Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA). 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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

powerful processor performance

comfortable keyboard design

ample connectivity options

efficient thermal management

heavier than competitors

average battery life

limited display brightness

premium price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
78 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
76 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 28.37 cm x 19.305 cm x 1.758 cm 36.65 cm x 25 cm x 2.27 cm
Weight 1.1124 kg 2.226 kg
Case Material Plastic Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Glacier Black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
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 - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features - Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle, DC dimming
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 2.8 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core 14-core
Cache 4 MB 24 MB
Features Intel Burst Technology Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
RAM 4 GB 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB eMMC 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Value
RAID Level - RAID 0, RAID 1
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
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 Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 68 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 135 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
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 T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Card)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
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) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad T15p Gen 3 (21DA)
Included Accessories Power adapter 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 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, 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
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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