Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)

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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2). 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

sustainable materials used

compact and lightweight

higher price point

no HDMI port

limited upgradeability

average battery life

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
75 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 30.8 cm x 22.3 cm x 1.45 cm 29.94 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm
Weight 1.265 kg 1.19 kg
Case Material Aluminum Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Platinum Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 - 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features PixelSense Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Power, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.7 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 6-core
Cache 6 MB 16 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD M.2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics AMD Radeon 660M
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features Windows Hello IR camera, Windows Hello, e-camera shutter
Sound Stereo speakers, two microphones Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.2
Wireless Controller - Qualcomm NFA725A
Compliant Standards Bluetooth 5.0, IEEE 802.11ax DASH
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 51.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 11.5 hours Up to 22.8 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Multi-gesture trackpad, Alcantara material palm rest Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, haptic feedback, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Interfaces USB 3.0
USB-C
Headphone output
SurfaceConnect
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D2)
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 with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint reader
Features - Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, pen upgradable, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, 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
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site - response time: next business day
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