August 22, 2023
Share this page
The difference between a Surface Laptop vs. a Surface Pro
There are plenty of options to choose from when you’re looking to buy a new Microsoft Surface device. Surface Laptops and 2-in-1 PCs are two popular types of devices. Although they’re both designed for productivity and performance, they have differences, too. Learn about the differences between a Surface Laptop versus a Surface Pro 2-in-1 to find out which device type is better for you.
Form factor
One of the biggest differences between a Surface Laptop vs. Surface Pro is the design. Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Go 3 are designed like traditional laptops that have built-in clamshells. Surface Pro 9 is a 2-in-1, so it can be used with a without a detachable keyboard. Pair your Surface Pro 9 or Surface Go 3 with a Surface Slim Pen 2 or Surface Pen so you can write, draw, and navigate your 2-in-1 PC’s screen without a keyboard.¹ Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a unique design that starts off as a traditional laptop while allowing you to lift or flatten its screen angle. All of these devices have PixelSenseᵀᴹ touchscreens, but if you want more flexibility and versatility in your device’s form factor, you may lean more toward a Surface Pro or Surface Laptop Studio.
Performance
Surface Laptops and Surface Pros are great devices to buy if you’re looking for a powerful computer to complete heavy-data tasks. Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5 come with options of 12th-generation Gen Intel® Coreᵀᴹ i5 or i7 processors that help you quickly check emails, browse the web, play online games, and edit content. Surface Laptop Studio 2 comes with the 13th-generation Intel® Coreᵀᴹ i7 processor to easily browse the web, play games, create content, edit media, and more.
Surface Laptop Go 3 is another great option for on-the-go performance. It’s a lightweight device that weighs only 2.48 lbs. It has a 12th-generation Intel® Coreᵀᴹ i5 processor that empowers you to work, play, shop, and stream with up to 15 hours of battery life.1 You can buy Surface Laptop Go 3 in Sage, Ice Blue, Sandstone, or Platinum to find a color that matches your style.
If you plan to complete graphics-heavy tasks like 3D rendering, creating games, or editing videos, you’ll want a device with a speedy graphics processing unit (GPU). Surface Laptop Studio 2 comes with NVIDIA® GeForce RTXᵀᴹ graphics that helps your device quickly run several tasks simultaneously. Surface Pro 9 and Surface Laptop 5 come equipped with Intel® Iris® Xe GPUs, which can manage heavy-duty tasks with ease.
Battery life
Battery life is an important factor to consider when deciding between a Surface Laptop versus a Surface Pro. If you’re always on the go, you’ll want a device that stays powered throughout the day. The 15” Surface Laptop 5 and the Surface Laptop Studio 2 have batteries that stay powered for up to 18 hours with typical device usage.² Surface Pro 9 has up to 15.5 hours of battery life with typical device usage.² Surface Laptop Go 3 has up to 15 hours of battery life with typical device usage.²
Pricing
Microsoft Surface offers powerful devices for users at a variety of price levels, so you can find a Surface Laptop or Surface Pro that fits your needs and your budget. Configure most of these devices by adjusting features like processing speed, graphics, network connectivity options, and more, which may affect the price.
Ultimately, choosing whether to buy a Surface Laptop versus a Surface Pro depends on your specific preferences and needs. If you want a more traditional laptop, Surface Laptop Go 3, Surface Laptop 5, and Surface Laptop Studio 2 are powerful choices. If you want a versatile device with easy portability, a 2-in-1 PC like Surface Pro 9 or Surface Go 3 could be your perfect fit. Use the Help me choose tool to find the Surface Laptop or Surface Pro that’s right for you.
Frequently asked questions
-
The Surface Laptop features a traditional clamshell design, while the Surface Pro is a 2-in-1 device that can be used with or without a detachable keyboard.
-
Surface Laptops and Surface Pros come equipped with 12th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, which enable swift performance for tasks such as checking emails, browsing the web, playing online games, and editing content. These devices are designed to handle heavy-data tasks efficiently, providing a seamless user experience.
-
The Surface Laptop 5 and Surface Laptop Studio 2 offer up to 18 hours of battery life, while the Surface Pro 9 provides up to 15.5 hours, and the Surface Laptop Go 3 offers up to 15 hours, all with typical device usage.
-
Consider your preferences for form factor, performance requirements, portability needs, and budget. Surface Laptops are more traditional with powerful configurations, while Surface Pros offer versatility as 2-in-1 devices, suitable for users seeking portability and flexibility.
Products featured in this article
Surface Laptop 5
Surface Pro 9
Surface Go 3
Surface Laptop Studio 2
Surface Laptop Go 3
Surface Slim Pen 2
Surface Pen
More articles
Our best Surface laptop for your budget
There's a Surface laptop to fit your needs, your family, and your budget.
What's a 2-in-1 computer, and why you should choose one
What happens when you combine the keyboard of a laptop with the versatility of a tablet?
Best Surface features for online learning
Learn about Microsoft Surface features including long battery life, high-level processing power, and more.
- [1] Chargers, software, accessories, and devices sold separately. Availability may vary by market.
- [2] Battery life varies significantly based on usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings and other factors. See documentation on Surface battery performance for details.