In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business. Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
robust build quality
excellent keyboard feel
good battery life
reliable performance
decent connectivity options
mediocre display quality
heavier design
limited graphics performance
higher price point
Advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
excellent pixel sense display
sleek aluminum design
improved quad-core performance
comfortable keyboard feel
good battery life
limited port variety
no dedicated graphics
higher price point
average storage options
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Product Type | Notebook - 180-degree hinge design | Notebook |
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Dimensions (WxDxH) | 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm | 30.8 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.45 cm |
Weight | 1.76 kg | 1.272 kg |
Case Material | Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) | Aluminum |
Colour | Thunder black | Platinum | Matte black |
DISPLAY | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Screen Size (Type) | 15.6" - IPS | 13.5" |
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Touchscreen | - | Yes (10-point multi-touch) |
LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight | - |
Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 2256 x 1504 |
Pixel Density (ppi) | - | 201 |
Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 3:2 |
Image Brightness | 250 cd/m² | 400 cd/m² |
Colour Gamut | 45% NTSC | - |
Features | Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle | Vivid Color, Corning Gorilla glass 3, Color Calibrated, sRGB Color Space, PixelSense, Dolby Vision IQ |
PROCESSOR | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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CPU | Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz | Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 GHz |
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Max Turbo Speed | 4.4 GHz | 4.4 GHz |
Number of Cores | 10-core | 10-core |
Cache | 12 MB | 12 MB |
Platform Technology | - | Intel Evo |
Features | Integrated memory controller | Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache |
MEMORY | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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RAM | 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) | 8 GB |
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Max RAM Supported | 64 GB | - |
RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM | LPDDR5X SDRAM |
Speed | 3200 MHz | - |
Rated Speed | 3200 MHz | - |
Form Factor | SO-DIMM 260-pin | - |
Slots Qty | 2 | - |
Empty Slots | 0 | - |
STORAGE | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) | 256 GB SSD |
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AUDIO & VIDEO | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Graphics Processor (GPU) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
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Max Monitors Supported | 3 external monitor(s) | - |
Video System Features | Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) | Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) |
Camera | Yes - 1080p | Yes - 720p |
Camera Features | Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus | Windows Hello |
Sound | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone | Stereo speakers, dual far-field studio microphones |
Codec | Realtek ALC3287 | - |
Compliant Standards | High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice | Dolby Atmos |
Audio Features | - | Output: Omnisonic speakers |
COMMUNICATIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 |
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Wireless Controller | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card | - |
Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet | - |
Features | Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) | - |
WWAN |
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Generation | 4G upgradable | - |
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BATTERY | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Technology | Lithium polymer | - |
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Battery Capacity (Size) | 57 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
Battery Life | - | Up to 18 hours |
AC ADAPTER | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Input | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) | - |
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Output | 65 Watt | - |
INPUT | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Type | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav | Keyboard, touchpad |
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Numeric Keypad | Yes | - |
Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes |
Features | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls | Microsoft Pen Protocol (MPP), Alcantara material palm rest |
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Interfaces | USB 3.2 Gen 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) Headphone/microphone combo jack HDMI LAN |
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4) (Type C) SurfaceConnect Headphone/microphone combo jack USB 3.1 |
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Memory Card Reader | Yes (microSD) | - |
SOFTWARE | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Operating System (OS) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English | Windows 11 Pro |
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Software Included | - | Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium or Microsoft 365 Apps (30 days trial), Microsoft 365 Apps (requires licence or subscription) |
MISCELLANEOUS | Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C3) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
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Dockable | - | Yes |
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Included Accessories | USB-C power adapter | Power adapter |
Integrated Options | - | Ambient light sensor |
Security | Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip |
Security Slot Type | Kensington nano security slot | - |
Theft/Intrusion Protection | Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) | - |
Features | Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password | - |
Compliant Standards | RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified | - |
ENERGY STAR Certified | Yes | Yes |
EPEAT Compliant | EPEAT Gold | EPEAT Gold |
Max Operating Temperature | 35 °C | - |
Min Operating Temperature | 5 °C | - |
Humidity Range Operating | 8 - 95% | - |
Manufacturer Warranty | Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site |
Limited warranty - 1 year |