Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Microsoft Surface Go 4
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and Microsoft Surface Go 4 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Microsoft Surface Go 4 is the cheaper of the two at $579 versus $1,999, a difference of about $1,420. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro stands out for m5 pro: 18-core cpu with super cores, 4x ai performance vs m4, while Microsoft Surface Go 4 is praised for ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest windows tablet/laptop. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro if…
- →M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- →Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- →Up to 24 hours battery life
Buy the Microsoft Surface Go 4 if…
- →Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- →Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- →Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro
Pros
- M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- Up to 24 hours battery life
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip
- Starts at 1TB storage
Cons
- $1999 starting price
- No touchscreen
- Non-upgradable RAM and storage
Microsoft Surface Go 4
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
- PixelSense touchscreen with excellent touch and pen accuracy
- microSD slot for expandable storage
Cons
- Intel N200 is slow for anything beyond basic web browsing
- 128 GB storage fills up quickly with Windows updates
- Type Cover keyboard sold separately at $99-$129
- Only one USB-C port — no USB-A, no HDMI
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | Microsoft Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 12.5 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 28 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | PixelSense IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1280 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 128 GB UFS |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 8 GB LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 4 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel N200 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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