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Surface Laptop 4 vs 5: The Specs Rundown
The Surface Laptop 4 vs. 5 offers an impressive set of features in their specs. Let’s zoom in on one specific model. So we can compare the specs. The Surface Laptop 4 is 13.5 inches, and its counterpart is the Surface Laptop 5.
| Surface Laptop 5 | Surface Laptop 4 | |
| Dimensions | Surface Laptop 5 13.5″ — 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches Surface Laptop 5 15″ — 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.58 inches | Surface Laptop 4 13.5″ — 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches Surface Laptop 4 15″ — 13.4 x 9.6 x 0.58 inches |
| Weight | Surface Laptop 5 13.5″ — Fabric 2.80 pounds; Metal 2.86 pounds Surface Laptop 5 15″ — 3.44 pounds | Surface Laptop 4 13.5″ Platinum and Ice Blue Alcantara — 2.79 pounds Surface Laptop 4 13.5″ Matte Black and Sandstone Metal — 2.84 pounds Surface Laptop 4 15″ in Platinum and Matte Black Metal — 3.40 lbs |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1230U (Surface Laptop 5 13.5″ only) Intel Core i7-1250U | Intel Core i7-1185G7 AMD Ryzen 7 4980U Surface Edition |
| Graphics | Intel Xe Graphics (Integrated) | Intel Iris Xe (Integrated) AMD Radeon (Integrated) |
| RAM | Up to 32GB | Up to 32GB |
| Display | Surface Laptop 5 13.5″ — PixelSense 2256 x 1504 IPSSurface Laptop 5 15″ — PixelSense 2496 x 1664 IPS | Surface Laptop 4 13.5″ — PixelSense 2256 x 1504 IPS Surface Laptop 4 15″ — PixelSense 2496 x 1664 IPS |
| Storage | Up to 1TB SSD | Up to 1TB SSD |
| Touch | Yes | Yes |
| Ports | 1 x Surface Connect1 x 3.5mm audio jack1 x USB-A 3.11 x USB-C with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 | 1 x Surface Connect1 x 3.5mm audio jack1 x USB-C 3.21 x USB-A 3.2 |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Webcam | 720p and IR Camera | 720p |
| Operating system | Windows 11 | Windows 10 |
| Battery | Surface Laptop 5 13.5″ — Up to 18 hoursSurface Laptop 5 15″ — Up to 17 hours | Surface Laptop 4 13.5″ AMD Ryzen 5 Edition — Up to 19 hours Surface Laptop 4 15″ AMD Ryzen 7 Edition — Up to 17.5 hoursSurface Laptop 4 13.5″ Intel Core i5 Edition — Up to 17 hours Surface Laptop 4 15″ Intel Core i7 Edition — Up to 16.5 hours |
Surface Laptop 4 vs 5: Price and Availability
When it comes to options, Microsoft does not disappoint. The Surface Laptop 5 will be available for pre-order on October 12th. It will be available in shops on October 25, 2023. Let’s look at the pricing of these laptops to get a better understanding. The most affordable Surface Laptop 5 model is $999. And you may be wondering what you’ll receive for that money. 8GB of RAM, a Core i5 processor, and a 256GB SSD. If you want to go large, you may spend up to $2,499 for the 15-inch Core i7, 1TB storage option. But how does this compare to the Surface Laptop 4?
- Surface Laptop 5: Starting at $999
- Core i5 CPU
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Surface Laptop 4: Starting at $799
- Similar basic specs
- 15-inch model maxes at $2,099
Yes, you got it correct. Surface Laptop costs $200 less than its next-generation counterpart. The next generation counterpart is starting at $799. The same goes for the top models. The $2,099 for Surface Laptop 4 vs. $2,499 for Surface Laptop 5. So, is the Surface Laptop 5 worth the extra bucks you pay? Or does the Surface Laptop 4 offer better value?
And now, let’s tackle the billion-dollar question. Given these prices, is upgrading to Surface Laptop 5 really worth the amount you pay for it? Well, to find out about that in advance, let’s dive into the next section!
When Style Meets Substance: Design
Design-wise, both Surface Laptop 4 and Surface Laptop 5 maintain a sleek and minimalist aesthetic. However, the Surface Laptop 5 does introduce a fresh Sage Green colour exclusive to its 13.5-inch model. So, does the new colour sway your decision? We’ll delve into the nitty-gritty soon.
Surface Laptop 4 vs 5: Performance
Ah, the heartbeat of any laptop—the processor! Microsoft made a bold move this time. They’ve put all their eggs in the Intel Alder Lake-U basket. So what happened to AMD? The company has said goodbye to Ryzen chips in this new generation. You might be wondering, was the Surface Laptop 4 really that bad with AMD?
- Surface Laptop 5: Intel Core i5-1235U or Core i7-1255U
- 12th-Generation Intel CPUs
- 10 cores: 8 efficiency cores and 2 performance cores
- Surface Laptop 4: Intel or AMD CPUs
- Ryzen options were available
- Fewer cores on average
Both AMD and Intel have their merits. We noticed that Intel’s 12th-generation CPUs are nothing. They are short of spectacular in our hands-on experience with the Surface Laptop 5. These CPUs are some of the best CPUs that you’ll find in any device, especially for a thin laptop like this. So why did Microsoft make this change?
Microsoft might be targeting users who are more into productivity than creative tasks. When it comes to doing your day-to-day stuff like checking emails, browsing, and using Office apps, the Surface Laptop 5 should be a star performer. But hold on—how much better is it really compared to the Surface Laptop 4?
Good question! To truly know, we’ll need to see some hardcore benchmarks. But one thing is crystal clear about the Surface Laptop 5. The Surface Laptop 5 should easily outdo its predecessor. The Surface Laptop 4 also have the same hardware as the Surface Laptop 5. You would still be pondering if it’s worth making the switch. Stay tuned to this article. We are about to get into more details in the following sections!
It’s a Tough Call
You might be gazing at your Surface Laptop 4 and pondering if you need to update. Let me reveal a secret that may pique your interest. You have the inside track to make your own decision. In many ways, the Surface Laptop 5 is an exact replica of its predecessor. Because of its small and lightweight design, it remains one of the best laptops for on-the-go work.
You can easily carry it around without feeling weighed down. Sounds great, right?
Surface Laptop 5: Retains most features
- Thin and elegant design
- Improved with Intel Alder Lake CPUs
Surface Laptop 4: Still a great laptop
- Shares similar aesthetics and functionality
- Runs on older generation CPUs
But wait a minute—what about the AMD options we had in the Surface Laptop 4? The tech giant has put all its chips on Intel, leaving AMD enthusiasts wondering, “What could have been?” Now, if you’re someone who was looking forward to more AMD options, you might feel a twinge of disappointment. What might an AMD-powered Surface Laptop 5 have offered?
Now, focusing on Intel is not all bad. If you stick to basic tasks and productivity, the Intel Alder Lake in the Surface Laptop 5 will likely serve you well. But how much better is it, really? It’s a question that lingers.
So, here’s the million-dollar question, “Should you go for an upgrade?” Microsoft’s Surface Laptop 5 does not reinvent the wheel of their existing Laptops. Upgrading to the next version could be a game changer if you’re totally content with the Surface Laptop 4. Any mild upgrades can be done if necessary. Probably, that may make a revolutionary change.
It’s really hard to say about that.
Aren’t you curious to see what else is different on Surface Pro 5? Or is anything the same between these two models? Keep reading; you’ll want to know what we discuss next, especially if you’re still on the fence about upgrading!
