Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Microsoft Surface Pro 11
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro 11 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the cheaper of the two at $1,000 versus $1,999, a difference of about $999. 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 Pro 11 is praised for stunning oled display with hdr and 120hz. 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 Pro 11 if…
- →Stunning OLED display with HDR and 120Hz
- →Incredibly thin and light for a Windows tablet
- →Excellent battery life thanks to Snapdragon X Elite
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 Pro 11
Pros
- Stunning OLED display with HDR and 120Hz
- Incredibly thin and light for a Windows tablet
- Excellent battery life thanks to Snapdragon X Elite
- Versatile 2-in-1 form factor with optional Flex Keyboard
Cons
- Keyboard and pen sold separately, raising true cost
- Only two USB-C ports and no Thunderbolt
- ARM app compatibility gaps remain in some software
- Lap usability limited by kickstand design
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 0.895 kg |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 287 x 208 x 9.3 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | 0 |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 0 |
| USB-A ports | — | 0 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 14 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 53 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 13 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | PixelSense Flow touchscreen, OLED |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 2880 x 1920 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 900 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 12 cores |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Microsoft Surface Pro 11 vs Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs MSI GE76 Raider
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs HP OMEN 17
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Dell G15 Gaming (2024)
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Dell XPS 13 (2023)
- Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro
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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Microsoft products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro or the Microsoft Surface Pro 11.