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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you're looking at cost, the LG Ultra 13 offers significant savings over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" with comparable features like RAM size. Performance-wise, the LG runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 processor with integrated graphics, which works well for general use and multitasking. The Microsoft laptop, with its newer Intel i7 processor and Iris Xe graphics, is likely better for tasks like video editing or casual gaming. The Microsoft device also has a higher resolution screen with a unique 3:2 aspect ratio, which can be beneficial for productivity tasks and web browsing. However, the LG has a longer battery life, which enhances its portability and might be a deciding factor if you need a laptop for on-the-go use. Consider the LG if cost and portability are priorities, or the Microsoft Surface if you need stronger performance and a higher resolution display for intensive tasks. 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 LG Ultra 13
- Very good battery life
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
6.9
7.2
13.3in
SIZE
13.5in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
300.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the LG Ultra 13 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
The LG Ultra 13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" both have displays with sufficient resolution and brightness, making them suitable for daily activities like browsing the web and document editing, satisfying typical general use needs. For engineering and design tasks, both models include screens with ample color accuracy, covering a broad range of the color spectrum which is crucial for precise color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, these laptops fall short due to their lower refresh rates, which can result in less fluid motion and a less immersive experience when compared to laptops with higher refresh rates geared towards gaming.
Battery
10.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The LG Ultra 13 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.
Cost
$529
$1,200
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The LG Ultra 13 has a price of $529 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.2
7.4
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
300.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and LG Ultra 13 are both good for general use.
The LG Ultra 13, with its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and ample RAM, offers high performance suitable for a variety of tasks and has long battery life, making it an excellent choice for general use. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", although less portable due to shorter battery life, compensates with a superior processor, higher screen resolution, and additional features such as a touchscreen and better speakers, which also makes it a strong contender for daily use.
Gaming and AI
6.1
6.1
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
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and LG Ultra 13 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The LG Ultra 13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are considered fair for gaming and 3D because they both have integrated graphics - Vega 7 for LG and Iris Xe for Surface - which handle basic games and 3D applications but aren't on par with dedicated gaming GPUs. Both also have 60Hz refresh rate screens, which are standard for non-gaming laptops, while higher refresh rates are preferred for smoother gaming visuals.
Engineering and Design
6.6
7.1
4.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" to be good for engineering and design, while the LG Ultra 13 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is better suited for engineering and design due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor with stronger integrated graphics, higher-resolution display, and the added benefit of a touchscreen, which can be useful for design tasks.
Content Creation
7.2
7.4
4.7/10
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and LG Ultra 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
7.2
7.2
4.7/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
7.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and LG Ultra 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.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
13.5in
2.1 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The LG Ultra 13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.4
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and LG Ultra 13 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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How the LG Ultra 13 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| LG Ultra 13 | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$529 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2021 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.1'' x 0.6'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.16 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.08" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.14" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 300 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 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 | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
LG Ultra 13
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Joshua Goldman | April 2017
"The 13.3-inch LG Gram is a fine fit if you need to travel as light as possible for as long as possible without spending a fortune to do it. It might not be particularly sturdy or have an eye-catching design and its webcam is less than ideal, but with its sharp touch display, comfortable backlit keyboard, responsive touchpad and a fingerprint reader for extra security, the Gram makes a respectible everyday laptop for business or school work."
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 LG Ultra 13 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
About LG
LG is a South Korean conglomerate company. While LG is mainly known for various products outside of technology, LG also develops laptops. Within the laptop industry, they are known for their thin-and-light Gram series, as well as their value-oriented Ultra series. LG laptops offer very thin and light laptops with phenomenal battery life, 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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