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Updated March 22, 2024·
When choosing between the HP Omen Transcend 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, consider that the HP Omen offers stronger performance for intensive tasks like gaming, 3D modeling, and engineering software; however, it may be heavier and have shorter battery life, making it less portable. The Surface Laptop 5 offers a lighter, more portable design with better battery life, ideal for general use and taking on the go, but it might not handle demanding applications as well. If cost is a concern and your work isn't resource-intensive, the Surface may offer a balance of price and functionality. 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 Omen Transcend 14
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good battery life
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
8.2
7.4
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
11.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The HP Omen Transcend 14 offers high processing power and ample memory, making it ideal for demanding tasks, with a high-quality screen that enhances viewing, but its gaming-oriented design might reduce portability and battery life when compared to thinner laptops. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" strikes a balance with sufficient performance for everyday tasks, exceptional portability, and long battery life, although it typically has less power for intensive applications and a smaller screen.
Gaming and AI
7.9
6.1
7.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The HP Omen Transcend 14, equipped with a dedicated graphics card and a high refresh rate display, excels at handling the graphics-intensive demands of gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has sufficient processing power and a quality screen, its integrated graphics and standard refresh rate are less suited to the demanding nature of such tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.5
7.1
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
7.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The HP Omen Transcend 14 offers a robust CPU, ample RAM, and a high-quality GPU which are essential for demanding engineering software, along with a superior screen that benefits design tasks. While the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" also provides good performance for engineering with a decent CPU and RAM, plus high portability and solid build quality, its GPU and screen quality aren't as geared towards intensive design and engineering applications as the Omen's.
Content Creation
8.3
7.4
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
8.1
7.2
8.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The HP Omen Transcend 14 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
8.6
7.2
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The HP Omen Transcend 14 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The HP Omen Transcend 14's display, with its high resolution and brightness, is excellent for tackling daily tasks and detailed engineering work, but its lower refresh rate may not provide the smooth visuals desired for high-speed gaming and 3D applications. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", while offering a good balance of resolution and brightness for everyday productivity and professional design, may fall short for gaming and 3D because of similarly modest refresh rates. Although both laptops have displays with color ranges suitable for accurate engineering and design work, neither is optimized for the quick refresh needed in high-intensity gaming and 3D rendering environments.
Battery
11.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The HP Omen Transcend 14 has 11 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
14.0in
SIZE
13.5in
3.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the HP Omen Transcend 14 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.2
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and HP Omen Transcend 14 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
$1,699
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The HP Omen Transcend 14 has a price of $1,699 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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How the HP Omen Transcend 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HP Omen Transcend 14 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,699 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2024 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 9.2'' x 0.71'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.87 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.32" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.19" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 71 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 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 HP Omen Transcend 14 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.
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