ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023) vs Microsoft Surface Book 3
The Verdict
ASUS VivoBook 15 and Microsoft Surface Book 3 serve entirely different buyer profiles. The VivoBook prioritizes affordability and screen real estate with its 15.6-inch 1080p display, pairing an Intel 13th Gen i5-1335U with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage at $499. Performance handles everyday tasks competently, though the plastic chassis feels budget-conscious. Battery endurance reaches 8 hours, sufficient for half a workday. Surface Book 3 operates at a premium tier, commanding $1599 for a 13.5-inch 3000x2000 PixelSense touchscreen with vastly superior pixel density and 400 nits brightness. Its 10th Gen i7-1065G7, 16GB RAM, and 65.4Wh battery delivering 15.5 hours make it a productivity powerhouse. The magnesium construction feels substantially more durable than plastic, while the smaller form factor suits portability despite the 1.53kg weight. Storage disparity matters: VivoBook includes 512GB versus Surface's 256GB, yet the Surface's higher RAM and superior display justify creative professional work. Choose VivoBook for budget-conscious students or casual users needing screen space. Select Surface Book 3 if you demand touchscreen capability, premium build quality, and exceptional battery life for professional creative tasks, despite the steeper investment.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023) if…
- →Affordable at $499 with a solid i5-1335U processor
- →512 GB SSD provides decent storage out of the box
- →Lightweight at 1.7 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
Buy the Microsoft Surface Book 3 if…
- →Detachable 13.5-inch display works as a standalone tablet
- →Discrete NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU in the keyboard base
- →3:2 3000x2000 PixelSense display is gorgeous for productivity
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023)
Pros
- Affordable at $499 with a solid i5-1335U processor
- 512 GB SSD provides decent storage out of the box
- Lightweight at 1.7 kg for a 15.6-inch laptop
- ErgoLift hinge design improves typing ergonomics
- Expandable storage via M.2 slot
Cons
- 60Hz display feels outdated
- 42 Wh battery provides mediocre endurance
- 300-nit brightness is dim for outdoor or bright room use
- 8 GB soldered RAM is not upgradeable on some models
- Plastic build feels basic
Microsoft Surface Book 3
Pros
- Detachable 13.5-inch display works as a standalone tablet
- Discrete NVIDIA GTX 1650 Max-Q GPU in the keyboard base
- 3:2 3000x2000 PixelSense display is gorgeous for productivity
- 15.5-hour battery life for clipboard + base combined
- Premium magnesium build with excellent Surface Pen support
Cons
- 10th-gen Intel processor is severely outdated by 2024 standards
- Detach mechanism adds wobble and weight to the display hinge
- No Thunderbolt — only USB-C 3.1 and USB-A ports
- GTX 1650 Max-Q is underpowered for modern gaming or creative tasks
- Microsoft has discontinued the Surface Book line
Full Specifications
| Spec | ASUS VivoBook 15 (2023) | Microsoft Surface Book 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 10 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.7 kg | 3.38 lbs (1.53 kg) |
| Material | Plastic chassis with metal lid | Magnesium |
| Dimensions | 359.7 x 232.5 x 17.9 mm | 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.59-0.9 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| USB-A ports | 2 | 2 |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 1 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| SD card | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours | Up to 15.5 hours |
| Capacity | 42 Wh | 65.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 15.6 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | PixelSense IPS touch |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 3000 x 2000 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 300 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe | 256 GB PCIe Gen 3 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 | 16 GB LPDDR4X |
| Cores | 10-core (2P + 8E) | 4 cores / 8 threads |
| Chipset | 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U | Intel Core i7-1065G7 (10th Gen) |
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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.
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