MacBook Air M4 vs Dell XPS 13 vs Surface Laptop 7: Which Wins?
MacBook Air M4, Dell XPS 13, or Surface Laptop 7? We compare performance, battery life, and value to crown the best 13-inch laptop for 2025.
Ethan Mercer
Editor-in-Chief
The 13-inch laptop market is more competitive than ever. Apple's MacBook Air M4 starts at $850, Dell's XPS 13 commands $1,300, and Microsoft's Surface Laptop 7 sits at $720 on sale. All three promise all-day battery life, premium build quality, and enough power for serious work. But which one actually delivers the best overall package?
We've analyzed expert reviews from Tom's Guide, CNET, Laptop Mag, and more to answer that question. The MacBook Air M4 earned a 9.4/10 rating from reviewers, the Dell XPS 13 scored 9.2/10, and the Surface Laptop 7 landed around 8.2/10. Those numbers tell part of the story, but the real question is which laptop fits your actual needs and budget.
Here's what we found: one laptop dominates on performance and battery life, another offers the best specs on paper, and the third delivers surprising value. Let's break down how they compare.
★ Quick Navigation
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AppleNew Model SoonNew Model Expected Soon — Wait if you can
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DellDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
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MicrosoftNew Model SoonNew model coming in a few months
MacBook Air 13-inch M4
AppleNew Model SoonNew Model Expected Soon — Wait if you can
XPS 13
DellDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
Surface Laptop 7
MicrosoftNew Model SoonNew model coming in a few months
How We Review
Every product on this list was evaluated by aggregating expert reviews from trusted, independent sources. We don't accept pay-for-placement — our rankings are based entirely on review consensus, real-world testing data, and measurable performance.
Products are scored on a 10-point scale using a weighted formula that factors in expert ratings, price-to-value ratio, and recency. Newer products with strong reviews get a meaningful boost because we believe our readers deserve current recommendations.
Sources analyzed for this article: 3 products across multiple expert reviews.
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