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Updated January 12, 2024·
Without specific model details, consider this general advice for choosing between a higher-priced Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the more affordable Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop 5 tends to offer more powerful processors, larger and possibly higher resolution displays, and may include features aimed at more demanding tasks such as professional workloads, multitasking, and higher-end media consumption. Its build quality and specifications generally support intensive work such as video editing, software development, or 3D modeling. On the other hand, the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a more portable package, better suited for on-the-go use, with a typically lower price reflecting its modest performance capabilities. It is often suitable for everyday tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and media streaming. If performance and high-spec features are less critical than budget and portability, the Surface Laptop Go 2 could serve well. However, for better performance and a more premium experience, the Surface Laptop 5 may be the better choice despite the higher cost. 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.1
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is better suited for engineering and design due to its higher RAM and more powerful CPU, which are essential for software used in these fields, whereas the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has lower specs in these areas making it less ideal. Additionally, the Surface Laptop 5 has a better GPU and screen quality, which is important for design tasks that require color accuracy and graphic processing, but it is less portable and has a higher operating noise compared to the more compact Surface Laptop Go 2.
Screen Quality
7.2
6.9
13.5in
SIZE
12.4in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
When considering laptops for general use, both the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 have screens with sufficient resolution and brightness, which makes images crisp and easy to view in various lighting conditions. For engineering and design tasks, their displays offer decent color accuracy covering a range of color gamuts, making them suitable for detailed and color-sensitive work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the screens fall short because they have lower refresh rates, which means less smooth motion and responsiveness compared to laptops designed specifically for these purposes.
Cost
$1,200
$565
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a price of $1,200 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.0
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers better performance for general use with its higher-end CPU, greater RAM, and superior screen quality compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which has a lower-end CPU, less RAM, and a screen with lower resolution and pixel density.
Gaming and AI
6.1
6.0
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2256 x 1504
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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Surface Laptop Go 2 both offer fair performance for gaming and 3D applications due to their integrated Intel Iris Xe GPUs, which can handle light gaming but aren't designed for high-end gaming or demanding 3D tasks. Additionally, they both have a 60Hz screen refresh rate which is standard for non-gaming laptops but may not deliver the smoothest experience required by fast-paced games.
Content Creation
7.4
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
7.2
7.0
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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.
Battery
7.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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
Excellent
Excellent
13.5in
SIZE
12.4in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $565 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.86 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.1" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.8" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 47.4 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 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 | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 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 | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
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."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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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