The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, being more expensive, provides high performance with its Intel i9 processor and RTX graphics suitable for intensive 3D, machine learning, and gaming tasks. It also doubles as a tablet with its detachable keyboard, adding to its versatility. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is lighter and thus more portable, with better battery life, making it ideal for general use and carrying around. If you prioritize top-tier performance and hybrid use, you might lean towards the ASUS; but for everyday tasks with greater portability and longer battery periods, the Surface Laptop would be the way to go. 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 ROG Flow Z13
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
511.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 stands out for general use due to its higher-end CPU and dedicated graphics, enabling better performance for varied tasks, along with a superior screen with high brightness and refresh rate, though this comes at the cost of battery life and is less portable. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 offers a balance with adequate performance for general tasks, a high-quality keyboard, and longer battery life, making it more portable, but it has a weaker CPU and no dedicated graphics, which limits its potential for more demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
7.5/10
6.1/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is better suited for gaming and 3D tasks due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and higher screen refresh rate of 165Hz, which makes for smoother visuals and more responsive gameplay, compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5's integrated Intel Iris Xe GPU and 60Hz screen refresh rate that provide a modest gaming experience.
Engineering and Design
8.4/10
7.1/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
6.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13, equipped with a higher-performance CPU and GPU, excels in demanding engineering and design tasks, while its superior screen quality enhances visuals for detailed work. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is lighter and quieter, offering a balance between portability and performance, but with less graphical prowess and screen resolution.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
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
8.0/10
7.2/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
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
8.4/10
7.2/10
13.4in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
511.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 offers high resolution and brightness, providing clear and vivid visuals, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 also delivers good clarity and brightness but may not be as sharp. In engineering and design tasks, the ASUS laptop's wide color gamuts ensure accurate color representation required for detailed work, whereas the Surface Laptop's color coverage is capable but not as extensive, which might affect color precision. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the ASUS laptop's lower refresh rate can lead to less fluid motion, whereas despite similar limitations, gamers might find either device less than ideal compared to others specifically geared for high-refresh-rate gaming.
Build Quality
8.5/10
7.8/10
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,575
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13 has a price of $1,575 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
"The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming tablet with powerful Alder Lake i9 CPU. The ROG Flow Z13 impresses with its good cooling. After our review, the impression is predominantly positive. Besides a very fast Alder Lake CPU and stable gaming performance, especially the cooling system is surprisingly effective and quiet. You can use the integrated speakers without any issues while gaming. The 1200p display in the 16:10 format also impresses with good color reproduction and high brightness. Since the battery runtimes aren't particularly long as it is, we wouldn't recommend the optional 4K panel."
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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.
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