The ASUS ROG Strix G16 offers better performance for intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning, with a high-end processor and dedicated graphics hardware. However, it's heavier and less portable. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is more lightweight and portable, suitable for general use with a decent battery life, and can handle everyday tasks comfortably. The Surface has a touchscreen, whereas the ASUS does not. For heavy computing tasks, the ASUS is superior, but if portability and budget are priorities, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is more fitting. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the ASUS ROG Strix G16
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.7/10
7.0/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
291.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 stands out for general use with a more powerful CPU and higher RAM contributing to better performance, alongside a superior graphics unit for demanding applications or gaming, albeit with a tradeoff in portability and lower battery life compared to the lighter and more portable Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which offers adequate daily performance for less intensive tasks and the convenience of a touchscreen with a longer battery life, but compromises on screen size and overall hardware power. While both feature good screen quality, the higher brightness and screen resolution of the Surface Laptop Go 2 may offer a more vibrant visual experience compared to the larger, high refresh rate display of the ASUS, making the latter more suitable for gaming and multimedia, and the former better for productivity and on-the-go use.
Gaming and AI
7.9/10
6.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
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 Strix G16 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
6.5/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is deemed very good for engineering and design due to its potent Intel i7 processor, abundant 16GB of RAM, and a high-performance Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, which are essential for compute-heavy tasks and rendering, along with a high-quality IPS screen.
Content Creation
7.9/10
7.1/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
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
7.7/10
7.0/10
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
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
7.5/10
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both laptops have screens that offer clear visuals and adequate brightness, making them suitable for everyday tasks like browsing and light work, with the ASUS offering a slightly larger screen which might be preferable for multitasking. In engineering and design, their color accuracy and range of colors portrayed are good enough for most professionals, but for serious designers, the color depth might not be as nuanced as needed for ultra-precise work. However, when it comes to gaming and 3D applications, their screens fall short due to lower refresh rates, which means less smooth visuals in fast-paced scenes, making them less ideal for high-end gaming or intensive 3D work.
Portability
Fair
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,374
$565
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a price of $1,374 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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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