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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Vivobook 14 is a budget-friendly option that is less expensive and comes with a larger screen and more storage compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which tends to cost a bit more but offers a higher resolution touchscreen with a unique aspect ratio that could be nicer for certain applications. The Vivobook has an extra HDMI port which might be useful for presentations or connecting to an external display. Both have similar performance capabilities with their Intel i5 processors and integrated graphics, but the Surface Laptop Go has a higher-quality webcam and speaker system, as well as a higher build quality, making it possibly more durable over time. The Surface Laptop Go is also more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight. If you require longer battery life, the Surface edges out slightly in this area. Both are equipped with backlit keyboards but only the Vivobook comes with a number pad. If you're looking for a more portable device for on-the-go use with touchscreen capabilities and don't mind paying a little more, the Surface Laptop Go 2 could be for you. However, if you're seeking a budget-friendly laptop with greater storage and a larger screen for general use, the ASUS Vivobook 14 may be the better choice. 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 Vivobook 14
- The ASUS Vivobook 14 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.3
6.9
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
250.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a better screen than the ASUS Vivobook 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the ASUS Vivobook 14 provides adequate clarity and visibility, but the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a higher-resolution display that offers sharper images and brighter colors, making it preferred for activities like browsing and document editing. In engineering and design, professionals need precise color representation, and the Surface Laptop Go 2's display covers a wider color gamut, essential for accurate visual work. However, for gaming and 3D applications which demand quick image refreshing, both laptops fall short due to their average refresh rates, meaning neither is ideal for high-speed or immersive visual experiences.
Battery
7.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has 7 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
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the ASUS Vivobook 14 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and ASUS Vivobook 14 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
$421
$565
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has a price of $421 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
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Key similarities
General Use
6.9
7.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
250.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 to be good for general use, while the ASUS Vivobook 14 is only fair.
The ASUS Vivobook 14 offers a larger screen with a standard resolution, which along with its decent CPU and sufficient RAM, provides a fair experience for general use, despite its lesser screen brightness and color coverage compared to the Surface Laptop Go 2. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, with its smaller but sharper touchscreen and an excellent battery life, also fits the bill for general use, though with less storage and a higher portability due to its lighter weight and smaller dimensions.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.0
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and ASUS Vivobook 14 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Vivobook 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 both have integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics which offer moderate gaming and 3D capabilities but not the high performance of a dedicated GPU. Both have 60Hz screen refresh rates which are standard for typical use but are less suited for fast-paced gaming that benefits from higher refresh rates; the ASUS has a larger 14-inch screen with full HD resolution while the Microsoft Surface Go 2 features a smaller 12.4-inch screen with a higher pixel density for sharper image quality.
Engineering and Design
6.3
6.5
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and ASUS Vivobook 14 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The ASUS Vivobook 14 has higher storage capacity and a full-HD screen, which is better for design applications that demand space and clarity, while its larger size compromises a bit on portability compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which has a smaller, higher-contrast screen with touch capability, enhancing design work, and a more portable form factor.
Content Creation
6.9
7.1
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 to be good for content creation, while the ASUS Vivobook 14 is only fair.
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
6.8
7.0
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 to be good for software development, while the ASUS Vivobook 14 is only fair.
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.
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How the ASUS Vivobook 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Vivobook 14 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$421 | $565 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2023 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.8'' x 8.4'' x 0.7'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.09 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.79" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.42" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1235U | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 42 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 250 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"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 Vivobook 14 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.
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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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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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