Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Microsoft Surface Go 4
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" 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 $2,499, a difference of about $1,920. The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro stands out for largest macbook display at 16.2 inches, 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 16" M5 Pro if…
- →Largest MacBook display at 16.2 inches
- →M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations
- →100 Wh battery with 24-hour 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 16" M5 Pro
Pros
- Largest MacBook display at 16.2 inches
- M5 Pro or M5 Max configurations
- 100 Wh battery with 24-hour life
- Thunderbolt 5
- Up to 96GB RAM with M5 Max
Cons
- 2.14 kg is heavy
- $2499 starting price
- Non-upgradable components
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 16" M5 Pro | Microsoft Surface Go 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Magnesium alloy |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 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 | 100 Wh | 28 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | PixelSense IPS touchscreen |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 1920 x 1280 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 128 GB UFS |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 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.
Explore more in laptops, see all Apple products or all Microsoft products. View full details for the Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro or the Microsoft Surface Go 4.