The Bare Minimum (was enough) - Microsoft Surface Laptop 5
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Visit brilliant.org to get started learning STEM for free, and the first 200 people will get 20% off their annual premium subscription. Microsoft is back with another Surface Laptop, and Alex is here to see if the minor refinements added to the new Laptop 5 make a difference or if Microsoft is losing the laptop war to Apple's Macbook. Buy a Microsoft Surface 5: lmg.gg Purchases made through some store links may provide some compensation to Linus Media Group. Want us to unbox something? Make a suggestion at lmg.gg ► SUBSCRIBE ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com ► GET MERCH: lttstore.com ► AFFILIATES, SPONSORS & REFERRALS: lmg.gg ► PODCAST GEAR: lmg.gg ► SUPPORT US ON FLOATPLANE: floatplane.com FOLLOW US ELSEWHERE --------------------------------------------------- Twitter: twitter.com Instagram: @shortcircuityt TikTok: @linustech Facebook: @ShortCircuitYT CHAPTERS --------------------------------------------------- 0:00 It's BACK! 0:25 15" unboxing and ports 1:58 13.5" unboxing and ports 2:27 Windows Hello works GREAT! 2:53 Sponsor - Brilliant 3:20 Keyboard flex test 4:11 Display, trackpad, and keyboard impressions 6:58 CPU specs and Cinebech testing 8:20 Display/Speaker test and MacBook comparison 10:08 Gaming performance - Valheim 10:57 Webcam and mic test 11:22 Teardown 13:25 Overall thoughts and pricing 14:39 Outro
The video begins with Linus introducing the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and framing the discussion around whether Microsoft’s refinements matter in the laptop market. He highlights the changes across the two size variants, noting the 13.5 inch and 15 inch configurations, and immediately calls attention to the inclusion of a Thunderbolt 4 port as a major upgrade after several generations of surface laptops. The unboxing sequence emphasizes the practical improvements like a MagSafe-like latch, the presence of Thunderbolt, and the return of a more traditional USB-A port, contrasting them with the older proprietary connectors that previously limited expandability. Throughout the first segment, the host provides a running assessment of build quality, aluminum chassis, display specs, and the overall packaging, setting expectations for real-world usability and repairability. The narrative then transitions into a comparison between the two sizes, including setup experiences with Windows Hello, and pivots into a sponsored segment about Brilliant.org before resuming the hardware evaluation. The middle portion focuses on display characteristics, keyboard and trackpad quality, and overall usability, drawing direct comparisons to the MacBook line and noting the Surface Laptop 5’s flat color profile and strong touch input. The host digs into performance, sharing Cinebench style benchmarking impressions that show respectable multi-core capability for a U-series CPU, while cautioning that this device is not a gaming laptop. The video then covers audio, webcam quality, and thermal behavior during light gaming, concluding that battery life may be more realistic than the manufacturer’s claims due to Windows Modern Standby overhead. A teardown of the 15-inch model reveals internal layout, space utilization, cooling limitations, and battery size, with candid remarks about accessibility, ribbon cable handling, and the potential for upgrades. The closing segment distills overall impressions, pricing, and practical buying suggestions, noting that the Surface Laptop 5 is a premium device that sits between MacBook Pro options and other premium rivals, and ends with practical advice for potential buyers to weigh RAM, storage, and price while acknowledging the device’s strong keyboard, trackpad, display, and touch capabilities. In sum, the review balances praise for refined hardware and excellent input devices against critical notes on battery life, thermals, and value, guiding viewers on who should consider the Surface Laptop 5 and under what circumstances.
Topics · technology · hardware · laptops · reviews · performance