Why Does MS Word Open Twice as Slow on Windows 11 PCs Compared to MacBooks? 🤯 (2026)

The Surprising Truth About Microsoft Word: Why It’s Slower on Windows 11 Than on MacBooks

Let’s start with a head-scratcher: Microsoft Word, the flagship productivity app from the company that created Windows, opens twice as slow on Windows 11 PCs compared to MacBooks. Personally, I think this is more than just a technical hiccup—it’s a symptom of a deeper issue in how Microsoft approaches its own ecosystem. What makes this particularly fascinating is that this isn’t some niche app we’re talking about; it’s Word, a program Microsoft has had over three decades to optimize for its own operating system.

The Numbers Don’t Lie—But They Do Raise Questions

Recent tests by PhoneBuff, a YouTube channel known for its meticulous robot-controlled testing, pitted the MacBook Air M5 against the Microsoft Surface Laptop and the MacBook Neo against the Dell XPS 13. The results? Both MacBooks opened a 500-page Word document in 7 seconds, while their Windows counterparts took a whopping 12 seconds. In my opinion, this isn’t just about speed—it’s about expectations. If you take a step back and think about it, this should be the one area where Windows has a clear advantage. Yet, here we are.

What many people don’t realize is that the MacBook Neo isn’t even running Apple’s flagship silicon; it’s using a repurposed iPhone chip. So, an iPhone chip in a $599 laptop outperforms a Windows PC running Microsoft’s own software. This raises a deeper question: Is this a hardware issue, a software problem, or a combination of both?

Battery Life: The Silver Lining for Windows

Here’s where the story takes an interesting turn. Despite the sluggish performance, both the Surface Laptop and the Dell XPS 13 outperformed their MacBook counterparts in battery life during everyday productivity tasks. The XPS 13, for instance, drained only 18% of its battery compared to the MacBook Neo’s 26% in the same test. From my perspective, this is a significant win for Windows, especially since Apple’s M-series chips have long been touted for their efficiency.

But let’s not get too carried away. While better battery life is a plus, it doesn’t excuse the fact that Microsoft’s own app runs slower on its own OS. What this really suggests is that Microsoft needs to focus on optimization, not just rely on faster chips to mask underlying issues.

The Dell XPS 13: A Bright Spot in a Murky Landscape

If there’s one Windows machine that comes out of this looking decent, it’s the Dell XPS 13. It offers a touchscreen, a sharper display, and now, better battery life than its MacBook rival. Sure, the Word opening speed is a blemish, but it’s an isolated issue in an otherwise solid package.

The Surface Laptop, on the other hand, is harder to justify. It’s $300 more expensive than the MacBook Air, yet it falls short in performance, camera quality, and audio. Personally, I think Microsoft is shooting itself in the foot here. The Surface brand has always been about premium quality, but at this price point, it’s hard to see the value proposition.

The Bigger Picture: Windows Needs a Wake-Up Call

What’s happening with Word is just the tip of the iceberg. Microsoft recently admitted that Windows 11 is a memory hog and promised optimizations by the end of 2026. But here’s the thing: Apple’s ecosystem is tightly controlled, allowing for faster optimizations. Windows, with its decades of legacy software, faces a much tougher challenge.

One thing that immediately stands out is the push toward WinUI, which aims to replace WebView2 and improve performance. But fast silicon can only do so much. If you take a step back and think about it, this isn’t just about Word—it’s about the future of Windows. Can Microsoft keep up with the competition, or will it continue to lag behind in its own backyard?

Final Thoughts: A Call for Action

In my opinion, Microsoft needs to treat this as a wake-up call. Better battery life is great, but it’s not enough. The company needs to double down on optimization, streamline its OS, and ensure its own apps run seamlessly on its own hardware. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just about speed—it’s about trust. If Microsoft can’t get Word to run smoothly on Windows, how can users trust it with more complex tasks?

This raises a deeper question: Is Microsoft losing its grip on its own ecosystem? Personally, I think the answer is no—but only if the company takes immediate and decisive action. The Dell XPS 13 shows that Windows machines can compete, but they need more than just faster chips. They need a smarter, leaner OS that prioritizes performance and user experience.

So, here’s my takeaway: Microsoft, the ball is in your court. The world is watching.