Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 vs Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7) (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3

9.2/10 Excellent

4.7★ (3,600 owners)

M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.

Full Review

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7)

9.0/10 Excellent

4.4★ (3,200 owners)

13" 2880×1920 120Hz touch, Core i7, Slim Pen 2, detachable keyboard, 15hr. Windows tablet-laptop hybrid.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3	Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7)
247Verdict Score	9.2/10	9.0/10
Owner Rating	4.7★ (3,600)	4.4★ (3,200)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Battery	18 hours	15 hours

Quick Verdict

Both are strong choices, but the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 edges ahead with a 9.2/10 vs 9.0/10. M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air. That said, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7) is worth considering if 13" 2880×1920 120Hz touch, Core i7, Slim Pen 2, detachable keyboard, 15hr. Windows tablet-laptop hybrid. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3

15.3-inch Liquid Retina display provides significantly more working space than 13-inch for coding, design and documents
M3 performance identical to 13-inch MacBook Air — same battery life, same silence, bigger screen
18-hour battery handles extended travel days without charger anxiety
Fanless design maintains silence even on demanding tasks unlike Intel alternatives
macOS Continuity: AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, iPhone mirroring, Handoff across Apple devices

£1,400 — £300 more than 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for screen size only
1.51kg is heavier than 13-inch at 1.24kg — noticeable daily commute difference
Same two-port limitation as 13-inch — hub required for USB-A or HDMI

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7)

2880×1920 3:2 display is the sharpest touchscreen laptop display available from Microsoft
120Hz variable refresh reduces battery drain in static UI while enabling smooth scrolling
Slim Pen 2 included — haptic feedback pen with tilt support for natural drawing and inking
Detachable keyboard converts between tablet and laptop instantly — true dual-mode use
Windows Hello face unlock + fingerprint covers all authentication scenarios

Keyboard cover and Slim Pen sold separately in some configurations — check bundle pricing
Performance trails MacBook Air M3 in battery efficiency
Core i7 throttles under sustained load in the fanless configuration

FAQ

Which is better, Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 or Microsoft Surface Pro 9?

Is the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 worth the extra cost?

Yes — Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 scores higher at 9.2/10 vs 9.0/10.

Who is the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 best suited to?

M3 chip, 15.3" Liquid Retina, 18hr battery, 1.51kg, fanless. The big-screen MacBook Air.

Who is the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 best suited to?

13" 2880×1920 120Hz touch, Core i7, Slim Pen 2, detachable keyboard, 15hr. Windows tablet-laptop hybrid.

What are the main downsides of each?

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3: £1,400 — £300 more than 13-inch MacBook Air M3 for screen size only; 1.51kg is heavier than 13-inch at 1.24kg — noticeable daily commute difference. Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7): Keyboard cover and Slim Pen sold separately in some configurations — check bundle pricing; Performance trails MacBook Air M3 in battery efficiency.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M3 sits at 4.7★ from 3,600 verified Amazon owners, and Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Core i7) at 4.4★ from 3,200.

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