Apple
MacBook Air 15" (M3)
Laptops
$1,299List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
MacBook Air 15" (M3) vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition
Laptops
$999List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition.
- Leads 6 of 9 rankable overall specs; MacBook Air 15" (M3) takes 3.
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
How we reached this
We compare the published specifications relevant to your priority. Each rankable specification counts once; your selected requirements can rule a product out. This is a guide to the numbers, not a laboratory performance score.
Brightness: 600 nits SDR, 900 nits peak HDR vs 500 nits
It is also $300 cheaper.
The trade-off to know
Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition: Keyboard and Slim Pen sold separately
Look at the differences ↓Refine your requirements
Your other devices
What would rule one out?
Side by side
The differences, in detail.
Start with the key specs, then explore as much as you need.
| What you’re comparing | MacBook Air 15" (M3) | Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition |
|---|---|---|
| SizeDisplay | 15.3 inches | 13.0 inches |
| PanelDisplay | Liquid Retina IPS LED | PixelSense Flow OLED |
| ProcessorPerformance | Apple M3 (8-core CPU) | Snapdragon X Elite (12 cores, 45 TOPS NPU) |
| MemoryPerformance | 16GB unified | 16 GB LPDDR5x |
| Claimed battery lifeBattery | Up to 18 hours Apple TV app movie playback | Up to 14 hours local video playback |
Showing 5 of 29 specifications. Missing values stay unlisted. About the sources
Both sides of the decision
What you gain. What you give up.
MacBook Air 15" (M3)
Reasons to choose it
- Completely fanless silent operation
- Slim 11.5mm aluminum design with massive battery life
- Vibrant Liquid Retina display with dual external monitor support
Worth considering
- Display limited to 60Hz without ProMotion
- Base model memory and storage are soldered and non-upgradable
Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition
Reasons to choose it
- Versatile 2-in-1 tablet/laptop hybrid form factor
- Snapdragon X Elite power efficiency and battery life
- Stunning 120Hz OLED screen option
Worth considering
- Keyboard and Slim Pen sold separately
- Arm-on-Windows emulation required for legacy x86 software
Beyond the spec sheet
Living with your choice.
Explore the ownership details available for this pair.
Know what’s behind the comparison
Published specs. Visible sources.
Clinchmark compares manufacturer specifications and other published information. We have not independently lab-tested these products. Editorial assessments and unknown values are identified in the specification details.
Catalog snapshot: September 1, 2026. Prices, availability, and provider terms can change.
Still weighing it up?
Which is cheaper, the MacBook Air 15" (M3) or the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition?
Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition costs $300 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the MacBook Air 15" (M3) or Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition?
MacBook Air 15" (M3) has this deal-breaker: no touchscreen. No pen or touch input for marking up PDFs or sketching.
Which is better for travel, the MacBook Air 15" (M3) or the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition?
For travel, buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition. Leads 3 of 4 rankable travel specs; MacBook Air 15" (M3) takes 1. Weight: 1.97 lb vs 3.3 lb
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 29 specs tracked here, 20 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.