The Asus R410MA is less expensive and may be sufficient for basic tasks such as web browsing, word processing, and other non-intensive applications. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, while more expensive, offers superior performance that can handle more demanding software, such as 3D modeling, machine learning, and gaming. It also has a more versatile form factor which could be beneficial for creative tasks that benefit from a tablet-mode, like digital art. If your work includes engineering or resource-heavy tasks, you may find the investment in the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio to be worthwhile. However, if you mainly perform general use tasks and prioritize saving money, the Asus R410MA should be adequate. Keep in mind that with the higher cost of the Surface Laptop Studio, you also get a device that's more portable and likely has better battery life. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the ASUS R410MA
Very good portability
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Good for general use
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.5/10
7.4/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for general use, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA, with its lower-end CPU, limited RAM, and basic screen quality, cannot offer the performance and visual experience needed for demanding general uses, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, featuring a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a higher resolution display, excels in handling a variety of tasks comfortably and delivering a more vibrant visual experience.
Gaming and AI
5.4/10
6.6/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair for gaming and AI, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA has a basic Intel Celeron processor with Intel UHD Graphics 600, a screen that refreshes at a standard rate, and lacks a high-quality display, making it poorly suited for gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio features a more powerful Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics, with a higher refresh rate and better screen quality, which allows for fair performance in gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
5.3/10
7.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for engineering and design, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
The ASUS R410MA falls short for engineering and design tasks due to its basic CPU, minimal RAM, and lower-end integrated GPU, coupled with a lower resolution TN screen which provides poor color reproduction and viewing angles. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is well-equipped for such tasks with its powerful CPU, substantial RAM, dedicated high-performance GPU, and a high-resolution IPS touchscreen with accurate colors and better contrast, making it a superior choice for intensive workloads and creative applications.
Content Creation
5.7/10
7.4/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for content creation, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
5.6/10
7.3/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for software development, while the ASUS R410MA is poor.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
5.1/10
8.0/10
14.0in
SIZE
14.4in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen than the ASUS R410MA for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The ASUS R410MA likely has a lower resolution and less vibrant display, making it less ideal for tasks that require visual precision, such as engineering, design, or enjoying media content. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, with its higher resolution and better color accuracy, is more suitable for professionals in design and engineering who need to work with a wide color spectrum. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Surface Laptop Studio's screen might not refresh as quickly as desired, which is less optimal for fast-paced visuals that require high refresh rates to avoid motion blur and provide smoother gameplay.
Portability
Very Good
Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.4in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS R410MA has very good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
5.1/10
8.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the ASUS R410MA has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$111
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS R410MA has a price of $111 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
"The Asus Laptop L410 is a super-affordable PC, even among budget notebooks, compromising on the display and processing power to deliver a serviceable Windows machine with good battery life and useful ports. The build is reasonably solid, there’s a good mix of ports, battery life is long enough, and it can perform basic everyday tasks. On the flip side, the screen is poor, anything other than basic tasks is a tough ask, and it has little memory and even less storage."
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the ASUS R410MA or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
About ASUS
ASUS, a Taiwanese electronics brand, is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. The majority of their laptops are targeted towards personal use or gaming. Their most popular product lines include the budget-friendly VivoBook, more premium ZenBook, and their TUF and ROG gaming laptops, the latter of which has a reputation for excellent gaming performance.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
102,495
Recommendations made
22,208
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.