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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

A

Product A: Apple

MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

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B

Product B: Microsoft

Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

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Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

General

6 of 9 differ

Series

MacBook Air1Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026

Surface Laptop6Press releaseblogs.windows.com/latam/2019/10/02/surface-revela-nueva-alineacion-para-fin-de-ano-e-introduce-una-nueva-categoria-de-dispositivos-de-pantalla-dual-construidos-para-la-productividad-movilRead 5 October 2026

Model numbersiMaker identifiers for this exact model and its listed variants. Excludes sibling models and other generations.

Mac17,4, MDVQ4LL/A, MDV94LL/A, MDVD4LL/A, MDVH4LL/A8Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102869Read 7 October 2026Exact MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) section gives Mac17,4. 13-inch Mac17,3 excluded. Region-specific base retail parts independently proved by maker US price list.9Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List.pdfRead 7 October 2026Current US institutional maker catalog exact 15-inch M5 10 CPU/10 GPU, 16 GB / 512 GB: MDVQ4LL/A Sky Blue, MDV94LL/A Silver, MDVD4LL/A Starlight and MDVH4LL/A Midnight. 24 GB and 1 TB rows excluded. 6/25/26 prices are education/current prices and are not launch MSRP.

V4G-000014Retailer pagebestbuy.com/product/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-touch-screen-amd-ryzen-5-surface-edition-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-platinum/J3ZKK4K38GRead 5 October 2026Original US V4G-00001, Platinum Metal, Ryzen 5 Surface Edition, 8 GB/128 GB. Current route retains exact identity/title/reviews. Restored Intel 15-inch listings incorrectly reusing V4G suffix excluded. Exact 3580U comes from original maker consumer PDF.

GTIN / EAN

Not available

8898424876574Retailer pagebestbuy.com/product/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-touch-screen-amd-ryzen-5-surface-edition-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-platinum/J3ZKK4K38GRead 5 October 2026Exact V4G-00001 8 GB/128 GB Platinum listing. Public indexed Other specification table states UPC 889842487657. Current base page exposes identity but not the UPC table. No other Surface SKU identifier inherited.

AnnouncediThe maker's first announcement of this model. This is separate from first retail availability.

3 March 20261Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026

2 October 20196Press releaseblogs.windows.com/latam/2019/10/02/surface-revela-nueva-alineacion-para-fin-de-ano-e-introduce-una-nueva-categoria-de-dispositivos-de-pantalla-dual-construidos-para-la-productividad-movilRead 5 October 2026Maker October 2 New York announcement. Preorders not retail.

Status

Available10Retailer pageabt.com/Apple-MacBook-Air-Laptop-15.3-Inch-M5-Chip-10-Core-CPU-10-Core-GPU-16GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-in-Sky-Blue-MDVQ4LLA/p/240244.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact US Sky Blue base MDVQ4LL/A currently offered with Add to Cart. Current 1499 USD/list or 1424 USD sale is not the 1299 USD original maker launch price.

Discontinued3Maker product pagemicrosoft.com/en-us/d/surface-laptop-3-essentials-bundle/8q0bnx4tf18sRead 10 October 2026Store listing for the Surface Laptop 3 Essentials bundle shows Out of stock.12Maker product pagelearn.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/surface-driver-firmware-lifecycle-supportRead 10 October 2026Surface driver and firmware lifecycle table lists Surface Laptop 3 with release date October 22, 2019 and end of servicing for firmware and drivers on July 30, 2024. The Microsoft Store listing for the Surface Laptop 3 bundle shows Out of stock. The 15-inch successor Surface Laptop 4 launched in 2021. Driver servicing end is not an OS security update date.

PredecessoriThe model this one directly replaced, in the same line, tier and size, as the maker or a trusted review names it.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4, 2025)7Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-15-M5-Review-Very-powerful-fanless-and-without-competition.1244905.0.htmlRead 5 October 2026Notebookcheck's review of the MacBook Air 15 M5 says Apple refreshes the 15-inch Air and calls the MacBook Air 15 M4 the previous model.

Not available

SuccessoriThe model that directly replaced this one, in the same line, tier and size. A revision such as a Slim or OLED model does not count when a next generation exists.

Not available

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15-inch (Ryzen 7)13Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Laptop_3Read 10 October 2026Infobox Successor: Surface Laptop 4. Linked to the existing 15-inch Surface Laptop 4 entry for size match. Marketed-generation lineage, not hardware inheritance. The 15-inch size was new in this generation, so no 15-inch predecessor is linked.

Launch price (US)iThe maker's US launch MSRP for the stated configuration, excluding tax. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

$1,2991Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026Pricing and Availability: US starting price for the standard base configuration, excluding sales tax. Education and later store prices are excluded.

$1,1997Press releaseblogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2019/10/22/new-surface-devices-now-available-at-microsoft-storeRead 5 October 2026Maker release-day starting US price $1199 for matching screen size. Retained original entry 8 GB/128 GB configuration. No unquoted 99 cents appended.

Launch price (EU)iThe maker's euro launch price for the stated configuration, including VAT as published. Current store prices and later discounts do not qualify.

€1,49911Press releaseapple.com/fr/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 7 October 2026Original March 3, 2026 French maker launch release Pricing and Availability gives 15-inch M5 starting retail price 1499 EUR. Published French consumer price including VAT. Education 1379 EUR and 13-inch 1199 EUR excluded. Same base 16 GB / 512 GB/10-core GPU. This is French launch pricing, not a US tax/adapter-bundle claim.

Not available

MarketsiISO country or region codes where this exact model or variant is sold. A source page's language does not establish availability.

US1Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026

US4Retailer pagebestbuy.com/product/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-touch-screen-amd-ryzen-5-surface-edition-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-platinum/J3ZKK4K38GRead 5 October 2026

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Platinum4Retailer pagebestbuy.com/product/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-touch-screen-amd-ryzen-5-surface-edition-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-platinum/J3ZKK4K38GRead 5 October 2026

Segment

Ultrabook1Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026Air is the thin, light, fanless model. Pro is described for creative professional workflows.

Ultrabook8Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/microsoft/surface-laptop-3-15-2019Read 7 October 2026Public comparison explicitly calls Surface Laptop 3 an ultraportable. Exact tested Ryzen 5 3580U, 8 GB, 128 GB configuration.

Form factor

Clamshell3Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/take-a-tour-of-macbookair-apd7e765329d/2026/mac/27Read 5 October 2026Tour diagrams show the clamshell notebook, with lid, keyboard and trackpad.

Clamshell9Reviewpcworld.com/article/398243/surface-laptop-3-review-amd-ryzen.htmlRead 10 October 2026Our Verdict explicitly identifies the 15-inch AMD model as a clamshell notebook PC. Structural property of consumer 15-inch chassis.

Chassis

3 of 6 differ

DimensionsiClosed laptop body size. Minimum and maximum thickness describe the front and rear or other points stated by the maker.

Width340.4Depth237.6Thickness (max)11.5mm(13.4 × 9.4 × 0.5 in)4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Width339.5Depth244Thickness (max)14.69mm(13.4 × 9.6 × 0.6 in)1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original published metric width across screen, depth front-to-back and closed height. No conversions from rounded inches.

Weight (published)iPublished laptop weight without the charger. A starting weight is identified in the source note and may vary with configuration.

1.51kg(3.3 lb)4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

1.542kg(3.4 lb)3Maker product pagemicrosoft.com/en-us/d/surface-laptop-3-essentials-bundle/8q0bnx4tf18sRead 10 October 2026Maker same original consumer hardware table explicitly publishes 1,265 g Platinum Alcantara 13.5 or 1,542 g Platinum Metal 15. Original PDF malformed 1,250/1,540 kg mass labels and older pound claims excluded. Bundle contents/pricing not imported.

Lid material

Aluminium4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Environment / Materials: aluminium enclosure.

Aluminium1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original mechanical features aluminium body. Alcantara is palm-rest covering.

Bottom material

Aluminium4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Environment / Materials: aluminium enclosure.

Aluminium1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original aluminium body.

Max hinge angle

130°20Reviewlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Exact tested 15-inch M5 10 CPU/10 GPU, 16 GB / 512 GB. Design section says maximum hinge angle about 130 degrees. Approximate reviewer observation, not maker tolerance.

Not available

MIL-STD-810 testing (claimed)iManufacturer claim of MIL-STD-810 testing. The revision and tested procedures belong in the source note. This is not proof of every standard test.

Not available

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Display

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Screen sizeiDiagonal of the main built-in display. Rounded-corner displays may be measured as a full rectangle.

15.3in(38.9 cm)4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

15in(38.1 cm)1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Native resolution

2880 × 1864px4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

2496 × 1664px1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Pixel density

224.2ppi=CalculatedFrom Screen size and Native resolution

200ppi=CalculatedFrom Screen size and Native resolution

Panel typeiDell's WVA means wide viewing angle and names no panel technology, so it is stored as IPS only when Dell or a review names IPS.

IPS4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

IPS8Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/microsoft/surface-laptop-3-15-2019Read 7 October 2026Public Differences Between Sizes And Variants screen row: 15-inch IPS 2496 x 1664 60Hz touchscreen.

Backlight

Not available

Not available

Dimming zonesiIndependently controlled backlight zones, not the number of LEDs or screen pixels.

Not available

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Panel part numberiPanel part number identified in a matching review unit. Suppliers may vary within the same laptop configuration.

Not available

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Screen surfaceiSurface of the stored display configuration. Anti-reflective coatings do not by themselves make a glossy display matte. A matte finish of the chassis is not the screen surface.

Glossy7Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-15-M5-Review-Very-powerful-fanless-and-without-competition.1244905.0.htmlRead 5 October 2026Specifications: glossy yes. Display text describes an antireflective glossy surface. Shared display claim only, not a measured result.

Glossy10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display section explicitly identifies glossy glass overlay on 15-inch consumer chassis. Test unit is Ryzen 5 3580U, 8 GB, 256 GB. No panel measurements transferred to the 128 GB SKU.

Touchscreen

No6Retailer pagecurrys.co.uk/products/apple-macbook-air-15-2026-m5-512-gb-ssd-ram-16-gb-sky-blue-10292821.htmlRead 5 October 2026SCREEN: Touchscreen No, exact M5 / 16 GB / 512 GB / 10-core GPU configuration. Incorrect retailer four-speaker and 304.4 mm width claims are excluded in favour of maker six-speaker and 340.4 mm values.

Yes1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Stylus

Not available

Supported1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Refresh rate modesiHighest confirmed operating refresh rate of the built-in display at each resolution. Add a second row only for a documented dual-mode panel, not an ordinary supported timing.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Width (px)	Height (px)	Maximum operating refresh (Hz)
2880	1864	60

Source7Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-15-M5-Review-Very-powerful-fanless-and-without-competition.1244905.0.htmlRead 5 October 2026Model display specification and comparison table: 2880 x 1864, 15.3-inch IPS at 60 Hz. Display prose mistakenly repeats the 13-inch 2560 x 1664 resolution, so native resolution comes from the maker sheet. Measurements of the 32 GB / 2 TB review configuration are excluded.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Width (px)	Height (px)	Maximum operating refresh (Hz)	VRR
2496	1664	60	Yes

Source8Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/microsoft/surface-laptop-3-15-2019Read 7 October 2026Public verdict says display is limited to 60Hz and supports FreeSync variable refresh. Native display only. Numerical tests are locked and were not accessed.

Max refresh rate

60Hz=CalculatedFrom Refresh rate modes

60Hz=CalculatedFrom Refresh rate modes

Adaptive synciNamed variable refresh technologies for the built-in display. Manual switching between 60Hz and 120Hz is not VRR.

Not available

FreeSync8Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/microsoft/surface-laptop-3-15-2019Read 7 October 2026Public verdict explicitly states FreeSync variable refresh support. No undocumented VRR range stored.

Gray-to-gray response time (claimed)iManufacturer claim for a gray-to-gray pixel transition. Do not use generic response times, black-to-white values, or motion-picture response times.

Not available

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Native panel colour depthiPhysical panel colour depth per channel. Do not infer native bit depth or FRC from the number of supported colours.

Not available

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Brightness (SDR, claimed)iManufacturer typical SDR luminance. Outdoor maxima and an unspecified peak are not typical SDR brightness.

500nits4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Not available

Peak brightness (SDR outdoors, claimed)iManufacturer maximum SDR luminance explicitly claimed for outdoor use. Ambient light, automatic brightness and other stated conditions belong in the source note. Not typical SDR or HDR brightness.

Not available

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Sustained brightness (HDR, claimed)iManufacturer explicitly sustained HDR luminance. Screen area, duration, temperature and other stated conditions belong in the source note. Not a brief peak or SDR luminance.

Not available

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Peak brightness (HDR, claimed)iManufacturer peak luminance explicitly measured or claimed in HDR. Window size and duration belong in the source note.

Not available

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sRGB coverage (claimed)iManufacturer stated sRGB gamut percentage. The source note identifies coverage, volume, or an unspecified maker gamut claim.

Not available

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DCI-P3 coverage (claimed)iManufacturer stated DCI-P3 gamut percentage. The source note identifies coverage, volume, or an unspecified maker gamut claim.

Not available

Not available

Adobe RGB coverage (claimed)iManufacturer stated Adobe RGB gamut percentage. The source note identifies coverage, volume, or an unspecified maker gamut claim.

Not available

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HDR certification

Not available

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Factory calibratediThe maker explicitly states factory colour calibration. Certification alone does not establish calibration.

Not available

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Second display

Not available

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Processor

10 of 14 differ

Processor

Apple M54Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

AMD Ryzen 5 3580U Microsoft Surface Edition1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Processor brand

Apple4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

AMD1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Core configurationiProcessor core groups using the chip maker's names. MediaTek Big, Apple Super and AMD Zen architecture labels remain distinct from Intel P and E labels.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Core type	Count	Core
Super	4	Super
Efficiency	6	Efficiency

Source4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Chip section: 10-core M5 CPU with 4 super and 6 efficiency cores.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Count	Base clock (GHz)	Max clock (GHz)
4	2.1	3.7

Source5Maker product pageamd.com/en/support/downloads/drivers.html/processors/ryzen/ryzen-3000-series/amd-ryzen-5-3580u-microsoft-surface-edition.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact homogeneous four-core chip, base and maximum turbo clocks. No later Intel P/E classification imposed. Chip TDP and memory capability are not laptop limits.

CPU cores

10=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

4=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

Cores labelled performanceiCounts only rows classified as performance. Other labels, including Big, Super and AMD Zen architecture rows, are not included.

0=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

Not available

Cores labelled efficiencyiCounts only efficiency and low-power-efficiency rows. AMD Zen 5c and Apple super cores are not included.

6=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

Not available

ThreadsiMaximum hardware threads of the processor, including simultaneous multithreading where supported.

Not available

85Maker product pageamd.com/en/support/downloads/drivers.html/processors/ryzen/ryzen-3000-series/amd-ryzen-5-3580u-microsoft-surface-edition.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Max boost clock

Not available

3.7GHz=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

L3 cacheiL3 cache only. Do not copy a combined L2 plus L3 cache total. Qualcomm's total cache, such as 30 MB on Snapdragon X, is not L3, even when a laptop maker labels it L3.

Not available

4MB5Maker product pageamd.com/en/support/downloads/drivers.html/processors/ryzen/ryzen-3000-series/amd-ryzen-5-3580u-microsoft-surface-edition.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact AMD custom chip explicitly 4 MB L3. Separate 2 MB L2 excluded.

ProcessiProcess size class of the processor compute die in nm, as on CPUs: TSMC N3B is 3, Intel 7 is 10, Intel 4 is 7 and Intel 18A is 1.8. Marketing process names and other chiplet processes belong in the source note.

3nm13Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2025/10/apple-unleashes-m5-the-next-big-leap-in-ai-performance-for-apple-siliconRead 7 October 2026Exact M5 chip maker launch states third-generation 3-nanometer technology. The 2026 Air maker specification identifies this M5. No unstated foundry/node suffix or other package-component process inferred. Later super-core naming does not change this original silicon process claim.

12nm5Maker product pageamd.com/en/support/downloads/drivers.html/processors/ryzen/ryzen-3000-series/amd-ryzen-5-3580u-microsoft-surface-edition.htmlRead 5 October 2026AMD explicitly publishes 12 nm for the exact Ryzen 5 3580U Microsoft Surface Edition. No marketing-name numeric conversion.

Sustained CPU power (configured)iThis laptop's sustained configured CPU power limit, such as PL1. A chip manufacturer's generic base power is not the laptop setting.

Not available

Not available

Peak CPU power (configured)iThis laptop's configured short-duration CPU limit, such as PL2. Do not substitute generic processor maximum turbo power.

Not available

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Combined CPU and GPU poweriMaker stated simultaneous CPU plus discrete-GPU budget for the exact configuration and power mode.

Not available

Not available

NPU performanceiNPU-only claimed operations per second. Excludes combined CPU, GPU and platform AI throughput. Precision belongs in the source note.

Not available

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Graphics

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Discrete GPUiA separate dedicated graphics processor is installed. Integrated or unified-memory graphics do not qualify.

No4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026The Chip section specifies the integrated GPU in the Apple silicon SoC. No discrete GPU is supplied in this configuration.

No1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original consumer graphics inventory AMD Radeon Vega 9 only. Chip maker identifies this integrated GPU. No dedicated graphics configuration listed.

GPU

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GPU brand

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VRAMiDedicated video memory of the installed discrete GPU. Shared system memory is excluded.

Not available

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Max GPU power (TGP)iMaximum configured discrete-GPU power including Dynamic Boost. Mode and any maker qualification belong in the source note.

Not available

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Dynamic BoostiMaximum additional GPU power shifted from the CPU through NVIDIA Dynamic Boost. This is part of maximum TGP, not extra to it. A figure written as "up to 115W Dynamic Boost" is the total, so it goes in gpu_tgp_max_w.

Not available

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GPU boost clockiHighest maker configured GPU boost clock, including factory overclock where explicitly stated. Mode belongs in the source note.

Not available

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GPU switchingiExplicit GPU display-routing or power-sharing features. Advanced Optimus includes hardware display multiplexing.

Not available

Not available

Integrated GPU

Apple M5 10-core GPU4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

AMD Radeon Vega 9 Graphics1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Memory

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Installed RAMiTotal installed RAM in this product configuration, not the maximum purchase option.

16GB4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Memory section: Standard 16 GB unified memory, paired with 512 GB SSD and 10-core GPU.

8GB4Retailer pagebestbuy.com/product/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-touch-screen-amd-ryzen-5-surface-edition-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-platinum/J3ZKK4K38GRead 5 October 2026

RAM type

LPDDR5X18Spec databasepreisvergleich.heise.de/apple-macbook-air-15-m5-mdvq4d-a-a3749848.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact German Sky Blue MDVQ4D/A 2026 15-inch M5, 10 CPU/10 GPU, 16 GB, 512 GB reference RAM table explicitly LPDDR5X. Independently reopened Heise/Geizhals specification database after original Swedish retailer URL failed. Only installed memory type used. German keyboard, adapter and barcode not inherited. Transfer rate and unrelated NPU claim not inferred into scalar fields.

DDR41Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original 13.5 LPDDR4x and 15-inch AMD DDR4 rows. Transfer-rate labels in MHz not converted into stored MT/s without exact laptop rate proof.

RAM speediConfigured memory data rate in transfers per second. Do not treat the DRAM clock in MHz as the data rate.

Not available

2,400MT/s10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Specifications identify 8 GB DDR4-2400 and RAM clock 1200 MHz. DDR4-2400 denotes 2400 MT/s. Original maker also names DDR4 2400MHz for AMD 15-inch.

Memory channelsiActive memory channels of the installed configuration, not the number of RAM modules or slots. One installed module is one channel. This holds for DDR5 too, whose two 32-bit subchannels on one module do not count as two channels. Soldered LPDDR memory counts in 64-bit units, so a 128-bit bus is 2 channels, even when a maker calls it quad-channel.

Not available

210Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026November 1 correction explicitly states 8 GB dual-channel rather than originally reported single-channel. Matches stored CPU/RAM configuration, SSD differs.

RAM upgradeiWhether the installed RAM is soldered, socketed in slots, or a mixture. Purchase-time configurations are not upgrades.

Soldered7Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-15-M5-Review-Very-powerful-fanless-and-without-competition.1244905.0.htmlRead 5 October 2026Verdict / Cons: no maintenance options, RAM and SSD soldered. This is a model-wide hardware claim, not the reviewed memory capacity.

Soldered11Reviewdocuments.cdn.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_127277_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Step 9, page 11 identifies eight soldered 8 Gb DDR4 chips for 8 GB total, not upgradable. Ryzen 5 3580U 15-inch hardware, SSD is 256 GB.

Memory slotsiPhysical replaceable RAM module sockets grouped by type and occupancy. Clocked SO-DIMM uses CSODIMM. Soldered memory is excluded.

Not available

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RAM slots

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Free RAM slots

Not available

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Maximum supported RAMiManufacturer supported maximum RAM, including purchase-time soldered options. Does not imply post-purchase upgradeability.

32GB4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Not available

Storage

5 of 7 differ

Installed storageiTotal advertised installed storage in decimal GB. Convert 1TB to 1000GB, without changing an explicitly published 512GB value.

512GB4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Storage uses decimal GB. 1 TB equals 1000 GB. Only the base SSD is represented.

128GB4Retailer pagebestbuy.com/product/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-touch-screen-amd-ryzen-5-surface-edition-8gb-memory-128gb-ssd-platinum/J3ZKK4K38GRead 5 October 2026

Storage type

NVMe SSD4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Maker Storage row states the broad SSD category. Exact matching 16 GB/512 GB LaptopMedia review identifies the compatible NVMe subtype and AP0512Z. Protocol detail comes from the review, not this maker row.20Reviewlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Exact tested 512 GB unit arrived with Apple SSD AP0512Z. Storage section explicitly calls it a soldered, non-upgradable NVMe drive. Compatible subtype refines maker broader SSD claim without contradicting it. Larger Notebookcheck 2 TB drive data is not used. No M.2 slot inferred.

NVMe SSD1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original offered 128 GB M.2 NVMe SSD. Chip PCIe capability not imported as installed-drive generation.

Installed drive PCIe generationiPCIe generation of the installed drive. This may be lower than the slot capability.

47Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-15-M5-Review-Very-powerful-fanless-and-without-competition.1244905.0.htmlRead 5 October 2026Storage Devices section explicitly identifies the base 512 GB SSD as PCIe 4.0. The reviewed 2 TB drive measurements are excluded.

Not available

Storage slotsiPhysical storage connectors grouped by capability and occupancy. A slot accepting several drive lengths is one slot, not one per length.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Not available

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Form factor	Interface	Count	Occupied
M.2 2230	PCIe NVMe	1	Yes

Source11Reviewdocuments.cdn.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_127277_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Step 7, page 9 identifies removable M.2 2230 SSD. Notebookcheck Maintenance independently states solitary SSD. Maker confirms M.2 NVMe SSD for 128 GB option. Slot generation and lane count unproved.

M.2 slots

Not available

1=CalculatedFrom Storage slots

Free storage slots

Not available

0=CalculatedFrom Storage slots

Maximum slot PCIe generation

Not available

Not available

Ports

3 of 7 differ

PortsiPhysical laptop connectors grouped by type, protocol capability and side. One connector with several protocols is counted once.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Type	Version	Count	Side	Maximum data rate (Gbps)	Thunderbolt or USB4	DP Alt Mode
MagSafe	MagSafe 3	1	Left	Not available	Not available	Not available
USB-C	Thunderbolt 4	2	Left	40	Thunderbolt 4	Yes
3.5 mm audio	Not available	1	Right	Not available	Not available	Not available

Source3Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/take-a-tour-of-macbookair-apd7e765329d/2026/mac/27Read 5 October 2026Tour illustrations establish physical connector sides. Protocols and counts also use the matching tech sheet.4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Charging and Expansion: two physical Thunderbolt 4 USB-C connectors with DisplayPort and charging, at up to 40 Gbps. Sides come from the tour manual.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Type	Version	Count
USB-C	Not available	1
USB-A	Not available	1
3.5 mm audio	Not available	1
Other	Surface Connect	1

Source1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original one USB-C, one USB-A, headset and Surface Connect. No unproved protocols, data rates or accepted charging input.

USB-C ports

2=CalculatedFrom Ports

1=CalculatedFrom Ports

Thunderbolt

Yes=CalculatedFrom Ports

Not available

Highest HDMI version

Not available

Not available

Card reader

No=CalculatedFrom Ports

No=CalculatedFrom Ports

Ethernet speed

Not available

Not available

Maximum USB-C charging inputiHighest confirmed charging power accepted by a USB-C port. This is separate from adapter rating and power delivered to peripherals.

Not available

Not available

Wireless

4 of 5 differ

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 74Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Wi-Fi 51Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original size/CPU-specific row: Intel 13.5 Wi-Fi 802.11ax, AMD 15 Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2x2. No later Intel 15 business Wi-Fi 6 imported.

Wi-Fi bandsiSupported radio frequency bands. Availability may be restricted by country or regulatory configuration.

2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz14Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/148165Read 7 October 2026Exact current Wi-Fi 7 support guide lists MacBook Air M5 or later among models supporting all features and states 2.4/5/6 GHz. 6 GHz operation only where unlicensed use permitted. US reference scope retained. No universal market/regulatory promise.

Not available

Wi-Fi module

Apple N14Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Qualcomm QCA6174A11Reviewdocuments.cdn.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_127277_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Step 9, page 11 identifies Qualcomm QCA6174A Wi-Fi/Bluetooth SoC. Physical AMD 15-inch platform, not Intel radio.

BluetoothiThe version as a number with one decimal, such as 5.4 or 6.0. A qualifier such as or above goes in the source note.

6.04Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Apple writes Bluetooth 6, stored as 6.0.

5.01Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Cellular

Not available

Not available

Keyboard and touchpad

7 of 8 differ

Keyboard layoutsiDocumented layouts of the retained regional SKUs. Do not infer a layout solely from the sales country.

ANSI, ISO4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Keyboard section explicitly publishes 78 ANSI or 79 ISO keys. No regional sold SKU rows are inferred.

Not available

Key switches

Scissor19Reviewtbreak.com/macbook-air-15-m5-review-uaeRead 7 October 2026Exact 2026 MacBook Air 15 M5 hands-on review Design and Build explicitly identifies scissor-switch keyboard. Only common installed mechanism is used. Regional price, adapter and sample performance are not transferred.

Not available

Keyboard backlightiA maker-confirmed backlight with no published type uses backlit_unspecified. Do not infer white lighting, a single colour or RGB from backlit alone. A single-zone RGB backlight is RGB zones.

Backlit, type not stated4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Exact 15-inch model tech sheet Keyboard and Trackpad section explicitly states Backlit Magic Keyboard. Backlight colour and illumination type are not stated. No white, single-colour or RGB lighting inferred.

Single colour10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Keyboard caption explicitly White backlight comes standard with three illumination levels.

NumpadiDedicated physical numeric keypad. A virtual touchpad number pad is not counted.

No20Reviewlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Exact reference review Design section explicitly says no NumPad. Dedicated numeric keypad only, not keyboard number row.

No10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Keyboard caption explicitly no NumPad. Same consumer 15-inch keyboard.

Key traveliPhysical key travel distance, not actuation distance.

Not available

1.33mm6Press releaseblogs.windows.com/latam/2019/10/02/surface-revela-nueva-alineacion-para-fin-de-ano-e-introduce-una-nueva-categoria-de-dispositivos-de-pantalla-dual-construidos-para-la-productividad-movilRead 5 October 2026Original maker announcement explicitly 1.33 mm full key travel. Original fact sheet rounds to 1.3 mm.

Pointing stickiDedicated stick pointing device such as TrackPoint. A touchpad does not qualify.

Not available

No1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Keyboard and trackpad row lists a glass Precision trackpad and a full-size backlit keyboard only. No pointing stick is listed.

Touchpad size

Width150Height91mm(5.9 × 3.6 in)20Reviewlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Exact reference Design section states roughly 150 x 91 mm trackpad. Published approximate width x height. No conversion from rounded inches.

Width115Height76.66mm(4.5 × 3 in)1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original both-size physical trackpad 115 x 76.66 mm. Mechanism not inferred from Precision branding.

Touchpad mechanismiA clickpad or glass touchpad that clicks when pressed down is mechanical. Haptic needs a source that says haptic or force feedback.

Haptic5Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-gb/102309Read 5 October 2026Force Touch trackpads provide haptic feedback and force click. The matching model tech sheet names Force Touch as the installed trackpad.

Mechanical10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Touchpad text describes integrated keys with shallow travel and physical feedback. Mechanical clickpad, no haptic inference.

Camera and audio

6 of 7 differ

Webcam

12 MP Center Stage, 1080p video4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

720p HD f/2.01Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

IR face loginiAn infrared camera suitable for Windows Hello face authentication. An ordinary webcam or fingerprint sensor does not qualify.

Not available

Yes2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-featuresRead 10 October 2026Maker guide separately identifies Windows Hello camera and front-facing camera. Original sheet states Windows Hello sign-in camera.

Webcam privacy

Not available

None9Reviewpcworld.com/article/398243/surface-laptop-3-review-amd-ryzen.htmlRead 10 October 2026Display section: the camera does not offer a built-in physical shutter. No electronic kill switch is mentioned.

Built-in speaker driversiIndividual built-in acoustic drivers, including separate tweeters and woofers. Do not count audio channels or infer driver count from speaker assemblies.

64Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

211Reviewdocuments.cdn.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_127277_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Step 7, page 9 names two speaker siblings. Physical speakers, not logical stereo channels.

Total speaker poweriCombined published power of the built-in speaker drivers. RMS or peak classification belongs in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Audio features

Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos, Voice Isolation microphone mode, Wide Spectrum microphone mode, Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking using supported AirPods models4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Exact model Audio section explicitly lists Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum microphone modes, alongside Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. Dynamic head tracking requires supported AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. It is not an unconditional built-in-speaker feature.

Dolby Audio Premium1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

MicrophonesiPhysical built-in microphones, not beamforming channels or microphone modes.

34Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

21Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original dual physical Studio Mics.

Battery and power

5 of 5 differ

Battery energyiPublished nominal energy capacity of the installed internal battery in watt-hours. Separate from measured runtime and charger output.

66.5Wh4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Battery and Power section.

45.8Wh11Reviewdocuments.cdn.ifixit.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_127277_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Step 11, page 13 explicitly identifies exact same 45.8 Wh battery in 15-inch and 13.5-inch models. Physical pack rating. Notebookcheck rounds it to 45 Wh, Tom's Hardware separately states 45.8 Wh. No voltage conversion.

Claimed battery lifeiManufacturer maximum runtime for each explicitly named test. Display brightness, configuration and other conditions belong in the source note. Wireless streaming preserves an unnamed content type and does not imply video or audio. Video conferencing requires an explicit calling test, with application and participant setup in the source note. MobileMark versions use different workloads, so compare only rows of the same version.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Use case	Hours (h)
Video streaming	18
Web browsing	15

Source4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Battery and Power maker maximum claims. Test: 15-inch M5, 10-core CPU and GPU, 16 GB / 512 GB, matches base. Wi-Fi browsing 25 popular sites or 1080p streaming in Safari. Display eight clicks from bottom, keyboard backlight off. These are not independent measurements.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Use case	Hours (h)
Mixed use	11.5

Source2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-featuresRead 10 October 2026Battery Life row and footnote 1: up to 11.5 hours of typical device usage for the 15-inch. Microsoft test in September 2019 on a preproduction 15-inch Ryzen 5 3580U device. Full discharge with a mixture of active use (eight-website browsing test, Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Outlook productivity test) and idle time with modern standby. Default settings, brightness 150 nits, auto-brightness off, Wi-Fi connected.

Adapter rated outputiNominal rated output of the documented supplied or recommended adapter. A temporary dynamic maximum belongs in the source note. Not the laptop charging-input limit.

40W4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026Battery and Power / In the Box: 40W nominal Dynamic Power Adapter, with temporary output up to 60W. This is not the laptop maximum charging input.

65W1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original included supply 60 W main laptop output plus 5 W separate USB-A output. Total adapter 65 W, not accepted USB-C input.

Laptop charging connectoriConnector at the laptop end of the documented main charging cable, not the wall plug or adapter-end connector. HP's AC smart pin is a round DC plug, so it is barrel.

MagSafe4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Proprietary2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-featuresRead 10 October 2026Maker explicitly allows USB-C or Surface Connect charging. Original adapter SurfLink identified in original footnote 2.

Charge 0 to 50 % (claimed)iManufacturer time to charge an empty battery to 50%. Adapter and powered-off conditions belong in the source note.

30min17Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/102378Read 7 October 2026Claim up to 50 percent in around 30 minutes. January 2026 test footnote explicitly matches 15-inch M5 10 CPU/10 GPU, 16 GB / 512 GB. Requires separately supplied 70 W Apple adapter A2743 and MagSafe 3 cable A2363, beyond included 40 W Dynamic adapter with 60 W temporary maximum. Drained battery. Timer from wake from hibernate or Apple logo at startup. Conditions vary. Secondary retailer 35-minute copy is overridden by maker 30-minute claim.

Not available

Cooling

2 of 4 differ

FansiPhysical cooling fans inside the laptop. Excludes fans in external coolers and the power adapter.

01Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026

110Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Surface-Laptop-3-15-Ryzen-5-Review-Microsoft-Can-Do-Better.440183.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026System Noise explicitly cooling solution consists of two heat pipes and a single fan. Structural consumer 15-inch AMD chassis claim, no thermal measurements imported.

Vapor chamberiA vapor-chamber heat spreader is installed. Ordinary heatpipes alone do not qualify.

Not available

Not available

Liquid metaliComponents where the maker confirms liquid-metal thermal material. Ordinary thermal paste is excluded.

Not available

Not available

Power modesiPublished laptop operating modes and configured power limits. Do not place observed runtime power measurements in this table.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Name
Automatic
Low Power Mode

Source16Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/101613Read 7 October 2026Current maker power-mode support: Low Power Mode for 2024-or-later MacBook Air. Automatic is default. High Power eligibility list does not include Air, so only positively supported Automatic and Low Power names stored. No configured watts inferred from measured CPU consumption.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Not available

Security

2 of 4 differ

Fingerprint

Power button3Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/take-a-tour-of-macbookair-apd7e765329d/2026/mac/27Read 5 October 2026Top view explicitly identifies Touch ID (power) button.

Not available

TPM

Not available

Not available

Remote management

Not available

Not available

Security lock slotiA dedicated built-in physical security-cable slot. Security locks that occupy a USB-C port do not qualify.

Not available

No2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-featuresRead 10 October 2026Connections row lists every external connector: one USB-C, one USB-A, 3.5 mm headphone jack and one Surface Connect port. No security cable slot is listed.

Software

2 of 3 differ

Operating system

macOS Tahoe1Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026The Power of macOS Tahoe section. Launch operating system, not the currently installed OS.

Windows 10 Home1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

OS family

macOS4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Windows1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Security updates untiliPublished end date of OS/security updates promised for the exact device model. Preserve the source precision. Do not calculate it from years or substitute a generic OS-version lifecycle. Unknown when no device-specific promise is published.

Not available

Not available

Measured display

5 of 12 differ

Brightness (measured, centre)iReviewer center-point SDR luminance for the matching display configuration. Do not substitute a review average or unspecified measurement.

517nits21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Exact 16 GB / 512 GB test unit, native 15.3-inch 2880 x 1864 IPS 60 Hz panel. Brightness and Contrast section reports maximum SDR luminance 517 cd/m² at centre. Color-temperature test uses white screen at maximum brightness. Instrument and luminance window size unstated. Direct curl 403, readable public web review used.

410nits15Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-reviewRead 10 October 2026Display quality section: maximum measured brightness 410 nits in the middle of the screen. Correlated colour temperature 6770 K average at maximum brightness. The review names no CPU configuration. The 15-inch PixelSense display is the same panel size and resolution across 15-inch SKUs.

Brightness (measured, average)iReviewer mean luminance across a documented display grid, normally nine points.

500nits21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Same matching review reports 500 cd/m² average across surface, maximum deviation 8 percent. Point count and instrument unstated. Different uniformity graphic is measured at 185 nits/60 percent slider and is not substituted for maximum average.

393nits15Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-reviewRead 10 October 2026Same section: 393 nits average across the surface with a maximum deviation of 3 percent. Grid size not stated.

Contrast ratio (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

1,410:121Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Same matching Brightness and Contrast section measured 1410:1. Stored ratio 1410. SDR luminance is reported in the same section. Contrast picture mode, pattern/window and instrument unspecified. No maker contrast claim substituted.

1,250:115Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-reviewRead 10 October 2026Same section: contrast ratio 1250:1 before profiling (1130:1 after profiling). Brightness setting of the reading not stated.

HDR peak brightness (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

sRGB coverage (measured)iReviewer measured sRGB coverage, not gamut volume. Instrument and method belong in the source note.

100%21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Same matching display gamut test computes 100 percent sRGB coverage. Target named explicitly. Display P3 result 99 percent is not DCI-P3 and is omitted from DCI field. Gamut volume not substituted. Instrument unspecified.

96%15Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-reviewRead 10 October 2026Colour section: display covers 96 percent of sRGB (ITU-R BT.709) in CIE1976. Coverage, lab measurement, instrument not named.

DCI-P3 coverage (measured)iReviewer measured DCI-P3 coverage, not gamut volume. Display P3 measurements are identified in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Colour accuracy (measured Delta E)iReviewer colour error before calibration. Delta-E formula, colour space and picture mode belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

PWM flicker foundiWhether a reviewer detected pulse-width-modulation flicker under the documented test conditions. False does not prove all frequency ranges were tested.

No21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Same matching Health Impact PWM test measures intensity over time at different brightness levels and states backlight not pulse-width modulated. Reviewer detection result only. Instrument bandwidth and exact sweep limits unstated, not a proof of every frequency range.

No15Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-reviewRead 10 October 2026PWM section: conclusion says the display does not flicker. Test method and brightness range are not detailed in the text.

PWM frequency (measured)iDetected PWM frequency at the brightness setting stated by the reviewer.

Not available

Not available

PWM at or below brightnessiHighest display brightness setting at or below which the documented PWM is detected.

Not available

Not available

Response black to white (measured)iReviewer combined rise and fall response for black-to-white-to-black, with test conditions in the source note.

25.2ms21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Same matching pixel response method black-to-white and white-to-black, 10 to 90 percent amplitude, combined fall plus rise 25.2 ms. Gray-to-gray 50/80 percent method described but no readable numeric result, so GTG field stays empty.

30ms15Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-reviewRead 10 October 2026Response time section: black to white and white to black 10 to 90 percent, fall time plus rise time 30 ms.

Response grey to grey (measured)iReviewer combined rise and fall response between specified grey levels. State the levels in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Measured performance

None of 8 known

Cinebench 2024 single-coreiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Cinebench 2024 multi-coreiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Geekbench 6 single-coreiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker. Geekbench 6 only. Geekbench 5 and 7 use other scales, so their scores are not stored.

Not available

Not available

Geekbench 6 multi-coreiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker. Geekbench 6 only. Geekbench 5 and 7 use other scales, so their scores are not stored.

Not available

Not available

3DMark Time Spy graphicsiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker. Graphics score, not the overall score. A score the review does not label as graphics is left out.

Not available

Not available

3DMark Steel NomadiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

SSD sequential read (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Game frame ratesiMatching review-unit game results. Resolution, preset, upscaling, frame generation and ray tracing are stated only when documented.

Not available

Not available

Measured noise and temperature

1 of 9 differ

Fan noise per modeiReviewer sound-pressure readings for the matching configuration and mode. Measurement distance and workload belong in the source note.

Not available

Not available

Max fan noiseiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Fan noise while gamingiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Top surface under loadiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Bottom surface under loadiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Palm rest under loadiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

CPU temperature in stress testiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

82°C21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Matching Temperatures and Comfort long test: 100 percent CPU load for 30 minutes, Avg. CPU Temp 82°C. Peak 96°C is separately reported and not substituted for this average. Sensor/software and macOS version/power mode unspecified. P-core-only 2197 MHz average is not whole-CPU clock and is omitted. This field is not a peak-only temperature field. The published 30-minute average is explicitly retained.

Not available

CPU clock in stress testiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

GPU temperature while gamingiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Measured battery and power

3 of 10 differ

Battery runtime per testiReviewer runtime for the exact test and configuration. Mixed browsing, video and graphics workloads are classified as mixed use.

AApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 2026)

Test	Brightness (nits)	Power mode	Hours (h)
Video playback	180	Low Power Mode	15.78

Source21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Matching Battery Life test: Low Power Mode selected in System Settings, video playback at 180 nits, SDR, 100 to 0 percent discharge, 15 h 47 min. 947 minutes divided by 60 is 15.783 hours, stored rounded to two decimals. Video codec/resolution, player, networking and macOS version unstated. EU sample has no included adapter. None of its regional bundle facts changes the US box.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Test	Power mode	Hours (h)
Video playback	Best battery life (Windows power slider, as shipped)	8.33

Source14Measurementpcworld.com/article/398243/surface-laptop-3-review-amd-ryzen.htmlRead 10 October 2026Review battery section: looped 4K video rundown lasted about 8 hours 20 minutes at 250 to 260 nits (brightness not stored as a single value), with the as-shipped best battery life power slider setting. Tested unit is the Ryzen 5 3580U 15-inch with 16 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD, so RAM and SSD capacity differ from this 8 GB and 128 GB reference.

Wi-Fi browsing runtimeiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Video runtimeiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

15.78h=CalculatedFrom Battery runtime per test

8.33h=CalculatedFrom Battery runtime per test

Full charge time (measured)iMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

Not available

Not available

Power draw idleiHighest reviewer idle AC power reading for the matching configuration and test conditions.

Not available

Not available

Power draw gamingiReviewer AC power draw during the named game and settings. Not GPU-only power.

Not available

Not available

Power draw maxiMaximum reviewer AC input power during the documented load or stress test. Not the adapter rating.

Not available

Not available

Sustained CPU power (measured)iObserved sustained CPU package power during the documented test. Not the configured PL1 limit.

27W21Measurementlaptopmedia.com/review/apple-macbook-air-15-3-m5-the-best-15-inch-laptop-for-everyday-useRead 7 October 2026Same matching 30-minute 100 percent CPU-load table: Avg. CPU Power 27 W. Observed sustained-test average, not configured TDP or wall draw. Meter/sensor, macOS and power mode unspecified. 10-second 40 W and peak 45 W are different test windows and excluded. Independent verification confirms table and prose repeat the 30-minute average. A different upgraded 32 GB/2 TB combined CPU/GPU review is not a directly comparable CPU-only result. Outlier and sensor limits retained.

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GPU power while gaming (measured)iObserved GPU-only power while running the documented game and settings.

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Weight (measured)iReviewer measured laptop mass without its power adapter unless the source note explicitly states otherwise.

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Certifications

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Intel EvoiManufacturer certification of the exact configuration as Intel Evo. Processor support alone does not establish certification.

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Copilot+ PCiManufacturer identifies the configuration as Copilot+ PC. A Copilot keyboard key alone is insufficient.

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Colour certifications

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ENERGY STAR

Yes4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

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EPEAT

Gold15Certification listepeat.net/computers-and-displays-search-result/page-1/size-25Read 7 October 2026Official exact row Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5), Notebook, United States, Gold, registered 2026-03-11, Active. Covers this 15-inch base hardware under defined US family registration. Not universal country rating.

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Other certifications

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In the box

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In the boxiAccessories confirmed for this exact SKU. Do not combine mutually exclusive regional bundles into one box.

15-inch MacBook Air, 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max, USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026US tech-sheet In the Box. Other markets can omit the adapter.

Surface Laptop 3 15-inch, Power Supply, Quick Start Guide, Safety and warranty documents1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original consumer standard box. Promotional Earbuds, pens and bundles excluded.

Power adapter includediWhether a power adapter is included with this exact regional SKU. A supported or recommended adapter does not prove inclusion.

Yes4Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

Yes1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Warranty

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Manufacturer warranty (source market)iThe maker's warranty period for the exact SKU or configuration and market named in the source note. It applies only to that stated market, not every regional variant. Statutory consumer rights are excluded. The base term is stored. An extension that needs registration goes in the source note.

1year12Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.htmlRead 7 October 2026Original new US Mac one-year limited manufacturer hardware warranty from original retail purchase. This is the US reference market only. AppleCare, retailer guarantees and statutory rights excluded.

1year1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original one-year limited hardware warranty for selected US SKU. Commercial Advanced Exchange and statutory rights excluded.

Warranty serviceiDocumented manufacturer warranty service for the named market. Included paid service upgrades belong in the source note.

Carry-in, Mail-in12Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.htmlRead 7 October 2026US Warranty Service Options: carry-in at Apple Retail/AASP and mail-in if Apple determines eligibility. Apple chooses appropriate service. DIY parts option cannot be represented by enum.

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Links

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Product page

www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m51Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2026/03/apple-introduces-the-new-macbook-air-with-m5Read 5 October 2026

support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-features2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-featuresRead 10 October 2026

Spec sheet

support.apple.com/en-us/1263214Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/126321Read 8 October 2026

news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdf1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/562/2019/10/Surface-Laptop-3-fact-sheet-10-3.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original October 2019 maker consumer specification, 5 pages independently downloaded/read. Commercial Intel 15-inch rows excluded.

Manual

support.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/take-a-tour-of-macbookair-apd7e765329d/2026/mac/273Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-air/take-a-tour-of-macbookair-apd7e765329d/2026/mac/27Read 5 October 2026

support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-features2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-3-specs-and-featuresRead 10 October 2026

EPREL registration numberiId in the EU energy label database. Each size or model of a series has its own id, so it is per variant.

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Both are also in the API. Back to all laptops.