In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) 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 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
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 X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Product Type | Notebook - 180-degree hinge design | Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm | 30.8 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.45 cm |
| Weight | 1.29 kg | 1.272 kg |
| Case Material | Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) | Aluminum |
| Colour | Thunder black | Platinum | Matte black |
| DISPLAY | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 13.3" - IPS | 13.5" |
|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | - | Yes (10-point multi-touch) |
| LCD Backlight Technology | LED backlight | - |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) | 2256 x 1504 |
| Pixel Density (ppi) | - | 201 |
| Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 3:2 |
| Image Brightness | 300 cd/m² | 400 cd/m² |
| Colour Gamut | 72% 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz | Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Intel Evo |
| Features | Integrated memory controller | Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache |
| MEMORY | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| RAM | 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) | 8 GB |
|---|---|---|
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 SDRAM | LPDDR5X SDRAM |
| Speed | 4800 MHz | - |
| Rated Speed | 4800 MHz | - |
| STORAGE | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe) | 256 GB SSD |
|---|
| AUDIO & VIDEO | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
|---|---|---|
| Max Monitors Supported | 3 external monitor(s) | - |
| Video System Features | - | 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| 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 Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Technology | Lithium polymer | - |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 54.7 Wh | 47.4 Wh |
| Battery Life | - | Up to 18 hours |
| AC ADAPTER | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Input | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) | - |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 65 Watt | - |
| INPUT | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| Type | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav | Keyboard, touchpad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| 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 |
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4) (Type C) SurfaceConnect Headphone/microphone combo jack USB 3.1 |
| SOFTWARE | Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BN) | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| 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 Laptop 5 for Business |
|---|
| 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 | 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 | - |
| 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 - 3 years - pick-up and return Limited warranty - battery - 1 year Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site |
Limited warranty - 1 year |
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