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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers higher-end features compared to the Surface Laptop Go 3, including more storage and memory, a faster processor, and a slightly larger, higher resolution screen, which may translate to better performance for demanding tasks and multitasking. However, it's less portable due to being slightly heavier and bulkier. The Surface Laptop Go 3 is more affordable, with sufficient specs for everyday tasks and better portability due to its lighter weight and compact size. If you prioritize high performance and screen quality, and don't mind a higher cost and less portability, the Laptop 5 could be your choice; otherwise, for casual use and easy travel, the Laptop Go 3 provides a cost-effective solution. 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 3
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.2
6.8
13.5in
SIZE
12.4in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the Surface Laptop 5 and Laptop Go 3 offer screens with resolutions and brightness levels that provide clarity and comfort for everyday tasks like browsing and office work. Engineering and design professionals will appreciate the wider color gamuts on these laptops, which offer more accurate color representation essential for detailed design work. However, gamers and those engaged in 3D work would find the screens lacking due to the lower refresh rates, which can lead to less smooth visuals in fast-paced games and animations.
Cost
$1,200
$788
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a price of $1,200 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $788.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.2
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 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 3 are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is rated higher for general use because it offers better performance, with a superior CPU and RAM that enable smoother multitasking and faster operation, and higher screen quality, which enhances the visual experience. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, while being more portable due to its smaller size and weight, compromises on battery life and has lower performance because of its less powerful CPU and less RAM, making it fair for general use.
Gaming and AI
6.1
6.1
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 Go 3 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Surface Laptop Go 3 are fair for gaming and 3D because both have integrated GPUs and standard 60Hz refresh rates, which are sufficient for casual gaming but may not provide the high performance required for intensive gaming or professional 3D work. The former has a slightly more powerful CPU and better screen resolution which can contribute to a somewhat improved experience, yet for demanding tasks, dedicated GPUs and higher refresh rates would be highly beneficial.
Engineering and Design
7.1
6.8
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" to be good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a more powerful CPU and double the RAM compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, making it better suited for demanding engineering and design tasks. Additionally, the Laptop 5 has a higher-resolution screen, which enhances the quality of visual work, although both devices come with quality IPS displays; the Laptop Go 3 is lighter and more portable but less equipped for intensive workloads.
Content Creation
7.4
7.3
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $788 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.86 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.1" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.8" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 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 | 337 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 3
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Joe Osborne | October 2023
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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