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What we think
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Updated June 22, 2024·
For a balance of performance and portability with a stunning OLED display, the ASUS Vivobook S 16 is a strong contender. It offers a larger screen with higher resolution and refresh rate, which is great for visual tasks and smoother motion. The inclusion of a dedicated GPU also makes it more capable for gaming and intensive graphics work compared to the Surface Laptop 5. However, it's slightly heavier and thicker, which might affect its portability. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is more compact and lightweight, making it ideal for on-the-go use. It has a touchscreen with pen support, which is excellent for note-taking and drawing. While it may not match the ASUS in gaming or graphics-intensive tasks due to its integrated GPU, it still offers solid performance for everyday use and some light gaming. Its battery life is also comparable, ensuring you can work or browse for a full day without needing a charge. Consider the ASUS if you prioritize display quality and performance for tasks like gaming or engineering work, but if you value a more portable device with touchscreen capabilities for general use, the Surface Laptop 5 would 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 S 16 OLED
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.1
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED is somewhat better.
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
7.9
7.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design, though the ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED is somewhat better.
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
8.0
7.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
7.8
7.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for software development, though the ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED 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
8.6
7.2
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
600.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
PerfectRec’s screen quality scores take into account various important factors that are relevant for different use cases.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED has 9 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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
16.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$999
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED has a price of $999 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.4
3200 x 2000
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
600.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2024 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.9'' x 9.7'' x 0.63'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.31 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.92" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.72" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 75 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 2000 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 600 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.1/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Vivobook S 16 OLED or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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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