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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Latitude 5431 is significantly less expensive and offers good portability with decent performance for general use; however, it may not handle intensive tasks like 3D rendering, machine learning, or gaming as well as the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. The Latitude's battery life is slightly better and has a more business-focused design. The Surface Laptop Studio 2, on the other hand, is pricier but boasts a higher resolution touchscreen with a better display for color accuracy and contrast, making it suitable for creatives and engineers. It also includes a more powerful processor and graphics card, which are beneficial for demanding applications and multitasking. The tradeoff here is a heavier build and slightly shorter battery life. 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 5431
- The Dell Latitude 5431 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- 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
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5
8.3
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
241.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
503.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is good.
The Dell Latitude 5431's modest processor and integrated graphics are sufficient for everyday tasks and offer better portability and battery life, appealing for on-the-go users. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2's higher-end processor and dedicated graphics card provide superior performance for more demanding applications, and its high-quality screen with touch capabilities and unique hinge design make it very suitable for creative professionals who require a versatile device, albeit with slightly less battery life and heavier weight.
Gaming and AI
6.2
7.7
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.5/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5431 has an integrated GPU and a standard 60Hz screen refresh rate which limits gaming and 3D performance, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 boasts a dedicated Nvidia graphics card and a higher 120Hz refresh rate for a smoother and more immersive gaming and 3D experience.
Engineering and Design
6.9
8.7
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5431 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is rated very good for engineering and design because it offers a higher-performing CPU and GPU, significantly more RAM, and a superior screen with higher resolution and screen quality, which are all very important for intensive tasks. The Dell Latitude 5431, while good for engineering and design, offers a less powerful CPU and integrated GPU, less RAM, and a lower resolution screen, though it may have the advantage of being slightly more portable and having a quieter operating noise.
Content Creation
7.4
8.4
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for content creation, while the Dell Latitude 5431 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
7.3
8.2
7.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for software development, while the Dell Latitude 5431 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
6.1
7.9
14.0in
SIZE
14.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
241.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
503.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5431 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Dell Latitude 5431 offers a serviceable display, but the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 provides a sharper and brighter image, enhancing mundane tasks like browsing and video streaming. When it comes to engineering and design, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 excels with a superior color range, which is crucial for accurately rendering designs and images. While both laptops may not be ideal for 3D gaming due to modest refresh rates, the Surface Laptop Studio 2's resolution and panel quality still give it a slight edge for less demanding gaming and animation work.
Build Quality
7.4
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the Dell Latitude 5431 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$950
$3,300
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Dell Latitude 5431 has a price of $950 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 costs $3,300.
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Key similarities
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5431 has 9 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
Good
14.0in
SIZE
14.4in
3.3 lbs
WEIGHT
4.4 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Latitude 5431 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Latitude 5431 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Latitude 5431 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$950 | $3,300 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | September 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 8.4'' x 0.96'' | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.3 lbs | 4.41 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.65" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.35" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1250P | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 64 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 64 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 241 nits | 503 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 1080p | |
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 | 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
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The new Surface Laptop Studio with its foldable display is supposed to replace the old Surface Book and the overall impression is good after our review. The build quality and the materials are top-notch, the performance utilization of the two components is solid and the device does not show any major flaws in terms of display or speakers, either. The folding mechanism leaves a sold impression as well, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up over the years. The so-called presentation mode is also not ideal since it covers the whole keyboard."
Get a great deal on the Dell Latitude 5431 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
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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