Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5" i5 16GB 512GB Sandstone
Multitasking speed powered by 12th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors built on the Intel Evo platform, with Windows 11 and a vibrant touchscreen. Sleek and beautiful, in your choice of size. ¹ And battery life² for real life to do your thing your way all day. Surface Laptop 5 gives you the perfect balance to do it all.
Multitasking speed powered by 12th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors built on the Intel Evo platform, with Windows 11 and a vibrant touchscreen. Sleek and beautiful, in your choice of size. ¹ And battery life² for real life to do your thing your way all day. Surface Laptop 5 gives you the perfect balance to do it all.
Multitasking speed powered by 12th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors built on the Intel Evo platform, with Windows 11 and a vibrant touchscreen. Sleek and beautiful, in your choice of size. ¹ And battery life² for real life to do your thing your way all day. Surface Laptop 5 gives you the perfect balance to do it all.
Multitasking speed powered by 12th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 processors built on the Intel Evo platform, with Windows 11 and a vibrant touchscreen. Sleek and beautiful, in your choice of size. ¹ And battery life² for real life to do your thing your way all day. Surface Laptop 5 gives you the perfect balance to do it all.
in 33 offers
The lowest price for Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5" i5 16GB 512GB Sandstone right now is $650.00 at eBay.com.au, compared across 11 retailers.
The all-time low was $650.00 on 9 June 2026. That's the lowest price we've ever tracked — a great time to buy.
Prices last updated 10 June 2026.
Last updated at 10/06/2026 07:09:35
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 (1951) 13.5" Black I5-1235u 512 Ssd 8gb
Delivery $29.50
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (1979) 15" Black I7-1265u 512 Ssd 16gb Ram
Delivery $29.50
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Intel I5 1245u 4.40ghz 8gb Ram 256gb Ssd
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 For Business i7-1265U RAM 16GB SSD 256GB Touch Scre
Delivery $8
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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 - 13.6" - I5 12th Gen - 16 Gb Ram - 256 Gb
Free delivery
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Microsoft Surface Book 13.3" Sandstone / i5 8GB 256GB SSD / LIKE-NEW
Delivery between 16–24 June $10
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Intel i5 1245U 4.40GHz 8GB RAM 256GB SSD 13.5" Win 11 - B Grade
Free delivery between 15–19 June
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, 13.5" Pixelsense Touchsreen, 12th Gen Intel I5, 8GB RAM Memory, 512GB SSD, Win 11H Platinum
Delivery $28.45
Microsoft Laptop 5 13in I5 8GB 512GB Sandstone
Delivery $28.45
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 15" Touch 16GB 512GB SSD Core i7-1255U 1.7GHz WIN11H, Matte Black
Delivery $28.45
originally posted on bestbuy.com
Out of the box this device has all my attention. Great design, built beautifully with premium quality finishes and amazing (sage) color. Very clean built with a strong aluminum case that gives you that premium look which only certain computers have. Lid can be opened with just one finger and opens and closes easily and quietly. Bottom of the computer is built very clean, no screws, or any kind of removable panels or air vents, and speaking of vents there is only one – where the bottom housing and lid are connected (behind a screen) but so far the temperature is good with no instances of overheating. Also, while amazed with the design, at the same time my first complaint is about part of the design itself - it’s impossible to open it without causing some damage. I am ... MoreOut of the box this device has all my attention. Great design, built beautifully with premium quality finishes and amazing (sage) color. Very clean built with a strong aluminum case that gives you that premium look which only certain computers have. Lid can be opened with just one finger and opens and closes easily and quietly. Bottom of the computer is built very clean, no screws, or any kind of removable panels or air vents, and speaking of vents there is only one – where the bottom housing and lid are connected (behind a screen) but so far the temperature is good with no instances of overheating. Also, while amazed with the design, at the same time my first complaint is about part of the design itself - it’s impossible to open it without causing some damage. I am used to being able to open my computers. Size of the computer and screen it’s perfect, I think it couldn’t be better than it actually is. Computer has a very sharp, well-lit touch screen display with amazing graphics which I think will satisfy anyone’s needs. Very good response on the touchscreen which is surpassingly very easy to clean from fingerprints, compared to all other touchscreen devices I owned or used. On the other side, the housing and lid back panel itself are kind of sensitive to fingerprints as well and not that easy to clean as the screen is. Backlit chiclet style keyboard it’s quiet and pleasant to use, so no complaints there. Mousepad is pretty large (in a good way) and very responsive to all touches and gestures. Looking from the front while using this device, it sure looks a lot like a MacBook, but has a touchscreen. Boots up fully in just 7 seconds performing great, opening applications instantly and has great response in multitasking and working with several applications at time. Performance of this laptop is VERY great thanks to the 12 Generation I-5 processor with 8 cores and 12 threads, 8gb RAM and of course 512gb SSD hard drive. Based on the research I did, HDD should be upgradable (not sure about RAM, is it integrated to board or not) but again, only if you succeed to get this device open without causing any damage – which I gave up on and wouldn’t even advise anyone to try. This is again my first complaint, not being able to open it and second - not being able to upgrade it ourselves. Not a deal breaker, just saying it would be nicer if possible. Battery life is good and really lasts through most of the day even with the fact that I was installing a bunch of updates, some applications and watched some video while running on the battery. Windows 11 looks nice and clean, almost minimalistic, I have no complaints about it but honestly I just prefer Windows 10 more. I am saying that just because I am used to 10 and I feel that some items and options are kind of missing in Windows 11 (they are not missing but some are rearranged) and again, I just like Windows 10 more just because I am using it on daily basis, but with time I definitely can get used to Windows 11 as well. Sound is very good, very loud and clear for the laptop, thanks to speakers which are front facing – and this itself makes a huge difference. Camera is 720p, which I think is pretty much standard for all laptops these days, and really who even needs a better camera on a laptop anyway? My last and biggest complaint about this computer is the lack of ports: just one USB 3.1 one Thunderbolt/USB type C port, headphone/audio jack and power connector which by the way works great for me. Power connector is built kind of like a magsafe and it’s a lifesaver in case you or kids around trip on the power cord – it will unplug without breaking any connectors or pulling the computer off the table. For lack of ports, a docking station will cover it but it would be nice if there are more ports than these. Overall I am very satisfied with this computer, great performance and beautiful design.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
The first thing I notices while unboxing the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 is the feel of the case. No cheap plastic covering this laptop, it's a solid aluminum case which felt a little heavy but very sturdy. The laptop when closed is les then a 1/2 inch which makes it very portable. Put it in a backpack and carry from school to work and back home easily. Unboxing and setup is very simple. Mine had over 50% battery life at setup so I proceeded to set up my laptop. I have a Microsoft account so I just had to sign in, connect to my WIFI and I was ready to use it. Never having used a surface product before I noticed that there were not many ports. On the left side there is a USB 3.1 port, a Thunderbolt port ( which can be used to connect to a monitor, charge the laptop ... MoreThe first thing I notices while unboxing the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 is the feel of the case. No cheap plastic covering this laptop, it's a solid aluminum case which felt a little heavy but very sturdy. The laptop when closed is les then a 1/2 inch which makes it very portable. Put it in a backpack and carry from school to work and back home easily. Unboxing and setup is very simple. Mine had over 50% battery life at setup so I proceeded to set up my laptop. I have a Microsoft account so I just had to sign in, connect to my WIFI and I was ready to use it. Never having used a surface product before I noticed that there were not many ports. On the left side there is a USB 3.1 port, a Thunderbolt port ( which can be used to connect to a monitor, charge the laptop or data transferring), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The surprise for me came on the other side. There is a Surface Connect port. It's a long thin port that the included charger fits into. But I have come to find out that this port can open a world of opportunities for external hook ups. If you buy a separate Surface docking station you can basically turn your Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 into a desktop. you can hook up monitors, keyboards and a mouse. That comes at an extra cost though. The performance of the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 is pretty amazing. Startup takes just a couple seconds and the screen is unlocked by password, fingerprint or facial recognition. The Intel Core i5 processor is very fast for light gaming and web browsing. Switching between tabs and and open apps is lightning quick. The touch screen is a plus while using for work and school and switching between windows. The picture on the 13.5" is very vibrant and colors come out bright and clean. A sensor in the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 will adjust the brightness and colors on the screen depending on the ambient lighting. If using this laptop for work you will be happy to know it has a built in web cam and 2 microphones as well as built in speakers. If you're looking for premium sound and web cam you should probably hook up external ones but for everyday sound and video the built in speakers, web cam and mic's work well. The battery life boasts an 18 life unplugged. I have never gone that long but did watch a couple football games, some streaming while going back and forth browsing the web and still had about 50% battery life so I am sure if not putting it under a full load you can come close to that 18 hours. I also personally don't do any video editing or play graphically intensive games so I couldn't really push the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5's processor to its limits, but for everyday web browsing, Microsoft Office apps, and watching videos this Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 was perfect for me.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
It is hard to believe there was a period when Microsoft only created software and not hardware for PCs. Several models later, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 builds upon the company’s reputation for delivering the perfect blend between value and function for your average consumer. With a touchscreen size of 13.5 inches, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is classified at ultra-portable. My Aluminum casing Sandstone variant weighs about 2.86lbs and can easily be held singlehandedly. The color is definitely unique and not as bright as depicted in pictures much to my pleasure. Dimensions are approximately 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (L x B x H). It is constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and capable of a resolution of 2256 x 1504. While in theory this means it should survive ... MoreIt is hard to believe there was a period when Microsoft only created software and not hardware for PCs. Several models later, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 builds upon the company’s reputation for delivering the perfect blend between value and function for your average consumer. With a touchscreen size of 13.5 inches, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is classified at ultra-portable. My Aluminum casing Sandstone variant weighs about 2.86lbs and can easily be held singlehandedly. The color is definitely unique and not as bright as depicted in pictures much to my pleasure. Dimensions are approximately 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (L x B x H). It is constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and capable of a resolution of 2256 x 1504. While in theory this means it should survive “waist-high/up to 1.2-meters drops onto hard, rough surfaces” (per Corning), I am more pleased by the implication it should not scratch easily. Outside use in direct sunlight is challenging due to the glossy nature; to be expected, the screen is a fingerprint magnet. The hinge setup does prevent the screen from folding flat behind the keyboard. It is, however, compatible with Microsoft Pen which could lead to some awkward posturing to effectively use in my opinion. On top of the display is a 720p HD web camera that can be used for face authentication as a security measure. Quality is adequate in terms of the specs. There appears to be some ongoing software image processing that help with image capture. Face tracking is also available for stills. Next to the camera (right) is an LED for indication when the camera is in use. Two microphones (Dual far-field Studio) flank the camera and LED array. In my experience, the general feedback was my voice sounded distant when I used them for calls. There are only four physical ports on the device for physical connections. On the right-hand side is the Surface Connect/charging port for the magnetically connecting 65W charger. The left-hand side houses single USB-A (3.1) and USB-C (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt) ports in addition to a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also appears the USB-C port can also charge the laptop incase the default charger is unavailable. The keyboard is backlit (with three levels of brightness) and has adequate tactile feedback. Provides palm rests are just as generous as the trackpad. As there are no physical buttons alongside the trackpad, navigation is through multi-touch and gestures. It physically travels upon clicking to provide a rather gratifying confirmation. Speakers (Omnisonic with Dolby Atmos) are downward firing. The grilles may not be so obvious but the sound will definitely catch your attention. Communication is achieved via Wi-Fi 6 standard (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1. Via USB-C, physical LAN connections could be established but these two relatively futureproof standards help get a lot done out of the box. Battery is rated for 18 hours by Microsoft but typical use could vary vastly (i.e., better or worse) based on individual preferences/settings. 8Gb of RAM (LPDDR5), paired with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor is adequate for day-to-day use, streaming and business use. My device shipped with 512Gb of storage which can be upgraded by authorized personnel should the need arise. Sadly, it appears the RAM may be soldered as Microsoft does not reference the subject. My device shipped with Windows 11 Home. Setup includes region selection, keyboard layout (also based on regional options). There’s also an option to add a second keyboard layout after which you are asked to choose preferred layout. After connecting to Wi-Fi, the next step involves signing on with a Microsoft account (i.e., email, phone or skype) There is, unfortunately, no way to skip this step; there is even an option to create an account, if you did not previously have one. A benefit though is that previously/frequently used apps from the Microsoft store could be synced and guidance provided to install other apps associated with the account. Depending on how many backups may be available, you will have an option to select a specific restoration. Another menu during the setup process allows for section between entertainment, gaming, school, creativity, business or family categories; appropriate tips, ads and app recommendation result from these selections. For comparison, Windows 11 tweaked Windows 10 in terms of appearance while adding some new features. While the switch from Windows 7 to 10 delivered faster wakeup times, Windows 11 appears to have further optimized the hardware for better performance. Shutdown and powering up are almost instantaneous on my Surface Laptop 5, even with my configuration. The OS has an overall “lighter” feel that appears to simply glide along, enriching the user experience. The Start button moves to the center of the taskbar. When clicked, “pinned” and recommended apps/files are displayed. The user will need to select “all apps” to get to the typical list that would be displayed when the Start button was clicked on previous Windows versions. Multiple desktops can now easily be created in Windows 11. Why you may ask? It allows for an app, for example Edge, to be active on one desktop with some browsers also open; a second desktop would not show the app open or could be opened for different searches. To further distinguish, backgrounds can be personalized and the desktops even renamed. The Phone Link app is another innovative feature available on Windows 11, in my opinion. It essentially links a compatible Android phone to your Microsoft Surface Laptop and by projection, makes the smartphone apps (a Note 20 Ultra 5G in my instance) available through the Phone Link app. Most apps work and those that require authentication (e.g., fingerprint) will require the password to be provided. Phone calls and text messages can also be received and responded to directly from your Surface Laptop 5. While I love the feature, could not help thinking about the irony here: we pretty much complete most tasks (that previously were PC based) on our smartphones now and by this feature, we get to use our PCs as smartphones; we have come full circle! Office 365 is available for a month’s trial beyond which subscription charges apply. While 8Gb appears adequate for now, 16Gb would have been more desired with regards to futureproofing the device. Not to compete with the Surface Pros, but a 360-degree hinge would enable a better experience with the Microsoft Pen (which would also be included at purchase) in my opinion. The Journal app that ships with the device is quite dependent on the pen and thus cannot be fully utilized without one. Finally, a fingerprint scanner would also be very welcomed! May be a tall order but if this scanner would be able to integrate seamlessly with the Phone Link app and provide authentication when required by Android, that would be revolutionary! Until the next update though, I am still very pleased with the features and package of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5; expectation is several years of use.
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Display Resolution | 2256 x 1504 |
| RAM Size | 16GB |
| Storage Size | 512GB |
| Webcam | 720p HD front facing camera |
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 (1951) 13.5" Black I5-1235u 512 Ssd 8gb
Delivery $29.50
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (1979) 15" Black I7-1265u 512 Ssd 16gb Ram
Delivery $29.50
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 Intel I5 1245u 4.40ghz 8gb Ram 256gb Ssd
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 For Business i7-1265U RAM 16GB SSD 256GB Touch Scre
Delivery $8
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 - 13.6" - I5 12th Gen - 16 Gb Ram - 256 Gb
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Out of the box this device has all my attention. Great design, built beautifully with premium quality finishes and amazing (sage) color. Very clean built with a strong aluminum case that gives you that premium look which only certain computers have. Lid can be opened with just one finger and opens and closes easily and quietly. Bottom of the computer is built very clean, no screws, or any kind of removable panels or air vents, and speaking of vents there is only one – where the bottom housing and lid are connected (behind a screen) but so far the temperature is good with no instances of overheating. Also, while amazed with the design, at the same time my first complaint is about part of the design itself - it’s impossible to open it without causing some damage. I am ... MoreOut of the box this device has all my attention. Great design, built beautifully with premium quality finishes and amazing (sage) color. Very clean built with a strong aluminum case that gives you that premium look which only certain computers have. Lid can be opened with just one finger and opens and closes easily and quietly. Bottom of the computer is built very clean, no screws, or any kind of removable panels or air vents, and speaking of vents there is only one – where the bottom housing and lid are connected (behind a screen) but so far the temperature is good with no instances of overheating. Also, while amazed with the design, at the same time my first complaint is about part of the design itself - it’s impossible to open it without causing some damage. I am used to being able to open my computers. Size of the computer and screen it’s perfect, I think it couldn’t be better than it actually is. Computer has a very sharp, well-lit touch screen display with amazing graphics which I think will satisfy anyone’s needs. Very good response on the touchscreen which is surpassingly very easy to clean from fingerprints, compared to all other touchscreen devices I owned or used. On the other side, the housing and lid back panel itself are kind of sensitive to fingerprints as well and not that easy to clean as the screen is. Backlit chiclet style keyboard it’s quiet and pleasant to use, so no complaints there. Mousepad is pretty large (in a good way) and very responsive to all touches and gestures. Looking from the front while using this device, it sure looks a lot like a MacBook, but has a touchscreen. Boots up fully in just 7 seconds performing great, opening applications instantly and has great response in multitasking and working with several applications at time. Performance of this laptop is VERY great thanks to the 12 Generation I-5 processor with 8 cores and 12 threads, 8gb RAM and of course 512gb SSD hard drive. Based on the research I did, HDD should be upgradable (not sure about RAM, is it integrated to board or not) but again, only if you succeed to get this device open without causing any damage – which I gave up on and wouldn’t even advise anyone to try. This is again my first complaint, not being able to open it and second - not being able to upgrade it ourselves. Not a deal breaker, just saying it would be nicer if possible. Battery life is good and really lasts through most of the day even with the fact that I was installing a bunch of updates, some applications and watched some video while running on the battery. Windows 11 looks nice and clean, almost minimalistic, I have no complaints about it but honestly I just prefer Windows 10 more. I am saying that just because I am used to 10 and I feel that some items and options are kind of missing in Windows 11 (they are not missing but some are rearranged) and again, I just like Windows 10 more just because I am using it on daily basis, but with time I definitely can get used to Windows 11 as well. Sound is very good, very loud and clear for the laptop, thanks to speakers which are front facing – and this itself makes a huge difference. Camera is 720p, which I think is pretty much standard for all laptops these days, and really who even needs a better camera on a laptop anyway? My last and biggest complaint about this computer is the lack of ports: just one USB 3.1 one Thunderbolt/USB type C port, headphone/audio jack and power connector which by the way works great for me. Power connector is built kind of like a magsafe and it’s a lifesaver in case you or kids around trip on the power cord – it will unplug without breaking any connectors or pulling the computer off the table. For lack of ports, a docking station will cover it but it would be nice if there are more ports than these. Overall I am very satisfied with this computer, great performance and beautiful design.
The first thing I notices while unboxing the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 is the feel of the case. No cheap plastic covering this laptop, it's a solid aluminum case which felt a little heavy but very sturdy. The laptop when closed is les then a 1/2 inch which makes it very portable. Put it in a backpack and carry from school to work and back home easily. Unboxing and setup is very simple. Mine had over 50% battery life at setup so I proceeded to set up my laptop. I have a Microsoft account so I just had to sign in, connect to my WIFI and I was ready to use it. Never having used a surface product before I noticed that there were not many ports. On the left side there is a USB 3.1 port, a Thunderbolt port ( which can be used to connect to a monitor, charge the laptop ... MoreThe first thing I notices while unboxing the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 is the feel of the case. No cheap plastic covering this laptop, it's a solid aluminum case which felt a little heavy but very sturdy. The laptop when closed is les then a 1/2 inch which makes it very portable. Put it in a backpack and carry from school to work and back home easily. Unboxing and setup is very simple. Mine had over 50% battery life at setup so I proceeded to set up my laptop. I have a Microsoft account so I just had to sign in, connect to my WIFI and I was ready to use it. Never having used a surface product before I noticed that there were not many ports. On the left side there is a USB 3.1 port, a Thunderbolt port ( which can be used to connect to a monitor, charge the laptop or data transferring), and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The surprise for me came on the other side. There is a Surface Connect port. It's a long thin port that the included charger fits into. But I have come to find out that this port can open a world of opportunities for external hook ups. If you buy a separate Surface docking station you can basically turn your Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 into a desktop. you can hook up monitors, keyboards and a mouse. That comes at an extra cost though. The performance of the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 is pretty amazing. Startup takes just a couple seconds and the screen is unlocked by password, fingerprint or facial recognition. The Intel Core i5 processor is very fast for light gaming and web browsing. Switching between tabs and and open apps is lightning quick. The touch screen is a plus while using for work and school and switching between windows. The picture on the 13.5" is very vibrant and colors come out bright and clean. A sensor in the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 will adjust the brightness and colors on the screen depending on the ambient lighting. If using this laptop for work you will be happy to know it has a built in web cam and 2 microphones as well as built in speakers. If you're looking for premium sound and web cam you should probably hook up external ones but for everyday sound and video the built in speakers, web cam and mic's work well. The battery life boasts an 18 life unplugged. I have never gone that long but did watch a couple football games, some streaming while going back and forth browsing the web and still had about 50% battery life so I am sure if not putting it under a full load you can come close to that 18 hours. I also personally don't do any video editing or play graphically intensive games so I couldn't really push the Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5's processor to its limits, but for everyday web browsing, Microsoft Office apps, and watching videos this Microsoft - Surface Laptop 5 was perfect for me.
It is hard to believe there was a period when Microsoft only created software and not hardware for PCs. Several models later, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 builds upon the company’s reputation for delivering the perfect blend between value and function for your average consumer. With a touchscreen size of 13.5 inches, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is classified at ultra-portable. My Aluminum casing Sandstone variant weighs about 2.86lbs and can easily be held singlehandedly. The color is definitely unique and not as bright as depicted in pictures much to my pleasure. Dimensions are approximately 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (L x B x H). It is constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and capable of a resolution of 2256 x 1504. While in theory this means it should survive ... MoreIt is hard to believe there was a period when Microsoft only created software and not hardware for PCs. Several models later, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 builds upon the company’s reputation for delivering the perfect blend between value and function for your average consumer. With a touchscreen size of 13.5 inches, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is classified at ultra-portable. My Aluminum casing Sandstone variant weighs about 2.86lbs and can easily be held singlehandedly. The color is definitely unique and not as bright as depicted in pictures much to my pleasure. Dimensions are approximately 12.1 x 8.8 x 0.57 inches (L x B x H). It is constructed of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and capable of a resolution of 2256 x 1504. While in theory this means it should survive “waist-high/up to 1.2-meters drops onto hard, rough surfaces” (per Corning), I am more pleased by the implication it should not scratch easily. Outside use in direct sunlight is challenging due to the glossy nature; to be expected, the screen is a fingerprint magnet. The hinge setup does prevent the screen from folding flat behind the keyboard. It is, however, compatible with Microsoft Pen which could lead to some awkward posturing to effectively use in my opinion. On top of the display is a 720p HD web camera that can be used for face authentication as a security measure. Quality is adequate in terms of the specs. There appears to be some ongoing software image processing that help with image capture. Face tracking is also available for stills. Next to the camera (right) is an LED for indication when the camera is in use. Two microphones (Dual far-field Studio) flank the camera and LED array. In my experience, the general feedback was my voice sounded distant when I used them for calls. There are only four physical ports on the device for physical connections. On the right-hand side is the Surface Connect/charging port for the magnetically connecting 65W charger. The left-hand side houses single USB-A (3.1) and USB-C (USB 4.0/Thunderbolt) ports in addition to a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also appears the USB-C port can also charge the laptop incase the default charger is unavailable. The keyboard is backlit (with three levels of brightness) and has adequate tactile feedback. Provides palm rests are just as generous as the trackpad. As there are no physical buttons alongside the trackpad, navigation is through multi-touch and gestures. It physically travels upon clicking to provide a rather gratifying confirmation. Speakers (Omnisonic with Dolby Atmos) are downward firing. The grilles may not be so obvious but the sound will definitely catch your attention. Communication is achieved via Wi-Fi 6 standard (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.1. Via USB-C, physical LAN connections could be established but these two relatively futureproof standards help get a lot done out of the box. Battery is rated for 18 hours by Microsoft but typical use could vary vastly (i.e., better or worse) based on individual preferences/settings. 8Gb of RAM (LPDDR5), paired with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor is adequate for day-to-day use, streaming and business use. My device shipped with 512Gb of storage which can be upgraded by authorized personnel should the need arise. Sadly, it appears the RAM may be soldered as Microsoft does not reference the subject. My device shipped with Windows 11 Home. Setup includes region selection, keyboard layout (also based on regional options). There’s also an option to add a second keyboard layout after which you are asked to choose preferred layout. After connecting to Wi-Fi, the next step involves signing on with a Microsoft account (i.e., email, phone or skype) There is, unfortunately, no way to skip this step; there is even an option to create an account, if you did not previously have one. A benefit though is that previously/frequently used apps from the Microsoft store could be synced and guidance provided to install other apps associated with the account. Depending on how many backups may be available, you will have an option to select a specific restoration. Another menu during the setup process allows for section between entertainment, gaming, school, creativity, business or family categories; appropriate tips, ads and app recommendation result from these selections. For comparison, Windows 11 tweaked Windows 10 in terms of appearance while adding some new features. While the switch from Windows 7 to 10 delivered faster wakeup times, Windows 11 appears to have further optimized the hardware for better performance. Shutdown and powering up are almost instantaneous on my Surface Laptop 5, even with my configuration. The OS has an overall “lighter” feel that appears to simply glide along, enriching the user experience. The Start button moves to the center of the taskbar. When clicked, “pinned” and recommended apps/files are displayed. The user will need to select “all apps” to get to the typical list that would be displayed when the Start button was clicked on previous Windows versions. Multiple desktops can now easily be created in Windows 11. Why you may ask? It allows for an app, for example Edge, to be active on one desktop with some browsers also open; a second desktop would not show the app open or could be opened for different searches. To further distinguish, backgrounds can be personalized and the desktops even renamed. The Phone Link app is another innovative feature available on Windows 11, in my opinion. It essentially links a compatible Android phone to your Microsoft Surface Laptop and by projection, makes the smartphone apps (a Note 20 Ultra 5G in my instance) available through the Phone Link app. Most apps work and those that require authentication (e.g., fingerprint) will require the password to be provided. Phone calls and text messages can also be received and responded to directly from your Surface Laptop 5. While I love the feature, could not help thinking about the irony here: we pretty much complete most tasks (that previously were PC based) on our smartphones now and by this feature, we get to use our PCs as smartphones; we have come full circle! Office 365 is available for a month’s trial beyond which subscription charges apply. While 8Gb appears adequate for now, 16Gb would have been more desired with regards to futureproofing the device. Not to compete with the Surface Pros, but a 360-degree hinge would enable a better experience with the Microsoft Pen (which would also be included at purchase) in my opinion. The Journal app that ships with the device is quite dependent on the pen and thus cannot be fully utilized without one. Finally, a fingerprint scanner would also be very welcomed! May be a tall order but if this scanner would be able to integrate seamlessly with the Phone Link app and provide authentication when required by Android, that would be revolutionary! Until the next update though, I am still very pleased with the features and package of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5; expectation is several years of use.
In general, I think the Surface Book 5 is a pretty solid machine. Build quality is good and performance is good for normal day to day tasks but overall, I'm not convinced it's the best fit for me. The only notable items in the box are the computer itself and its charger. The charger uses Microsoft's proprietary magnetic port which thankfully, I haven't had to use since we have actual ports as well. Specifically, There's a headphone jack, USB A port, and a Thunderbolt port - which is really nice to have. I was very glad to find out that this laptop would charge with any normal USB C charger as the last thing I want is to go back to having to carry a dedicated laptop charger. The overall body of the machine is good and free from any noticeable flexing. The keyboard is ... MoreIn general, I think the Surface Book 5 is a pretty solid machine. Build quality is good and performance is good for normal day to day tasks but overall, I'm not convinced it's the best fit for me. The only notable items in the box are the computer itself and its charger. The charger uses Microsoft's proprietary magnetic port which thankfully, I haven't had to use since we have actual ports as well. Specifically, There's a headphone jack, USB A port, and a Thunderbolt port - which is really nice to have. I was very glad to find out that this laptop would charge with any normal USB C charger as the last thing I want is to go back to having to carry a dedicated laptop charger. The overall body of the machine is good and free from any noticeable flexing. The keyboard is pretty nice once you get used it and while I don't think the trackpad is my favorite, it's definitely far from the worst I've used. In a shocking turn of events, I went with the pink model (normally I prefer black for all my electronics) and honestly, I kind of like it. It's a rose-gold-ish color that looks sort of like tinted silver in some lighting conditions and straight up pink in others. As far as physicality is concerned, I feel like this machine would hold up quite nicely to daily commutes, and general office/school use. I don't have any concerns related to build quality. The screen is pretty solid. It's got an aspect ratio of 3:2 which is a little weird but overall not a bad thing. The touchscreen feels nice and responsive. I'm a cinematographer and graphic designer by trade and would trust this screen for personal or lower-end professional work in a pinch. It's vibrant but still pretty true-to-life. The main problems that I have with this laptop can be summed up by saying "Windows 11". I'm not a fan. I've had a few glitches in my short time using it that make me a bit nervous. Nothing has been catastrophic, the screen has just randomly gone black for a few seconds before coming back, but it's enough to make me worry. I also just don't care for the general design and user experience of W11. Even though it's clearly designed to be mobile-focused, it just feels limiting. The reason I would chose a Windows laptop over the alternative is customizability and raw productivity. I don't think Windows 11 really lends itself to that. That being said, you can likely install Windows 10 (or Linux, if that's more your style) but I feel like a user shouldn't have to make those kinds of huge modifications to a product to get it to work well. I'm very particular with my computers so this may not be a big deal to you, but it's something I felt was worth mentioning. Overall, if you want a nicely built, compact laptop for day-to-day computing, are okay with Windows 11 (or just Windows in general), and are looking for something in this price bracket, I think the Surface Book 5 deserves your attention. I would likely recommend this to a friend if Windows was a must have, and it was on sale, as I think the value proposition is a bit lacking otherwise.
I have wanted to try the Microsoft Surface laptops for some time now and thought with this generation they would have evolved to the point that would meet my needs. I wanted a light Windows laptop to take on the road with me for Photo & Video editing and the usual home office applications. This laptop has an Intel i5 (12 generation 2.5Ghz processor), 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics and runs on Windows 11 Home. The RAM, SSD and battery are not user upgradeable or changeable. So you have to choose wisely when selecting which Surface Laptop 5 you feel you need. In order to upgrade the memory, you also have to upgrade the processor to an i7 (which is probably a better choice anyway) and the price difference is $400. Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premier ... MoreI have wanted to try the Microsoft Surface laptops for some time now and thought with this generation they would have evolved to the point that would meet my needs. I wanted a light Windows laptop to take on the road with me for Photo & Video editing and the usual home office applications. This laptop has an Intel i5 (12 generation 2.5Ghz processor), 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics and runs on Windows 11 Home. The RAM, SSD and battery are not user upgradeable or changeable. So you have to choose wisely when selecting which Surface Laptop 5 you feel you need. In order to upgrade the memory, you also have to upgrade the processor to an i7 (which is probably a better choice anyway) and the price difference is $400. Adobe Photoshop Elements & Premier Elements says it can run on 8Gb of memory, but I found it to be too slow on this Surface Laptop 5 with only 8Gb of memory. But, I was able to install the basic free photo/video software that came with my DSLR camera and use it for some quick editing on the road. I also installed MS-Office 2019 Pro and it runs fine. So, I use this to watch movies on the plane, do some quick photo/video while traveling, and stay up-to-date with internet, email, webinars, Skype, etc. I do really like the weight and look of this laptop. It is very light and nicely designed. It has Bluetooth, Wifi, 1 USB-A port, 1 USB-C port, and 1 audio port. I had no problem connecting my USB Mouse or my wireless headphones. Also, it was easy to find a good reliable USB-C dock that added gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, DP, and additional USB-A/C ports. So, I can project my laptop onto a larger TV, Monitor or projector as needed. It has a nice touch monitor that isn't too sensitive and is clear and bright with great resolution. The keyboard has a nice and easy to use layout and feel with a large touchpad. Really, I like everything about the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5, except the price. The upgrade to additional memory and a better processor put this at the top end and there are many other options to consider at that price point.
My daughter is in the midst of her sophomore year in high-school, and was slowly growing out of the capacity and functionality of an older but serviceable Chromebook. It was becoming somewhat underpowered for her wants, short on storage for her needs, and the initial novelty of a 17 inch screen became a burden as she sought to downsize to something that fit into a more crowded backpack. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 delivered perfect solutions for all her needs, packaged in a sleek and streamlined sophistication that spoke loudly to her wants. Out of the box, build quality is front and center as the laptop boasts a premium feel with a full brushed aluminum shell, stark but simple and highlighted by the Microsoft logo on top, otherwise only broken by the few ports ... MoreMy daughter is in the midst of her sophomore year in high-school, and was slowly growing out of the capacity and functionality of an older but serviceable Chromebook. It was becoming somewhat underpowered for her wants, short on storage for her needs, and the initial novelty of a 17 inch screen became a burden as she sought to downsize to something that fit into a more crowded backpack. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 delivered perfect solutions for all her needs, packaged in a sleek and streamlined sophistication that spoke loudly to her wants. Out of the box, build quality is front and center as the laptop boasts a premium feel with a full brushed aluminum shell, stark but simple and highlighted by the Microsoft logo on top, otherwise only broken by the few ports and a thin linear heat vent on the rear. Crack the lid open, and you’re greeted by the signature Alcantara material around the keyboard and touchpad. I have to admit that personally I wasn’t a fan of this material initially, but both my daughter and wife love the feel of it so in this house I lose that vote. It has grown on me a little over time, I see my daughter rest an earbud on the material while taking a break from studies and it serves as a nice non-slip area for something like that. It was interesting to see that happen organically from her. As to the keyboard - I personally love low-profile keycaps as a standard, and these are a joy to work with. Even with a smaller (to me – I live a desktop life) keyboard space, it feels like there is still distinct space between keys to separate them, and a really smooth journey navigating the keyboard when in a typing rhythm. The tactile clicks are there for sure, but it is a low-key and graceful operation without the meaty clunkiness you can get from other keypads. Total score here, as that interaction with a laptop can make or break your comfort with it. Another big piece of the make-or-break experiecence is the trackpad, and this one is on point. Just the right size for her, spacious enough to navigate through normal navigation and multi-finger gestures without feeling cramped or hurting your wrists at all. Very responsive with a minimal click action to register affect. This is all topped with a 13.5” 2256x1504 60hz PixelSense touchscreen that on the whole is a delight. It is a vivid and crisp presentation, with good brightness and colors that really pop. Streaming movies is pretty outstanding on it, between the color and sound she’s found another reason not to leave her bed on the weekends. I have read and agree that the bezel depth is a bit puzzling, given that they are thick and that there are opportunities to really add more depth to the field, but it doesn’t diminish anything, and the 3:2 aspect ratio adds some vertical space other laptops can miss. When she’s working on papers or scrolling through websites, it makes for easier viewing. It is also easy to skip over the fact that it is a touchscreen with stylus capabilities. She will often abandon the keyboard component and just use the screen, which makes me wonder why the engineers didn’t explore something similar to tablet/laptops that can flip the screen 360 degrees for tablet mode only. Not a necessity by any means, but it would be a nice-to-have option. No matter how you cut it, all of this packs away into a slim and trim 12.1” tall x 8.8” deep and a hair over a half inch thick, all while weighing in at less than 3 lbs. That’s about as on-the-go as you can get for portability. The laptop is a bit spartan on ports, with a single USB-A port, a USB-C Thunderbolt port and a 3.5mm audio jack on the left and the Surface Connect port on the right. Not anything my daughter will miss, she can throw a mouse or memory stick in if she chooses, the Thunderbolt port is huge for big data transfers, or porting video to external monitors. I do like the magnetic power supply over the older barrel design, but at this point I have to believe it would be more valuable as an additional Thunderbolt port. Either way, enough for what you need. Under the hood powering the unit is a combination of an Intel i5 1235U processer with integrated Iris Xe graphics, 8gb of RAM and a 512GB SSD for more than adequate onboard storage. It boots fast, runs fast and handles most of what we’ve thrown at it easily. My daughter’s extent of gaming is an occasional round of solitaire or some fun web-based scrollers- if she were more serious on that front than this may not be the perfect configuration for her- but it excels at everything she demands from a laptop at this stage of her life. Windows 11 is also a new opportunity for her (and I) to interface with everything out there….it is the perfect device to grow into as she matures, feeds her curiosity and strives to learn and explore as she continues to design what her life will be….would absolutely recommend.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a sleek, beautiful laptop. It is very light, weighing in at 2.9 pounds. Not quite as light as the Go 2 model (2.5 pounds), but it has a 13.5" screen, compared to the Go 2's 12.4" screen. I used to use laptops with 15" screens and have decided that 13.5" is the optimal compromise between display area and overall laptop weight. The touchscreen is responsive and displays a beautiful picture. The sound is typical for laptops, clear and crisp in the high and midrange, but lacking in bass presence. You can turn up the volume and play audio very loud if you like. The keyboard/touchpad area is 12" wide and 8.5" in depth. Interestingly, the depth is about evenly split between the keyboard and 3" x 4.5" touchpad as opposed to devoting more ... MoreThe Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 is a sleek, beautiful laptop. It is very light, weighing in at 2.9 pounds. Not quite as light as the Go 2 model (2.5 pounds), but it has a 13.5" screen, compared to the Go 2's 12.4" screen. I used to use laptops with 15" screens and have decided that 13.5" is the optimal compromise between display area and overall laptop weight. The touchscreen is responsive and displays a beautiful picture. The sound is typical for laptops, clear and crisp in the high and midrange, but lacking in bass presence. You can turn up the volume and play audio very loud if you like. The keyboard/touchpad area is 12" wide and 8.5" in depth. Interestingly, the depth is about evenly split between the keyboard and 3" x 4.5" touchpad as opposed to devoting more space to the keyboard. The touchpad area is much larger than the 2" x 4" touchpad on my previous laptop, although it is not clear what the advantage of such a large touchpad might be. The keyboard is a good size and very solid and responsive. Typing and mouse navigation are a breeze. A cost of this sleek, light laptop is minimal port connectors. There is one USB-A, one USB-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the left edge of the laptop and the proprietary Surface Connect port (for connecting the charger) on the right edge of the laptop. You will need to take good care of your charger because you'll not be able to use a generic charger in place of it. The Surface 5 model I got has a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor and 8 GB RAM, which is plenty for the light use I intend for the laptop (Internet browsing, email, watching videos). A 16 GB version is available, but you cannot upgrade the 8 GB version to 16 GB, so keep that in mind when you choose your version. The limited number of ports in the Surface 5 mean that you might want to consider the Surface Dock accessory. The dock is used in place of your charger to provide power and gives you four additional USB-A 3.0 ports, an Ethernet port, a headphone jack, and two Mini Display ports for hooking up two external monitors. Other accessories you might want to consider are the Surface Slim pen and Surface Arc Bluetooth mouse. You will also want to protect it with a good sleeve, case, or backpack. All of these accessories are sold separately. All-in-all, this is a very nice lightweight laptop, especially for traveling. I give it high marks and a solid recommendation.
The Microsoft Surface 5 with 13.5 touch screen right out of the box looks awesome, I got it in sandstone because I wanted something different and it is. I think all the colors look great so it is a personal preference on choosing the color, either way the metal look looks impressive and stylish. I like that you can choose from i5 to i7 and also between 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM depending on your needs and lastly the 256 GB or 512 GB of storage to go with it. I got this surface because I have a YouTube channel so I edit videos on my computer at home but when I want to go and do the work somewhere else I enjoy taking my surface to finish my editing. When I edit 4k videos I need the computer to be fast especially when rendering the videos and the 12th Gen Intel Core is ... MoreThe Microsoft Surface 5 with 13.5 touch screen right out of the box looks awesome, I got it in sandstone because I wanted something different and it is. I think all the colors look great so it is a personal preference on choosing the color, either way the metal look looks impressive and stylish. I like that you can choose from i5 to i7 and also between 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM depending on your needs and lastly the 256 GB or 512 GB of storage to go with it. I got this surface because I have a YouTube channel so I edit videos on my computer at home but when I want to go and do the work somewhere else I enjoy taking my surface to finish my editing. When I edit 4k videos I need the computer to be fast especially when rendering the videos and the 12th Gen Intel Core is superfast, it gets the job done. It has the i5-1235U processor so the 10 cores work efficiently up to 4.4 GHz speed. And the speed also keeps up while gaming or multitasking. The colors on the monitor look great they are vivid and incredible, and with the Dolby Atmos speakers, I can listen to music, games, movies and more. And the surface 5 also comes with thunderbolt 4 connectivity using the USB-C port and additionally it has a USB-A port, so I am able to connect my surface to my surface dock station and see my work in my two different monitors and my sound system. And if I want to listen to my laptop alone I can either use the headphone jack or Bluetooth. The surface not only does it look great all around, it also has smooth to touch keyboard and pad. It is also lightweight so I can take it with me on my laptop and there is plenty of room for accessories. I can multitask on it and even make professional video calls since it does come with studio mics and an superior camera. I also like that it does have hello sign in and built in windows 11 security and you can use it with Teams since it is integrated. I like the design of the power cable that snaps into place on the right side of the laptop and I can also use the USB-C port to charge it as well so I got options. Overall I like my surface 5 to do many things, between gaming, video editing, watching my favorite shows or listen to my music. I like it on the go as well as on the docking station, looks and works amazing.
--- SETUP --- The laptop is quick to set up. If you have an existing Microsoft account, log in and you can transfer your profile and settings as part of the setup or you can choose to use it as a new device. Plug it in and allow it to charge while you are setting up the laptop. --- FEATURES --- Windows 11, touchscreen, 8GB memory, 512 SSD, 18 hours of battery, face log in and more. --- PERFORMANCE AND EXPECTATIONS --- I have and manage several laptops for different purposes. This Surface Laptop is a great travel companion for my writing, gaming, and photo/video transfer needs. I am currently finishing my masters degree. Traveling and having a reliable laptop to do my work with was a great feeling. The size of the screen, 13.5 inches, is a good size for travel and ... More--- SETUP --- The laptop is quick to set up. If you have an existing Microsoft account, log in and you can transfer your profile and settings as part of the setup or you can choose to use it as a new device. Plug it in and allow it to charge while you are setting up the laptop. --- FEATURES --- Windows 11, touchscreen, 8GB memory, 512 SSD, 18 hours of battery, face log in and more. --- PERFORMANCE AND EXPECTATIONS --- I have and manage several laptops for different purposes. This Surface Laptop is a great travel companion for my writing, gaming, and photo/video transfer needs. I am currently finishing my masters degree. Traveling and having a reliable laptop to do my work with was a great feeling. The size of the screen, 13.5 inches, is a good size for travel and viewing needs. When I felt like downtime was in order, I logged onto Xbox Game Pass. Though I wouldn’t recommend you download games to this laptop, it is great for streaming games if you have the proper internet connection. As a dance instructor, I travel learning and teaching dance across the country. Recording video and taking pictures to promote the next class is part of the job. I edit my photos online with Canva, and this laptop had no problem when using Canva online. My pictures and videos were uploaded quickly. After the editing process, I was able to download my edited content and post it on my social media accounts with ease. Since I am often on the move, I really liked that I could close my laptop, change location, and reopen it to resume work quickly thanks to the facial recognition to log in. Working with the laptop itself feels good. The keys have just the right spacing so that your hands feel comfortable when typing. The mousepad will do in a pinch when you don’t have an external mouse to connect. Because the laptop is touchscreen, it made it easier to allow my dance customers to sign into the class in a way that was most familiar to them, either by touching keys on the screen or navigating with the mouse and keyboard. The two things that I find disappointing in this laptop are the lack of HDMI output for when connecting to a TV and a proprietary charging cable. It would have been great if this laptop charged with a USB-C cable because then I could take advantage of other cables I already have. Instead, the cable connection is very unique. Additionally, the charging cable is magnetic, which would be great, except that it doesn’t flex too much at the angle it connects to. This makes it easy to disconnect if you move it while working, like when working with the laptop on your lap. --- APPROVAL --- Ultimately, the two caveats I have against this laptop are not enough to knock this laptop out of my list of keepers. I would recommend this laptop for people looking to use it for light video/editing needs, writing, and online stream-gaming.
The Surface Laptop 5 is the first Windows based surface machine in a bit. I had the OG Surface Pro 2 tablet and had kept an eye on the devices but had upgraded away for some time. I was looking for something to work on but also use for light gaming while away from home. Out of the box, the Surface Laptop has a charger and some documentation. The laptop is really thin and light weight, with the thickness you do not get much in terms of IO, you have a USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a charge port, which is a proprietary connector. The charger itself does have a USB-A port on it which allows you to plug one more thing it, I typically use this for charging my phone instead of using the port on the laptop itself. The laptop itself has a really good build quality ... MoreThe Surface Laptop 5 is the first Windows based surface machine in a bit. I had the OG Surface Pro 2 tablet and had kept an eye on the devices but had upgraded away for some time. I was looking for something to work on but also use for light gaming while away from home. Out of the box, the Surface Laptop has a charger and some documentation. The laptop is really thin and light weight, with the thickness you do not get much in terms of IO, you have a USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a charge port, which is a proprietary connector. The charger itself does have a USB-A port on it which allows you to plug one more thing it, I typically use this for charging my phone instead of using the port on the laptop itself. The laptop itself has a really good build quality not a ton of flex on the keyboard itself when you apply force, so normal use it feels very solid. Nice layout to the keyboard, very comfortable, and they are little chiclet style keyboard so they do not make a ton of noise when typing. The Keyboard is backlit and has 3 settings. You got a fairly good sized touch pad, you can single press to click anywhere, press with two fingers anywhere to right click or swipe with two fingers for scrolling, there may be more gestures but still playing with it. It does however seem to attached at the top close to the space bar as you can not click at the top, the bottom left of the touchpad does left click and bottom right does right click, so you can do that they just aren't physical buttons. The screen is really nice! The display itself looks great and is very responsive to touch, it does have multi-touch so you can pinch to zoom. Everything I have thrown at it so far has looked clean, nothing looked off in terms of colors or sharpness. Working on documents, playing some games and even jumping on Teams calls have all been a pleasure with this screen. The Surface has Windows 11 preinstalled, which I have been using a bit at home on my desktop. The OS is clean, visually different from 10, but everything I used in Windows 10 has been compatible with Win11 so I like it, just takes a little getting used to in terms of start button placement and not being able to click anywhere on the taskbar to bring up the task manager. I like how easy Win11 allows you to snap applications/browsers to different placements by hovering over the window maximize button at the top of a window. The battery lasts well enough, I can get through several hours of work without needing to reach for the charger. I do have the tendency to plug it in when I walk away from the machine so it always has the juice. I did some light gaming as, a little test, first playing a game installed on the drive which was Cuphead (Since there isn't much in terms of dedicated graphics). The game ran great, no stutter no issues, and for something like Cuphead you definitely need it to be responsive. I tried running Destiny 2 for fun, but understandably did not run at all, totally understandable with the minimal graphic processing this has. You need a game that relies on the CPU, since that is where most of the power is (The i5 is great!). I then moved on to the XBOX app for a little cloud gaming, with my Gamepass Ultimate sub (Which I was given a free month with this laptop, the app prompted me to redeem) I jumped into some Forza Horizon 4, for a machine like this Streaming is an amazing option for playing some serious games without hauling around a much bulkier machine. I played between the two games for 2 and a half hours, and ran the machine down to 40% while unplugged from power. I was using Bluetooth for the controller and had my headphones plugged in via USB. Audio for calls and watching videos is great, it gets surprisingly loud, but is a bit uncomfortable to listen to at that volume (haha) so I actually keep it really low when watching training videos or YouTube. Music isn't bad, but I really keep that at low volume, but a good Bluetooth headphones or the 3.5mm jack is a way better option in my opinion. Charging is the main thing that is odd to me, the included charger is 65w but using a 65w USB-C charger or even a 130w charger it says it's slow charging and to use the charger included with the laptop. I feel that isn't true though, I can use the USB-C with no issues, it charges faster than I can consume the power. Options are nice, it's just too bad it guides you away from it, not sure why though. Probably a reason, maybe not. Other negative is lack of ports, it does have a Thunderbolt 4 port, so I use my USB-C hub to give me a little more, it's just one more thing to carry. Overall I am really happy with the laptop, it works with everything I was looking for and gets by a little more than I would have thought with the Iris Xe Graphics. I am really looking forward to traveling with this Surface Laptop 5 a little more with as light as this thing is!
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Display Resolution | 2256 x 1504 |
| RAM Size | 16GB |
| Storage Size | 512GB |
| Webcam | 720p HD front facing camera |
