"It's almost impossible to recommend the Surface Laptop 13": I compare it to the MacBook Neo after Microsoft's price hike
Windows Central • • technology
Key Points:
- The Surface Laptop 13-inch, launched in June 2025 with an $899 starting price, now costs $1,149.99 after a recent price increase, while Apple's budget-friendly MacBook Neo remains at $599 since its March 2026 debut.
- Both laptops are lightweight and premium-built, but the MacBook Neo is thinner and offers more color options, although it lacks a backlit keyboard and has weaker port selection compared to the Surface Laptop.
- The MacBook Neo features a higher resolution, brighter non-touch display, whereas the Surface Laptop offers a touch screen with a 3:2 aspect ratio and Dolby Vision certification.
- Performance-wise, the Surface Laptop excels in multi-core tasks and battery life (17+ hours vs. 13.5 hours for the Neo), while the MacBook Neo leads in single-core CPU and GPU performance but is limited by 8GB RAM.
- Considering price and features, the MacBook Neo is a strong budget pick for casual users or those without OS preference, while the pricier Surface Laptop appeals more to dedicated Windows users seeking a premium, longer-lasting device.
