Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the cheaper of the two at $1,999 versus $2,499, a difference of about $500. 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 Studio 2 is praised for unique pull-forward display hinge converts to stage and studio modes. 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 Studio 2 if…
- →Unique pull-forward display hinge converts to stage and studio modes
- →120Hz PixelSense Flow touch display with excellent Slim Pen 2 support
- →NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU option for creative and light gaming workloads
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 Studio 2
Pros
- Unique pull-forward display hinge converts to stage and studio modes
- 120Hz PixelSense Flow touch display with excellent Slim Pen 2 support
- NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU option for creative and light gaming workloads
- Removable SSD for easy storage upgrades and data migration
- Dual Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A — good port variety for Surface lineup
Cons
- 4.37 lbs is heavy for a 14.4-inch laptop
- Hinge mechanism limits maximum screen angle in clamshell mode
- $1,999 is expensive — RTX-equipped models cost much more
- No HDMI port despite the high price
- Keyboard deck wobbles slightly in studio mode
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Pro |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 2.14 kg | 4.37 lbs (1.98 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Magnesium and aluminum |
| Dimensions | 17.7 x 24.8 x 1.68 cm | 12.72 x 8.98 x 0.86 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 2 |
| USB-A ports | — | 1 |
| USB-C ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Capacity | 100 Wh | 58 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 16.2 inches | 14.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | PixelSense Flow touch |
| Resolution | 3456 x 2234 | 2400 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 500 |
| 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 LPDDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 14 cores (6P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core i7-13700H (13th Gen) |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs MSI GE76 Raider
- Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs HP OMEN 17
- Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Dell XPS 13 (2023)
- Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Apple MacBook Pro 14" M2 Pro
- Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
- Apple MacBook Pro 16" M5 Pro vs MSI Stealth 16 Studio
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 Laptop Studio 2.