ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UX3405, 2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Verdict
ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED delivers superior specifications across nearly every dimension. Its 14-inch OLED display features 2880 x 1800 resolution with 120Hz refresh rate and 600 nits brightness, dramatically outperforming Surface Laptop 5's 13.5-inch 60Hz IPS panel at 400 nits. Processing power favors ASUS with Intel Core Ultra 7 155H's 16 cores versus Surface's 12th-gen i5/i7 with 10 cores. Storage capacity starts at 1TB compared to Surface's 256GB base. Both offer comparable 18-hour battery claims, though ZenBook's 75Wh capacity is substantially larger. Surface Laptop 5 maintains advantages in design refinement with Alcantara finish and legacy Surface Connect port, plus lower entry price. For creative professionals and power users prioritizing display quality and performance, ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED presents significantly better value despite $300 premium. Surface Laptop 5 suits budget-conscious users accepting older architecture and modest specs.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UX3405, 2024) if…
- →Stunning 3K 120Hz OLED display
- →Exceptionally lightweight at 1.2 kg
- →Strong battery life for an OLED laptop
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
ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UX3405, 2024)
Pros
- Stunning 3K 120Hz OLED display
- Exceptionally lightweight at 1.2 kg
- Strong battery life for an OLED laptop
- Premium aluminum chassis with MIL-STD durability
- Fast Intel Core Ultra performance with NPU for AI
Cons
- RAM is soldered and not upgradeable
- Only one USB-A port
- No SD card reader
- Webcam quality is mediocre
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 | ASUS ZenBook 14 OLED (UX3405, 2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.2 kg | 1.27 kg |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum and Alcantara |
| Dimensions | 312.4 x 220.1 x 14.9 mm | 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 1 | 1 |
| USB-C ports | 0 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Surface Connect | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 75 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | OLED, 16:10, touch optional | PixelSense IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 600 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe | 256 GB / 512 GB (removable SSD) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Cores | 16 cores (6P+8E+2LPE) | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | 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.
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