The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is a higher-priced gaming laptop with a larger screen, more storage, and a more powerful processor and graphics unit, making it well-suited for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and engineering tasks. However, it’s heavier and has lower portability. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is less expensive, lighter, and more portable, with a smaller screen and touch capability. It's suitable for general use and casual tasks. The Surface has a longer battery life but is less suitable for demanding tasks due to its less robust processor and integrated graphics. 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 3
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.0/10
7.2/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
253.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 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 3 is good.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 provides powerful performance with higher RAM and a more robust CPU, making it very suitable for general use even beyond basic tasks, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, with its lighter weight and better battery life, offers fair general use capabilities but may not handle intensive tasks as smoothly due to its lower RAM and less powerful processor. The A17’s larger screen with lower brightness is less portable but better for multitasking, while the Laptop Go 3’s smaller, brighter touchscreen and excellent portability make it a good choice for those prioritizing mobility and basic functions over performance.
Gaming and AI
8.1/10
6.1/10
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 3 is only fair.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 excels in gaming and 3D applications primarily because of its powerful Nvidia RTX GPU and high screen refresh rate, which are very important for smooth and visually detailed gaming experiences. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, with its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and lower refresh rate, provides a less immersive gaming experience, making it only fair for gaming and 3D tasks even though it has a high-quality screen.
Engineering and Design
8.3/10
6.8/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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
7.3/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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
7.1/10
9.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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
6.8/10
17.3in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
253.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for gaming and AI, software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Surface Laptop Go 3 offers a higher resolution and brighter display, which enhances clarity and readability, whereas the ASUS TUF Gaming A17's display might lack in comparison due to lower brightness and resolution. When it comes to engineering and design, the Surface Laptop Go 3 excels with better color coverage that is essential for accurate color representation, a feature where the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 doesn't perform as well. However, for 3D applications and gaming, the ASUS TUF Gaming A17's higher refresh rate is more suitable for smooth visuals, but its overall poor screen quality, due to mediocre resolution and panel type, is still a limiting factor, making neither laptop ideal for these demands.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 has 10 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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 3 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 3 and ASUS TUF Gaming A17 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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
$791
$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 3 costs $791.
"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."
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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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