Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5). 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful AMD processor

high-resolution display

good battery life

heavier than competitors

expensive base model

limited color options

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface Laptop SE and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
72 % - Design
64 % - Display
45 % - Performance
65 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
85 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Laptop SE vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 28.37 cm x 19.305 cm x 1.758 cm 35.44 cm x 23.74 cm x 1.58 cm
Weight 1.1124 kg 1.94 kg
Case Material Plastic Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Glacier Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" 16" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 3840 x 2400 (WQUXGA)
Pixel Density (ppi) 135 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness - 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% DCI-P3
Features - Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 175° viewing angle, 92.3% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
CPU Intel Celeron N4020 / 1.1 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H / 3.2 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
RAM 4 GB 32 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 Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB eMMC 1.024 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Western Digital
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics 600 AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features 30 frames per second Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Technology - 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) - 72 Wh
Battery Life Up to 16 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output - 135 Watt, 5 / 9 / 15 / 20 V
INPUT Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Interfaces USB-C
USB
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Card, SDXC UHS-II Card)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 SE Windows 11 Pro
Software Included Microsoft 365 for Education (requires licence or subscription) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Laptop SE Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 Gen 1 (21D5)
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 with Microsoft Pluton, 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, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
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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