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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Precision 5470, with its higher price, offers better performance suitable for intensive engineering tasks, has a discrete Nvidia graphics card for 3D and machine learning applications, and comes with a professional operating system. However, it's heavier and less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop Go 2, being much less expensive, is more portable and also features a touchscreen but has less storage, lower performance, and integrated graphics, making it a better choice for general use rather than for demanding applications. Both have similar build quality and battery life, but the Precision 5470 leads slightly in utilization for engineering purposes. 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 Precision 5470
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
7.7
7.0
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
500.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
The Dell Precision 5470 offers better performance for general use because it has a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a larger battery capacity, which contributes to a longer battery life. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is more portable due to its smaller size and lighter weight, but it compromises on performance and battery life with a less powerful CPU, less RAM, and a smaller battery.
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.0
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
The Dell Precision 5470 offers a better gaming and 3D experience largely due to its superior Nvidia RTX A1000 graphics processor, which handles graphic-intensive tasks more efficiently than the integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics found in the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. Although both laptops have the same screen refresh rate, the dedicated GPU in the Dell Precision 5470 will generally deliver smoother and more detailed visual performance for gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
7.8
6.5
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Dell Precision 5470 is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Dell Precision 5470 is well-suited for engineering and design, thanks to its powerful CPU, ample RAM, dedicated NVIDIA GPU, and high-quality IPS screen. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, while more portable and with a higher-quality keyboard, falls short for such tasks as it has a less powerful CPU, less RAM, integrated graphics, and a lower-resolution screen.
Content Creation
7.8
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Precision 5470 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
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
7.7
7.0
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Precision 5470 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the Dell Precision 5470 is somewhat better.
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
7.3
6.9
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
500.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Dell Precision 5470 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, both the Dell Precision 5470 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 provide crisp, vibrant displays with sufficient resolution and brightness that make browsing, streaming, and productivity tasks enjoyable. Engineers and designers will appreciate the accurate color representation on these laptops, ensuring their work in color-critical applications looks precise and true to design intentions. However, enthusiasts in gaming and 3D applications may find the displays fall short, as they lack the high refresh rates needed for smooth, responsive visual experiences in fast-paced scenarios.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
3.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Dell Precision 5470 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.8
The Dell Precision 5470 has very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,669
$774
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Dell Precision 5470 has a price of $1,669 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $774.
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Key similarities
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Dell Precision 5470 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.
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How the Dell Precision 5470 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Precision 5470 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,669 | $774 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.2'' x 8.3'' x 0.74'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.26 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.22" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.27" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-12700H | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 72 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 500 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 4 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 4 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Dell Precision 5470
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | August 2022
"The Dell Precision 5470 is a mobile workstation that's far more portable than most alternatives. Between its slim 14-inch design and top-quality MIL-STD 810H build, it's one of the best options around for taking professional-grade performance on the road or to the job site. There are tradeoffs for its portability, and users of the most demanding, graphics-intensive applications will need to carry something heavier. But the Dell's exceptional battery life underscores its desirability as the most portable workstation we've seen."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"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 Precision 5470 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.
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