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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you value higher performance and are willing to invest more, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is an appropriate choice, featuring better processing power that supports demanding tasks and multitasking. However, the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" offers a larger screen and is more budget-friendly, making it a viable alternative for basic computing, web browsing, and light productivity work. The Surface Laptop boasts a higher-resolution display and superior graphics capabilities, ideal for creative work or enjoying media, while the Cloudbook provides a solid option for casual users seeking a larger display and cost-effectiveness but with lower performance and a less robust graphics system. The Surface is more premium with a longer battery life and better build quality, while the Cloudbook is designed for affordability and essential use without the frills of higher-end models. 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 general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Advantages of the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
- The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13".
Key differences
General Use
7.4
5.7
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
9.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for general use, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s General Use Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for general productivity, web browsing, streaming, video calls, and running a wide variety of apps and programs.
Gaming and AI
6.1
5.5
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a fair experience for gaming and 3D due to its better performing integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" falls short with its less capable Intel UHD Graphics 600, significantly impacting its gaming and 3D capabilities. Both have screens with standard refresh rates, but the GPU is the critical factor that makes the Surface Laptop 5 a more suitable option for these tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.1
5.5
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for engineering and design, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is suitable for engineering and design due to its powerful Intel i7 processor, 16 GB of RAM, and high-quality Iris Xe graphics, complemented by a high-resolution IPS screen that supports touch and has excellent color coverage.
Content Creation
7.4
5.9
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for content creation, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
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
5.9
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
16.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good for software development, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
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.
Screen Quality
7.2
5.8
13.5in
SIZE
14.1in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a better screen than the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
If you prioritize a sharp and vibrant display for everyday tasks like browsing and video streaming, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 stands out with its higher resolution and brightness, making it a solid choice for general use. For engineering and design work where color accuracy is crucial, the same laptop offers a broader color gamut ensuring that your creative projects look true-to-life. However, for gaming and 3D applications where fast-paced visuals are key, the lower refresh rate of the Surface Laptop 5 may hinder the experience, whereas gaming-focused laptops with higher refresh rates can deliver smoother motion and gameplay.
Portability
Excellent
Very Good
13.5in
SIZE
14.1in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
5.1
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has good build quality, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,200
$350
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a price of $1,200 and the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" costs $350.
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Key similarities
Battery
7.5 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 has 7 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.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" | Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,200 | $350 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | 14.8'' x 9.6'' x 0.78'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.86 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.1" | 14.76" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.8" | 9.56" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1255U | Intel Celeron N4020 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 4 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 | 7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 47.4 Wh | 38 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.5" | 14.1" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2256 x 1504 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 400 nits | 200 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
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 | 8.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 2 | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
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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