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

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

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

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

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

powerful processor options

good security features

heavier than competitors

average display brightness

noisy under load

expensive base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
75 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
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 (21CG)
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 - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features - Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.8 GHz 4.7 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 T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
RAM 4 GB 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB eMMC 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption, Performance - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution 1 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features 30 frames per second Privacy shutter, 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 T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
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 - Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
Technology - 3-cell 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 (21CG)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
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 (21CG)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
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 T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C slim 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, certificate based BIOS authentication
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 -
Other Comparisons with Microsoft Surface Laptop SE
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CG)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: