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Updated January 12, 2024·
When deciding between the Dell Latitude 5530 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", consider that the Dell Latitude generally costs less and offers a larger 15.6-inch screen, which could be better for multitasking and productivity. However, the larger size means it is heavier and less portable than the Surface Laptop, which has a more compact and lighter design with a 13.5-inch display. The Surface Laptop also has a higher resolution touch screen with a taller 3:2 aspect ratio, which can be great for web browsing and document editing. Performance-wise, the Surface Laptop has a slightly more powerful processor. Both have similar memory and storage, but the Surface Laptop doubles the storage capacity. The Dell Laptop has better connectivity options, offering more ports. Battery life is another consideration; the Latitude has a larger battery, which could translate to longer usage time between charges. The Surface Laptop, with its higher resolution and touch screen, may have shorter battery life. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize portability and screen quality over battery life and cost savings. 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 5530
- The Dell Latitude 5530 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
Screen Quality
6.3
7.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
286.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5530 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Latitude 5530, with its fair screen attributes, suffices for general use where color accuracy isn't critical, but its modest color range may not satisfy engineering and design professionals who need precise color representation. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 offers a more vibrant display that appeals to both general users and creative professionals due to better color coverage, contributing to more accurate and consistent visuals for detailed work. However, both laptops lack high refresh rates, thus falling short for gaming and 3D applications where fluid motion and quick screen response are paramount.
Battery
9.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5530 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
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Dell Latitude 5530 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$919
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Dell Latitude 5530 has a price of $919 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
286.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 5530 offers a larger screen, expanded connectivity options, and longer battery life, making it a solid choice for general use, especially for users valuing screen real estate and portability less than connection versatility and usage time between charges. Conversely, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" boasts a superior processor, higher screen resolution with touch capabilities, and a lighter build, perfect for users who prioritize performance, screen quality, and easy transport over longer unplugged use and comprehensive port options.
Gaming and AI
6.2
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 Dell Latitude 5530 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Dell Latitude 5530 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both fair for gaming and 3D tasks owing to their integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and standard 60Hz screen refresh rates. While the Latitude has a larger, traditional aspect ratio screen and a slightly bigger battery, the Surface offers a higher resolution display with touch capability in a more portable form factor with a smaller screen and different aspect ratio.
Engineering and Design
6.9
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" to be good for engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5530 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5530 is equipped with a high-quality screen and a solid CPU but has a larger, heavier build which affects portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a higher screen resolution, more storage, and is lighter, making it more portable, yet both have a similar quality integrated GPU and available RAM suitable for engineering and design.
Content Creation
7.4
7.4
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Dell Latitude 5530 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
7.3
7.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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 5530 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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How the Dell Latitude 5530 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Latitude 5530 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$919 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.2'' x 0.87'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.5 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.09" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.19" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1245U | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 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 | 15.6" | 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 | 286 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 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 | Yes | 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"
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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 5530 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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