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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is more affordable with good portability, versatile as a touchscreen device with a 3:2 aspect ratio screen that's useful for general use and productivity tasks, but has moderate performance capabilities. Its battery life should last for typical workday use. On the other hand, the Razer Blade 18 is pricier and boasts powerful performance fit for 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming, thanks to its superior processor and graphics card; however, it's less portable due to its larger size and weight, and its battery life is shorter, indicating a need for more frequent charging. Both have high-quality displays, but the Razer Blade 18's more extensive screen favors immersive experiences and detailed visuals, though it lacks a touchscreen. Consider your priorities between performance, portability, battery life, and price to make your choice. 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 Studio
- Good portability
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Razer Blade 18
- Very good for general use
- Excellent for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Key differences
General Use
7.4
8.5
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
524.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
4.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
6.1/10
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good for general use with a respectable CPU and RAM setup, a high-quality, high-brightness screen, and a versatile hinge for different modes, making it quite portable with a reasonable battery life. In contrast, the Razer Blade 18, which is very good for general use, offers a more powerful CPU, double the RAM and storage, and a larger, brighter screen, but it is less portable due to its larger size and heavier weight, and it has a noticeably shorter battery life.
Gaming and AI
6.6
8.9
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
Yes
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.2/10
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is only fair.
The Razer Blade 18 outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio in gaming and 3D due to its superior GPU – the RTX 4070, which delivers higher performance for graphics-intensive tasks, and a screen with a refresh rate that is twice as fast, providing smoother visuals. Although the Surface Laptop Studio has a good GPU in the RTX 3050 Ti and a 120Hz screen refresh rate, these features are more modest compared to the Razer, making it better suited for less demanding games and 3D tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.3
9.3
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
8.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
The Razer Blade 18 is excellent for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Razer Blade 18 is considered excellent for engineering and design use because it has a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, and a superior GPU compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which makes it more adept at handling complex computational tasks and rendering. Although the Surface Laptop Studio offers better portability and screen quality for drawing or design with its flexible hinge and touchscreen, the Razer Blade's larger screen and exceptional performance make it better suited for more demanding engineering applications.
Content Creation
7.4
8.6
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
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
7.3
8.5
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
32.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Razer Blade 18 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
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
8.0
8.9
14.4in
SIZE
18.0in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
240Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
524.0 nits
The Razer Blade 18 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
When considering the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the Razer Blade 18 for general use, factors like panel type, resolution, and brightness are critical; both laptops offer crisp, vibrant displays that are easy on the eyes during everyday tasks. For engineers and designers, a wide color gamut is crucial for accurate color work, and both laptops provide excellent coverage of DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB, ensuring design precision. However, for gaming and 3D applications, a high refresh rate is paramount to avoid motion blur and provide smooth visuals, and in this aspect, both the Surface Laptop Studio and the Razer Blade 18 fall short, as they prioritize resolution and color accuracy over fast screen refresh rates.
Battery
8.0 Hours
4.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has 8 hours of battery life. The Razer Blade 18 has 4 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
Good
Fair
14.4in
SIZE
18.0in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
6.6 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability, while the Razer Blade 18 has only fair portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,700
$10
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a price of $1,700 and the Razer Blade 18 costs $10.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Razer Blade 18 both have very good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the Razer Blade 18 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | Razer Blade 18 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $10 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | February 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 15.7'' x 10.8'' x 0.86'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 6.68 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 15.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 10.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11370H | Intel i9-13950HX | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 91.7 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 18" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 240Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 524 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | Yes | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 6.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1440p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Razer Blade 18
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Matthew Buzzi | March 2023
"Razer made a powerful laptop in the Blade 18, showing off a beautiful and fast display and the same high-quality build we’ve come to expect from this product line. It’s also quite expensive, which is hardly a surprise, but bears repeating even in this price range. It’s pricier than the Scar 18 despite an inferior GPU and half the storage, so you really have to want the Blade 18’s design to justify the cost."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio or the Razer Blade 18
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 Razer
Razer is an American-Singaporean technology company. Razer is best known for their Blade series laptops, well known for their strong performance and sleek design. Although Razer charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a stealthy laptop with clean fit and finish and strong performance. All of their models offer great portability and build quality compared to other gaming laptops.
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