The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers you a higher resolution display and a more productive 3:2 aspect ratio, which can be great for document work and web browsing. However, it's somewhat more expensive and less versatile than the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360. The Galaxy Book3 360 features an OLED screen for better colors and contrast, it is a 2-in-1 convertible which allows for laptop and tablet use, plus it includes a slightly larger screen. If budget is a concern and you value flexibility and multimedia performance, the Galaxy Book3 360 could be more appealing despite the lower screen resolution. Conversely, if you prioritize a sharper screen and don't mind a higher cost, the Surface Laptop 5 could be the better option. Consider how important the screen, versatility, and price are for your daily use before deciding. Give Feedback
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Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360
Very good battery life
Key differences
Engineering and Design
7.1/10
7.6/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design, though the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 is somewhat better.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is equipped with a high-resolution IPS display and a CPU that supports casual engineering tasks, making it a solid choice for design applications; however, the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 features a slightly more powerful CPU and an OLED screen for vibrant colors, along with additional ports enhancing connectivity options for engineering use. While both have good portability and screen quality, the larger screen and higher battery capacity of the Galaxy Book3 360 might appeal to users needing prolonged unplugged use and a more immersive visual experience.
Screen Quality
7.2/10
7.7/10
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
350.0 nits
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a high-resolution display and good brightness, making it suitable for general tasks and detailed engineering work, but its standard refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming and 3D applications. The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 similarly boasts a high-quality display with excellent color gamut coverage, vital for engineering and design professionals needing color accuracy, while also maintaining high resolution and brightness for everyday use. However, like the Surface, the Galaxy Book3 360's typical refresh rate isn't geared towards the fluid motion desired in gaming and 3D modeling.
Battery
7.5 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 has 10 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
$1,200
$1,299
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
$2,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a price of $1,200 and the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 costs $1,299.
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" with its higher-resolution IPS display and lightweight design is tailored for superior screen quality and portability, making it ideal for users who prioritize a more premium viewing experience and ease of carrying. The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360, offering a larger OLED touchscreen and longer battery life coupled with convertible flexibility, is perfect for those who want a versatile device for long hours of use without the need for frequent charging.
Gaming and AI
6.1/10
6.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
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
9.5/10
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 both offer fair gaming and 3D performance as they come equipped with integrated Iris Xe graphics, suitable for light gaming, and their screens have a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, which is less optimal for fast-paced gaming that benefits from higher refresh rates. Additionally, both laptops feature high-quality screens and capable CPUs, which are important for gaming and 3D tasks, but their graphics processing units (GPUs) and refresh rates do not match the high requirements of more graphically intensive games and applications.
Content Creation
7.4/10
7.8/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
OLED
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 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
7.2/10
7.7/10
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 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
Very Good
13.5in
SIZE
15.6in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
3.2 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.5in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" to have excellent portability, while the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 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 Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 compare to other laptops
"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."
"The Samsung Galaxy Book 3 360 isn’t a laptop that the Korean manufacturer has shouted from the rooftops about, and it seems to have gotten little attention from anywhere. But, it is absolutely a laptop worth paying attention to. Compared to higher-priced devices, like the Dell XPS 13 (2022) and Asus Zenbook S 13 OLED (2023), it manages to offer a similar day-to-day experience despite the price difference. It’s really hard to justify the extra cash unless a boosted display is a requirement of yours."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the Samsung Galaxy Book3 360
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 Samsung
Samsung Electronics is one of the largest technology corporation by revenue. Based in South Korea, they are very well known for their wide range of phones, tablets, TVs and appliances. Their main line of laptops is the Galaxy Book series, launched in 2017. This range includes 2-in-1 convertible devices and standard notebooks, with a focus on portability and value for money.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe Golden, Ph.D
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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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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