Surface Laptop 5 Review – Check What It Can Offer

Surface Laptop 5 stands out with its vibrant PixelSense touchscreen, sleek aluminum build, and powerful 12th Gen Intel Core processors. With its lightweight design, dependable battery life, and elegant aesthetics, the Surface Laptop 5 hits the perfect balance for students, professionals, and casual users alike.

Table Of Contents hide
1 What Surface Laptop 5 Offer?
2 Pros & Cons
3 Comparison

What Surface Laptop 5 Offer?

  • The Surface Laptop 5 has a 12th Gen Intel Core i7 Evo processor for faster multitasking, quicker app launches, and improved energy efficiency throughout the day.
  • Surface Laptop 5 has a vibrant PixelSense touchscreen display for delivering rich colors, sharp text, and responsive touch interaction ideal for productivity and entertainment.
  • It has Thunderbolt 4 connectivity for ultra-fast file transfers, connecting external GPUs, and supporting multiple high-resolution displays.
  • The Surface Laptop 5 supports Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos to offer immersive visuals and spatial audio.
  • Surface Laptop 5 offers up to 18 hours of battery life for all-day work, study, or streaming without requiring frequent charging.
  • It has a built-in HD webcam and dual Studio Mics for ensuring clear video and voice during online meetings and virtual classes.
  • The Surface Laptop 5 has a smooth precision trackpad and quiet keyboard for accurate navigation and a comfortable typing experience.
  • The Surface Laptop 5 features a sleek, lightweight aluminum design that allows for easy carrying while maintaining a premium and durable feel.

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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Crisp, color-rich PixelSense touchscreen

  • Fast and efficient 12th Gen Intel performance

  • Premium, lightweight aluminum design

  • Excellent battery life for full-day use

  • Thunderbolt 4 support for fast, versatile connectivity

  • Smooth, quiet keyboard and responsive trackpad

  • Great audio and visual combo with Dolby support

  • Reliable performance for both work and entertainment

Cons
  • Limited port selection (no HDMI or SD card reader)

  • No AMD option like previous models

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Comparison

FeatureSurface Laptop 5Dell XPS 13 Plus (2023)MacBook Air M2 (2023)
ProcessorIntel Core i5/i7Intel Core i7-1360PApple M2 Chip
Display13.5″ or 15″ PixelSense13.4″ OLED13.6″ Liquid Retina
TouchscreenYesNoNo
RAMUp to 32GB LPDDR5xUp to 32GB LPDDR5Up to 24GB Unified Memory
StorageUp to 1TB SSDUp to 2TB SSDUp to 2TB SSD
PortsUSB-C, USB-A2x Thunderbolt 42x Thunderbolt 4
Battery LifeUp to 18 hoursUp to 12 hoursUp to 18 hours
Weight~2.8 lbs~2.7 lbs~2.7 lbs
Audio/VisualDolby Atmos + Dolby VisionQuad speakers + FHD+ Display4-speaker audio + HDR screen
OSWindows 11Windows 11macOS
PriceCheck Surface 5 PriceCheck XPS 13 plus PriceCheck Air M2 Price

FAQ

Is the Surface Laptop 5 good for students?
Yes, the Surface Laptop 5 is great for students due to its lightweight design, responsive performance, and long battery life, making it easy to carry and use throughout a school day.

Can I use the Surface Laptop 5 for video editing or graphic design?
It handles light to moderate video editing and graphic design well, especially on the i7 variant, thanks to its fast processor and high-resolution screen, though it’s not built for heavy-duty professional workloads.

Does the Surface Laptop 5 support a stylus?
While it has a touchscreen, it does not support the Surface Pen like other Surface devices such as the Surface Pro or Surface Laptop Studio.

How is the battery life in real-world use?
You can expect around 14–17 hours in mixed usage, including browsing, streaming, and productivity tasks, which makes it reliable for all-day use.

Is the screen suitable for outdoor use?
The screen is bright and sharp but may struggle in direct sunlight due to its glossy finish, though indoor visibility is excellent.

Does it have fan noise or heating issues?
The Surface Laptop 5 runs quietly under normal loads, and while it can get warm during intensive tasks, it’s well-controlled and not distracting.

What ports are included?
You get a USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), one USB-A, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port. It does not include HDMI or an SD card slot.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage later?
No, the RAM and storage are soldered, so it’s important to choose the right configuration upfront.

Is Windows 11 pre-installed?
Yes, it comes with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, ready to go out of the box.

How does the keyboard feel when typing?
The keyboard is smooth and quiet with good key travel, making it comfortable for long typing sessions like writing or coding.

What makes Thunderbolt 4 useful on this laptop?
Thunderbolt 4 allows for faster data transfer, connection to multiple 4K displays, external GPUs, and charging through a single port.

Is it good for Zoom or Teams calls?
Yes, the Surface Laptop 5 performs well in virtual meetings with its Studio Mics and clear 720p webcam, although a 1080p camera would have been better.

Can I game on the Surface Laptop 5?
It can handle casual or cloud gaming (like Xbox Game Pass or GeForce Now), but it’s not meant for AAA gaming due to integrated graphics.

Is it compatible with external monitors?
Yes, through Thunderbolt 4, you can connect up to two 4K displays or a single 8K monitor.

Does it come with Microsoft Office pre-installed?
It comes with a trial version of Microsoft 365, but you’ll need a subscription or license to continue using full Office features long-term.

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