Microsoft Surface Book 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Book 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW). 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 Gen 9 (20XW) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

lightweight and portable

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

bright, vivid display

higher price point

limited port selection

average graphics performance

no touchscreen option

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Book 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
78 % - Battery
87 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Book 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Product Type Tablet - with keyboard dock Ultrabook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.2 cm x 23.2 cm x 2.3 cm 31.5 cm x 22.16 cm x 1.49 cm
Weight 1.534 kg 1.133 kg
Case Material Magnesium alloy Carbon fibre, magnesium alloy
Colour Platinum Black paint
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
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 1200 (Full HD Plus)
Pixel Density (ppi) 267 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:10
Image Brightness - 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features PixelSense Anti-glare, Low Blue Light technology, 170° viewing angle, Low Power
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.7 GHz 4.2 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 6 MB 8 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
RAM 8 GB 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM LPDDR4X SDRAM
Speed 3733 MHz 4266 MHz
Rated Speed - 4266 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Memory Allocation Technology - Shared Video Memory (UMA)
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Resolution 8 Megapixel (rear), 5 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features Autofocus, Windows Hello IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus, ThinkShutter camera privacy
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Four speakers, quad array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax NFC, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201
Features - Gigabit Ethernet via optional Ethernet (RJ-45) adapter, dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - WWAN upgradable
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15.5 hours Up to 26 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
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 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader Yes (SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 (20XW)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C 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 nano 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, RapidCharge, self-healing BIOS
Compliant Standards - RoHS
SAR Value 1.45 W/kg (body) -
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 8
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
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