They are closely matched: Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) scores 65/100 and Dell 14 Premium scores 64/100 in our overall comparison — within 1 point. Neither is a clear winner overall, so the decision comes down to the specific features and price that matter most to you.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Dell 14 Premium
Updated Nov 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score
For most buyers the Dell 14 Premium is the better pick — it scores 70/100 to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)'s 57, leading on Processor and Memory. Choose the Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) instead if integrated graphics and design & weight matter most to you, where it comes out ahead.
- Performance is scored from the laptop's CPU and GPU; few laptops have a published whole-system benchmark.
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Dell 14 Premium leads Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) overall by 13 points (70 vs 57 out of 100).
- Dell 14 Premium stands out on Memory capacity: 32 GB (100% more), Storage capacity: 1,024 GB (100% more), Processor model: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H.
Dell 14 Premium leads overall
Dell 14 Premium
70
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
57
Why it stands out
- Memory capacity: 32 GB (100% more)
- Storage capacity: 1,024 GB (100% more)
- Processor model: Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
Watch-outs
Compromises to know before you buy
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
- RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
- No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.
- No SD card reader.
Dell 14 Premium
- RAM is soldered — you can't upgrade it later, so buy enough now.
- No HDMI — you'll need a dongle for projectors/TVs.
- No USB-A ports — older accessories need an adapter.
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Nov 2026.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) is a Windows 11 Pro commercial notebook built on ARM architecture. Powered by Snapdragon® X2 Plus or Elite processors with a Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU delivering up to 80 TOPS, it features a 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 16 hours of active web usage.
Best for all-day mobile productivity and web workflowsBest for secure enterprise deployments utilizing Windows Pluton and facial recognition
Pros
- High-resolution 13.8-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate
- Extensive memory and storage configurations ranging up to 64GB LPDDR5x RAM and 2TB Gen 4 SSD
- Comprehensive connectivity including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB4 ports
- Strong modular serviceability with easily replaceable core internal and external components
Cons
- Display is optimized strictly for touch interaction and does not support pen input accessories
- ARM-based architecture may require emulation for certain legacy x86 applications
Dell 14 Premium
The Dell 14 Premium is a high-end 14.5-inch productivity laptop featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor, 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, and a high-resolution 3200 x 2000 OLED touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It is designed for professionals and media consumers who require a powerful, sleek machine with advanced connectivity like Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4, functioning similarly to an XPS-class device.
Best for high-resolution media consumption and content editingBest for portable multitasking with intensive productivity softwareBest for secure, modern mobile workflows requiring fast Wi-Fi 7 connectivity
Pros
- Vibrant and smooth 14.5-inch OLED touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate
- Generous 32GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB storage configuration
- Comprehensive modern connectivity including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and three USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4
- Secure biometric authentication featuring both a fingerprint scanner and infrared face recognition
Cons
- Lacks legacy USB Type-A ports and an HDMI output, requiring adapters for many standard accessories
- Non-upgradeable memory soldered directly to the system
- Moderate peak display brightness of around 356 nits can struggle under very bright ambient light
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Dell 14 Premium
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)Dell 14 Premium
Dell 14 Premium is 0.35 kg (26%) heavier than Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition).
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) vs Dell 14 Premium comparison
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and Dell 14 Premium are compared side by side above across every spec in the laptops category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 65/100 for Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) and 64/100 for Dell 14 Premium.
At launch, Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) was the more affordable option ($1599) versus Dell 14 Premium ($1649). Weigh that against the overall scores (65/100 vs 64/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.
It's close — Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition) (65/100) and Dell 14 Premium (64/100) score almost the same. Pick based on price and the individual specs that matter most to you; the comparison above shows where each one pulls ahead.
Which would you buy?
Cast your voteOther Popular Comparisons
Explore more product comparisons
Dell 14 Premium
Dell 16 Premium
VS
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 15-inch (8th Edition)
VS
Dell 14 Premium
Dell XPS 16 2026
VS
Dell 14 Premium
Dell XPS 14 2026
VS
Dell 14 Premium
Dell XPS 13 9345
VS
Dell 14 Premium
Dell XPS 13 2022
VS
Dell 14 Premium
MSI Titan 18 HX AI (2025)
VS
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
MSI Titan 18 HX AI (2025)
VS
Dell 14 Premium
MSI Raider 18 HX AI (2025)
VS
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
MSI Raider 18 HX AI (2025)
VS
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Dell 14 Premium
VS
Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 13.8-inch (8th Edition)
VS