Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR). 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 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Microsoft Surface based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

versatile form factor

high-resolution touchscreen

lightweight design

solid build quality

good battery life

higher price range

limited port selection

moderate storage options

average graphics performance

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

efficient performance

comfortable keyboard

good security features

affordable price

average display quality

modest battery life

limited graphics power

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
86 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm 31.3 cm x 21.93 cm x 1.799 cm
Weight 1.13 kg 1.43 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate, anodised aluminium Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Platinum Graphite black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Screen Size (Type) 12.4" 14" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
Screen Resolution 1536 x 1024 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Pixel Density (ppi) 148 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:10
Image Brightness - 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Corning Gorilla glass 3, Color Calibrated, PixelSense, sRGB Mode, enhanced colour Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U AMD Ryzen 5 7530U / 2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 6-core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 16 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
RAM 8 GB 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported - 40 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 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 Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual far-field studio microphones Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Synaptic CX11880
Compliant Standards Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features Output: Omnisonic speakers Input: Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Wireless Controller - M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111H-CG
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 39 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Precision touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Slots - 1 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB-C 3.2/DisplayPort
USB 3.1
Headphone output (mini-phone 3.5 mm)
SurfaceConnect
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium or Microsoft 365 Apps (30 days trial), Microsoft 365 Apps (requires licence or subscription) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 5 (21JR)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Integrated Options Ambient light sensor -
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Fast charging Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Software Solution), TCO Certified 9.0
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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