ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 (#2, best premium) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 (#4): in our Graphic Design Laptops scoring the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 totals 9/10 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 8.4/10. At $2,299 versus $1,999, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 costs $300 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2299 | $1999 |
| OS | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-13980HX | Intel Core i7-13700H |
| RAM | 32GB - 64GB | 16GB - 64GB |
| Storage | 1TB - 2TB SSD | 512GB - 1TB SSD |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4070 | NVIDIA RTX 4060 |
| Display | 16" 4K OLED 3840x2400 | 14.4" PixelSense 2400x1600 120Hz |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs | 4.4 lbs |
| Battery | Up to 9 hours | Up to 18 hours |
How they differ in real use
Built from our graphic design laptops scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 made our Top 5 Graphic Design Laptops, at #2 (best premium) and #4. The ProArt Studiobook is the best Windows pick for heavier creative work because it combines an OLED display, RTX graphics, and creator-focused controls. The Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the best fit for pen-first illustrators and designers who value its convertible form more than raw GPU-per-dollar value.
We score graphic design laptops on Display Quality (35%), Performance (30%), Build Quality (15%), Portability (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 totals 9 out of 10 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 8.4. The widest gap is Performance, where the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 scores 9.5 against 8 for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 — cPU, GPU, RAM. Display Quality also separates them: 10 for the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus 9 for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 claws back ground on Portability.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: CPU — Intel Core i9-13980HX on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus Intel Core i7-13700H on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2; RAM — 32GB - 64GB on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus 16GB - 64GB on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2; Storage — 1TB - 2TB SSD on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus 512GB - 1TB SSD on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2; GPU — NVIDIA RTX 4070 on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus NVIDIA RTX 4060 on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2; Display — 16" 4K OLED 3840x2400 on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus 14.4" PixelSense 2400x1600 120Hz on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2; Weight — 5.3 lbs on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus 4.4 lbs on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. They match on Operating System.
Pricing as of July 5, 2026: $2,299 for the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 and $1,999 for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, a $300 difference in the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2's favor. Owners praise the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 for studio-grade OLED and ASUS Dial controller; the most common complaint is expensive. Owners praise the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for versatile form factor and excellent pen support; the most common complaint is expensive.
ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16
- Studio-grade OLED
- ASUS Dial controller
- Powerful specs
- Color-accurate
- Expensive
- Heavier than competition
- Bulky charger
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- Versatile form factor
- Excellent pen support
- Great display
- Unique design
- Expensive
- Limited GPU options
- Fan noise
Which should you buy?
The ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 is the better fit for professional video editors and 3D artists — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Performance and Display Quality. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the better fit for digital artists and illustrators, and the stronger choice if Portability matters more to you than the overall score. If the $300 saving matters more than Performance, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is the better value. The ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 is a poor fit for budget creatives; the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a poor fit for heavy video editing.
Choose the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 if
- Professional video editors
- 3D artists
- Color-critical work
Skip it if
- Budget creatives
- Portability seekers
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 if
- Digital artists
- Illustrators
- Pen users
Skip it if
- Heavy video editing
- Budget shoppers
Common questions
Is the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 better than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2?
In our Graphic Design Laptops ranking the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 scores higher overall, 9 to 8.4, with the biggest advantage in Performance. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is stronger on Portability, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 cost than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2?
$300 more as of July 5, 2026: $2,299 for the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 against $1,999 for the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Performance — 9.5 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2?
The headline spec difference is CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX on the ASUS ProArt Studiobook 16 versus Intel Core i7-13700H on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. In use, the gap that matters most is Performance (9.5 vs 8 in our scoring): cPU, GPU, RAM.