Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 14.4" Platinum 2021

The Surface Laptop Studio has a stunning 120Hz display and a clever hinge, but this i5 config with integrated graphics is underpowered for the price. Gaming is basically off the table, and 256GB of storage is tight. Worth a look only if you prioritize the form factor over raw performance.

The i5-11300H is a quad-core chip that sits at the 28th percentile for CPUs in our database, which is a polite way of saying it's underwhelming for a machine this expensive. The Iris Xe integrated GPU lands at the 49th percentile, so it handles everyday tasks and light photo editing without drama, but gaming is a 14.2 out of 100. That's not a typo. The 16GB of RAM is about average, and the 256GB SSD is a weak spot at the 16th percentile. The 120Hz display makes scrolling feel smooth, but the hardware underneath can't always keep up with the screen's ambitions.

Stacked against the competition, this thing struggles. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 and Lenovo Legion Pro 7i both offer dedicated GPUs and far stronger CPUs for similar or less money, though they're bulkier gaming machines. The HP OMEN Transcend 14 is a closer form-factor match with better graphics options. And the MacBook Pro M4 Max is in a completely different performance universe, though it costs more. The Surface Laptop Studio wins on the hinge trick and touchscreen, but loses on raw power to basically everyone here.

At roughly $1,709 to $1,743 USD, this config is a tough sell. You're paying Surface Studio money for hardware that would feel mid-range in a $900 laptop. The screen and hinge are premium, but the i5, integrated graphics, and 256GB drive don't justify the price. If you find it on sale for significantly less, it becomes more interesting as a stylish everyday machine. At full price, you're mostly paying for the form factor.

The Surface Laptop Studio is Microsoft's swing at a premium 2-in-1 that can actually pull double duty as a creative workstation. The pull-forward display is a neat trick, and the 14.4-inch 120Hz PixelSense screen is genuinely lovely. But this particular config, with an i5-11300H and integrated Iris Xe graphics, feels like putting economy tires on a sports car. You get 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which is fine for light work but tight for anything serious. The hinge design is clever, the build quality is solid, and the keyboard is comfortable. Just don't expect the 'Studio' name to mean studio-level performance here.

Skip this if you need any real GPU muscle. Gamers, 3D artists, and video editors will hit a wall with the Iris Xe graphics almost immediately. Also skip it if you need lots of local storage, since 256GB is tight and the SSD sits near the bottom of our rankings. And if you're shopping on a budget, there are far more powerful laptops available for less money.

Buy this if you want a premium Windows 2-in-1 with a beautiful screen and you mostly live in a browser, Office apps, and light creative work. The form factor is genuinely nice, and the display is a standout. But if you need real GPU power for rendering, gaming, or heavy video work, this config will frustrate you. It's a lovely chassis with a mid-range heart.