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Updated January 12, 2024·
For better performance in intensive tasks like gaming, 3D rendering, or machine learning, consider the Lenovo LOQ 15 with its more powerful AMD processor and RTX graphics. However, this laptop is heavier and has a larger form factor, making it less portable. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is lighter and more compact, with a higher resolution touchscreen that drives up the cost. It's suitable for general use and offers a sleek design. Overall, choose the Lenovo if performance is a priority and the Surface if you value portability and a touchscreen, keeping in mind the cost difference. 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 LOQ 15
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.5
6.1
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo LOQ 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The Lenovo LOQ 15, with its AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU combined with a 144Hz refresh rate screen, is built to handle demanding gaming and 3D tasks, offering better performance for these applications compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which has an Intel i7 CPU with integrated Iris Xe graphics and a 60Hz screen, making it less optimal for those functions.
Engineering and Design
7.9
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
7.0/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo LOQ 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design, though the Lenovo LOQ 15 is somewhat better.
The Lenovo LOQ 15 is equipped with a high-performance AMD processor and Nvidia RTX graphics card, providing robust power for engineering and design software, while its IPS screen offers decent quality visuals; however, it is heavier, which affects portability. In comparison, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" features an Intel processor with integrated graphics, offering less power but a higher-resolution screen and significantly lighter build for better portability, making it a solid option with a compromise on graphical tasks.
Screen Quality
7.1
7.2
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
144Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
329.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Lenovo LOQ 15 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for gaming and AI, and software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen for general use, and engineering and design.
The Lenovo LOQ 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" provide sharp and bright displays with high resolution suitable for everyday tasks and viewing details in design work, where color accuracy for rendering projects is also key. Despite their capabilities, neither excels in gaming or 3D applications due to limited refresh rates, which are less fluid for fast-paced visuals. Both laptops, however, have the color coverage to support precise engineering and design requirements, but fall short for the high-refresh needs of immersive 3D experiences.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Lenovo LOQ 15 has 6 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
Fair
Excellent
15.6in
SIZE
13.5in
5.2 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.9in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Lenovo LOQ 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,109
$1,200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Lenovo LOQ 15 has a price of $1,109 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.6
7.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
329.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
6.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo LOQ 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Lenovo LOQ 15 offers a balance for general use with a capable AMD Ryzen CPU and Nvidia GPU, ample RAM, and a good quality screen, though it's heavier and has shorter battery life, making it less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which has a high-resolution touchscreen, long battery life, and lightweight form factor, but relies on integrated graphics which, while fine for general use, are less suitable for graphically intensive tasks. Both laptops have sufficient storage and high-quality keyboards, but the Lenovo's larger screen may offer a better viewing experience for media and multi-tasking at the cost of portability.
Content Creation
7.6
7.4
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo LOQ 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
7.2
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo LOQ 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Lenovo LOQ 15 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo LOQ 15 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo LOQ 15 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,109 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.2'' x 10.4'' x 0.99'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.28 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.16" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.42" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 329 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 6.7/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | Yes | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo LOQ 15
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | August 2023
"Even after a short time with the LOQ 15, you'll find it has a lot going for it, but ultimately it's just "good"—not quite a star. The performance is respectable for the hardware it’s running, but Lenovo had to make some design sacrifices to trim the price. One of the better aspects is the keyboard, making it one of the better low-cost gaming laptops to actually put your hands on."
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 Lenovo LOQ 15 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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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