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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you're looking for a more affordable option with robust gaming capabilities, the MSI Bravo 15 is suitable with its dedicated graphics card and larger screen. It is heavier though, making it less ideal for frequent travel. On the other hand, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is a more portable choice with a sleeker design and a higher-resolution touchscreen display, which can be preferable for everyday tasks and professionals who need a high-quality screen. It also has better build quality and a more premium feel. However, it's typically more expensive, and while its integrated graphics can handle general use and light media creation, it might struggle with more demanding graphics 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Good for software development
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the MSI Bravo 15
- Good for gaming and AI
Key differences
Gaming and AI
6.1
7.2
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.5/10
The MSI Bravo 15 is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The MSI Bravo 15 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for gaming and 3D applications because it has a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card and a higher screen refresh rate, making it better suited for fast-paced visuals and rendering. On the other hand, the Surface Laptop 5's integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics are less powerful, and its lower refresh rate screen is not as optimized for gaming or 3D tasks.
Screen Quality
7.2
6.9
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
144Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the MSI Bravo 15 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the MSI Bravo 15 has a better screen for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a display with high resolution and brightness, making it suitable for general use where reading text and viewing images are enjoyable. For engineering and design, it offers wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color representation which is critical for detailed work. However, its lower refresh rate hampers its performance for gaming and 3D applications, where smoother motion and rapid refresh are key to an optimal experience.
Battery
7.5 Hours
6.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 hours of battery life. The MSI Bravo 15 has 6 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
Fair
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
4.9 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.9in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
6.7
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has good build quality, while the MSI Bravo 15 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,200
$862
$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 MSI Bravo 15 costs $862.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.1
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
267.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
6.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
9.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.9/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and MSI Bravo 15 are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is preferred for general use because it offers a higher resolution display for sharper image quality, better portability due to its lighter weight and compactness, and longer battery life, which is essential for typical day-to-day tasks. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15 falls short in general use with a heavier build making it less portable, though it compensates with a stronger GPU for gaming and a high refresh rate screen, which may not be as crucial for non-gaming applications.
Engineering and Design
7.1
7.2
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.1/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The MSI Bravo 15 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 with an Intel processor and Iris Xe graphics is ideal for engineering and design with its high-quality screen and substantial RAM, offering a balance of performance and portability. In contrast, the MSI Bravo 15, featuring a capable AMD CPU and Nvidia RTX GPU, provides stronger graphical power suited for demanding tasks, albeit with less portability and a less vibrant screen.
Content Creation
7.4
7.1
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and MSI Bravo 15 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
6.8
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
6.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" to be good for software development, while the MSI Bravo 15 is only fair.
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.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the MSI Bravo 15 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" | MSI Bravo 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $862 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.98'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.86 lbs | 4.96 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.1" | 14.13" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.8" | 10.2" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.5 Hours | 6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 47.4 Wh | 53.5 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 267 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 2 | |
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."
MSI Bravo 15
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Dig into reviews and images
LaptopMedia
Nikolay Palaozov | July 2023
"Overall, the MSI Bravo 15 C7U is a great gaming device for the masses that isn’t too pricey. The capable hardware (for the price range), the 144Hz display, and the comfortable keyboard are one of the things that should attract buyers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a new gaming laptop."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the MSI Bravo 15
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.
About MSI
MSI, also known as Micro-Star International, is a Taiwanese technology corporation. MSI is known for their wide range of gaming devices. Their series include the entry-level Cyborg/Thin and Sword/Katana series, the mid-range Bravo/Delta and Crosshair/Pulse series, and their high-end Vector, Raider, Stealth, and Titan GT series. At every performance level, MSI offers a variety of devices with varying balances between performance, battery life, weight, and price, making them a solid option to consider at every price point.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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