Microsoft Surface Go 4 vs Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro
The Verdict
Microsoft Surface Go 4 targets portable note-taking and light productivity at $579, while Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro is a premium 16-inch workstation at $1449. The Surface Go 4 excels as an ultraportable device weighing just 1.22 lbs with solid battery life of 12.5 hours, though its 10.5-inch display and Intel N200 processor limit it to basic tasks like browsing and document editing. The Galaxy Book5 Pro delivers substantially more capability with a stunning 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (2880 x 1800, 120Hz), Intel Core Ultra 7 processor with 8 cores, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Its 18-hour battery life and dual Thunderbolt ports make it suitable for creative work and professional applications. At 3.44 lbs, it's still reasonably portable for a 16-inch laptop. The price gap reflects genuine performance differences: the Galaxy Book5 Pro offers 2x the RAM, 4x the storage, a vastly superior display, and processing power in a completely different category. Choose the Surface Go 4 if you need maximum portability for casual computing on a tight budget. Pick the Galaxy Book5 Pro if you need a capable all-rounder for work, creative projects, or demanding applications and can justify the investment.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Microsoft Surface Go 4 if…
- →Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- →Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- →Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro if…
- →Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display is the best screen on any Windows ultrabook
- →18-hour battery life matches MacBook Air endurance
- →Incredibly thin at 0.47 inches and light at 3.44 lbs
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Microsoft Surface Go 4
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 1.22 lbs — lightest Windows tablet/laptop
- Windows 11 Pro included — enterprise-ready out of the box
- Surface Pen and Type Cover support for versatile use
- PixelSense touchscreen with excellent touch and pen accuracy
- microSD slot for expandable storage
Cons
- Intel N200 is slow for anything beyond basic web browsing
- 128 GB storage fills up quickly with Windows updates
- Type Cover keyboard sold separately at $99-$129
- Only one USB-C port — no USB-A, no HDMI
Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro
Pros
- Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display is the best screen on any Windows ultrabook
- 18-hour battery life matches MacBook Air endurance
- Incredibly thin at 0.47 inches and light at 3.44 lbs
- Galaxy ecosystem integration with Samsung phones and tablets
- HDMI and SD card slot included despite the thin chassis
Cons
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265V is efficient but not a performance powerhouse
- No discrete GPU for gaming or heavy creative work
- 512 GB base storage is tight at this price
- AMOLED panel can drain battery faster at high brightness
Full Specifications
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Go 4 | Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.22 lbs (0.55 kg) | 3.44 lbs (1.56 kg) |
| Material | Magnesium alloy | Aluminum |
| Dimensions | 9.65 x 6.9 x 0.33 inches | 14.04 x 9.86 x 0.47 inches |
| Ports | ||
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2 |
| SD card | ||
| HDMI | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | — | 2 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 12.5 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Capacity | 28 Wh | 76 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.5 inches | 16 inches |
| Type | PixelSense IPS touchscreen | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1280 | 2880 x 1800 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 400 | 500 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 128 GB UFS | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Cores | 4 cores | 8 cores (4P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Intel N200 | Intel Core Ultra 7 265V |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 360
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 360
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book4 15"
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra
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 Microsoft products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Microsoft Surface Go 4 or the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro.