Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)

Our Rating: 85 %

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH). 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 ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

good security features

efficient thermal management

average display brightness

modest onboard graphics

higher price point

limited color accuracy

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 28.37 cm x 19.305 cm x 1.758 cm 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.1124 kg 1.21 kg
Case Material Plastic Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Glacier Thunder black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" 14" - IPS
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 - 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features - Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, Low Power, ICC template colour calibration
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U / 1.3 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 T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
RAM 4 GB 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported - 40 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed - 3200 MHz
Rated Speed - 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 1
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB eMMC 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 Intel Iris Xe 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, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus, Human Presence Detection (software)
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 T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Features Dual stream (2x2) Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 39.3 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
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 T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 SE Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 for Education (requires licence or subscription) Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21AH)
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, smart card 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, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0
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 Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
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