Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8). 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 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 L15 Gen 3 (21C8) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

good battery life

solid performance

adequate connectivity options

average display quality

heavier than competitors

limited graphics performance

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 28.37 cm x 19.305 cm x 1.758 cm 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm
Weight 1.1124 kg 1.76 kg
Case Material Plastic Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Glacier Thunder black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
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
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features - Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 5875U / 2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.8 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core 8-core
Cache 4 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Intel Burst Technology Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
RAM 4 GB 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed - 3200 MHz
Rated Speed - 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 AMD Radeon Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features 30 frames per second Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
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 - AMD RZ616 - M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
Technology - 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 42 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
HDMI
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C8)
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 -
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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