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Updated January 10, 2024·
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is typically more expensive but offers twice the storage, a more powerful main processor, and a better GPU compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which is less expensive but has less storage and slightly less powerful specs. If performance in tasks like 3D rendering or engineering is crucial and you appreciate a top-tier display, the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X could be the preferable option but with reduced portability and higher cost. On the other hand, for general use, with good performance and a focus on value and portability, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio might be the more balanced 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 Zenbook Pro 16X
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class speakers
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
General Use
8.3
7.4
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
354.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X, with its powerful CPU and dedicated graphics, ample storage, and high-quality OLED screen, excels in performance and display for general use, though it is heavier and has less battery life compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which offers versatility with its flexible hinge for laptop and tablet modes and has better portability due to its lighter weight and longer battery life.
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.6
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X offers better gaming and 3D performance largely due to its more powerful GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3060, though its screen refresh rate is standard at 60Hz; on the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, with a slightly less powerful GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti, compensates with a higher screen refresh rate of 120Hz, which can provide smoother visuals in motion-intensive scenarios.
Engineering and Design
8.6
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
6.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is preferable for demanding engineering and design tasks thanks to its higher-end CPU, superior GPU, and large, high-resolution OLED screen which provide better performance and visual quality; however, it is heavier and less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which also offers a flexible display hinge beneficial for design, but with a less powerful GPU and lower screen resolution, thus slightly compromising on graphical performance and display clarity. While the Surface Laptop Studio has a better webcam and its lighter weight and higher battery capacity make it more portable, the Zenbook Pro 16X excels in raw power and screen quality, crucial for engineering and design software.
Content Creation
8.5
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.2
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
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
8.3
8.0
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
354.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, both the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offer displays with high resolution and brightness, making text, images, and video appear sharp and vivid. Those involved in engineering and design will appreciate their wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color reproduction essential for detailed work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rates on these laptops mean less fluid motion and slower response times compared to models with high refresh rate screens.
Battery
7.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has 7 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.
Build Quality
7.6
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,300
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X has a price of $1,300 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| ASUS Zenbook Pro 16X | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,300 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | September 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.9'' x 0.7'' | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.29 lbs | 4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.98" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.88" | 8.98" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i7-11370H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 96 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 354 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | 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 Pro 16X
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Marc Herter, Alex Wätzel | November 2023
"The new Zenbook Pro 16X is more powerful, quieter and doesn't need to shy away from dedicated workstations and gamers. It is also comparatively compact, and our test device is the best Zenbook that we've reviewed so far. It seems equally suitable for content creators and gamers or anyone looking for a very powerful laptop that is still slim."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
See more
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 Pro 16X 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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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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