If you prioritize performance, especially for tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, or other intensive engineering software, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the superior choice as it features more robust hardware including a more powerful processor and graphics unit. However, this comes at a higher cost and with less portability due to its larger size and heavier weight. On the other hand, the Razer Book 13 is more budget-friendly, easier to carry due to its lighter weight, and offers better battery life, making it suitable for general use and on-the-go productivity, although it won't handle demanding tasks as efficiently. Both laptops have high-quality screens with touch capability and come with backlit keyboards, but the Razer's more compact form factor might appeal to those who value portability and longer unplugged usage. 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
Very good speakers
Advantages of the Razer Book 13
Excellent portability
Excellent battery life
Key differences
General Use
8.3/10
7.6/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
507.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
14.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the Razer Book 13 is good.
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
7.7/10
6.2/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Razer Book 13 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is equipped with a more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and a higher screen refresh rate of 120 Hz, which makes it better suited for gaming and 3D applications. The Razer Book 13, while also capable with its Intel Iris Xe graphics, offers a lower screen refresh rate of 60 Hz and lacks the dedicated gaming GPU, which makes it less ideal for these more demanding tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.7/10
7.1/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Razer Book 13 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very suitable for engineering and design due to its high-powered CPU, substantial RAM, and dedicated Nvidia GPU, complemented by a high-quality, high-resolution touchscreen that transitions into a drawing tablet, enhancing creative work. In contrast, the Razer Book 13, while still good for engineering and design tasks, has a less powerful integrated GPU and lower RAM, but is more portable and quiet, making it a strong contender for users valuing mobility and low operating noise.
Content Creation
8.4/10
7.6/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for content creation, while the Razer Book 13 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
8.2/10
7.5/10
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for software development, while the Razer Book 13 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
7.9/10
7.3/10
14.4in
SIZE
13.4in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1200
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
507.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the Razer Book 13 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a high-resolution display and impressive brightness, making it ideal for everyday tasks and enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions, which is key for general use. For engineering and design, it supports wide color gamuts, ensuring accurate color reproduction that professionals require for their work. However, its lower refresh rate limits its appeal for gaming and 3D applications, where smoother motion provided by a higher refresh rate is crucial for an optimal experience.
Battery
8.0 Hours
14.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The Razer Book 13 has 14 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
Excellent
14.4in
SIZE
13.4in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
3.0 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Razer Book 13 has excellent portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$3,300
$1,389
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $3,300 and the Razer Book 13 costs $1,389.
"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."
"The Razer Book is like an XPS 13, but faster. The Book 13 combines the design philosophy and performance of a Blade Stealth with the 16:10 display of a Dell XPS 13 for an impressive piece of hardware. Office users who want something more stylish than the typical Dell, HP or Lenovo will certainly find themselves drawn to this Razer subnotebook. If your priorities are to have the best-looking and fastest 13-inch laptop in the office over auxiliary features, however, then the Book 13 proudly fulfills that niche."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 or the Razer Book 13
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.
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 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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Laptops Expert
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