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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 is an upper midrange priced device that offers a higher resolution display, longer battery life, and is significantly lighter, making it more portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. In contrast, the Surface Laptop Studio, which is less expensive, includes a more powerful Nvidia graphics card, better suited for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming. It also features a high refresh rate screen ideal for fast motion, but has a shorter battery life and is heavier, which could affect its portability. Neither laptop includes a number pad, but both have backlit keyboards and touchscreen capabilities. If portability and screen resolution are your top priorities, you might lean towards the ASUS. If you need stronger graphics performance for more intensive tasks and can manage with a heavier device, the Surface Laptop Studio could be the better option. 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 Zenbook Flip S13
- Excellent portability
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.9
8.0
13.3in
SIZE
14.4in
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
372.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen for gaming and AI.
Both the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio have high-resolution displays that provide clear and sharp images, making them excellent for general use and detailed engineering or design work which require precision in visuals. Their panels cover a wide range of colors, ensuring that designers see accurate hues and shades, essential for color-critical tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the refresh rate is crucial for smooth motion, and if these laptops have lower refresh rates, they would not be as suitable for such fast-paced activities compared to models with higher refresh rates.
Battery
10.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has 10.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
Excellent
Good
13.3in
SIZE
14.4in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has excellent portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,400
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 has a price of $1,400 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.7
7.4
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
372.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
10.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13, while having an integrated GPU that supports casual gaming and content creation, is limited by its standard refresh rate; meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is equipped with a more capable Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics card and a higher refresh rate display, lending itself to smoother visuals in gaming and 3D tasks, although it's heavier and less portable. The quality of their screens is high for both models, but the dedicated GPU and higher refresh rate gives the Surface Laptop Studio an edge in gaming scenarios over the Zenbook Flip S13's integrated graphics, which may suffice for less demanding gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.4
7.3
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for engineering and design.
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
7.8
7.4
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
7.6
7.3
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2160
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
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How the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,400 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | September 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12'' x 8.3'' x 0.51'' | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.65 lbs | 4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.01" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.31" | 8.98" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1165G7 | Intel i7-11370H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 67 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2160 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 372 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
ASUS Zenbook Flip S13
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Hardware
Charles Jefferies | January 2023
"The Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip is an ultra-sleek 2-in-1 convertible. A gorgeous OLED screen and lightweight magnesium chassis make this convertible a traveller’s dream. Its SSD isn’t fast, but it won’t hold you back in everyday use. Its battery life also isn’t class leading, but it’s hardly off the pace. Overall, the Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED holds its head high in the premium convertible category and is a smaller alternative to the Spectre x360 13.5 and the Yoga 9i Gen 7."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the ASUS Zenbook Flip S13 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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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