Microsoft Surface Book 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Book 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen). 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 Book 3 Review

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

versatile detachable design

high-resolution touchscreen

robust build quality

good battery life

powerful base performance

expensive price point

heavier than competitors

limited port selection

noisy under load

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight and portable

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

fast ssd performance

relatively high price

no dedicated gpu

limited port variety

average display brightness

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Book 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
78 % - Battery
83 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Book 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Product Type Tablet - with keyboard dock Ultrabook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.2 cm x 23.2 cm x 2.3 cm 32.35 cm x 21.71 cm x 1.595 cm
Weight 1.534 kg 1.13 kg
Case Material Magnesium alloy Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium alloy, carbon fibre reinforced plastic
Colour Platinum Black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Screen Size (Type) 13.5" 14" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 3000 x 2000 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 267 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:9
Image Brightness - 300 cd/m²
Features PixelSense Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (6th Gen) 6300U / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.7 GHz 3 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Dual-Core
Cache 6 MB 3 MB
64-bit Computing Yes Yes
Features - Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
RAM 8 GB 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM LPDDR3 SDRAM
Speed 3733 MHz 1866 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel HD Graphics 520
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Resolution 8 Megapixel (rear), 5 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features Autofocus, Windows Hello -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - CX11871
Compliant Standards Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax -
Features - Gigabit Ethernet via optional Ethernet (RJ-45) adapter
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Technology - 3-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) - 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15.5 hours Up to 15.5 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Input - AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt -
INPUT Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Interfaces 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (on keyboard dock)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (on keyboard dock) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone output
SurfaceConnect
SurfaceConnect (on keyboard dock)
USB 3.1 Gen 1/USB 3.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1/USB 3.0 (Always On)
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3) (Power Delivery/data/video)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
Memory Card Reader Yes (SDXC Card) Yes (microSDXC UHS-II)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Home (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR))
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (5th Gen)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, magnetometer, gyro sensor -
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Volume control, Studio Mode, Tablet Mode, Laptop Mode Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810G tested
Compliant Standards - ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001
SAR Value 1.45 W/kg (body) -
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return
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