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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 16, 2024·
The Dell Latitude 5430 offers a more budget-friendly option with good functionality for general use and business tasks but has lower display resolution and heavier weight, which impacts portability. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", albeit pricier, provides a higher screen resolution that is better for detailed work and media consumption, a more powerful processor suitable for intensive tasks, and boasts a lighter design, enhancing portability. Both have good connectivity options and battery life, yet the Surface Laptop's weight and display may be deciding factors for users prioritizing mobility and screen quality. 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 Dell Latitude 5430
- The Dell Latitude 5430 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.5
7.1
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5430 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is better suited for engineering and design because it has a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a higher resolution display which results in sharper visuals, all contributing to improved performance in demanding tasks. While the Dell Latitude 5430 is a solid choice, it offers a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a screen with lower resolution and brightness, though it compensates with slightly better battery life and a robust build, which may be factors if portability and durability are prioritized.
Screen Quality
6.1
7.2
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
248.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5430 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Latitude 5430 has a display that provides adequate clarity and brightness for everyday tasks and is suitable for engineering programs that don't heavily rely on color accuracy, but its lower refresh rate and modest color range aren't ideal for gaming or 3D work. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers enhanced color reproduction and sharpness, making it more suitable for professionals in engineering and design who rely on precision and wide color palettes. However, like the Dell, the Surface Laptop's lower refresh rate isn't conducive to the smooth visuals required for optimal gaming and 3D modeling experiences.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5430 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
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Dell Latitude 5430 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$790
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Latitude 5430 has a price of $790 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.2
7.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
248.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Latitude 5430 are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a higher quality screen, more RAM for multitasking, and a more powerful CPU, enhancing general use, while the Dell Latitude 5430, despite having a larger battery and more ports for connectivity, has a lower-resolution display and less capacity for simultaneous applications running smoothly. However, the Latitude 5430's longer battery life and higher portability due to its lightweight design might compensate for its modest performance relative to the Surface Laptop, which boasts superior screen clarity and overall performance but a shorter battery life and is slightly less portable.
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.1
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Latitude 5430 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Latitude 5430 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both equipped with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle some gaming and 3D tasks but aren't as powerful as dedicated GPUs, and they have standard refresh rates of 60Hz that aren't ideal for fast-paced gaming. The Surface Laptop has a higher resolution and pixel density, which could offer sharper images and potentially better screen quality, while the Latitude has better battery capacity which may extend playtime.
Content Creation
7.2
7.4
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Latitude 5430 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
7.1
7.2
6.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Latitude 5430 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
7.4
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Latitude 5430 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 Dell Latitude 5430 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Latitude 5430 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$790 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.76'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.01 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.65" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.35" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1235U | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 248 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
See more
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 Dell Latitude 5430 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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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