For intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 with its powerful AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX graphics card would perform better. However, it is larger and heavier, making it less portable. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is much lighter and has a sleek design, making it ideal for carrying around and for general use. But, its Intel Iris Xe graphics are less capable of handling demanding applications. Both have similar storage and memory, but the ASUS has a larger, higher refresh rate display which is better for immersive experiences, while the Surface has a higher-resolution, touch-capable screen that's better suited for productivity tasks. 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 G17
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
Excellent portability
Good battery life
Key differences
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 G17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers superior gaming and 3D performance due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate of 240Hz, which provides smoother visuals in fast-paced games. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" falls short in gaming and 3D tasks as it uses the less capable Intel i7-1255U Iris Xe graphics and has a lower screen refresh rate of 60Hz, which is adequate for less demanding applications and general use but not for intensive gaming or 3D work.
Engineering and Design
8.8/10
7.1/10
9.8/10
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 G17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 stands out for engineering and design due to its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX GPU, providing top-tier performance for computational tasks, coupled with a large, high-refresh-rate IPS screen for detailed visual work; however, its larger size and weight impede portability compared to the lighter Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which offers a more balance between power with its Intel i7 processor and integrated graphics, and portability with a high-resolution touchscreen display that supports finer detail work and design interactions.
Content Creation
8.3/10
7.4/10
9.8/10
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 G17 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.
Screen Quality
8.4/10
7.2/10
17.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
320.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 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.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and sufficient brightness, which is great for general use and detailed work in engineering and design, but its lower refresh rate is less ideal for the fast-paced visuals needed in gaming and 3D applications. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 offers a sharp, bright display that provides a good level of detail and color accuracy for both everyday tasks and professional design work, yet it too falls short for gaming and 3D due to its standard refresh rate. Neither laptop is optimal for gaming or 3D work, as both prioritize high-quality visuals and color representation at the expense of the higher refresh rates that are critical for those fields.
Battery
3.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has 3 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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.
Portability
Poor
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
13.5in
6.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
1.2in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the ASUS ROG Strix G17 has poor portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,391
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 has a price of $1,391 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 offers a high-performing AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia GPU, a large screen with high refresh rate, and expansive storage, but it's heavier and has limited portability with shorter battery life. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" boasts a more portable design, a higher resolution touchscreen, and longer battery life, accommodating mobile users, despite having less powerful integrated graphics and half the storage capacity.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.2/10
9.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for software development.
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.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.8/10
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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 G17 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
"The Asus ROG Strix G17 is an attractive but unbalanced gaming laptop. Its potent AMD Ryzen 9 processor excels in 1080p gaming, but playing at 1440p leaves the middling GeForce RTX 4060 GPU shouldering most of the burden. The display is exceptionally colorful, which is handy for content creators, but since this is a gaming laptop it would be better served with improved HDR capabilities. If battery life isn't a priority, the Strix G17 could serve as a designer by day and a gamer by night."
"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 G17 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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