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Updated January 10, 2024·
Based on the comparison, the Lenovo Flex 5 16 offers more storage and memory, a higher-resolution screen, and a larger battery capacity, but it is heavier and has a larger form factor, making it less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is lighter, more portable, and has a longer battery life, but comes with less storage, memory, and a lower screen resolution. The Lenovo is better suited for tasks that require more power and screen space like engineering work, while the Surface is more designed for general use with enhanced portability. Choose the Lenovo if you prioritize performance and screen real estate or the Surface if you value portability and a longer battery life. 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 Lenovo Flex 5 16
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.6
7.0
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
11.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.4/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo Flex 5 16 is somewhat better.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 provides a higher RAM and a more powerful CPU, which makes it better suited for multitasking and more demanding tasks, while its larger screen with higher resolution offers better screen quality for general use; however, its larger size makes it less portable and it has only slightly longer battery life than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop Go 2, on the other hand, offers excellent portability due to its smaller size and weight, along with a high-quality keyboard, but it comes with less RAM and a less powerful CPU which makes it less suited for intensive tasks, along with a smaller screen and lower resolution impacting screen quality.
Engineering and Design
7.2
6.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16, with a stronger processor, more RAM, and a more capable integrated GPU, provides better performance for engineering and design applications than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which has a less powerful processor, less RAM, and similar integrated GPU capabilities. Additionally, the Lenovo's larger, higher resolution screen benefits design work, whereas the Surface Laptop Go 2, being lighter with smaller dimensions, offers better portability and a smaller display that actually has slightly higher brightness but lower resolution, making it less optimal for detail-oriented tasks.
Screen Quality
7.3
6.9
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 both offer displays that are sharp and bright enough for general tasks like web browsing and document editing, thus ensuring comfort and clarity for everyday users. For engineering and design professionals, both laptops have displays that cover a range of colors faithfully, offering the accuracy needed for precise work, although neither is top-tier in this aspect. However, for gaming and 3D applications, these laptops fall short due to their modest refresh rates, meaning they do not provide the smooth visuals preferred for high-speed gaming or fluid 3D rendering.
Battery
11.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has 11.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.0
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and Lenovo Flex 5 16 both have good build quality, though the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has somewhat better build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.0
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both equipped with Intel Iris Xe graphics, which provide suitable performance for moderate gaming and 3D applications, but neither system offers a high refresh rate display or a high-performance dedicated GPU, which are very important for more demanding gaming experiences. Additionally, while the Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a larger and higher resolution screen, which improves the visual experience, it's still capped at a standard refresh rate, as is the Surface Laptop Go 2, meaning neither will deliver the smoother visuals preferred by serious gamers.
Content Creation
7.6
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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
7.5
7.0
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
Cost
$779
$774
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Lenovo Flex 5 16 has a price of $779 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $774.
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How the Lenovo Flex 5 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Flex 5 16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$779 | $774 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10'' x 0.74'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.63 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.09" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.99" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 52.5 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | 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 | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Lenovo Flex 5 16
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | April 2023
"The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is a solidly equipped, 2-in-1 in the lower price segment. Performance is definitely sufficient for everyday tasks and in tests the battery proved itself to be very economical. That aside, there is a lot of standard fare on show and a search for real highlights ends in vain. The low color coverage and reflective display can be avoided by going for an optional 2.5K display but this also presumably results in poorer battery life. The cooling uses only one fan and leads to a raised temperature on one side of the device under load. Additionally, there is very loud fan noise, also under load or when gaming. On top of that, we also occasionally noticed electronic noises."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Flex 5 16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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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