The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 offers better performance for intensive engineering tasks, gaming, and 3D/machine learning applications due to its higher-powered CPU and GPU. However, it is heavier and less portable compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is more portable, has a higher resolution and touchscreen, and is generally less expensive, but it is not suited for demanding tasks due to its lower storage capacity, less RAM, and integrated graphics. If performance is your priority and you don't mind a larger, heavier device, the ASUS is a strong choice; if portability and cost are more important and you're focused on general use, go for the Surface Laptop Go 2. 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 TUF Gaming A17
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Very good for gaming and AI
Very good for content creation
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
253.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 excels in general use due to its superior CPU and RAM, which provide better performance, and its larger screen with high refresh rate for smooth visuals, but is less portable with a heavier build and less battery life.
Gaming and AI
8.1/10
6.0/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 excels in gaming and 3D tasks because it has a high-end Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 144Hz, allowing for smoother visuals and better performance in demanding applications. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is less suited with its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, which results in relatively modest gaming and 3D performance.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
6.5/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
8.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.1/10
7.1/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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
7.7/10
7.0/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 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
6.8/10
6.9/10
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
253.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for gaming and AI, software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a high-resolution display with vibrant colors and ample brightness, making it suitable for general use and engineering design where visual detail and color accuracy are critical. However, unlike gaming-specific laptops, it lacks a high refresh rate, which is essential for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications. The ASUS TUF Gaming A17, while robust for running demanding tasks, has a display that falls short in resolution and color reproduction, hindering its effectiveness for both color-sensitive engineering work and the immersive gaming experience.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has 10 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
Fair
Excellent
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
5.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,552
$565
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a price of $1,552 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
"There is one big question that needs an answer. Is the TUF Gaming A17 FA707 a better purchase than the ROG Strix G17 G713R (2022)? Well, it depends. Undoubtedly, the Strix is the more premium product. Arguably the biggest advantage it has over its TUF fellow is in regards to the display. ASUS TUF Gaming A17 A707’s IPS panel has a Full HD resolution, comfortable viewing angles, and a very good contrast ratio."
"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 TUF Gaming A17 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.
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