Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) 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.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business Review

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

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
81 % - Design
78 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
86 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) vs. Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) 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 1.25 kg 1.272 kg
Case Material Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom) Aluminum
Colour Thunder black Platinum | Matte black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) 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 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.7 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores 8-core 10-core
Cache L3 - 16 MB 12 MB
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features Integrated memory controller Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
RAM 32 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5X SDRAM
Speed 6400 MHz -
Rated Speed 6400 MHz -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia 256 GB SSD
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Graphics Processor (GPU) AMD Radeon 680M 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 - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Privacy shutter, 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 360° far-field microphones Output: Omnisonic speakers
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Wireless Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Wireless Controller Qualcomm NFA725A -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Technology 3-cell lithium polymer -
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 47.4 Wh
Battery Life - Up to 18 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) -
Output 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V -
INPUT Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Type Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav Keyboard, touchpad
Keyboard Backlight - 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 (21CN) Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 for Business
Interfaces USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4) (Type C)
SurfaceConnect
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.1
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21CN) 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 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 X13 Gen 3 (21CN) 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 with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, 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 - Limited warranty - 1 year
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