncs data with the Apple ecosystem in seconds., and boasts outstanding stability and performance in most tasks. Users of iPhone o iPad will find the perfect integration with their mobile devices.

Windows 11 on the Surface Pro 11 It provides the versatility of a classic PC environment and full compatibility with most productivity applications, although the transition to ARM chips continues to hinder performance and stability in some professional applications. The initial setup process in Windows It still requires more time and attention than on macOS., something that can be frustrating for those seeking immediacy.

In everyday use, though Both operating systems are perfectly valid for office work and browsing., the analysis reveals a slight advantage for Apple in terms of fluidity, lower lag and speed in launching and closing applications, as well as in managing system updates.

Battery and autonomy

Battery life is a key factor for any user looking for mobility. Both devices are benchmarks in their segment, allowing full days of use without charging.The MacBook Air M4 again leads by a narrow margin, beating the Surface Pro 11, especially when using the latter with the more power-hungry OLED panel.

In intensive use and real-world testing, the MacBook Air lasts more than a day and a half of standard work, while the Surface Pro 11 offers similar figures in the IPS version, slightly less in the OLED version. It's also important to note the energy efficiency of the M4 chip, which has allowed Apple to maintain its leadership in autonomy since the jump to its own silicon.

Audio and multimedia

The audio section is another where Apple takes the lead. The MacBook Air M4 features a quad-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers that deliver surprisingly rich, crisp sound with good bass. Even for its small size, it's considered one of the best laptops of its size.

The Surface Pro 11 features dual side speakers. They perform their basic functions well, but don't offer the richness and power of Apple's devices. For listening to music, watching movies, or making video calls, the experience is simply adequate.

Cameras and extra features

In video calls and online meetings, both laptops have 12MP front cameras, although The MacBook Air introduces significant improvements in low-light capture and features like Center Stage., which automatically centers the user in the image. It also offers Desk View, a unique feature for sharing your physical desktop in conjunction with the main camera.

For its part, the Surface Pro 11 includes an additional 10MP rear camera, perfect for using the device as a tablet and taking photos or scanning documents without the need for another device. It also includes a powerful neural network processor (NPU) for functions IA advanced within the Copilot+ PC environment.

Customization options, pricing, and availability

Both Microsoft and Apple offer their devices in multiple configurations, colors, and accessories.It's important to note that, in the case of the Surface Pro 11, the keyboard and pen are sold separately, which increases the final cost if you need to take advantage of all its capabilities.

As for prices, both start in the €1.000 range, but the more advanced models can easily exceed €2.000. The Surface Pro 11 tends to have more deals and discounts. in stores, while Apple rarely applies discounts to its newly released products. So, depending on the time and the store, the price difference can swing one way or the other.

Who is each team for?

The final choice should be determined by your personal needs and preferences. If you're looking for a traditional, robust laptop with the best keyboard and maximum battery life, the MacBook Air M4 is the safe bet.It's the gold standard for those who prioritize writing, light photo and video editing, and full integration with the Apple ecosystem.

By contrast, The Surface Pro 11 is unbeatable if you need the versatility of a 2-in-1 device., with a touchscreen, tablet functionality, and stylus support for drawing or taking handwritten notes. It's also the best option if extreme portability and mobile connectivity are top priorities.

It's worth noting that while both machines are excellent for mobility, if your workflow relies on professional applications (Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere), the MacBook Air M4's performance and stability advantage is clear, as recent reviews have shown.

Each new release from Microsoft and Apple brings their devices' capabilities closer together, and the line between them grows ever thinner. Still, small differences in user experience, build quality, and ecosystem can make a difference for each person.