This year I've spent a lot of time comparing devices to their previous generations and wondering how much they've really improved.

As a result, (and I've written about this a bit recently) I've concluded that tech journalists spend too much time doing the comparison thing. I'm confident in saying only a very small percentage of the population rushes out and buys every new gadget the moment it's released - especially for big-ticket items like computers and TVs. Yes, I'm aware some people do do that - even with cars - but not most people.

But this fact is all too easy to forget when you get to play with each and every model, each and every year.

The really weird thing about this is too often reviewers mark devices down when they haven't been upgraded enough from their previous model - even when that previous model was amazing.

It's something I was all too aware of when I unboxed the latest Microsoft Surface Laptop.

I must start by pointing out I've been sent the very tippy-top of the Surface Laptop pile for this review; the 15-inch Laptop 5 for Business - that means an OS upgrade to Windows 11 Pro, an insane 32GB of RAM and a very generous 1TB of internal storage. A device this specced-up doesn't come cheap - this version of the Surface Laptop 5 will set you back NZ$4,609.00. If that made you do a double-take, remember there are a lot of other possible configurations that'll probably still get the job done for you - that's because whichever Laptop 5 you choose, it'll be powered by the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 processor.

Not only do these chips assure you of a significant increase in power, speed and performance, the much-improved graphics capability of the integrated Intel Iris Xe platform is pretty impressive too. In fact, I've been riding race after race in Moto GP 3 and absolutely loving it. Well... I've been loving the way the game runs, looks and sounds anyway. It's a very challenging game. Who knew riding high-performance motorbikes at over 200km/h was so damn tricky?

Yes, as usual, the 15-inch PixelSense touch display is a joy to behold - colourful, bright and detailed. Also as usual, the tall 3:2 aspect ratio means a lot of space for a lot of different windows. The rather unstoppable processing might of the 12th-gen Intel Core i7 in tandem with all that RAM means running many apps or processes simultaneously never causes even the slightest hiccup. Edit video, play games, stream something - do it all at the same time. The Laptop 5 for Business won't miss a beat.

The Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos sound extremely clear and accurate - this is a wonderful device to watch your favourite show on and I've also been surprised by the quality of the 720p HD front-facing camera - it does a very good job of keeping you well-lit and in-focus for all your online meetings.

My only frustration with this device is the same frustration I've always had with any Microsoft Surface; a lack of physical connectivity options; just one USB-A 3.1 port and one USB-C slot - albeit the very latest USB 4.0/Thunderbolt 4 version - that means very fast data transfer rates and USB-C charging if that's what you prefer over the weird and proprietary Surface Connect charger included in the box. At lease some Surfaces in the past came with card readers. I'm sorry, but if I'm shelling out four-and-a-half grand for a computer, it should have at least two of both sizes of USB ports and an HDMI slot for easy connection to an external monitor. Minimum.

That gripe aside, almost all other aspects of the Laptop 5 are simply sublime; surely one of the best-performing keyboards of any laptop - just faultless travel and response. Thanks to the height of the opposing display, the palm rests and trackpad are enormous. Unfortunately, the 15-inch Laptop 5 only comes in Platinum or Matte Black aluminium - for some reason only the smaller version is also available in Sandstone, Sage or Platinum with a soft Alcantara palm rest.

Battery life is impressive. The last year or so has seen Windows laptops make incredible strides in this department, thanks mostly to advances in chip efficiency. The Microsoft website boasts up to 17 hours of "typical usage" on a full charge, which doesn't mean anything of course because nobody knows what "typical usage" actually is. What I do know is this is without doubt one of the longest-lasting laptops I've ever used - typically or otherwise.

Not that there's anything typical about this device - other than yet again, Microsoft has crafted a truly premium laptop that does absolutely everything I've asked of it - all without breaking a sweat.

Click here for more information and pricing on the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business.