If you prioritize a larger screen and stronger performance for tasks like engineering applications, you might prefer the ASUS Vivobook 16, which also offers more storage space. However, its size and weight make it less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which offers better portability due to its smaller size and lower weight, and a touchscreen which the ASUS lacks. The Surface has less storage and lower performance capabilities, making it more suitable for general use rather than intensive engineering or graphic tasks. Both laptops have similar battery life and are within the same price range. 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 16
Good for engineering and design
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.4/10
6.8/10
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
295.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook 16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 outperforms the ASUS Vivobook 16 with its brighter, sharper display, although both are suitable for everyday tasks. When it comes to engineering and design, the Surface Laptop Go 3 offers superior color accuracy, which is crucial for professionals who need to work with a wide range of colors. However, neither laptop is ideal for gaming and 3D applications because they lack the high refresh rates required for smooth visuals in fast-paced environments.
Portability
Good
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the ASUS Vivobook 16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and ASUS Vivobook 16 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
$500
$649
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The ASUS Vivobook 16 has a price of $500 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $649.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 offers better performance for general use with a high-end CPU, more RAM, and a larger high-resolution screen, which may make it more suitable for multitasking and productivity tasks. However, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is more portable with a smaller and lighter design, superior portability, and a touchscreen, making it a better choice for on-the-go use despite having a less powerful CPU and less RAM.
Gaming and AI
6.3/10
6.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
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 ASUS Vivobook 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both fair for gaming and 3D as they have comparatively modest GPUs—AMD Ryzen Vega 8 and Intel Iris Xe, respectively—and standard screen refresh rates of 60Hz, which are enough for casual gaming but not high-level performance. While both have capable CPUs and satisfactory screen quality, neither are equipped with the advanced graphics and higher refresh rates preferred for competitive gaming and high-end 3D work.
Engineering and Design
7.0/10
6.8/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers ASUS Vivobook 16 to be good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The ASUS Vivobook 16 is suited for engineering and design due to its higher RAM and powerful AMD Ryzen processor with Vega graphics, along with its large IPS screen that is beneficial for detailed work, though it is less portable and has a lower screen color coverage compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which offers better portability and touchscreen capability but has less RAM and a less powerful processor, making it less ideal for demanding engineering applications. While the Surface Laptop Go 3 excels in portability and has a higher quality keyboard, its lower CPU and GPU capabilities and smaller screen may hinder performance and comfort during long periods of intricate design work.
Content Creation
7.5/10
7.3/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Vivobook 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for content creation.
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
7.3/10
7.1/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
6.7/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook 16 has 8 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Vivobook 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Olivier Martin, Ryan Lim, Yannick Khong | May 2023
"The ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) is a budget Windows laptop. It's available with various AMD Ryzen 5000 and 7000 U-series CPUs and integrated graphics. You can only get 8GB of RAM; however, there's an empty SO-DIMM slot if you want to upgrade it. It has an FHD+ (1920 x 1200) 16:10 IPS display, a full-size keyboard with a Numpad, a 720p webcam, and Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity. Ports include three USB-As, one USB-C, an HDMI, and a headphone jack. The USB-C supports charging but no video output."
"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 Vivobook 16 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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
93,495
Recommendations made
20,258
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.