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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Design
For business the design has stayed consistent in the Surface laptop 5. You’re probably wondering,”Is that a good thing?” Absolutely. It’s an elegant, all-aluminum chassis that makes a statement. A barely-there Windows logo adorns the lid, and the keyboard emanates a smart, professional aura.
- Weight: 1.2 kg
- Colors: Black, Platinum Alacantara, Sandstone, and a new ‘Sage’
- Logo: Minimalistic Windows symbol on the lid
This laptop weighs just 1.2 kg, making it a perfect backpack companion. Walking from a meeting room to your desk? You won’t even notice it’s there. But how convenient is it really? Stick around; there’s more to it.
Another upside is its color variety. Whether you opt for the classic black or something more striking like ‘Sage,’ you’ll be pleased. However, the ‘Sage’ mostly appears grey, so is it worth the buzz? Stay tuned, to find out.
Now, let’s talk about the charging port. Though magnetized, it’s a bit fussy. The side of the chassis has a slight curve, making it a two-hand job to plug it in. Should Microsoft follow Apple’s lead and switch to USB-C? Could this be a potential deal-breaker for businesses interested in the Surface Laptop 5 for business?
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Display
The Surface Laptop 5 for business sports a 13.5-inch touchscreen display. You might wonder, “Is the touchscreen useful?” Well, we didn’t get a stylus with our review unit. Also, this laptop doesn’t fold into a tablet or stand like a tent. So, you’ll likely stick with the keyboard and trackpad. But wait, does this mean the touchscreen is a gimmick?
- Resolution: 2256 x 1504
- Peak Brightness: 411 cd/m2
- Color Accuracy: 95.6% sRGB color gamut score in ‘RGB’ setting
First, let’s talk about brightness. The display hit a peak brightness of 411 cd/m2, useful for sunny conditions. However, it does have a glossy finish. Will that be an issue with annoying reflections? Keep reading.
Second, the color accuracy. We tested it and found a 95.6% sRGB color gamut score. So, if you’re into image editing or graphic design, how does this score stack up against other business laptops? Don’t go anywhere; the answer might surprise you.
The display performs solidly but isn’t perfect. It falls behind MacBook Pro and Huawei MateBook X Pro in color vividness. But, for daily use, the Surface Laptop 5 for business offers a consistent experience. Our only nitpick? The wider bezels compared to what we’re used to seeing. But does this affect the overall experience? The next section might hold the answer you’re looking for.
What about the Adobe score, you ask? It maxed out at 69%, making it not the best choice for photographers. However, is this a deal-breaker for businesses?
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Keyboard and Trackpad
If you’re someone who types a lot, this part is critical. The keyboard on the Surface Laptop 5 for business offers a comfortable typing experience, thanks to the well-spaced keys and sufficient key travel. The trackpad is easier to navigate through various tasks due to its responsiveness and it also supports multi- finger gestures. So how does it stack up against other business laptops? We’ll get there shortly, but first, let’s dive into what powers this machine.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Specs and Performance
When it comes to the Surface Laptop 5 for business, it’s all about what’s under the hood. Intrigued about how it performs? A model that consists of an Intel Core i7-1255U processor, 512GB of SSD and RAM of 16GB. Could’ve had an AMD CPU, but it didn’t. Is that an issue? To find out the answer, don’t leave yet.
- Processor: Intel Core i7-1255U
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
For standard tasks like Google Docs and Slack, it’s smooth sailing. Even dabbling in Adobe didn’t cause any hiccups. Now, how did it handle more demanding tasks? Don’t go anywhere; you’re about to learn something interesting.
We put it through a rigorous in-house benchmark, and the Surface Laptop 5 clocked an overall compute score of 222. In comparison, the Dell XPS 15 scored 272, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X13s scored 135. Mind you, both are pricier options. Does that mean it offers better value for money? Stay tuned for the pricing section; you’ll be surprised.
- Compute Score: 222
- Compared Models: Dell XPS 15 (272), Lenovo ThinkPad X13s (135)
Let’s get specific. In GeekBench 5, it showed off single-threaded scores of 1,108 and multi-threaded scores of 6,444. While the single-threaded performance was impressive, matching the XPS 15, it’s a versatile machine overall.
You may wonder if it struggled during setup. The answer is a tad. There was a slight strain, but it wasn’t too loud. Rest assured, for daily tasks and then some, the Surface Laptop 5 for business is more than capable. But what about really heavy-duty tasks? Keep reading; we’re just getting to that.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Battery
A day at work can be long and unpredictable. A charger is very essential to be carried when you are taking your Surface Laptop 5 anywhere. Through a single charge the battery life can stay almost 10 hours even under heavy usage conditions. That’s more than most business laptops in the market! But does the battery have a fast charge feature? Keep reading, because you won’t want to miss what’s coming next.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Ports and Features
In this laptop HDMI port or an SD card reader is not present, even though it has a Thunderbolt 4. It also offers a USB-C and USB-A port, covering most of your basic needs. The surface laptop features includes, supporting Windows Hello, which makes logging in secure and hassle-free. But could the port situation be a deal-breaker? Stick around as we talk about pricing and whether this machine gives you the best bang for your buck.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Price
The starting price of a Surface Laptop 5 is $999.99. The price is a prime factor to consider, however this laptop is valuable for its given price because of its features and performance. But wait, are there any bundled software or services that come with it? You’ll be surprised to find out what Microsoft is offering.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Specifications
| Processor | 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1265U |
| RAM | 8GB, 16GB |
| Graphics adapter | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Screen size | 13.5in |
| Screen resolution | 2256 x 1504 |
| Screen type | PixelSense |
| Touch screen | 10-point touchscreen |
| Memory card slot | No |
| 3.5mm audio jack | Yes |
| Graphics output | 1 x Thunderbolt USB-C, 1 x USB-A 3.1 |
| Other ports | 1 x Surface Connect port |
| Webcam | 720p |
| Speakers | Omnisonic® Speakers with Dolby® Atmos™4 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 223mm x 14.5mm x 308mm |
| Weight | 1.2kg |
Key Points
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Design
- The Surface Laptop 5 for business maintains the iconic all-aluminum design.
- Offers a variety of color options including the new ‘Sage’ color.
- Lightweight at 1.2kg, making it highly portable for business meetings.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Display
- Features a 13.5-inch touchscreen with a peak brightness of 411cd/m^2.
- In this laptop the color accuracy with a 95.6% sRGB color gamut score is provided.
- The touchscreen is less utilized due to its traditional laptop form factor.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Keyboard and Trackpad
- The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience, ideal for business tasks.
- The trackpad is responsive, making navigation smooth and easy.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Specs and Performance
- This laptop also includes a powerful Intel Core i7-1255U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage.
- Scores competitively in benchmarks, making it suitable for various business applications.
- Shows slight strain during initial setup but performs reliably for standard and demanding tasks.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Battery
- Long-lasting battery life that ensures it’s a reliable choice for business use.
- Charges quickly, providing less downtime and more productivity.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Ports and Features
- Includes essential ports, but the charging port design can be somewhat fiddly.
- Lacks certain modern ports which could affect some business laptops users.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Review: Price
- Provides a competitive price point considering its specs, particularly in the business laptops category.
- Offers various configurations to fit different business needs and budgets.
