Apple
MacBook Pro 16" (2024)
Laptops
$2,499List price
Explore this product Your shortlist, side by side
MacBook Pro 16" (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15")
Find the differences that matter for your next decision.
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15")
Laptops
$1,499List price
Explore this product What matters most to you?
Start with all rankable specifications, or focus on a particular use.
Your starting point
Tied overall. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15") is cheaper.
- The 8 rankable overall specs split 4 to 4.
- Saves $1,000 at list price.
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.
The trade-off to know
Check first: the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15") has no HDMI port. the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15") has windows on ARM.
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 Pro 16" (2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15") |
|---|---|---|
| SizeDisplay | 16.2 inches | 15.0 inches |
| PanelDisplay | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED | PixelSense Flow IPS Touchscreen |
| ProcessorPerformance | Apple M3 Max | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (12-core) |
| MemoryPerformance | 36GB unified | 16GB LPDDR5x |
| Claimed battery lifeBattery | Up to 22 hours video | Up to 22 hours video / 15 hours web |
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 Pro 16" (2024)
Reasons to choose it
- M3 Max sustained performance
- Mini-LED XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion
- 18+ hour video playback battery
Worth considering
- No touchscreen
- Soldered RAM and SSD
- macOS-only software
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15")
Reasons to choose it
- Incredible battery endurance rivaling Apple Silicon
- Whisper-quiet thermals and cool-to-touch chassis
- Crisp PixelSense 120Hz touchscreen
Worth considering
- ARM compatibility caveats for specialized legacy Windows apps
- RAM is soldered and non-upgradable
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 Pro 16" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15")?
Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15") costs $1,000 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the MacBook Pro 16" or Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15")?
MacBook Pro 16" has this deal-breaker: no touchscreen. No pen or touch input for marking up PDFs or sketching.
Which is better for travel, the MacBook Pro 16" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15")?
For travel, buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (15"). Leads 2 of 3 rankable travel specs; MacBook Pro 16" takes 1. Weight: 3.67 lb vs 4.7 lb
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 29 specs tracked here, 21 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.