If budget is a major concern, the HP Pavilion 15 offers general computing capabilities at a lower cost, but if you're looking for a device with a higher performance for intensive tasks or creative work, and a more premium build quality, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio might justify the extra expense. The Surface Laptop Studio also features a more versatile design with its convertible form factor, which allows you to use it as a tablet or in studio mode, enhancing its suitability for design and art-related tasks. However, it's less portable than the Pavilion due to its weight and size. The HP Pavilion 15, while not as powerful, usually has longer battery life and is easier to carry, making it a good choice for everyday tasks and on-the-go use. It's important to consider not just the cost, but how the device will be used to determine which laptop meets your needs. 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 Pavilion 15
The HP Pavilion 15 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
Good for engineering and design
Good for software development
Very good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Good battery life
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.0/10
6.6/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and HP Pavilion 15 are both only fair for gaming and AI, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is somewhat better.
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
6.2/10
7.3/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for engineering and design, while the HP Pavilion 15 is only fair.
The HP Pavilion 15, with a lower-end CPU and integrated graphics, is less suited for demanding engineering software compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which features a powerful CPU and dedicated NVIDIA GPU, enhancing its performance for such tasks. Additionally, the Surface Laptop Studio boasts a higher-resolution and better-quality screen, which is crucial for design work, whereas the Pavilion's screen is less impressive in both resolution and quality.
Software Development
6.6/10
7.3/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
6.2/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for software development, while the HP Pavilion 15 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.
Screen Quality
5.3/10
8.0/10
15.6in
SIZE
14.4in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
220.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen than the HP Pavilion 15 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio's higher resolution and brighter display provide a more vivid and sharp visual experience compared to the HP Pavilion 15's lesser display. In engineering and design, the Surface Laptop Studio's wider color gamut ensures more accurate color reproduction which is essential for detailed and color-sensitive work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the HP Pavilion 15's lower refresh rate might disappoint those seeking a smooth and responsive gaming experience, which is where a higher refresh rate is crucial.
Battery
3.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The HP Pavilion 15 has 3 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.
Build Quality
6.2/10
8.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the HP Pavilion 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$600
$1,700
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The HP Pavilion 15 has a price of $600 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and HP Pavilion 15 are both good for general use.
The HP Pavilion 15, with its large screen and substantial onboard storage, is suited for general use; it's equipped with a solid processor and sufficient RAM to handle everyday tasks, while also offering good portability and excellent heat management.
Content Creation
7.1/10
7.4/10
4.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and HP Pavilion 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.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
14.4in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and HP Pavilion 15 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the HP Pavilion 15 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
"The HP Pavilion 15 carries a fair amount of power and a sharp display in its handsome slimline shell. It's not perfect, but it's a hard worker. This is wonderfully designed and totes a heck of a lot of desktop power, with the added benefit of a decent webcam and a full-sized keyboard. If you're getting down to business on a budget, it's a great fit."
"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 HP Pavilion 15 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
100,395
Recommendations made
21,753
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.