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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
Choosing between the Gateway 11.6" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" involves considering how much you value cost versus performance and features. The Gateway is a budget-friendly option that's significantly cheaper, which could be ideal for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and other general use. However, with lower specs such as a basic Intel Celeron processor, less memory, and storage, it may not handle intensive tasks well. The Surface Laptop 5 has a higher-end Intel i7 processor, more memory and storage, better display resolution, and additional features like touchscreen and a more premium build, making it suitable for more demanding applications such as engineering, 3D work, or casual gaming. It's also lighter and thinner, enhancing portability. If you need a laptop for high-performing tasks and prefer a more portable and upscale device, and you're willing to invest more, the Surface Laptop 5 is the appropriate choice. Conversely, for light use and if budget is a primary concern, the Gateway would suffice. 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 Gateway 11.6"
- The Gateway 11.6" has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6
7.4
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" is equipped with a lower-performing Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of RAM, which alongside a basic screen, makes it less suitable for demanding tasks and multitasking, contributing to its poor evaluation for general use. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a more powerful Intel i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a superior screen, offering better performance, multitasking capabilities, and display quality, thus earning it a good reputation for general use.
Gaming and AI
5.4
6.1
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
5.4
7.1
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
5.7
7.4
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
7.2
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
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
5.7
7.2
11.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Gateway 11.6" likely has lower resolution and brightness, making it less suitable for any usage that demands clarity and visibility, which impacts everything from reading text to detailed graphics work. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" with its high resolution and brightness provides a crisp and vibrant display suitable for precise work in general use and engineering, benefiting from better color accuracy. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short due to lower refresh rates which can lead to less fluid motion and longer response times during fast-paced activities.
Build Quality
5.1
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$1,200
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 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
Excellent
Excellent
11.6in
SIZE
13.5in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Gateway 11.6" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Gateway 11.6" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gateway 11.6" | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.6 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.5" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 64 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | Unknown | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 11.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1366 x 768 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
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 Gateway 11.6" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
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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