Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) vs. Microsoft Surface Go 3

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen)

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) and Microsoft Surface Go 3. 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.

Microsoft Surface Go 3 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Surface Go 3 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

compact and lightweight

affordable price point

responsive touchscreen display

versatile form factor

solid build quality

modest battery life

limited storage capacity

average performance

fewer connectivity options

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) and Microsoft Surface Go 3
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
65 % - Performance
72 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) vs. Microsoft Surface Go 3 Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Product Type Ultrabook Tablet - no keyboard
Dimensions (WxDxH) 33.1 cm x 22.6 cm x 1.88 cm 24.5 cm x 17.5 cm x 0.83 cm
Weight 1.36 kg 553 g
Case Material Carbon fibre, magnesium-aluminum alloy Magnesium alloy
Colour - Platinum
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Screen Size (Type) 14" 10.5"
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1920 x 1280
Pixel Density (ppi) - 220
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 3:2
Features Premium Corning Gorilla glass 3, PixelSense
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
CPU Intel Core i5 (3rd Gen) 3427U / 1.8 GHz Intel Core i3 (10th Gen) 10100Y / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.8 GHz 3.9 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Dual-Core
Cache 3 MB 4 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Chipset Mobile Intel QS77 Express -
Platform Technology Intel vPro Platform -
Features Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache -
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
RAM 4 GB (provided memory is soldered) 4 GB
RAM Type DDR3L SDRAM LPDDR3 SDRAM
Speed 1333 MHz / PC3L-10600 -
Rated Speed 1333 MHz -
Form Factor Integrated -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD SATA 6Gb/s 64 GB eMMC
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel HD Graphics 4000 Intel UHD Graphics 615
Camera Yes Yes - 1080p
Resolution - 8 Megapixel (rear), 5 Megapixel (front)
Camera Features Face tracking Rear camera auto focus, Windows Hello
Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, two microphones
Codec Realtek ALC3202 -
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Home Theater v4 Dolby Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Wireless Controller Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205S - PCI Express Mini Card -
WWAN
Generation 3G 4G
Technology GPRS, WCDMA, HSPA, HSPA+ LTE Advanced
Controller Ericsson H5321gw - PCI Express Mini Card -
Max Transfer Rate 21 Mbps -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Technology 4-cell lithium polymer -
Battery Capacity (Size) 45.8 Wh 28 Wh
Battery Life Up to 8.2 hours Up to 11 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 90 Watt -
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav -
Features Volume control, spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.0
PoweredUSB 2.0
Mini DisplayPort
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C
SurfaceConnect
Headphone output
Dock
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (microSDXC)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Operating System (OS) Windows 8 64-bit Edition Windows 11 Pro
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 X1 Carbon (1st Gen) Microsoft Surface Go 3
Dockable - Yes
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options - Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, magnetometer, gyro sensor
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, ThinkPad Roll Cage, Intel Active Management Technology (iAMT), RapidCharge Volume control, built-in kickstand
Navigation Receiver GPS -
Compliant Standards RoHS -
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 1 year
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