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Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

A

Product A: Apple

MacBook Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

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B

Product B: Microsoft

Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

85 of 179 known

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All 179 fields

Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AApple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

General

7 of 9 differ

Series

MacBook Pro4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2020/05/apple-updates-13-inch-macbook-pro-with-magic-keyboard-double-the-storage-and-faster-performanceRead 7 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.

MWP42LL/A2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-05-04-2020.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original May 4, 2020 Apple US inventory page 3 explicitly identifies four Thunderbolt 3 ports and MWP42LL/A Space Gray, 2.0 GHz quad-core tenth-generation Core i5, 16 GB, 512 GB SSD. Higher 1 TB and two-port models excluded. Education price is not consumer 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

1901992382519Retailer pagemicrocenter.com/support/624244/apple-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar-mwp42ll-a-mid-2020-133-quotRead 7 October 2026Exact original MWP42LL/A retailer product-information UPC. Refurbished reseller replacement identifiers excluded.

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.

4 May 20204Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2020/05/apple-updates-13-inch-macbook-pro-with-magic-keyboard-double-the-storage-and-faster-performanceRead 7 October 2026Maker original May 4 announcement for 2020 13-inch models. Lower $1299 start price belongs to separate two-port model and is not imported.

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

Not available

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.

Not available

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.

Not available

$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.

Not available

Not available

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

US2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-05-04-2020.pdfRead 5 October 2026Maker original US inventory, corroborated by exact US retailer SKU.

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

Space Gray2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-05-04-2020.pdfRead 5 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

Not available

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

Not available

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

2 of 6 differ

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

Width304.1Depth212.4Thickness (max)15.6mm(12 × 8.4 × 0.6 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker centimetres converted exactly to millimetres. Retailer rounded conversions excluded.

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.

1.4kg(3.1 lb)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly 1.4 kg laptop mass, manufacturing/configuration variation applies. Retailer conversion from rounded pounds excluded.

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

Aluminium1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Environment section states low-carbon recyclable aluminium enclosure, not a recycled-aluminium percentage.

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

Aluminium1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker 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

Not available

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

Not available

Display

8 of 25 differ

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

13.3in(33.8 cm)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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

2560 × 1600px1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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

227ppi=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.

IPS1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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

Not available

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

APPA03D11Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Display panel identifier. Supplier variation applies.

Not available

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.

Glossy3Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1560525-REG/apple_mwp42ll_a_13_3_macbook_pro_with.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact original MWP42LL/A Display table states Glossy.

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

No3Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1560525-REG/apple_mwp42ll_a_13_3_macbook_pro_with.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact Display table states Touchscreen No.

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 Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Width (px)	Height (px)	Maximum operating refresh (Hz)
2560	1600	60

Source11Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Built-in 2560x1600 display explicitly 60 Hz. Not an external-display timing or a scaled-resolution list. VRR is not published and omitted.

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

Not available

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

Not available

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

Not available

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

Not available

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

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

HDR certification

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Second display

Not available

Not available

Processor

6 of 14 differ

Processor

Intel Core i5 (2.0 GHz, quad-core, 10th generation)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Exact original four-Thunderbolt-port model base 2.0 GHz quad-core tenth-generation Core i5. Maker sheet and inventory do not explicitly state custom CPU suffix, so suffix/thread count/process node are omitted. Distinct two-port eighth-generation model excluded.

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

Intel1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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 Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Count	Base clock (GHz)	Max clock (GHz)
4	2	3.8

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly four cores, 2.0 GHz base and 3.8 GHz Turbo Boost. No later hybrid P/E labels imposed.

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

4=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.

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

810Maker product pageintel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/196594/intel-core-i51038ng7-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz/specifications.htmlRead 7 October 2026Intel Total Threads for installed i5-1038NG7 identified explicitly by matching Notebookcheck review. Generic Intel TDP and 64 GB maximum memory are not laptop configured settings.11Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Specification identifies installed i5-1038NG7 with 4c/8t. Intel supplies hardware thread count.

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

3.8GHz=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

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.

6MB1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly 6 MB shared L3 for retained Core i5. Core i7 option cache excluded.

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.

10nm10Maker product pageintel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/196594/intel-core-i51038ng7-processor-6m-cache-up-to-3-80-ghz/specifications.htmlRead 7 October 2026Intel i5-1038NG7 Lithography 10 nm, exact installed processor supported by matching review specification.11Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Exact installed CPU scopes Intel 10nm lithography.

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

Not available

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

Not available

Graphics

1 of 9 differ

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

No3Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1560525-REG/apple_mwp42ll_a_13_3_macbook_pro_with.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact Performance table states Integrated graphics. External eGPU capabilities do not count as installed hardware.

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

Not available

Not available

GPU brand

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Integrated GPU

Intel Iris Plus Graphics1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker Graphics section Intel Iris Plus. No discrete GPU in original retained inventory.

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

4 of 9 differ

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

16GB2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-05-04-2020.pdfRead 5 October 2026

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

LPDDR4X1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly LPDDR4X onboard memory. Published 3733 MHz is not converted into stored configured MT/s.

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.

211Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Memory specification explicitly dual-channel.

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.

Soldered11Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Memory specification explicitly soldered. Purchase-time 32 GB option is not an upgrade socket.

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

Not available

RAM slots

Not available

Not available

Free RAM slots

Not available

Not available

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

32GB1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker memory section offers 32 GB purchase-time maximum for this four-port model. Retained installed memory is 16 GB, no later upgradeability implied.

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.

512GB2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-05-04-2020.pdfRead 5 October 2026

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

SSD (interface unspecified)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker base 512 GB SSD. Installed protocol and PCIe generation not 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.

Not available

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 Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

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 Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Type	Version	Count	Maximum data rate (Gbps)	Thunderbolt or USB4	DP Alt Mode
USB-C	Thunderbolt 3 / USB 3.1 Gen 2	4	40	Thunderbolt 3	Yes
3.5 mm audio	Not available	1	Not available	Not available	Not available

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Four physical USB-C connectors support Thunderbolt 3 up to 40 Gb/s, USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s and native DisplayPort over USB-C. Highest data rate counted once per port. Audio section identifies physical headset output. External adapters excluded.

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

4=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

1 of 5 differ

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 51Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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.

Not available

Not available

Wi-Fi module

Not available

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.

5.01Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026

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.

Not available

Not available

Key switches

Scissor4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2020/05/apple-updates-13-inch-macbook-pro-with-magic-keyboard-double-the-storage-and-faster-performanceRead 7 October 2026Maker launch announcement describes new Magic Keyboard refined scissor mechanism across 2020 13-inch model. Exact four-port maker sheet names Magic Keyboard.

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.

Not available

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.

Not available

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.

1mm4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2020/05/apple-updates-13-inch-macbook-pro-with-magic-keyboard-double-the-storage-and-faster-performanceRead 7 October 2026Maker original Magic Keyboard description expressly states 1 mm travel.

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

Not available

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.

Haptic1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Exact sheet Force Touch, separately documented maker haptic feedback.6Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-gb/102309Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly describes Force Touch haptic feedback, matched to exact model sheet.

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

720p FaceTime HD1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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.

Not available

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

Dolby Atmos, Wide stereo sound1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026

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.

31Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly three-mic array. Stereo channels are not physical speaker count.

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

4 of 5 differ

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

58Wh1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Maker explicitly 58.0 Wh. Ten-hour runtime claims omitted because maker four-port battery test used 2.0 GHz Core i5, 16 GB and 1 TB SSD, unlike retained 512 GB. Acoustic declarations are not imported as reviewer measurements.

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 Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Not available

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.

61W1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Nominal included 61 W adapter output, not maximum accepted 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.

USB-C1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026USB-C at laptop end of supplied charging cable.

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.

Not available

Not available

Cooling

1 of 4 differ

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

211Reviewnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. System Noise explicitly cooling solution with two fans. Sibling two-port model excluded.

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.

Not available

Not available

Security

2 of 4 differ

Fingerprint

Power button5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1938_mbp-13-2020-4t3-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026Hardware diagram 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 Catalina4Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2020/05/apple-updates-13-inch-macbook-pro-with-magic-keyboard-double-the-storage-and-faster-performanceRead 7 October 2026Maker announcement explicitly states every new MacBook Pro comes with macOS Catalina. Later Big Sur support-sheet/UI updates excluded.

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

macOS1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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

10 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.

512nits13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. APPA03D, X-Rite i1Pro2, macOS at maximum brightness. Nine-point grid centre 512 nits. Battery centre 510 is separate. Windows over 600 nits is unquantified and omitted.

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.

490.7nits13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Nine-point APPA03D grid, X-Rite i1Pro2 at maximum display brightness under macOS. Exact mean, not rounded 491 table.

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

1,600:113Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. APPA03D at maximum macOS brightness, X-Rite i1Pro2. Black 0.32 nits.

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.

99.9%13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. X-Rite i1Pro2, Argyll 3D sRGB coverage. Not gamut volume. Display P3 values are not DCI-P3.

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.

1.713Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. CalMAN uncalibrated ColorChecker Delta E 2000, P3 target, X-Rite i1Pro2. Calibrated 1.0 is not stored. Webcam ColorChecker 9.85 is separate.

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.

Yes13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Display flicker test detects high-frequency PWM at 75% brightness and below. Not inferred from lack of visible flicker.

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.

113.6kHz13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Published display PWM table 113600 Hz at 75%. Prose 113 kHz is rounded.

Not available

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

75%13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Review explicitly at 75% and lower.

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.

32.4ms13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Display black-white-black rise 18.4 ms plus fall 14 ms. Test operating mode not separately named.

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.

46ms13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. 50% to 80% gray rise 22 ms plus fall 24 ms.

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

6 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.

AApple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Load	Noise (dB(A))
Idle	29.6
Medium load	34.4
Max load	42.1
Gaming	36.1

Source13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Audix TM1/Arta at 15 cm. Room 29.6 dBA, so idle is ambient reading. Load average 34.4 and maximum 42.1. Gaming row specifically Witcher 3 ultra 36.1. Power mode unnamed and omitted.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 3 15-inch (Ryzen 5)

Not available

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

42.1dB(A)=CalculatedFrom Fan noise per mode

Not available

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

36.1dB(A)=CalculatedFrom Fan noise per mode

Not available

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

40.7°C13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Maximum-load stress upper surface, Voltcraft IR-900 at ambient 20.6 C. Specific stress apps not stated in body.

Not available

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

39.4°C13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Maximum-load stress bottom surface, Voltcraft IR-900, ambient 20.6 C.

Not available

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

27°C13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Maximum palmrest/touchpad under stress, Voltcraft IR-900, ambient 20.6 C.

Not available

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

Not available

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

7 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 Pro 13-inch (Intel, 2020, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)

Test	Hours (h)
Wi-Fi browsing	12.13
Wi-Fi browsing	7.63
Video playback	11.45

Source13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching i5-1038NG7 / 16 GB / 512 GB four-port sample under macOS. First row: Safari 13.1 Wi-Fi v1.3, 12 h 08 min, standard test brightness unstated. Second row: Safari 13.1 at maximum display brightness, 7 h 38 min. Third row: local Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p, 11 h 27 min, brightness unstated. Named power profile and firmware are not stated. Minutes converted to hours and rounded to two decimals. German review keyboard is not inherited.

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

12.13h=CalculatedFrom Battery runtime per test

Not available

Video runtimeiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

11.45h=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.

10.3W13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Maximum of idle AC readings 3.8/8.6/10.3 W, Metrahit Energy. Settings not separately named.

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

48.2W13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. AC wall input during Witcher 3 ultra, Metrahit Energy. Not iGPU-only power.

Not available

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

65.2W13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Matching 2.0 GHz i5-1038NG7 four-port model with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB Apple SSD SM0512F. German review keyboard is not inherited. Maximum observed AC load input, Metrahit Energy. Later levels off near 57 W. AC input can exceed nominal 61 W DC adapter output.

Not available

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

33W13Measurementnotebookcheck.net/MacBook-Pro-13-2020-in-Review-Apple-s-subnotebook-only-gets-the-mandatory-update.467617.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Temperature section states processor consumption levels off at around 33 W during stress. This is an approximate reviewer CPU package reading for the exact i5-1038NG7 / 16 GB / 512 GB four-port sample. Windows telemetry is mentioned. Tool, exact stress applications, firmware and named power profile are not stated. CPU-only performance section separately reports about 35 W. That different workload is not a conflicting configured limit. No PL1 or whole-system AC rating is inferred.

Not available

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

2 of 6 differ

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

Not available

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

Not available

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Colour certifications

Not available

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ENERGY STAR

Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026

Not available

EPEAT

Gold12Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/environment/pdf/products/notebooks/13-inch_MacBookPro_PER_May2020.pdfRead 7 October 2026Exact May 2020 environmental report footnote 2 states EPEAT Gold in US and Canada. Report includes 1.4 GHz and 2.0 GHz May configurations. Not later M1 report.

Not available

Other certifications

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In the box

1 of 2 differ

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

13-inch MacBook Pro, 61W USB-C Power Adapter, USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 October 2026Original standard maker box. Optional adapters and accessories excluded.

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.

Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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

0 of 2 differ

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.

1year7Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.htmlRead 5 October 2026Original US one-year limited hardware warranty. Paid plans 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.

Not available

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Links

Not compared

Product page

support.apple.com/en-us/1113391Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 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/1113391Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111339Read 5 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

cdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1938_mbp-13-2020-4t3-qsg.pdf5Owner's manualcdsassets.apple.com/live/6GJYWVAV/start/ma1938_mbp-13-2020-4t3-qsg.pdfRead 5 October 2026Exact four-Thunderbolt-port 13-inch 2020 Quick Start PDF, two pages downloaded/read/rendered. Reprint UI used only for unchanged physical controls.

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.

Not available

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