ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
The Verdict
ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) delivers superior specifications across nearly every dimension, justifying its $400 premium. Its 3K OLED 120Hz display with 550 nits brightness vastly outclasses the Surface Laptop 5's 60Hz IPS LCD panel, offering exceptional color accuracy and responsiveness for creative work. Intel Core Ultra 7 258V with 16GB LPDDR5x and 1TB storage significantly outperforms the aging 12th Gen Core i5/i7 options with base 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Weight advantage goes to ASUS at 1.20kg versus 1.27kg. Battery life figures favor Microsoft slightly (18 hours versus 14), though real-world usage patterns typically show both provide full-day performance. Port selection differs strategically: Zenbook offers dual Thunderbolt for professional workflows, while Surface Laptop 5 includes audio jack and proprietary Surface Connect. Build quality remains premium on both with aluminum construction. For productivity, creative professionals, and long-term value, the Zenbook S 14 (2024) is the stronger choice despite higher initial cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the ASUS Zenbook S 14 (2024) if…
- →Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- →Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- →Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
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 S 14 (2024)
Pros
- Ultra-light at 1.20 kg with a premium Ceraluminum chassis
- Vivid 3K OLED display with accurate colors
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series delivers exceptional efficiency
- Solid all-day battery endurance
- Thoughtful design with excellent hinge mechanism
Cons
- Intel Core Ultra 200V series slower than H-class for heavy workloads
- RAM and SSD are soldered — no upgrade path
- Only one USB-A port
- Glossy OLED touch surface catches fingerprints
- No SD card reader
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 S 14 (2024) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.20 kg | 1.27 kg |
| Material | Aluminum with Ceraluminum lid | Aluminum and Alcantara |
| Dimensions | 311.2 x 219.3 x 14.9 mm | 308 x 223 x 14.5 mm |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | — |
| USB-A ports | 1 | 1 |
| SD card | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 2 | — |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Headphone Jack | — | |
| Surface Connect | — | |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours mixed use | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 72 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.0 inches | 13.5 inches |
| Type | 3K OLED anti-glare touch | PixelSense IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1800 | 2256 x 1504 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 550 | 400 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB NVMe | 256 GB / 512 GB (removable SSD) |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Touch Bar | — | |
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 8 GB / 16 GB |
| Cores | 8-core (4P+4LPE) | 10-core (2P + 8E) |
| Chipset | Intel Core Ultra 7 258V | 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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