Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 is the cheaper of the two at $1,299 versus $2,499, a difference of about $1,200. 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 Laptop 6 is praised for intel core ultra with npu for windows copilot ai features. 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 Laptop 6 if…
- →Intel Core Ultra with NPU for Windows Copilot AI features
- →17-hour rated battery life is excellent for an Intel-based ultrabook
- →3:2 PixelSense touch display is ideal for productivity and documents
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 Laptop 6
Pros
- Intel Core Ultra with NPU for Windows Copilot AI features
- 17-hour rated battery life is excellent for an Intel-based ultrabook
- 3:2 PixelSense touch display is ideal for productivity and documents
- Removable SSD allows easy data migration and storage upgrades
- Premium fit and finish with an excellent keyboard and trackpad
Cons
- Only one USB-C and one USB-A — very limited port selection
- No Thunderbolt despite using Intel Core Ultra
- 60Hz display feels dated against 120Hz competitors
- No HDMI or SD card reader — dongles required for presentations
- 13.5-inch screen is small for extended multitasking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro | Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 2.96 lbs (1.34 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 cm | 12.13 x 8.79 x 0.57 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 17 hours |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | PixelSense IPS touch |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB / 8 TB | 512 GB removable SSD |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB / 96 GB | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 16 cores (6P + 8E + 2LPE) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core Ultra 7 165H |
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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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