Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)

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

Our Rating: 75 %

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)

Our Rating: 85 %

Detailed comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

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 X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

ultra-lightweight design

impressive battery life

robust security features

high-resolution display

powerful processor performance

higher price point

limited port variety

no dedicated GPU

average speaker quality

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.8 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.45 cm 31.56 cm x 22.25 cm x 1.536 cm
Weight 1.265 kg 1.12 kg
Case Material Aluminum Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Platinum Deep black weave
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Screen Size (Type) 13.5" 14" OLED
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
Screen Resolution 2256 x 1504 2880 x 1800 (2.8K)
Pixel Density (ppi) 201 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:10
Image Brightness - 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% DCI-P3
Features PixelSense Anti-glare, anti-reflective, anti-smudge, 170° viewing angle, Eyesafe technology, HDR 500 True Black
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.7 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 10-core
Cache 6 MB 12 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 5200 MHz
Rated Speed - 5200 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
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), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Windows Hello Privacy shutter, IR camera, fixed focus, MIPI, Computer Vision
Sound Stereo speakers, two microphones Two tweeters, two woofers, quad array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Compliant Standards Bluetooth 5.0, IEEE 802.11ax -
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 11.5 hours Up to 24.9 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Multi-gesture trackpad, Alcantara material palm rest Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad, air intake key design
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces USB 3.0
USB-C
Headphone output
SurfaceConnect
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
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 (21CB)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C slim 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
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
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, 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
Limited warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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