If you prefer a larger screen and versatility with a convertible feature, allowing the laptop to double as a tablet, the HP Envy x360 is a good choice and typically costs less. The Surface Laptop 5, while generally more expensive, offers a higher resolution screen with a unique 3:2 aspect ratio which is beneficial for productivity tasks, along with a more compact and lighter design that enhances portability. Additionally, the Surface Laptop has a more powerful processor which might be better for demanding tasks but comes with a smaller battery compared to the HP, which could affect battery life longevity. Consider the importance of portability, screen size and resolution, performance, and battery life in relation to your specific needs and usage scenarios when making your decision. 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 HP Envy x360 15"
Very good battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
Good for engineering and design
Good overall display quality
Excellent portability
Key differences
Engineering and Design
6.5/10
7.1/10
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for engineering and design, while the HP Envy x360 15" is only fair.
The HP Envy x360 15" is fair for engineering and design use because it has sufficient but not exceptional CPU and GPU capabilities, and a quality IPS screen with a standard Full HD resolution that is decent for such work. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers better CPU performance, a higher-resolution display suited for detailed work with more colors coverage, making it good for engineering and design tasks, although the Surface's smaller screen and higher portability make it a better fit for on-the-go professionals despite louder operating noise.
Screen Quality
6.2/10
7.2/10
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
271.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the HP Envy x360 15" for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5's higher resolution and panel type likely provide clearer and sharper display, which along with its brightness makes it suitable for browsing, streaming, and productivity tasks. With engineering and design work requiring precise color representation, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5's better coverage of color gamuts like DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB ensures more accurate visuals critical for those tasks. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops may not be ideal since their screens lack high refresh rates, which are critical for smooth motion and gameplay, despite having an adequate resolution and panel type for visual clarity.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The HP Envy x360 15" has 10 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
Good
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the HP Envy x360 15" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Envy x360 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
$430
$1,200
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The HP Envy x360 15" has a price of $430 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Envy x360 15" are both good for general use.
The HP Envy x360 15" is favored for general use due to its strong CPU, high-quality screen, and convertible design, though it's heavier and has a shorter battery life compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which is lightweight, making it highly portable with a great screen and keyboard, but has less versatile storage options. Both laptops have good RAM, speaker quality and manage heat and noise well, ensuring comfortable usage, but trade-offs between size and battery life versus storage flexibility and portability may influence your choice.
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.1/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Envy x360 15" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The HP Envy x360 15" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are fair for gaming and 3D tasks primarily due to their integrated GPUs, which are suitable for moderate gaming but may not handle the most demanding games and 3D applications smoothly, and both have a standard screen refresh rate of 60Hz, which is adequate for casual gaming but not ideal for high-frame-rate or competitive gaming where higher refresh rates are beneficial. While both have high-quality screens, the CPU and GPU combination is more suited for everyday tasks and less intensive creative work.
Content Creation
7.3/10
7.4/10
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Envy x360 15" 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
7.2/10
7.2/10
5.6/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Envy x360 15" 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 HP Envy x360 15" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
"Despite its good looks, stellar webcam and comfortable keyboard, the Envy x360 15 is hard to recommend because of its dim, 16:9 display. If the display isn't an issue for you, just be sure to wait for a good sale price. Otherwise, a more modern two-in-one with a 16:10 display such as the Dell Inspiron 16 2-in-1 or Lenovo Yoga 7i 16 provides a larger workspace without adding much to the size and weight of the system."
"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 HP Envy x360 15" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
About HP
HP, also known as Hewlett-Packard, is an American technology company that develops personal computers and computer peripherals. In the laptop industry, HP is known for its entry level Essential series laptops, its mid-range Pavilion, Envy, and Victus series, and high-end Omen and Spectre series, in addition to its business-oriented EliteBook, ProBook, and Dragonfly series laptops. HP laptops generally undercut other mainstream competitors in terms of price, placing itself as the value-oriented mainstream brand.
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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