When deciding between the ASUS ROG Strix G16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, consider that the ASUS is tuned for high-performance tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming; however, it's usually more expensive and less portable due to its size and weight. On the other hand, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is more affordable, highly portable, and sufficient for general use like web browsing, document editing, and light media consumption, but it's not built for intensive tasks and may have a shorter battery life during demanding operations. 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 Go 2
Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.1/10
7.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
459.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
8.0 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 (2024) is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, with its superior CPU and RAM, offers high performance and a top-notch screen for demanding tasks, but is less portable and has a shorter battery life, making it less ideal for on-the-go use. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, while more portable and offering longer battery life, has lesser CPU and RAM capabilities, which makes it suited for lighter tasks and enhances its appeal for users prioritizing mobility and battery longevity over raw performance.
Gaming and AI
8.4/10
6.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
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 Go 2 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16, designed for gaming, includes a high-performance GPU and high refresh rate display, essential for smooth gaming and 3D rendering. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, with less powerful graphics and a standard refresh rate screen, offers adequate performance for less demanding tasks but falls short for intensive gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
6.5/10
9.9/10
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 (2024) is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 boasts a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a superior GPU, making it well-suited for demanding engineering and design tasks, while also offering a high-quality screen for detailed visual work. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 prioritizes portability and has decent keyboard and speaker quality, but its less powerful internals and lower screen resolution make it less ideal for intensive engineering and design applications.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.1/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
7.0/10
9.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
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 Go 2 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
6.9/10
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
459.0 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.
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 boasts a high-resolution display, offering clear and vibrant visuals for everyday tasks and detailed imagery for design software, but its lower refresh rate may not deliver the smooth experience desired for high-frame-rate gaming. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 provides sufficient resolution and brightness for both general usage and engineering software, but like the ASUS, it may fall short in the fast-paced visuals needed for 3D gaming due to a standard refresh rate. Both laptops, however, lack the ideal high refresh rate sought by gaming enthusiasts, prioritizing resolution and color accuracy which are more critical for general computing and professional design 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 (2024) has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,599
$565
$0
$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 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 (2024) 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
101,895
Recommendations made
22,078
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.