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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

A

Product A: Apple

MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

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B

Product B: Microsoft

Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

78 of 179 known

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Every value links to where we found it.

Only differences

AApple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

General

5 of 9 differ

Series

MacBook Pro3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-proRead 5 October 2026

Surface Laptop6Press releaseblogs.windows.com/devices/2022/10/12/introducing-new-surface-devices-that-take-the-windows-pc-into-the-next-era-of-computingRead 5 October 2026

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

MKGP3LL/A2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-03-31-2022.pdfRead 5 October 2026Original Apple US Education part-number inventory explicitly lists MKGP3LL/A for Space Gray, 8 CPU cores/14 GPU cores, 512 GB SSD. Education price is not retained as MSRP.

RBY-000014Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact US RBY-00001, Platinum, Metal, i7-1255U, 8 GB/256 GB. No current availability claim.

GTIN / EAN

Not available

Not available

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

18 October 20213Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-proRead 5 October 2026

12 October 20226Press releaseblogs.windows.com/devices/2022/10/12/introducing-new-surface-devices-that-take-the-windows-pc-into-the-next-era-of-computingRead 5 October 2026

Status

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 15-inch (Ryzen 7)16Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_Laptop_5Read 10 October 2026Infobox names Surface Laptop 4 as the predecessor. Linked to the existing 15-inch Surface Laptop 4 record, the same size. This is generation lineage, not hardware inheritance. No successor is stored because the infobox names the business-only Surface Laptop 6.

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.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M2 Pro, 2023)15Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/apple/macbook-pro-14-m2-2023Read 23 October 2026RTINGS says the MacBook Pro 14 (M2, 2023) replaces the M1 MacBook Pro 14 (2021).

Not available

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

$1,9993Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-proRead 5 October 2026Maker original US starting launch MSRP for exact base hardware, excluding education prices and later reductions.

Not available

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-03-31-2022.pdfRead 5 October 2026Maker US part-number inventory documents retained US SKU. No other regional SKU inferred.

US4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026

ColoursiThe maker's own colour names

Space Gray2Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/education/pricelists/pdfs/Apple_US_Education_Institution_Price_List-03-31-2022.pdfRead 5 October 2026

Platinum4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026

Segment

Creator3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-proRead 5 October 2026

Not available

Form factor

Clamshell8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Case section describes fixed keyboard base, central hinge and 135-degree maximum lid opening. Standard clamshell construction, not tablet conversion.

Clamshell9Retailer pagethepcwholesale.com/product/microsoft-surface-5-core-i7-1255u-256gb-ssd-8gb-15-2496x1664-touchscreen-win11-platinum-backlit-keyboardRead 7 October 2026Exact RBY-00001 15-inch consumer i7-1255U, 8 GB and 256 GB factory-sealed listing. Form factor explicitly Clamshell.

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.

Width312.6Depth221.2Thickness (max)15.5mm(12.3 × 8.7 × 0.6 in)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Size and Weight. Maker centimetres converted exactly to millimetres.

Width340Depth244Thickness (max)14.7mm(13.4 × 9.6 × 0.6 in)1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Published width across screen, depth front-to-back and closed height.

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

1.6kg(3.5 lb)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Maker M1 Pro laptop weight row, excluding adapter. Manufacturing and configuration variation apply.

1.56kg(3.4 lb)1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original PDF 1,560 g, consistent 3.44 lb and exact retailer 1.56 kg. Later maker guide/store 1,545 g conflicts with unchanged 3.44 lb. Original retained.

Lid material

Aluminium1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Environment Materials section specifies 100% recycled aluminium enclosure.

Aluminium2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Aluminium casing. Alcantara is palm-rest covering, not lid.

Bottom material

Aluminium1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Environment Materials section specifies 100% recycled aluminium enclosure.

Aluminium2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Aluminium casing.

Max hinge angle

135°8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Case explicitly maximum opening angle 135 degrees. Same 14-inch 8/14-core chassis.

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

11 of 25 differ

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

14.2in(36.1 cm)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

15in(38.1 cm)1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Native resolution

3024 × 1964px1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

2496 × 1664px1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Pixel density

253.9ppi=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.

IPS9Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/apple/macbook-pro-14-2021Read 7 October 2026Public exact test with 8 CPU cores, 14 GPU cores, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD screen row explicitly 14.2-inch IPS 3024 x 1964. Numerical test sections locked and not used.

IPS10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-5-15-review-Old-design-for-a-premium-price.709645.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Review generic Surface Laptop 5 15-inch LCD technology is IPS. Maker service table has one 15-inch Platinum AB-Cover part U7I-00001 across consumer RAM/storage boards. No sample panel part number or measurement inherited from 16 GB/512 GB review.12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Service guide printed pages 17-19 list a shared 15-inch AB-Cover, separate from the capacity-specific consumer and business motherboards. The value itself is supported by the cited review. No 16 GB/512 GB measured sample results inherited.

Backlight

Mini-LED3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-proRead 5 October 2026Original October 2021 maker announcement explicitly says mini-LED technology in both new MacBook Pro screen sizes.

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.

Not available

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.

Glossy8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display explicitly glossy screen surface. Anti-reflective behavior does not make it matte.

Glossy10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-5-15-review-Old-design-for-a-premium-price.709645.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Surface Laptop 5 15-inch display surface description. Maker service table lists one Platinum 15-inch display assembly across configurations. Reviewer calls touchscreen very reflective and glossy. Sample-specific optical measurements excluded.12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Service guide printed pages 17-19 list a shared 15-inch AB-Cover, separate from the capacity-specific consumer and business motherboards. The value itself is supported by the cited review description. No 16 GB/512 GB measured sample results inherited.

Touchscreen

No9Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/apple/macbook-pro-14-2021Read 7 October 2026Public Multimedia cons explicitly display does not support touch input.

Yes1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Stylus

Not available

Supported1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Surface Pen supported through MPP, sold separately.

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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Width (px)	Height (px)	Maximum operating refresh (Hz)	VRR
3024	1964	120	Yes

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Display section. ProMotion adaptive refresh up to 120 Hz at native resolution, separate from fixed selectable refresh rates.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

Width (px)	Height (px)	Maximum operating refresh (Hz)	VRR
2496	1664	60	No

Source4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact native-resolution display table explicitly 60 Hz and Variable Refresh Technology No.

Max refresh rate

120Hz=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.

ProMotion1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Not available

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.

500nits1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Display section explicitly publishes SDR brightness 500 nits. HDR playback support does not change this SDR claim.

400nits11Maker spec sheet (PDF)cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com/is/content/microsoftcorp/microsoft/final/en-us/mcaps/dau/documents/redtiger/fy23/Surface%20Laptop%205%20SCR%20Fact%20Sheet.pdfRead 7 October 2026Maker Surface Laptop 5 SCR sheet exact 15-inch display says 400 nits maximum (typical), minimum 5 nits. It is a business bundle, so common display scope is independently supported by service guide 15-inch Platinum AB-Cover U7I-00001 across consumer/business boards. This is claimed typical SDR maximum, not measured or HDR peak.12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Service guide printed pages 17-19 list a shared 15-inch AB-Cover, separate from the capacity-specific consumer and business motherboards, so the display is common across configurations. The value itself is supported by the cited maker SCR sheet.

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.

1,600nits1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Display XDR section. 1600 nits peak for HDR content only, below 25 degrees C. Separate from SDR brightness.

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.

Yes12Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-us/105101Read 7 October 2026MacBook Pro with Liquid Retina XDR support document explicitly describes calibration aligned before out-of-box use. Original October 2021 maker support statement quoted in contemporary MacRumors article says every such MacBook undergoes factory display calibration on assembly line.

Yes2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Individually colour-calibrated display, matching size.

Second display

Not available

Not available

Processor

10 of 14 differ

Processor

Apple M1 Pro (8-core CPU)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Chip section. Exact retained 8 CPU cores and 14 GPU cores. Sibling Pro/Max options excluded.

Intel Core i7-1255U1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Processor brand

Apple1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Intel1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Core type	Count	Max clock (GHz)
Performance	6	3.2
Efficiency	2	2.064

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Chip section expressly classifies performance and efficiency cores. No clocks inferred.8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Processor section explicitly performance cores up to 3.2 GHz, efficiency cores up to 2064 MHz. Exact base model 6P+2E counts preserved from maker. No base clocks inferred.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

Core type	Count	Max clock (GHz)
Performance	2	4.7
Efficiency	8	3.5

Source5Maker product pageintel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/226259/intel-core-i71255u-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-70-ghz/specifications.htmlRead 5 October 2026Exact chip core classifications and maximum turbo clocks. Retailer i7 E-core 3.4 GHz conflicts with Intel 3.5 GHz. Chip power/memory limits excluded.

CPU cores

8=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

10=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

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

6=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

2=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

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

2=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

8=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

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

88Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact test-unit specification explicitly Apple M1 Pro 8-core 8c/8t. No SMT inferred.

125Maker product pageintel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/226259/intel-core-i71255u-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-70-ghz/specifications.htmlRead 5 October 2026

Max boost clock

3.2GHz=CalculatedFrom Core configuration

4.7GHz=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

12MB4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact Performance table explicitly L3 Cache 12 MB. Separate L2 cache is not counted.

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.

5nm11Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/introducing-m1-pro-and-m1-max-the-most-powerful-chips-apple-has-ever-builtRead 7 October 2026M1 Pro section explicitly utilizes 5-nanometer process technology. Silicon process, not model marketing name. Binned 8-core Pro shares same M1 Pro die, no Max-only capacity imported.

Not available

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.

No1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

No4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact table integrated Iris Xe.

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

Apple M1 Pro 14-core GPU1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Intel Iris Xe Graphics1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Memory

3 of 9 differ

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

16GB1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Memory section. Original base 16 GB, matched to maker US part-number inventory.

8GB4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026

RAM type

LPDDR58Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Test-unit specifications explicitly 16 GB LPDDR5-6400. Matches base CPU/GPU, RAM and 512 GB configuration.10Reviewifixit-guide-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_145718_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Exact 2021 14-inch M1 Pro Chip ID Step 1 identifies Samsung 8 GB LPDDR5 SDRAM packages, 16 GB total. Matches retained RAM configuration.

LPDDR5X1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

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

6,400MT/s8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Published LPDDR5-6400 denotes 6400 MT/s. Not a doubled clock guess from maker unspecified memory speed.

Not available

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

Not available

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

Soldered9Reviewrtings.com/laptop/reviews/apple/macbook-pro-14-2021Read 7 October 2026Public overview says only user-replaceable part is battery and no way to upgrade components later. iFixit matching 16 GB board shows integrated soldered RAM packages. No removable sockets claimed.10Reviewifixit-guide-pdfs.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/ifixit/guide_145718_en.pdfRead 7 October 2026Chip ID Step 1 photo shows RAM packages integrated next to M1 Pro in soldered board assembly. RTINGS explicitly no post-purchase component upgrades.

Soldered10Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-5-15-review-Old-design-for-a-premium-price.709645.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Review states RAM soldered and not upgradeable across Surface Laptop 5. Maker service parts list contains capacity-specific complete motherboards, not replaceable RAM sockets. Exact 15-inch i7/8 GB consumer motherboard U4B-00001.12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Service guide printed pages 17-19 list capacity-specific consumer and business motherboards, separate from the shared 15-inch covers, chassis/battery and thermal module. The value itself is supported by the cited review.

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/111902Read 5 October 2026Maximum purchase-time memory for retained M1 Pro CPU/GPU configuration. Max-chip-only capacities excluded.

32GB2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Consumer 15-inch options up to 32 GB, same i7-1255U and Iris Xe. Purchase maximum, not upgradeability.

Storage

6 of 7 differ

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

512GB1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Original base 512 GB SSD for exact retained SKU, confirmed in maker US inventory.

256GB4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026

Storage type

SSD (interface unspecified)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Maker Storage section states SSD. Interface and PCIe generation not inferred.

NVMe SSD4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact installed 256 GB drive explicitly M.2 NVMe SSD.

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

48Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Storage Devices explicitly SSDs use PCIe 4.0 and tested entry-level 512 GB drive. Installed interface, not throughput inference. Existing maker SSD type preserved.

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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Not available

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

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

Source12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Removable SSD (rSSD) Replacement Process, printed pages 35 to 37, documents one rSSD connector on the motherboard that lifts out at about 15 degrees. The 15-inch parts list has rSSD 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB options. The M.2 2230 NVMe form factor comes from the iFixit upgrade kit listing for model numbers 1958 and 1959. Slot PCIe generation is not stated, so it is left out. Occupied by the installed drive.15Retailer pageifixit.com/products/microsoft-surface-ssd-upgrade-kitRead 10 October 2026iFixit lists the Micron 2500 M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD as compatible with Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (15-inch), model numbers 1958 and 1959. Used for the slot size and NVMe interface only. The kit's PCIe 4.0 rating does not prove the slot generation.

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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Type	Version	Count	Maximum data rate (Gbps)	Thunderbolt or USB4	DP Alt Mode
USB-C	Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4	3	40	Thunderbolt 4	Yes
3.5 mm audio	Not available	1	Not available	Not available	Not available
MagSafe	MagSafe 3	1	Not available	Not available	Not available
HDMI	Not available	1	Not available	Not available	Not available
SD card	SDXC	1	Not available	Not available	Not available

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Charging and Expansion. Physical ports counted once. Thunderbolt, USB4 and DisplayPort share USB-C connectors. HDMI version not inferred from supported output resolution.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

Type	Version	Count	Maximum data rate (Gbps)	Thunderbolt or USB4	DP Alt Mode
USB-C	USB4 / Thunderbolt 4	1	40	Thunderbolt 4	Yes
USB-A	USB 3.1	1	5	Not available	Not available
3.5 mm audio	Not available	1	Not available	Not available	Not available
Other	Surface Connect	1	Not available	Not available	Not available

Source1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026One physical USB-C supports USB4, Thunderbolt 4, display and charging. USB-A published USB 3.1. No accepted input watts inferred.4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact RBY-00001 Thunderbolt 4 paragraph explicitly 40Gb/s. USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 paragraph explicitly 5Gb/s. Two physical ports retain original count. Laptop accepted watts not inferred.

USB-C ports

3=CalculatedFrom Ports

1=CalculatedFrom Ports

Thunderbolt

Yes=CalculatedFrom Ports

Yes=CalculatedFrom Ports

Highest HDMI version

Not available

Not available

Card reader

Yes=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

2 of 5 differ

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 61Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Wi-Fi 61Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

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

2.4 GHz, 5 GHz13Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-us/guide/deployment/dep268652e6c/webRead 7 October 2026Exact MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021 Wi-Fi specification group lists ax/ac/a/n at 5 GHz and ax/b/g/n at 2.4 GHz. Newer 6 GHz/Wi-Fi 7 sections excluded.

2.4 GHz, 5 GHz14Maker product pageintel.com/content/www/us/en/products/sku/130293/intel-wifi-6-ax201-gig/specifications.htmlRead 10 October 2026Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (Gig+) specifications: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), frequency bands 2.4 and 5 GHz (160MHz). No 6 GHz statement. Matches the maker's Wi-Fi 6 claim for this model.

Wi-Fi module

Not available

Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz13Maker product pagesupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/updates/surface-laptop-5-update-historyRead 10 October 2026Maker driver and firmware update history for Surface Laptop 5 lists one Wi-Fi adapter, Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201 160MHz, under Network adapters in every release. The history covers the 13.5-inch and 15-inch models with shared driver packages. Name stored as the maker writes it.

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/111902Read 5 October 2026

5.11Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

Cellular

No8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact entry-level model Communication section explicitly says Apple still does not implement a WWAN module, LTE or even 5G, and instead recommends a phone hotspot. This is an explicit absence statement, not inferred from the Wi-Fi inventory.

No4Retailer pagebhphotovideo.com/c/product/1729192-REG/microsoft_rby_00001_15_surface_laptop_4.htmlRead 7 October 2026Exact RBY-00001 Communications table states Cellular Support No. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth remain.

Keyboard and touchpad

5 of 8 differ

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

Not available

English2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Maker Keyboard Compatibility explicitly Layout English with full F1-F12 row. US reference retained. No regional variant layouts added.

Key switches

Scissor8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Input Devices explicitly basic mechanism of scissor keys did not change. Not butterfly 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/Microsoft-Surface-Laptop-5-15-review-Old-design-for-a-premium-price.709645.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Model 15-inch keyboard description explicitly white backlight with three levels. This is shared hardware description, not a benchmark. No reviewer keyboard locale inherited. Maker sheet confirms keyboard backlight and service guide lists colour/language C-cover choices across all configurations.12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Service guide printed pages 17-19 list a shared 15-inch C-Cover, separate from the capacity-specific consumer and business motherboards. The value itself is supported by the cited keyboard description.

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

Not available

No9Retailer pagethepcwholesale.com/product/microsoft-surface-5-core-i7-1255u-256gb-ssd-8gb-15-2496x1664-touchscreen-win11-platinum-backlit-keyboardRead 7 October 2026Exact US RBY-00001 keyboard table states Numeric keypad No.

Key traveliPhysical key travel distance, not actuation distance.

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

Touchpad size

Not available

Not available

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/111902Read 5 October 2026Keyboard and Trackpad identifies Force Touch. Separate Apple trackpad source explicitly establishes haptic feedback.5Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/en-gb/102309Read 5 October 2026Apple states Force Touch trackpads provide haptic feedback. Exact model sheet specifies Force Touch.

Not available

Camera and audio

5 of 7 differ

Webcam

1080p FaceTime HD1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

720p HD1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.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-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Maker identifies separate Windows Hello and front-facing cameras.

Webcam privacy

Not available

Not available

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.

61Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Audio section explicitly six-speaker sound system. Acoustic driver count, separate from stereo channels.

212Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Speaker Replacement Process, printed pages 53 to 55, removes a left speaker and a right speaker, each held by 3 screws (6 speaker screws in total). The Illustrated Service Parts List has one Speakers part. Two physical speakers, not inferred from Omnisonic stereo processing.

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, Force-cancelling woofers1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Dolby Atmos1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Dolby Atmos requires encoded content.

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

31Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Audio section explicitly three-mic array. Physical microphones, not beamforming channels.

21Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

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.

69.6Wh1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Actual rating in Battery and Power footnote overrides rounded headline. 69.6 Wh.

47.4Wh9Retailer pagethepcwholesale.com/product/microsoft-surface-5-core-i7-1255u-256gb-ssd-8gb-15-2496x1664-touchscreen-win11-platinum-backlit-keyboardRead 7 October 2026Exact RBY-00001 battery capacity 47.4 Wh. Corroborated as nominal capacity by maker technical sheet and same 15-inch Platinum chassis/battery U6B-00001 across consumer/business boards in service guide. Minimum 45.8 Wh is separate. Battery cells/mAh do not establish nominal pack voltage.11Maker spec sheet (PDF)cdn-dynmedia-1.microsoft.com/is/content/microsoftcorp/microsoft/final/en-us/mcaps/dau/documents/redtiger/fy23/Surface%20Laptop%205%20SCR%20Fact%20Sheet.pdfRead 7 October 2026Technical battery row explicitly nominal 47.4 Wh and minimum 45.8 Wh. Business/SCR bundle capacity corroborates exact consumer RBY-00001 retailer and common 15-inch chassis+battery part. Bundle smart-card hardware and onsite warranty are excluded.12Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Service guide printed pages 17-19 list a shared 15-inch chassis/battery, separate from the capacity-specific consumer and business motherboards. The value itself is supported by the cited maker sheet and retailer listing.

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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Use case	Hours (h)
Video playback	17
Web browsing	11

Source1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Maker September 2021 battery tests match M1 Pro 8-core CPU/14-core GPU, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD. Apple TV HD 1080p movie playback and wireless browsing 25 websites, brightness 8 clicks from bottom. Up to 17 hours video and 11 hours web.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

Use case	Hours (h)
Mixed use	17

Source1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Footnote 5. Matching 15-inch Core i7, 8 GB/256 GB tested August 2022. Mixed active use and modern standby. Eight websites, Office productivity and idle apps. 150 nits, auto-brightness off, Wi-Fi connected. Windows 11.0.22621 (21H2), as published. No web/video-only claim.

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.

67W1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Published nominal rated output of included base adapter, not accepted USB-C charging input.

65W1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original supply specifies 60 W laptop output plus separate 5 W USB-A charging output. Total adapter rating 65 W. Not 65 W accepted laptop 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.

MagSafe1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Connector at laptop end of supplied charging cable.

Proprietary2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Maker model charging instructions explicitly USB-C or proprietary Surface Connect. Original supply has separate USB-A output.

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

30min4Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/apd921215d6c/2021/mac/12Read 5 October 2026Up to 50% in about 30 minutes, using 96 W on 14-inch or 140 W on 16-inch. The 14-inch base 67 W is not this optional fast-charge adapter.

Not available

Cooling

1 of 4 differ

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

28Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Fan Noise explicitly two fans and separate left/right maximum speeds 5779/6241 rpm. Physical fan count, not vent count.

112Owner's manualdownload.microsoft.com/download/9/3/5/93501ba4-9f8f-430b-97ca-9d603f42a0b7/Surface%20Laptop%205%20Service%20Guide.pdfRead 10 October 2026Printed page 18 complete service parts list has one 15-inch Thermal Module+Fan U1X-00002. Printed page 6 terminology defines module as assembly with heat spreaders and electric fan. The guide documents one fan connector and one complete replacement procedure, not logical cooling modes.

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 button4Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/apd921215d6c/2021/mac/12Read 5 October 2026Generation-specific guide describes Touch ID as the power button.

None9Retailer pagethepcwholesale.com/product/microsoft-surface-5-core-i7-1255u-256gb-ssd-8gb-15-2496x1664-touchscreen-win11-platinum-backlit-keyboardRead 7 October 2026Exact RBY-00001 table says Fingerprint reader No, separately Windows Hello face Yes. Not confused with IR face authentication.

TPM

Not available

2.01Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

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

Not available

Software

2 of 3 differ

Operating system

macOS Monterey3Press releaseapple.com/newsroom/2021/10/apple-unveils-game-changing-macbook-proRead 5 October 2026Original launch operating system, not later supported updates.

Windows 11 Home1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

OS family

macOS1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Windows1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.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.

489nits8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display 9-point grid centre cell 489 cd/m2, maximum SDR setting, X-Rite i1Pro 2. Not grid average or 494 nits battery centre.

Not available

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

479nits8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display 9-point grid average 479 cd/m2, maximum SDR setting, X-Rite i1Pro 2. Separate centre 489.

Not available

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

48,900:18Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display table 48900:1 with black 0.01 cd/m2 and white 489 cd/m2, X-Rite i1Pro 2, SDR. Mini-LED dimming and instrument black-floor limit apply. Not maker 1,000,000:1 claim.

Not available

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

1,607nits8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display maximum HDR 1607 nits, corresponding HDR video at average picture level 50 or below. 16:9 video/full-white result over 1100 is separate. Duration and HDR picture preset unstated. Same exact display unit.

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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.

0.88Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display ColorChecker Delta E 2000 before calibration 0.8, CalMAN and X-Rite i1Pro 2, DCI-P3 reference. Source separately reports Display P3 coverage 99.3 percent, which is not copied into DCI-P3 coverage field. Display grid names X-Rite i1Pro 2, while analysis prose says i2 Pro 2. The published instrument labels differ and are not silently normalized as a new measurement.

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.

Yes8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display explicitly constant PWM at all brightness levels and at maximum HDR. Measurement waveform, not a manufacturer claim.

Not available

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

14.88kHz8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Screen flicker table explicitly 14880 Hz. Source explains constant flicker at every brightness level. Exact review firmware not reported.

Not available

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

100%8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Display explicitly constant PWM at all brightness levels, including maximum HDR. Highest setting is 100 percent. No low-brightness-only threshold inferred.

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.

40.4ms8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Response table combined rise 20.8 and fall 19.6 equals 40.4 ms black-to-white-to-black. Source warns PWM makes exact response-time determination difficult. Published combined value retained.

Not available

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

58.4ms8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Response table 50 percent grey to 80 percent grey combined rise 27.6 and fall 30.8 equals 58.4 ms. Source warns constant PWM complicates determination. No claimed GtG field replacement.

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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Load	Noise (dB(A))
Idle	24.8
Gaming	27.8
Max load	49.5

Source8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Noise table idle 24.8 dBA is ambient-floor level with fans often off, Witcher 3 ultra 27.8 dBA, combined CPU/GPU maximum 49.5 dBA. Earthworks M23R/ARTA at 15 cm, ambient 24.8 dBA. Software power-mode name unspecified. No forced-fan-max figure invented.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

Not available

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

49.5dB(A)=CalculatedFrom Fan noise per mode

Not available

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

27.8dB(A)=CalculatedFrom Fan noise per mode

Not available

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

48.2°C8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Temperature grid Witcher 3 top maximum 48.2 C, room 21.4 C, Fluke t3000FC calibrated/Voltcraft IR-900. Gaming hotter than stress 46.8 C due lower fan speed. Highest published load-grid maximum retained.

Not available

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

42.9°C8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Temperature grid Witcher 3 underside maximum 42.9 C, room 21.4 C. Same instruments and test. Stress 40.9 C is separately lower.

Not available

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

34.1°C8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Temperature prose explicitly palmrests/touchpad maximum 34.1 C. Source load grids and instruments as above. Not an average keyboard value.

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

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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 14-inch (M1 Pro, 2021)

Test	Brightness (nits)	Hours (h)
Wi-Fi browsing	150	13.6
Wi-Fi browsing	500	6.5
Video playback	150	15
Max load	Not available	1.15

Source8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Battery Runtime chart Safari 15.1 Wi-Fi 13 h 36 min at 150 nits windowed, 6 h 30 min at maximum SDR 500 nits. Big Buck Bunny H.264 1080p 15 h at 150 nits. Maximum-brightness load 1 h 9 min. Source battery prose rounds 69.9 Wh while photo/maker rating 69.6 Wh retained. macOS Monterey, mode name and firmware unspecified. Approx 4 h HDR observation omitted.

BMicrosoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch

Not available

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

13.6h=CalculatedFrom Battery runtime per test

Not available

Video runtimeiMeasured by a reviewer, not claimed by the maker

15h=CalculatedFrom Battery runtime per test

Not available

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

150min8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Battery Runtime records 2.5 h full charge with included 67 W adapter while laptop idling. Exact hours-to-minutes conversion 150. Optional 140 W/96 W 95-minute result is separate and not stored in single field.

Not available

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

11.9W8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Power table idle max 11.9 W, SDR max 500 nits, Metrahit Energy AC input. HDR peaks 26 W excluded from idle. Base configuration, included 67 W adapter.

Not available

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

58.2W8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Power chart Witcher 3 ultra average 58.2 W (range 55 to 61.7 W), Metrahit Energy AC input. Not GPU-only consumption. Source execution translation path and exact resolution unstated.

Not available

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

82W8Reviewnotebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Pro-14-2021-M1-Pro-Laptop-in-Review-How-much-Pro-do-you-get-with-the-base-model.576665.0.htmlRead 7 October 2026Power stress graph 1280x720 Prime95 28.10 plus FurMark 1.25 with optional 140 W adapter reaches 82 W AC input, Metrahit Energy. Included 67 W adapter graph reaches 68.5 W. Optional adapter affects full combined load performance, explicitly qualified.

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

Not available

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

Not available

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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

Yes1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original consumer fact sheet CPU row for 15-inch i7-1255U explicitly says all SKUs built on Intel Evo platform. Not inferred from generic CPU eligibility.

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

Not available

ENERGY STAR

Yes1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

Yes2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026

EPEAT

Gold14Maker spec sheet (PDF)apple.com/environment/pdf/products/notebooks/14-inch_MacBook_Pro_PER_Oct2021.pdfRead 7 October 2026Original October 18, 2021 product environmental report endnote 2 explicitly Gold in US and Canada, exact 14-inch 2021 model. US reference certification, not a 2023 report.

Gold2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 October 2026Maker Sustainability row states registered EPEAT Gold in US and Canada. Exact consumer 15-inch reference within same sheet.

Other certifications

Not available

Windows 11 Secured-core PC1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Security table lists Windows 11 Secured-core PC for consumer and commercial models. Stored verbatim. No Secured-core level is stated.

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.

14-inch MacBook Pro, 67W USB-C Power Adapter, USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2 m)1Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026Original In the Box section and exact base CPU. Includes 67 W adapter and supplied 2 m charging cable. Alternate optional adapters excluded.

Surface Laptop 5 15-inch, Power Supply, Quick Start Guide, Safety and warranty documents1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

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/111902Read 5 October 2026

Yes1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.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.

1year6Maker product pageapple.com/legal/warranty/products/embedded-mac-warranty-us.htmlRead 5 October 2026US one-year limited manufacturer hardware warranty. Statutory rights and paid AppleCare excluded.

1year1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026

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/1119021Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/surface-laptop-5/8XN49V61S1BN3Maker product pagemicrosoft.com/en-us/p/surface-laptop-5/8XN49V61S1BNRead 5 October 2026Original consumer store. Business hardware and successor comparison rows excluded.

Spec sheet

support.apple.com/en-us/1119021Maker product pagesupport.apple.com/en-us/111902Read 5 October 2026

news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdf1Maker spec sheet (PDF)news.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/646/2022/10/Surface-Laptop-5-Fact-Sheet.pdfRead 10 October 2026Original October 2022 consumer rows. Business CPUs excluded.

Manual

support.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/apd921215d6c/2021/mac/124Owner's manualsupport.apple.com/guide/macbook-pro/apd921215d6c/2021/mac/12Read 5 October 2026

support.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-features2Owner's manualsupport.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/models/surface-laptop-5-specs-and-featuresRead 7 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

Not available

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