If performance, especially for gaming or engineering tasks, is a priority, the Gigabyte G5 is the better option with a stronger processor and dedicated graphics card. However, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers better battery life and is more portable due to its lighter weight and smaller size, making it suitable for general use. Keep in mind that the Gigabyte G5 is a bit more expensive and heavier, which could be important factors if you are often on the move or on a budget. The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a touchscreen and a higher resolution display with a unique aspect ratio which might be beneficial for certain applications or media consumption. 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 Gigabyte G5
Good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
Good for software development
Excellent portability
Good battery life
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.3/10
6.1/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Gigabyte G5 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
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
7.6/10
6.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Gigabyte G5 is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Gigabyte G5, with a powerful CPU and dedicated high-performance GPU, is better for demanding engineering and design software that require more processing power and graphical capabilities, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, while offering a sharp, high-quality touchscreen display for design tasks, is limited by its less powerful CPU and integrated graphics, making it less suitable for intensive workloads. Additionally, the Gigabyte G5's larger screen and higher refresh rate benefit detailed work and smoother visuals, which are important for design precision, but its greater weight impacts portability compared to the lighter and more compact Surface Laptop Go 3.
Screen Quality
6.8/10
6.8/10
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
248.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Gigabyte G5 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a better screen for general use, engineering and design, and content creation.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3's screen offers higher resolution and brightness, providing clearer and more vibrant visuals than the Gigabyte G5. In engineering and design, the Surface Laptop Go 3 likely has better color accuracy, covering a wider range of the color spectrum, which ensures that designs are seen as intended. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Gigabyte G5, despite its lower screen quality, may offer a higher refresh rate than the Surface, reducing motion blur and providing smoother visuals, which is critical in fast-paced scenarios.
Battery
3.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gigabyte G5 has 3.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
12.4in
4.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the Gigabyte G5 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and Gigabyte G5 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$868
$791
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Gigabyte G5 has a price of $868 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $791.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and Gigabyte G5 are both good for general use.
The Gigabyte G5, with its more powerful processor and graphics card, would handle multitasking and graphically intense processes better, but its bulkier size and lower battery life make it less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which offers higher portability and longer battery life, but with less storage and a less powerful processor that's suitable for light tasks and on-the-go usage.
Content Creation
7.2/10
7.3/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and Gigabyte G5 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
6.8/10
7.1/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 to be good for software development, while the Gigabyte G5 is only fair.
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 Gigabyte G5 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
"The Gigabyte G5 KE is a midrange gaming laptop that checks most boxes. Gigabyte makes good use of the Core i5-12500H and RTX 3060 Laptop GPU combo, and we find no untoward issues with overall performance. The dual-fan quad-heatpipe cooling arrangement does well to ensure that the underlying hardware doesn't throttle under load. That being said, the display is below par when compared to 2023 standards, especially when competing devices."
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Gigabyte G5 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
About Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese computer hardware manufacturer. While Gigabyte mainly focuses its business on desktop hardware, Gigabyte is known for its value-oriented G series laptops, thin and light Aero series, and performance-oriented Aorus series. Gigabyte laptops offer a strong value proposition to compete with mainstream alternatives.
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.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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Laptops Expert
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