Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

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 ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

efficient performance

good keyboard feel

adequate connectivity options

competitive price point

average display quality

modest battery life

limited graphics power

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
78 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 28.37 cm x 19.305 cm x 1.758 cm 30.5 cm x 21.8 cm x 1.73 cm
Weight 1.1124 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Plastic Aluminium (top), glass-fibre reinforced plastic (bottom)
Colour Glacier Thunder black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" 13.3" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Pixel Density (ppi) 135 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 72% NTSC
Features - Anti-glare, capacitive touch screen, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1245U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.8 GHz 4.4 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core 10-core
Cache 4 MB 12 MB
Features Intel Burst Technology Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
RAM 4 GB 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed - 3200 MHz
Rated Speed - 3200 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB eMMC 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features 30 frames per second Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Technology - 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 46 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16 hours Up to 14.3 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 SE Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence
Software Included Microsoft 365 for Education (requires licence or subscription) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Gen 3 (21B4)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Integrated Options Hall sensor -
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington nano security slot Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Bulk packaging Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold 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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