Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF). 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 SE Review

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

affordable price

lightweight design

integrated with windows 11

good battery life

simple user interface

limited storage capacity

basic display quality

minimal connectivity options

lower performance levels

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust metal design

crisp full HD display

backlit keyboard feature

adequate processing power

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited graphics performance

heavier than competitors

no USB-C port

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 28.37 cm x 19.305 cm x 1.758 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight 1.1124 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Plastic Metal
Colour Glacier Golden
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" 15.6" - IPS
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Pixel Density (ppi) 135 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness - 250 cd/m²
Features - Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.8 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Quad-Core
Cache 4 MB 8 MB
Features Intel Burst Technology Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
RAM 4 GB 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported - 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed - 2133 MHz
Rated Speed - 2400 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 0
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB eMMC 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm
Optical Drive - DVD±RW
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution 1 Megapixel (front) 1 Megapixel
Camera Features 30 frames per second Fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Output: Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller - M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) Single stream (1x1)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Technology - 2-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 35 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16 hours Up to 6 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 SE Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 for Education (requires licence or subscription) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options Hall sensor -
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip Fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Kensington mini security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Bulk packaging Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards - RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes -
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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