Notebook Review

Review of Microsoft Surface Laptop 5: an updated laptop with only internal changes

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  • Specifications Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
  • Design and features
  • Connectors and ports
  • Laptop screen
  • Sound and webcam
  • Keyboard and trackpad
  • Software
  • Iron productivity
  • Autonomy Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
  • Total
  • Should I buy
  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 - video
  • Last Surface Laptop 4 was so goodlaptop, which is in the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, the company did not change much. This is a great device with a touch LCD display for everyday tasks.

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    True, the design is already a little outdated, butcharacteristics are not the most powerful. In addition, only variants from Intel are available as a processor, and there are no builds with AMD for sale. However, the device copes with any tasks without problems, it is a good laptop for work and entertainment.

    See also: Dell XPS 13 Plus 9320 review of a powerful laptop in a stylish and compact package

    Specifications Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

    Screen

    13.5/15" PixelSense LCD touchscreen, 2256×1504/2496×1664 pixels, 3:2 ratio

    CPU

    Intel Core i5-1235U/i7-1255U

    Video card

    Intel Iris Xe

    RAM

    8/16/32 GB LPDDR5x

    Inner memory

    256/512 GB or 1 TB SSD

    Connectivity and connections

    Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1

    operating system

    Windows 11 Home

    Webcam

    720p with Windows Hello

    Connectors

    1×Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C 4.0), 1×USB-A 3.1, Surface Connect, 3.5mm

    Weight

    1.27/1.3/1.56 kg

    Colors

    Platinum, sage, black, bronze

    Price

    From 100 thousand rubles

    Design and features

    While the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 looks attractive, it doesn't look much different from the previous Surface Laptop 4.

    The design of the laptop has not changed for several years,so you'll have the same plain metal body with the Microsoft logo on the back, a spacious keyboard, and a large trackpad. The appearance is stylish, but in one aspect the design is clearly outdated - there are huge black frames around the display.

    On a modern laptop, such frames are rare.you will meet, because of this, the body is much larger than it could be. This is especially noticeable when choosing a version with a 15-inch screen, which weighs 1.56 kg, which makes it hard to carry Surface Laptop 5.

    If you go with the larger display option, you only have two colors to choose from: black or platinum.

    But the smaller version additionally hascolors are sage and bronze. In addition, the 13.5-inch platinum build has an Alcantara fabric around the keyboard, which is very pleasant to the hand.

    Connectors and ports

    Connectors on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 are sufficient, and the set is the same for both versions available for sale.

    We get one full size USB-A 3.1, another USB-C 4.0 (Thunderbolt 4), 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port for charging. The latter supports older Surface accessories, but you can also use USB-C to restore battery power. Therefore, Surface Connect seems like a waste of precious space.

    Laptop screen

    Microsoft has yet to switch to OLED displays in its laptops, so the Surface Laptop 5 comes with a PixelSense LCD screen.

    Unfortunately, the refresh rate of the panel is notexceeds 60 Hz, although before the release of the laptop there were rumors about a higher frequency. There are two options to choose from: with a 15-inch display with a resolution of 2496 × 1664 pixels and a 13.5-inch display with a resolution of 2256 × 1504.

    The pixel density of the screen in both versions is 201 ppi, and the aspect ratio is 3:2.

    This ratio provides more vertical space, which is better suited for work tasks. True, when watching movies and videos, the black bars at the top and bottom will become thicker.

    The quality of the display itself is pleasantly impressive –although there are no deep blacks and a wide dynamic range, like OLED panels, the brightness is sufficient, and the shades are saturated. In addition, the screen is touch-sensitive and supports the Surface Pen stylus, but you have to buy it separately.

    Sound and webcam

    The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is no longer common on modern laptops.

    There are also upward-firing built-in speakers, although the sound comes out directly through the keyboard, which is not very practical. The sound quality is good, but there is little bass even by laptop standards.

    While playing games or watching movies, Dolby Atmos support helps, but high-quality headphones will not interfere either.

    The top bezel of the Surface Laptop 5 hasa 720p webcam that is clearly outdated. Together with two microphones, this camera is enough for video calls, but its overall quality is depressing. At least we have face recognition support with Windows Hello.

    Keyboard and trackpad

    The large keyboard of Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is also impressive - its buttons are located at a convenient distance from each other.

    The key travel is also deep, and for typing in the darkThere are three types of lighting available. While some competitive models from Dell and Huawei have better keyboards, the Microsoft laptop is great for long hours of work and typing.

    Alas, there are doubts about the durability of the keyboard - after a month of use, the gap in the test device began to creak a little.

    It doesn't happen with every click, but sometimesthe sound is audible and annoying. Under the gap is a large glass trackpad. The use of glass provides greater comfort when working. There is not enough feedback, although otherwise the trackpad is able to replace the mouse.

    Software

    Since the Surface Laptop 5 is a laptop from Microsoft, it is natural that Windows 11 is used as the operating system.

    True, there are no unique features here,as is the case with Google Pixel smartphones. The Windows version is the same as the rest of the models on the market. At least there are no pre-installed advertising applications on the laptop - Windows is as clean and fast as possible here.

    Iron productivity

    When we bought the Surface Laptop 4, we had a choice between processors from Intel or AMD.

    In the new Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, thisalternatives were not provided - only Intel accessed. Although the latest Intel 12th generation chipsets are used, you will have to settle for the not-so-powerful U-series.

    If you prefer the 13.5" model, you canchoose between the Core i5-1235U and the more powerful i7-1255U. But the 15-inch build only comes with the i7. The smaller screen laptop has up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. The larger model has up to 32 GB and 1 TB, respectively.

    Benchmark tests give the expected results - Surface Laptop 5 is not the most powerful laptop on the market, but it is not inferior to competitors.

    In GeekBench 5, the device scores 6978 points inmulti-core mode, when the 3D Mark (Night Raid) graphics test scores 16,013 points. In any case, there are no problems with the speed of work, this laptop is ideal for performing any everyday tasks.

    Yes, there is no discrete graphics card, soYou should not buy Laptop 5 exclusively for gaming. However, you can easily process photos in Photoshop, mount small videos, fill out spreadsheets and type large amounts of text.

    Autonomy Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

    The AMD version of the Surface Laptop 4 had an important advantage - longer battery life.

    Alas, when buying a Surface Laptop 5, you will have to be content with only Intel.

    The good news here is that the processors used are energy efficient. A full battery on the 15-inch i7 model usually lasts a full work day, although there are occasional worries.

    Fortunately, you can charge your laptop via a cable.USB-C and smartphone adapter. You don't have to carry a separate charger with you. In half an hour, the complete unit restores 35% of energy - not very fast, but most competitive laptops have about the same speed.

    Total

    The new Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is almost the same as the previous model in the line - Microsoft just updated the processor and added a Thunderbolt 4 connector.

    But, even the Laptop 4 was so good thatno revolutionary changes were required. Yes, the design is very outdated - the bezels around the LCD display are too thick, and the dimensions of the laptop could be reduced. The 720p webcam also needs an upgrade, but these are not serious enough to stop buying a Laptop 5.

    Should I buy

    If you're looking for a quality Windows 11 laptop for work and everyday tasks, Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 is a great choice.

    Yandex Market Notebook Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 – video

    Alexander Shaman Alexander has been writing foralmost two decades. Initially, he collected technology news for local media. His love of science fiction awakened a huge thirst for knowledge. Trying to understand how it works and if it could work better, he becomes so carried away, as if he is immersed in a trance. For this, among colleagues in TehnObzor, he received the nickname - Shaman. Updated old Microsoft laptop Design and ergonomics 95/100 Display and multimedia 90/100 Keyboard and input devices 95/100 Connectors and ports 90/100 Performance 90/100 Connectivity and connectivity 90/100 Battery life 90/100 Total 91.4 Microsoft Surface The Laptop 5 is a decent Windows 11 laptop option, but the combination of dated design and expensive upgrades means anyone with higher needs should look elsewhere. Advantages and disadvantages Stylish and lightweight Comfortable keyboard Clean version of Windows 11 High performance Good battery life No AMD version Webcam quality Thick bezel design 5/5 (1 review)