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Updated January 12, 2024·
For better performance in intensive tasks like engineering or gaming, the Eluktronics RP-15 offers higher graphics capabilities with its dedicated Nvidia graphics card compared to the integrated graphics of the Surface Laptop 5. However, the Surface Laptop 5 is much lighter and slimmer, making it more portable and suited for general use. Both have similar storage space and memory but the RP-15 has a larger screen which is better for multitasking, though it's heavier and consumes more power, so it may not be as battery efficient as the Surface Laptop. If portability and battery life are critical, consider the Surface Laptop 5; for performance-intensive tasks, the RP-15 could serve better. 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 Eluktronics RP-15
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.8
6.1
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Eluktronics RP-15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The Eluktronics RP-15, with its higher GPU capability and faster screen refresh rate, excels in running gaming and 3D applications smoothly, making for an immersive experience. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13'' has a less powerful GPU and a standard refresh rate, which means it can handle some gaming and 3D tasks but won't perform as well or as fluidly as the RP-15.
Engineering and Design
8.2
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Eluktronics RP-15 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The Eluktronics RP-15 is favored for engineering and design due to its more powerful AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU, offering superior performance for computational tasks and 3D modeling, as well as a high-quality screen with a higher refresh rate for smoother visuals.
Screen Quality
8.0
7.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
350.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Eluktronics RP-15 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Eluktronics RP-15's high resolution and brightness make visuals crisp and clear, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5's slightly lower brightness and resolution still provide a good quality image. In engineering and design, both laptops offer screens with wide color gamuts, allowing for precise color work, with the Eluktronics RP-15 providing a slight edge in color accuracy. However, when it comes to gaming and 3D applications, the lower refresh rate of both displays may result in less smooth motion, with the Eluktronics RP-15 particularly falling short in providing the high refresh rates preferred for these tasks.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Eluktronics RP-15 has 6 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
Fair
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Eluktronics RP-15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Eluktronics RP-15 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,399
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Eluktronics RP-15 has a price of $1,399 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.4
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
350.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Eluktronics RP-15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Eluktronics RP-15, with its higher-end CPU and dedicated GPU, offers strong performance for various tasks and is suitable for users needing more power, while its relatively larger screen and higher weight make it less portable and offer moderate battery life. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 delivers a balance between performance and portability with a good CPU for everyday tasks, a lighter build, and a longer battery life, as well as a high-resolution touchscreen, which makes it an optimal choice for users who prioritize portability and battery over high-end performance.
Content Creation
7.6
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Eluktronics RP-15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
7.4
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Eluktronics RP-15 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.
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How the Eluktronics RP-15 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Eluktronics RP-15 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,399 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 9.7'' x 1.05'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.97 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.16" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.67" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 62 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1440 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 350 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7/10 | 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 | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Eluktronics RP-15
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Dig into reviews and images
Hardware Canucks
Eber Anthony | October 2020
"To conclude, I’m genuinely impressed with Eluktronics and what they have been able to deliver with the RP-15. You see this is all about maximizing performance, cooling, and giving users the most flexible I/O, and then wrapping it into a chassis that doesn’t feel super cheap. Let’s also not forget the price point, I think they have really nailed it in that department."
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 Eluktronics RP-15 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
About Eluktronics
Eluktronics is a relatively new American gaming laptop company, founded in 2011. They are a reseller for the Taiwanese brand Clevo, who manufacture laptops exclusively and ship them to resellers like Eluktronics who customize them. Eluktronics laptops generally have great hardware specifications for the money, including the CPU, GPU, and RAM. They also feature a relatively clean design by gaming laptop standards, with few logos and discreet colors.
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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