The Dell Latitude 5530 offers higher storage capacity, more memory, and a larger 15.6-inch screen suited for multitasking and productivity tasks but is heavier, making it less portable. It is well-suited for business environments and more demanding engineering work. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is lighter and has a smaller 12.4-inch touchscreen display, which adds convenience and enhances portability but comes with less storage and memory. It's generally less expensive than the Dell, making it an attractive option for general use and for those who prioritize portability and touch capabilities over high performance. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Dell Latitude 5530
The Dell Latitude 5530 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.3/10
6.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
286.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Dell Latitude 5530 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Dell Latitude 5530 has a screen that's suitable for everyday tasks and productivity due to its adequate resolution and brightness, but it falls short for engineering and design as its color coverage isn't wide enough to offer the precision required. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, with its strong color accuracy and appropriate brightness, caters well to the needs of both general users and professionals in engineering and design, ensuring true-to-life visuals. However, both laptops lack high refresh rates and top-tier resolutions, which are critical for a smooth and detailed experience in gaming and 3D applications, leading them to underperform in these areas.
Portability
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
3.5 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Dell Latitude 5530 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$919
$774
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Latitude 5530 has a price of $919 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $774.
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use.
The Dell Latitude 5530 offers more RAM and a larger screen with good enough portability and heat management, making it suitable for a variety of tasks. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a higher screen quality and is more portable due to its smaller size and lower weight, but its lower RAM and CPU might limit performance for more demanding applications.
Gaming and AI
6.2/10
6.0/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
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 Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
Both the Dell Latitude 5530 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are equipped with integrated Intel Iris Xe GPUs which offer modest gaming performance suitable for less demanding titles, but their screen refresh rates are capped at the standard 60Hz limiting the smoothness in fast-paced games. While both have similar GPUs, the Latitude's larger screen may enhance the gaming experience, and the Surface Laptop Go 2's higher pixel density could provide sharper images, but neither is ideal for high-end gaming or professional 3D work.
Engineering and Design
6.9/10
6.5/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for engineering and design.
The Dell Latitude 5530 is better suited for engineering and design tasks because it has a stronger CPU, double the RAM, which is crucial for demanding applications, and a dedicated GPU that can handle more graphics-intensive work. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers greater portability and has a higher screen quality with a better pixel density and brighter display, but it has less powerful internal hardware, making it less optimal for engineering and design workloads.
Content Creation
7.4/10
7.1/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
7.3/10
7.0/10
6.9/10
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 Dell Latitude 5530 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.
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Latitude 5530 has 9 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.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Dell Latitude 5530 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
"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 Dell Latitude 5530 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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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
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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