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HP Dragonfly G4 vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Updated Apr 2026laptops
HP Dragonfly G4
HP
HP Dragonfly G4
$1,799
8.1/10
VS
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
$1,999
8.7/10
Winner

The Verdict

Both laptops target creative professionals, but they excel in different areas. The HP Dragonfly G4 weighs just 0.99 kg, making it exceptionally portable for business travel, while the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is considerably heavier at 1.98 kg but offers superior performance with a 14-core i7-13700H processor versus the Dragonfly's 10-core i7-1365U. The Dragonfly's standout feature is its 3:2 OLED display at 1920x1280 with 400 nits brightness, delivering exceptional color accuracy and battery efficiency. The Studio 2 counters with a larger 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow display at 120Hz and 500 nits brightness (2400x1600), better suited for creative work requiring higher refresh rates. Battery life favors the Studio 2 with up to 16 hours versus 13 hours. Port connectivity differs meaningfully: the Dragonfly provides HDMI and two Thunderbolt ports, while the Studio 2 omits HDMI but includes SD card support and removable storage. The Dragonfly's featherweight design and OLED screen justify its $200 lower price for ultrabook-focused buyers. The Studio 2's stronger processor, expandable storage, and superior display specs make it the better choice for video editing, 3D work, or intensive creative applications. For business professionals prioritizing portability, choose the Dragonfly. For creatives needing processing power and display performance, the Studio 2 is worth the premium.

ValueDragonfly G4
BatteryStudio 2
DisplayStudio 2
PerformanceStudio 2
portabilityDragonfly G4

Who Should Buy

Buy the HP Dragonfly G4 if…

  • Featherlight at just 0.99 kg — ideal for frequent travellers
  • Tall 3:2 OLED display boosts productivity in portrait orientation
  • HP Wolf Security for business-grade protection

Buy the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 if…

  • Unique pull-forward display hinge converts to stage and studio modes
  • 120Hz PixelSense Flow touch display with excellent Slim Pen 2 support
  • NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU option for creative and light gaming workloads

Category Scores

HP Dragonfly G4
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Value
8.2
8.1
Battery
7.8
8.6
Display
8.5
9.2
Performance
7.2
9.1
portability
9.4
6.8

Pros & Cons

HP Dragonfly G4

Pros

  • Featherlight at just 0.99 kg — ideal for frequent travellers
  • Tall 3:2 OLED display boosts productivity in portrait orientation
  • HP Wolf Security for business-grade protection
  • 5G optional for always-connected mobility
  • Windows 11 Pro pre-installed

Cons

  • Very expensive for a 13-inch ultrabook
  • U-series CPU throttles quickly under sustained workloads
  • Small 54 Wh battery limits unplugged endurance
  • Limited port selection — no SD card reader
  • OLED touch display attracts smudges

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2

Pros

  • Unique pull-forward display hinge converts to stage and studio modes
  • 120Hz PixelSense Flow touch display with excellent Slim Pen 2 support
  • NVIDIA RTX 4060 Laptop GPU option for creative and light gaming workloads
  • Removable SSD for easy storage upgrades and data migration
  • Dual Thunderbolt 4 and USB-A — good port variety for Surface lineup

Cons

  • 4.37 lbs is heavy for a 14.4-inch laptop
  • Hinge mechanism limits maximum screen angle in clamshell mode
  • $1,999 is expensive — RTX-equipped models cost much more
  • No HDMI port despite the high price
  • Keyboard deck wobbles slightly in studio mode

Full Specifications

SpecHP Dragonfly G4Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
SoftwareWindows 11 ProWindows 11 Pro
Body
Weight0.99 kg4.37 lbs (1.98 kg)
MaterialMagnesium alloyMagnesium and aluminum
Dimensions298.6 x 220.3 x 17.5 mm12.72 x 8.98 x 0.86 inches
Ports
HDMI1
USB-A ports11
SD card
Thunderbolt ports22
USB-C ports2
Battery
Battery lifeUp to 13 hours mixed useUp to 16 hours
Capacity54 Wh58 Wh
Display
Size13.5 inches14.4 inches
Type3:2 OLED touch anti-reflectionPixelSense Flow touch
Resolution1920 x 12802400 x 1600
Refresh rate60Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)400500
Storage
SSD512 GB NVMe512 GB removable SSD
Expandable storage
Keyboard
Backlit
Touch Bar
Processor
RAM16 GB LPDDR516 GB LPDDR5
Cores10-core (2P+8E)14 cores (6P + 8E)
ChipsetIntel Core i7-1365UIntel Core i7-13700H (13th 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.

Explore more in laptops, see all HP products or all Microsoft products. View full details for the HP Dragonfly G4 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.