Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)

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 X13 Gen 3 (21BQ). 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 X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Review

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard experience

impressive battery life

strong security features

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
83 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.8 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.45 cm 30.58 cm x 21.756 cm x 1.81 cm
Weight 1.265 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Aluminum Polyphenylene sulfide (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Platinum Thunder black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Screen Size (Type) 13.5" 13.3" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2256 x 1504 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Pixel Density (ppi) 201 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:10
Image Brightness - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 72% NTSC
Features PixelSense Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 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 -
Features - Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD M.2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Union Memory
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Camera Features Windows Hello Privacy shutter, 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, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.1, 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 -
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Technology - 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 54.7 Wh
Battery Life Up to 11.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
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
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Interfaces USB 3.0
USB-C
Headphone output
SurfaceConnect
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 3 (21BQ)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C 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, certificate based BIOS authentication
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 -
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