If you prioritize performance for demanding tasks like 3D modeling, machine learning, or gaming, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the better option, offering a powerful Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX graphics. However, it's heavier, which may affect portability. On the other hand, the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" comes at a much lower price and is more lightweight, making it easier to carry around. It's suitable for general use such as web browsing or document editing due to its basic Intel Celeron processor and integrated graphics. Battery life varies between the two, with the more powerful laptops usually having shorter battery life, though specifics haven't been provided. Consider the Surface Laptop for performance-intensive tasks and the Cloudbook for casual use and portability. 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 2
Very good for general use
Very good for engineering and design
Good for gaming and AI
Very good for software development
Very good for content creation
Good overall display quality
Very good overall build quality
Very good speakers
Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14"
Very good portability
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
5.7/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
8.1/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is excellent for general use due to its robust CPU and RAM, high-quality screen, and solid battery life, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" falls short in the same areas, making it unsuitable for demanding tasks and contributing to its poor performance for general use. Additionally, the Surface's superior storage, keyboard, speakers, and effective heat management further establish its lead over the Cloudbook, which is hindered by its inferior components in these somewhat important categories.
Gaming and AI
7.7/10
5.5/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is equipped with a powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a high screen refresh rate of 120, making it well-suited for gaming and 3D applications. In contrast, the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has an Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU and a standard screen refresh rate of 60, which is less capable of handling demanding graphics tasks and delivering a smooth visual experience in gaming and 3D applications.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
5.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.5/10
64.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
8.4/10
5.9/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
64.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very 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
8.2/10
5.9/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
3.3/10
64.0 GB
RAM
4.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
4.6/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very 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
7.9/10
5.8/10
14.4in
SIZE
14.1in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
200.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 likely offers a high-resolution display with excellent brightness and panel technology, making it great for general use and detailed engineering work, where color accuracy is essential. However, its refresh rate may be lower than what's ideal for gaming and 3D applications, where smooth motion is key. In contrast, the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" may have a lower resolution, less bright display with inferior panel technology and limited color gamut coverage, which would make it less suitable across all mentioned categories.
Battery
8.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 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.
Portability
Good
Very Good
14.4in
SIZE
14.1in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" has very good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5/10
5.1/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very 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
$3,300
$350
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $3,300 and the Packard Bell Cloudbook 14" costs $350.
"The new Surface Laptop Studio with its foldable display is supposed to replace the old Surface Book and the overall impression is good after our review. The build quality and the materials are top-notch, the performance utilization of the two components is solid and the device does not show any major flaws in terms of display or speakers, either. The folding mechanism leaves a sold impression as well, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up over the years. The so-called presentation mode is also not ideal since it covers the whole keyboard."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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.
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
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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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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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