Acer Aspire 5 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Verdict
Acer's Aspire 5 delivers strong value with a larger 15.6-inch 1080p display, 16GB DDR5 RAM standard, and Intel Core i5-1335U processor for everyday productivity and light creative work. Microsoft's Surface Laptop 5 prioritizes portability and premium build quality, featuring a smaller 13.5-inch high-resolution PixelSense display (2256x1504), superior battery life up to 18 hours, and Alcantara materials. Storage flexibility favors Acer with 512GB standard and expandability, while Surface limits configurations. Performance is comparable between both processors. For budget-conscious users needing a larger screen and more RAM, the Aspire 5 represents better value at $549. However, if portability and extended battery life are priorities, Surface Laptop 5 justifies its $999 price for professionals. Recommend Acer Aspire 5 for maximum value and screen real estate.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) if…
- →Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- →Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- →Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
Buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 if…
- →Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- →Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- →Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Acer Aspire 5 (2024)
Pros
- Excellent all-round budget laptop at $549 with 16 GB RAM
- Intel Core i5 handles everyday productivity and light creative work
- Expandable storage for future SSD upgrades
- Full-size HDMI and USB-A ports for hassle-free connectivity
- 9-hour battery life is solid for a budget laptop
Cons
- 60Hz FHD display — no high refresh rate or high resolution
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright-room use
- Plastic body feels less premium than aluminum competitors
- No Thunderbolt — USB-C is data/display only
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
Pros
- Excellent 3:2 aspect ratio PixelSense touchscreen for productivity
- Alcantara keyboard deck is comfortable and distinctive
- Lightweight at 1.27 kg for easy portability
- Up to 18 hours claimed battery life
- Removable SSD for easier data recovery
Cons
- Only one USB-C port and one USB-A port — very limited
- 60Hz display lacks the smoothness of 120Hz competitors
- No Thunderbolt 4 — USB-C is USB 4.0 with limited bandwidth
- Surface Connect charger is proprietary
- 8 GB base RAM is restrictive for multitasking
Full Specifications
| Spec | Acer Aspire 5 (2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 3.9 lbs (1.76 kg) | 1.27 kg |
| Material | Aluminum lid, plastic body | Aluminum and Alcantara |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 9.5 x 0.72 inches | 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Surface Connect | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 9 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 50 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | IPS | PixelSense IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe | 256 GB / 512 GB (removable SSD) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5 | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Cores | 10 cores (2P + 8E) | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core i5-1335U | 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U / i7-1255U |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in laptops, see all Acer products or all Microsoft products. View full details for the Acer Aspire 5 (2024) or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5.