For better performance in engineering tasks with a larger storage capacity and more RAM, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 stands out as the superior choice, although it comes at a higher price. The Eluktronics RP-15 is less expensive and offers respectable performance, making it a good option if budget is a concern. Both laptops have similar graphics capabilities, but the Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a higher resolution touchscreen display with better color accuracy, which can be beneficial for creatives. The RP-15 is slightly heavier and has a larger screen, while the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is lighter and more portable due to its smaller size and longer battery life, making it a better option for on-the-go use. If you're often mobile and need a lighter device with a touchscreen and great build quality, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 could be ideal, while the RP-15 should be considered if performance per dollar is your priority and you can forego the touchscreen and ultra-portable design. 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 overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Very good for general use
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Very good overall build quality
Good portability
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.5/10
8.3/10
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
350.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
503.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
6.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the Eluktronics RP-15 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is ranked higher for general use than the Eluktronics RP-15 due to its superior RAM capacity, higher screen resolution with touchscreen capability, and a more compact form factor that boosts portability and battery life. While the RP-15 has a larger screen and solid performance attributes, the Surface Laptop Studio 2 adds versatility with its convertible hinge design, making it a multipurpose device with stronger overall user experience features such as keyboard quality and build.
Content Creation
7.6/10
8.4/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1440
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 Eluktronics RP-15 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
7.4/10
8.2/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for software development, while the Eluktronics RP-15 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
8.0/10
7.9/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.4in
2560 x 1440
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
350.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
503.0 nits
The Eluktronics RP-15 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both laptops' screens offer crisp visuals and bright displays that make everyday activities like browsing and video streaming enjoyable, with resolutions that are sharp and panel types that balance color and contrast well. Their color accuracy and wide color coverage are essential for tasks in engineering and design, ensuring that the visuals are as close to real-life as possible. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short because their screens don't have high refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and slower response times during fast-paced activities.
Battery
6.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Eluktronics RP-15 has 6 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
Fair
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.4in
4.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.4 lbs
1.0in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability, while the Eluktronics RP-15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
8.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the Eluktronics RP-15 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,399
$3,300
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Eluktronics RP-15 has a price of $1,399 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 costs $3,300.
The Eluktronics RP-15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 are both good for gaming and AI.
The Eluktronics RP-15 offers a higher screen refresh rate, making it more fluid for gaming and 3D applications than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, although both are equipped with the same powerful GPU, which is highly important for these tasks. Despite the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 having a lower refresh rate, its flexible display hinge and higher quality screen can appeal to users looking for versatility in a gaming and 3D-capable device.
Engineering and Design
8.2/10
8.7/10
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
8.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Eluktronics RP-15 are both very good for engineering and design.
The Eluktronics RP-15 is suited for engineering and design due to its high-quality IPS display, powerful AMD CPU and dedicated Nvidia GPU, which are key for intensive tasks; however, it's slightly heavier and larger than some alternatives. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 stands out with a more versatile form factor for design work, a high-resolution touchscreen, and a significantly larger amount of RAM for complex projects, while also being more portable and having a better keyboard, though it may come at a higher price.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Eluktronics RP-15 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 compare to other laptops
"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."
"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 Eluktronics RP-15 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
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.
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
98,295
Recommendations made
21,298
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.