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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is much more expensive than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 but provides substantially better performance suited for intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, featuring a more powerful processor and a dedicated graphics card. The Strix G16 is significantly heavier, less portable, and has a shorter battery life. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is more affordable, with decent performance for general use and lighter engineering tasks, better portability due to its lighter weight and more compact size, a touchscreen display, and a longer battery life. The choice ultimately depends on the necessity for high performance versus the need for portability and price consideration. 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 Strix G16
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.7
7.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
291.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 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 3 are both good for general use, though the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is somewhat better.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with a powerful CPU and ample RAM, excels in screen quality and performance for demanding applications, yet it's heavier and has a shorter battery life, making it less portable. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers greater portability and better battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use, despite its less powerful CPU and lower RAM potentially limiting performance in intensive tasks.
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.1
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 3 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
6.8
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 typically offers a high-performance CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU which are crucial for demanding engineering and design software, along with a screen that displays colors and details more accurately, making it ideal for intensive tasks. While the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is lighter and more portable with a good keyboard, it may not handle heavy applications as smoothly, but it is still suitable for lighter engineering work and general use.
Content Creation
7.9
7.3
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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
7.1
9.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
291.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a vibrant display for tasks like browsing or streaming, both the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offer panels with good resolution and brightness that cater to your needs. For engineering and design work, you'll appreciate the wider color gamuts on these laptops, which ensure accurate color representation for detailed projects. However, if you're into gaming or 3D modeling, the lower refresh rates on these devices may not provide the smooth visuals you seek, making them less ideal for fast-paced or graphically intensive applications.
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 3 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
$788
$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 3 costs $788.
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Key similarities
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 has 9 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
7.8
7.8
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS ROG Strix G16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,374 | $788 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.9'' x 10.4'' x 1.05'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.51 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.94" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.39" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13650HX | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 90 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 291 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
ASUS ROG Strix G16
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marc Herter | March 2023
"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."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Joe Osborne | October 2023
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Strix G16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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.
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About the laptop team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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