Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) vs. Microsoft Surface

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) and Microsoft Surface. Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard layout

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Microsoft Surface Review

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

versatile form factor

high-resolution touchscreen

lightweight design

solid build quality

good battery life

higher price range

limited port selection

moderate storage options

average graphics performance

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) and Microsoft Surface
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
86 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) vs. Microsoft Surface Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Product Type Notebook - 180-degree hinge design Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm
Weight 1.29 kg 1.13 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Polycarbonate, anodised aluminium
Colour Thunder black Platinum
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" - IPS 12.4"
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) 1536 x 1024
Pixel Density (ppi) - 148
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 3:2
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² -
Colour Gamut 72% NTSC -
Features Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle Corning Gorilla glass 3, Color Calibrated, PixelSense, sRGB Mode, enhanced colour
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U
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 Intel Smart Cache, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost)
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
RAM 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 4800 MHz -
Rated Speed 4800 MHz -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) 128 GB SSD
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported 3 external monitor(s) -
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus -
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 Audio Premium
Audio Features - Output: Omnisonic speakers
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Wireless Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Wireless Controller Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 -
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
WWAN
Generation 4G upgradable -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Technology Lithium polymer -
Battery Capacity (Size) 54.7 Wh 41 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 15 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 65 Watt 39 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls Precision touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Slots 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free) -
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.2/DisplayPort
USB 3.1
Headphone output (mini-phone 3.5 mm)
SurfaceConnect
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
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
Software Included Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium or Microsoft 365 Apps (30 days trial), Microsoft 365 Apps (requires licence or subscription)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) Microsoft Surface
Dockable - Yes
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 Firmware 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, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication Fast charging
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified -
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C -
Min Operating Temperature 5 °C -
Humidity Range Operating 8 - 95% -
Manufacturer Warranty Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Limited warranty - 1 year
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN)
Other Comparisons with Microsoft Surface
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: