If you prioritize high performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is a better choice, equipped with a more powerful processor and graphics card, resulting in superior performance in these areas. On the other hand, if portability and longer battery life are crucial for you, and you still need a laptop capable of handling general use with decent performance for less demanding creative tasks, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio would be a more suitable option, as it is lighter and offers longer battery life for typical usage. 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 Zephyrus M16
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Excellent overall display quality
Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Good battery life
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
8.5/10
6.6/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.2/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.8/10
7.3/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 excels in engineering and design tasks due to its superior CPU and GPU, offering higher performance for demanding software used in these fields, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is also capable but has a less powerful CPU and GPU, making it good for less intensive tasks. Despite its greater power, the Zephyrus M16 may be less convenient for on-the-go users compared to the slightly more portable and versatile Surface Laptop Studio, which features a touchscreen and a flexible hinge for various usage modes.
Content Creation
8.2/10
7.4/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
9.0/10
8.0/10
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
627.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a vivid display with sharp details for tasks like editing documents or browsing the web, both the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio with their high resolutions and brightness levels will serve you well. For engineering and design work where color accuracy is key, these laptops deliver rich color coverage, matching professional standards for color-sensitive tasks. However, for gaming or 3D work where the smoothness of motion is essential, the lower refresh rates on these screens may not provide the most fluid experience, making these laptops less ideal for fast-paced or highly interactive visual content.
Battery
4.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has 4.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 both have good portability, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has somewhat better portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,842
$1,127
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 has a price of $1,842 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,127.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for general use.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16, with a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and high-resolution screen, offers excellent performance for general use while maintaining good portability, but has a heavier build impacting long-term carry comfort. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio provides good general performance with a versatile and high-quality screen for touch interaction, in addition to being more portable and having a longer battery life which makes it ideal for users on the go.
Software Development
7.7/10
7.3/10
9.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.5/10
8.5/10
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
"The ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 is not yet as optimised as its predecessor. Compared to the previous gen, performance and efficiency have improved significantly. What's more, the wonderful, Mini-LED Nebula display is a contender for the main highlight and almost manages to put the CPU and GPU in the shade. We already found its predecessor to be a well-rounded and well-optimised gaming machine. Generally, but not unequivocally, that also applies to the new Asus M16. Similar to most of the current, new laptops, we are dealing with a double generational leap in terms of the CPU and GPU. However, this change doesn't always run smoothly."
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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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