ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition)
Both are good choices with different strengths. The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has more storage and has an OLED screen, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a sharper screen, has a smoother screen and has a brighter screen.
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Key differences
- Storage ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED wins
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- OLED screen ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED wins
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has an OLED screen, with true blacks and richer colour than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's LCD.
- Sharpness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's screen is sharper: 2K against Full HD.
- Smoothness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's 120 Hz screen is smoother than the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED's 60 Hz one.
- Brightness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's screen is brighter (600 against 400 nits), so it's easier to see near a window.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You watch a lot of films and video, or edit photos: its OLED screen has true blacks and rich colour.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors).
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You like smooth scrolling: its 120 Hz screen feels slicker.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 600 nits.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED leads on performance, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 leads on the screen. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ahead on performance.
It has more storage, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | Snapdragon X2 Plus (10 Core) |
| Graphics | Intel Arc 140T | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 13 TOPS | 80 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5x |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 1 TB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 | Removable Gen 4 SSD |
| Storage slots | 1 | — |
Screen
Each laptop has its strengths on the screen.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED has an OLED screen, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has a sharper screen, has a smoother screen and has a brighter screen.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14" | 13.8" |
| Resolution | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) | 2K (2304 x 1536) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 3:2 |
| Panel | OLED | LCD |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | No | — |
| Brightness | 400 nits | 600 nits |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | — |
| HDR | VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 | HDR, 600 nits peak; Dolby Vision IQ support |
| Finish | Glossy | — |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Pen standard | MPP 2.0 | — |
Battery and size
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ahead on battery and weight.
It is a little lighter and is slimmer, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 75 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Charger | 65 W | — |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C (USB4) and Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | — | Fast charging supported with min. 60W USB-C PD charger or 65W Surface Power Supply (sold separately); no percentage/time claim |
| Weight | 1.28 kg | 1.36 kg |
| Dimensions | 312.4 x 220.1 x 14.9 mm | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm |
| Materials | — | Recycled aluminium alloy enclosure (A cover and C bucket) |
| Durability | US MIL-STD-810H | — |
| Colour | Ponder Blue | Black |
| Colours available | Ponder Blue, Jasper Gray, Foggy Silver | Black, Platinum |
Ports and wireless
The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has HDMI, and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, both support charging and DisplayPort, up to 40Gbps), 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), 1x HDMI 2.1 (TMDS), 1x 3.5 mm combo audio | 2x USB-C / USB4 (charging, data, DisplayPort 2.1), 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5 mm audio, 1x Surface Connect (charging) |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps) | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on extras.
It has Copilot+ AI features, and the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p + IR | 1080p |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | backlit chiclet, 1.4 mm key travel, Copilot key | Automatic backlight, Copilot key |
| Login | Face | Face |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | precision touchpad | Precision haptic touchpad with advanced haptics and adaptive touch mode |
| Speakers | Harman Kardon stereo speakers | Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | built-in array microphone | Dual Studio Mics with voice focus |
| Pen | Supported (sold separately) | No |
| Security | TPM 2.0, Windows Hello face recognition | TPM 2.0, Microsoft Pluton security processor |
Software and model
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED (UX3405CA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | UX3405CA-QL192W | EP2-60925 |
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |