Choosing between the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" and the 15" model largely depends on your preference for screen size and portability. The 13.5" offers a more compact design, making it ideal for those who prioritize portability and are frequently on the move. Its smaller screen size still provides ample real estate for productivity tasks, and the high-resolution touchscreen display with a 3:2 aspect ratio is excellent for general use, including web browsing and document editing.
On the other hand, the 15" model gives you a larger canvas to work on, which can be beneficial for multitasking and creative work. The increased screen real estate can enhance your experience when working with complex engineering applications or when you need to have multiple windows open simultaneously. However, this comes at the cost of slightly reduced portability due to its larger size and weight.
Both models are equipped with the same powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and Intel Arc 8-Cores GPU, ensuring robust performance for a wide range of tasks, including gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning. They also share similar battery life, so you won't have to compromise on that front.
Ultimately, if you value a lighter, more travel-friendly laptop and don't mind a smaller screen, the 13.5" is the way to go. If you prefer a larger display for more immersive visuals and potentially greater productivity, the 15" model would be the better choice, despite its slightly larger footprint. 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 6 13.5"
Very good portability
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15"
Very good overall display quality
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.8/10
8.1/10
13.5in
SIZE
15.0in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2496 x 1664
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s screen quality scores take into account various important factors that are relevant for different use cases.
Portability
Very Good
Good
13.5in
SIZE
15.0in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
3.7 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" has very good portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" are both good for general use.
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
6.6/10
6.6/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2496 x 1664
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
7.7/10
7.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
4.2/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.2/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" are both good for engineering and design.
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
7.7/10
7.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2496 x 1664
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" 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
7.7/10
7.8/10
8.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2496 x 1664
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" 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.
Battery
9.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" has 9 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" has 9 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.
Build Quality
7.4/10
7.4/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" and Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,200
$1,200
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
$1,800
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" has a price of $1,200 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" costs $1,200.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5"
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15"
GENERAL
Price
Price
$1,200
$1,200
Release Date
Release Date
June 1, 2024
June 1, 2024
Overall Dimensions
Overall Dimensions
12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.66''
13.4'' x 9.6'' x 0.67''
Weight
Weight
3.04 lbs
3.7 lbs
Width
Width
12.13"
13.39"
Depth
Depth
8.78"
9.61"
INTERNAL
Processor
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 7 135H
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
RAM
RAM
16 GB
16 GB
DDR Memory Version
DDR Memory Version
5
5
RAM Slots
RAM Slots
0
0
Storage
Storage
256 GB
256 GB
Storage Slots
Storage Slots
1
1
Graphics
Graphics
Intel Arc 8-Cores
Intel Arc 8-Cores
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus
Mux Switch / Advanced Optimus
No
No
GPU Type
GPU Type
Integrated
Integrated
Supports DLSS
Supports DLSS
No
No
Supports Ray Tracing
Supports Ray Tracing
No
No
BATTERY
Battery Life
Battery Life
9 Hours
9 Hours
Battery Capacity
Battery Capacity
47 Wh
47 Wh
SCREEN
Diagonal Size
Diagonal Size
13.5"
15"
Display Technology
Display Technology
IPS
IPS
Resolution
Resolution
2256 x 1504
2496 x 1664
Refresh Rate
Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
Display Brightness
Display Brightness
400 nits
400 nits
Screen Aspect Ratio
Screen Aspect Ratio
3:2
3:2
Pixel Density
Pixel Density
200.84 PPI
199.99 PPI
Contrast
Contrast
1300: 1
1300: 1
Display Response Time
Display Response Time
1 ms
1 ms
DCI-P3
DCI-P3
73.4 %
73.4 %
sRGB
sRGB
98.9 %
98.9 %
Adobe RGB
Adobe RGB
85 %
85 %
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS
Build Quality Score
Build Quality Score
7.4/10
7.4/10
Portability Score
Portability Score
8.7/10
7.9/10
Gaming Laptop Appearance
Gaming Laptop Appearance
No
No
Premium Business Laptop
Premium Business Laptop
Yes
Yes
Fan Noise Score
Fan Noise Score
8/10
8/10
Facial Recognition
Facial Recognition
Yes
Yes
Upper Side Temp (Max)
Upper Side Temp (Max)
38.6°C
38.6°C
Lower Side Temp (Max)
Lower Side Temp (Max)
42.9°C
42.9°C
Palm Rest Temp (Max)
Palm Rest Temp (Max)
25.1°C
25.1°C
Keyboard Lighting Color
Keyboard Lighting Color
White
White
Warranty Period
Warranty Period
1 year
1 year
HARDWARE FEATURES
Keyboard Quality Score
Keyboard Quality Score
7/10
7/10
Speaker Quality Score
Speaker Quality Score
8/10
8/10
Webcam
Webcam
1080p
1080p
Fingerprint Reader
Fingerprint Reader
Yes
Yes
Backlit Keyboard
Backlit Keyboard
Yes
Yes
Number Pad
Number Pad
No
No
CONNECTIVITY
USB Type-A
USB Type-A
1
1
USB-C ports
USB-C ports
1
3
USB-C Charging
USB-C Charging
Yes
Yes
Display Outputs
Display Outputs
1
1
Thunderbolt Version
Thunderbolt Version
4
4
Thunderbolt Ports
Thunderbolt Ports
1
2
DisplayPorts
DisplayPorts
0
0
HDMI Ports
HDMI Ports
0
0
Ethernet
Ethernet
No
No
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth Version
5.3
5.3
WiFi Version
WiFi Version
6E
6E
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 13.5" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 15"
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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About the laptop team
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.