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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If your priority is a higher resolution touchscreen and dedicated graphics for more demanding applications like 3D rendering or machine learning, you should consider the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, despite it being heavier and offering less portability. However, if you want a lighter, more portable laptop with decent performance for general use and engineering tasks, and the option to easily upgrade RAM and storage, the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) could serve you well and typically comes at a somewhat lower cost. Keep in mind that the Framework lacks a dedicated GPU, which could limit performance for intensive gaming or high-end graphics tasks. 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
- Very good portability
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.4
8.0
13.5in
SIZE
14.4in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
472.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Framework Laptop 13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 13's screen offers a balance of resolution and brightness, making it suitable for everyday tasks and professional design work where clarity and color accuracy are appreciated. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio steps up with enhanced color range coverage, crucial for precision in engineering and design applications where subtle color differences matter. Neither laptops excel in gaming and 3D due to modest refresh rates, which limits the smoothness of visuals that these applications generally benefit from.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.5in
SIZE
14.4in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has very good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,079
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) has a price of $1,079 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.5
7.4
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
472.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
8.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for general use.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) is a lightweight and easily portable device with good heat management and screen quality, making it suitable for general use. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, on the other hand, offers more storage and a higher quality screen with touch capabilities, along with stronger computing power thanks to its better CPU and GPU, which makes it also well-suited for general use but at a higher cost and with reduced portability.
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Framework Laptop 13 (2023) are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023), with its integrated Intel graphics, is less suitable for demanding games and 3D tasks than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which boasts a more powerful Nvidia dedicated GPU; moreover, the Surface Laptop Studio offers a smoother visual experience with its higher refresh rate display. While both have high-quality screens, the CPU in the Framework Laptop is geared towards efficiency rather than peak performance, which the more robust CPU in the Surface Laptop Studio better supports for such tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.3
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for engineering and design.
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) with its Intel i5 processor and Iris Xe graphics is made to be highly customizable and repair-friendly, balancing good CPU and GPU performance for engineering tasks, while also offering a high-resolution screen and excellent portability due to its lower weight and small thickness.
Content Creation
7.5
7.4
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
7.6
7.3
7.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
7.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Framework Laptop 13 has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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 Framework Laptop 13 (2023) and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Framework Laptop 13 (2023) | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,079 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | September 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.7'' x 9'' x 0.62'' | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.95 lbs | 4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.7" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.01" | 8.98" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1340P | Intel i7-11370H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 55 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 472 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Framework Laptop 13 (2023)
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Dig into reviews and images
Wired
Scott Gilbertson | July 2023
"If you’re thinking of investing in your first Framework, now is the time. The kinks and rough edges have all been smoothed out and this is a very nice machine with a bright, upgradable future. The only reason I can think of to wait is the AMD model, which I’ll be sure to test as soon as I can get my hands on one."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the Framework Laptop 13 (2023) or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
About Framework
Framework is a new American laptop manufacturer, specializing in modular and repairable laptops with the goals of promoting longevity and reducing electronic waste. They are a strong proponent of the right to repair movement. Framework laptops have replaceable RAM, storage, ports, keyboards, display bezels, mainboards, and more, making them a great choice for repairability-oriented individuals.
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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