If you need a laptop primarily for gaming or demanding tasks such as 3D rendering or machine learning, the ASUS ROG Strix would be a strong choice due to its high performance capabilities; however, it may not be as portable as the Microsoft Surface Laptop, which offers more convenience for everyday use and is generally lighter and easier to carry around, but might not be as well-suited for intensive tasks. The Surface Laptop typically offers better battery life, so if longer unplugged usage is key for you, this is something to consider. Consider your primary activities and whether portability or raw power is your priority. 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 (2024)
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.1/10
7.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
459.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 typically offers a more powerful CPU and more RAM, which makes it ideal for demanding applications and multitasking, along with a high-quality screen that is favored for gaming and video; however, it is less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and tends to have a shorter battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is lighter, easier to carry around, and generally has a longer battery life, which along with a high-quality screen, keyboard, and speakers, makes it well-suited for everyday tasks and productivity on the go.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
6.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
240Hz
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 (2024) is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, equipped with a high-end GPU and a fast screen refresh rate, excels in gaming and 3D applications, ensuring smooth and immersive visuals. In comparison, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 shines in screen quality with a beautiful display, but its less powerful GPU and lower refresh rate make it less suitable for demanding gaming and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
7.1/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its powerful CPU, ample RAM, and high-end GPU, excels in handling demanding engineering tasks and design software that requires strong graphics performance, while its superior screen quality allows for detailed visual work. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 offers good CPU and RAM for most engineering tasks, and emphasizes portability and a high-quality keyboard, which makes it more suitable for users who prioritize mobility and typing comfort over the highest levels of performance.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.4/10
9.9/10
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 Strix G16 (2024) 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
9.9/10
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 Strix G16 (2024) 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
8.8/10
7.2/10
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
459.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 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.
If you primarily focus on general use, such as browsing or office work, the ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its higher resolution and brightness, offers more screen clarity and vividness than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5. For engineering and design tasks which demand accurate colors, the ASUS provides broader color gamuts ensuring precise color representation, an advantage over the Surface Laptop 5. However, for gaming or 3D applications, the lower refresh rate of the ASUS compared to typical gaming laptops could make fast-moving visuals less smooth compared to devices tailored for these high-refresh-rate needs.
Portability
Fair
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
5.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,599
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) has a price of $1,599 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
"With the mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, the Asus ROG Stix G16 hits the sweet spot between performance and cooling. The G16 also does not have to shy away from direct comparison with its supposedly stronger family member, the ROG Strix Scar 18 with its RTX 4090, as most benchmarks of the two laptops are very close to each other. Moreover, the G16 should be significantly cheaper. Depending on the supplier, the price difference here could be almost US$ 2,000. In the 2023 model series, Asus has significantly leveled out the differences between the two high-end lines."
"The 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 Strix G16 (2024) 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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