Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA). 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 Laptop 3 Review

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

lightweight and portable

responsive touchscreen display

stylish aluminum design

fast charging support

solid performance benchmarks

limited port selection

no dedicated graphics

higher price point

average battery life

Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

comfortable keyboard design

ample connectivity options

efficient thermal management

heavier than competitors

average battery life

limited display brightness

premium price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.8 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.45 cm 36.65 cm x 25 cm x 2.27 cm
Weight 1.265 kg 2.226 kg
Case Material Aluminum Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Platinum Black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Screen Size (Type) 13.5" 15.6" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2256 x 1504 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 201 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:9
Image Brightness - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features PixelSense Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.7 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 14-core
Cache 6 MB 24 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD M.2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Value
RAID Level - RAID 0, RAID 1
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Windows Hello Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, two microphones Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Compliant Standards Bluetooth 5.0, IEEE 802.11ax -
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 68 Wh
Battery Life Up to 11.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 135 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Multi-gesture trackpad, Alcantara material palm rest Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.0
USB-C
Headphone output
SurfaceConnect
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Card)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options Ambient light sensor -
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features - Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TCG Certified
SAR Value 0.308 W/kg (body) -
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 Limited warranty - 1 year Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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