Apple MacBook Air (11-inch) vs. Microsoft Surface Pro 2: Face-Off

Microsoft’s Surface tablets have been trying to replace your laptop since they launched last year, and the new Surface Pro 2 makes a more compelling argument than ever. Starting at $899 ($999 as reviewed), the Windows 8.1 tablet’s speedy Intel Core processor and sharp touch screen make it a worthy adversary to Apple’s $999 11-inch MacBook Air notebook for those who want a highly portable productivity machine. But which of these two products gets the job done best for under a grand?

The MacBook Air and Surface Pro 2 are built very differently, so you’ll have to decide which of these two portable computers suits you best. The 2013 MacBook Air retains the razor-thin aluminum unibody of its previous incarnations, with a set of black island keys that have become standard for Apple notebooks.

While the Surface Pro 2 can be used as a laptop, the device is a tablet at its core. Like the original Surface Pro, the sequel sports an all-black magnesium-alloy body, with a kickstand that unfolds from the back panel for tabletop use. The Pro has a touch screen that the Air lacks, but Apple’s offering is the only one of the two to provide a keyboard out of the box.