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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you need a laptop with higher performance for tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 is the better option, as it has a dedicated Nvidia graphics card and more robust processing power. However, it is heavier and has a lower portability score. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is more portable and lightweight, making it a good choice for general use and carrying around. It is also less expensive, but comes with less storage, less RAM, and integrated graphics, which are not as suitable for intensive engineering tasks or demanding graphics applications. The Surface Laptop Go 2 has a higher screen resolution and aspect ratio that could be beneficial for productivity tasks and reading, while the Zenbook Pro 15 has an OLED screen which may offer better colors and contrast for multimedia. 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 Pro 15
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Excellent battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.7
7.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
346.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
12.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use due to its stronger CPU, more RAM, and superior GPU, resulting in better overall performance and multitasking capabilities, whereas the Surface Laptop Go 2, with its smaller screen and lighter weight, is easier to carry around and has a higher portability score despite a less impressive battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.0
4.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 is somewhat better.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15, with its dedicated Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, surpasses the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2's integrated Intel Iris Xe in handling gaming and 3D applications, both having similar screen refresh rates. However, the higher-powered GPU in the ASUS may draw more battery and add weight, making the lighter and more energy-efficient Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 a more portable but less powerful alternative for such tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.5
6.5
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.8/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 is equipped with a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a dedicated GPU, which are very important for engineering and design tasks, as well as a high-quality OLED screen. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a less potent integrated GPU, less RAM, and a smaller IPS screen, making it less suitable for demanding engineering and design work, despite its superior portability and quiet operation.
Content Creation
7.7
7.1
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 is somewhat better.
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.
Screen Quality
7.6
6.9
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
346.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15's superior resolution and panel type enhance both everyday tasks and detailed engineering work, while its rich color gamut accurately displays a wide spectrum of colors vital for design professionals. However, its lower refresh rate hinders gaming and 3D applications, which rely heavily on smooth motion. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a balanced display for general use and design tasks with decent brightness and color representation, but like the Zenbook, its refresh rate isn't tailored to the demands of high-frame-rate gaming and 3D visualization.
Battery
12.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 has 12.5 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
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,109
$774
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 has a price of $1,109 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $774.
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Key similarities
Software Development
7.5
7.0
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
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 Zenbook Pro 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
Build Quality
7.6
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,109 | $774 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 13.9'' x 9.4'' x 0.7'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.94" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.37" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 12.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 96 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 346 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 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
ASUS Zenbook Pro 15
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | May 2022
"The ASUS Zenbook Pro 15 offers a strong CPU, chassis, and display. One of the most popular 15.6-inch prosumer or multimedia laptops out there is the Dell XPS 15. Thus, comparisons between it and the Asus Zenbook Pro 15 are inevitable. Asus has a couple of tricks up its sleeve that XPS users are still missing out on including 1080p OLED and an AMD Ryzen CPU which help separate the Zenbook Pro 15 from the XPS 15. It also integrates a numpad and a few more port options albeit at the cost of a larger chassis size."
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 Zenbook Pro 15 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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