Monday, October 14, 2024

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2024) Review





The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2024) continues to uphold the reputation of the Surface series by offering a premium, sleek design, high-quality display, and strong performance in a portable, lightweight package. Aimed at professionals, students, and creatives alike, this laptop blends elegance with the capabilities of the latest Intel processors.


Design and Build Quality


The Surface Laptop 5 maintains Microsoft’s signature minimalistic and elegant design, with a thin and lightweight profile. The laptop is encased in a premium aluminum body, giving it a sturdy and high-quality feel. Weighing around 2.8 pounds (1.27 kg) for the 13.5-inch model and 3.44 pounds (1.56 kg) for the 15-inch model, it remains one of the most portable options in the premium ultrabook category.

The clean lines, smooth corners, and minimalist aesthetic make the Surface Laptop 5 visually appealing, and it’s available in several color options including Platinum, Matte Black, Sage, and Sandstone.

One standout design feature is the Alcantara fabric keyboard option (available on some models), which gives it a unique and comfortable feel while typing.


Display


One of the Surface Laptop’s strongest points is its stunning display. The 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen offers a 2256 x 1504 resolution, while the 15-inch version comes with a 2496 x 1664 resolution. Both sizes feature the iconic 3:2 aspect ratio, which provides more vertical screen real estate compared to the typical 16:9, making it ideal for productivity tasks like reading, writing, and web browsing.

The display is crisp, bright, and vibrant, with excellent color accuracy, making it great for content consumption, casual photo editing, and creative work. The touchscreen is responsive, and the Surface Pen is compatible for note-taking or sketching, although the pen is sold separately.


Performance


The Surface Laptop 5 (2024) offers significant improvements in performance thanks to the inclusion of 12th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. Built on the Intel Evo platform, the laptop delivers powerful performance while maintaining energy efficiency. It handles multitasking with ease, whether you're running several browser tabs, streaming videos, or working with office applications.

Configurations come with up to 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 1TB of SSD storage, providing fast load times and smooth application performance. The laptop is ideal for productivity tasks like word processing, spreadsheet work, and light photo or video editing. However, it’s not intended for heavy gaming or demanding professional creative tasks like 3D rendering, as it relies on integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics rather than a dedicated GPU.


Battery Life


Battery life is always a key selling point for Surface devices, and the Surface Laptop 5 is no exception. Microsoft claims up to 18 hours of battery life for the 13.5-inch model and around 17 hours for the 15-inch version, though real-world use might see slightly lower numbers depending on workload and settings. Expect around 10-12 hours of usage with a mix of tasks, such as web browsing, streaming, and productivity work, which is still impressive for a device this thin.

The fast charging feature allows the laptop to charge up to 80% in about an hour, which is convenient for users on the go.


Keyboard and Touchpad


The Surface Laptop 5’s keyboard offers an excellent typing experience, with well-spaced keys and a good amount of key travel. The keys are comfortable and responsive, making it a great choice for long typing sessions. The backlit keyboard is a nice touch for working in dim environments.

The precision glass touchpad is smooth and responsive, offering accurate tracking and supporting Windows Precision gestures like three-finger swipes for multitasking. The overall input experience is top-tier, and one of the highlights of the device.


Connectivity


One area where the Surface Laptop series has often lagged behind is in connectivity, and the Surface Laptop 5 makes modest improvements in this area. It includes:

1 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4

1 x USB-A 3.1

3.5mm headphone jack

Surface Connect port

The inclusion of Thunderbolt 4 is a welcome upgrade, allowing for faster data transfer, external display support, and even connecting to an external GPU (though that may be overkill given the integrated graphics). However, it still lacks more diverse ports, such as an HDMI port or additional USB-C connections, which may be limiting for users needing more robust connectivity options.


Audio and Webcam


The Surface Laptop 5 comes with Omnisonic speakers that are powered by Dolby Atmos, providing rich and immersive audio that’s clear and loud enough for most users. The sound quality is above average for a laptop of this size, making it great for streaming movies, video calls, or listening to music.

The 720p webcam is adequate for video conferencing and online meetings. It delivers decent quality but is not on par with the 1080p webcams seen in some competitors. Combined with dual far-field microphones, it ensures clear communication during video calls, which is essential for remote work and online classes.


Software and Features


The Surface Laptop 5 runs Windows 11, offering all the new features of the latest Microsoft operating system. Windows 11 brings a refreshed user interface, improved multitasking capabilities with Snap Layouts, and more touch-friendly gestures, making it a good fit for the Surface Laptop’s touchscreen.

Microsoft’s Surface app provides system diagnostics and performance tuning, along with easy updates for firmware and drivers. The laptop also includes Windows Hello facial recognition, which is fast and secure, enabling quick logins without the need for a password.


Price and Value


The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2024) starts at around $999 for the base model with a Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Higher-end configurations can go up to $1,800, depending on the RAM, storage, and processor options. While it’s on the pricier side, the premium design, excellent display, and solid performance make it a good investment for users who value portability, style, and productivity.


Conclusion


The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2024) is an excellent choice for users who need a premium ultrabook that balances style, portability, and performance. It’s particularly suited for professionals, students, and casual users who prioritize a great typing experience, a high-quality display, and long battery life.

Its sleek design, responsive touchscreen, and impressive build quality make it stand out in the crowded ultrabook market. However, it may not be the best option for users requiring more ports or those needing a dedicated GPU for demanding creative or gaming tasks.

Overall, the Surface Laptop 5 delivers an excellent mix of design, display quality, and performance, making it one of the top choices in the premium ultrabook category for 2024.


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