ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3480AA) vs Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition)
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has the edge: it has more storage, has a sharper screen and has a smoother screen. The ASUS Zenbook 14 still has an OLED screen, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Storage Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- OLED screen ASUS Zenbook 14 wins
The ASUS Zenbook 14 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's 60 Hz one.
- Brightness Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 wins
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8's screen is brighter (600 against 300 nits), so it's easier to see near a window.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the ASUS Zenbook 14 if…
- 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).
- You carry your laptop a lot: it's the lighter of the two at 1.2 kg.
Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 leads on performance and the screen; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 is ahead on performance.
It has more storage and has a stronger AI engine, and the ASUS Zenbook 14 doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3480AA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core Ultra 9 386H | Snapdragon X2 Elite |
| Graphics | Intel Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 50 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 | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| 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 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 (UX3480AA) | 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 |
| Brightness | 300 nits | 600 nits |
| Colour range | 100% DCI-P3 | — |
| HDR | None | HDR (600 nits peak) |
| Touchscreen | No | Yes |
Battery and size
The ASUS Zenbook 14 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 (UX3480AA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 20 hours |
| Battery capacity | 70 Wh | 54 Wh |
| Charger | 68 W | — |
| Charges via | USB-C | USB-C and Surface Connect |
| Fast charging | 60% in 49 min | — |
| Weight | 1.2 kg | 1.36 kg |
| Dimensions | 311.2 x 215.8 x 13.9-16.9 mm | 301 x 220 x 17.5 mm |
| Materials | Ceraluminum (ceramic-aluminium) lid with metal chassis | Aluminium |
| Durability | US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standard | — |
| Colour | Arctic Blue | Black |
| Colours available | Komodo Coral, Arctic Blue, Zabriskie Beige | Black, Dune, Jade, Platinum |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The ASUS Zenbook 14 has HDMI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 has Wi-Fi 7.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3480AA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 1x Thunderbolt 4 (charging, DisplayPort, 40Gbps), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (charging, DisplayPort, 10Gbps), 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 | Thunderbolt 4 | USB4 |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3480AA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | FHD (1080p) + IR | 1080p |
| Webcam privacy | physical shutter | — |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit chiclet, 1.7 mm key travel, Excimer-coated keycaps | Full-size, backlit (automatic), Copilot key |
| Login | Face | Face |
| Number pad | — | No |
| Touchpad | ErgoSense enlarged touchpad with smart gestures, anti-fingerprint coating | Surface precision haptic touchpad with advanced haptics |
| Speakers | Dual multi-magnet speakers, Dolby Atmos | Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | Built-in array microphone | Dual Studio Mics with voice focus |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Firmware TPM, Microsoft Pluton, BIOS user password, IR webcam (Windows Hello) | Microsoft Pluton security processor, TPM 2.0, Windows Hello face authentication |
Software and model
Both run Windows.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX3480AA) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8 (8th Edition) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | UX3480AA-U1109W | EP2-61140 |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |