In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5). 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.
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
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
robust build quality
efficient performance
excellent keyboard comfort
good battery life
versatile connectivity options
mediocre display resolution
heavier design
limited graphics power
higher price point
| DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| Product Type | Notebook | Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm | 32.54 cm x 21.7 cm x 1.983 cm |
| Weight | 1.13 kg | 1.39 kg |
| Case Material | Polycarbonate, anodised aluminium | Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top) |
| Colour | Platinum | Thunder black |
| DISPLAY | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 12.4" | 14" - IPS |
|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | Yes (10-point multi-touch) | - |
| LCD Backlight Technology | - | LED backlight |
| Screen Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) |
| Pixel Density (ppi) | 148 | - |
| Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 3:2 | 16:9 |
| Image Brightness | - | 250 cd/m² |
| Colour Gamut | - | 45% NTSC |
| Features | Corning Gorilla glass 3, Color Calibrated, PixelSense, sRGB Mode, enhanced colour | Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle |
| PROCESSOR | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U | AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 5675U / 2.3 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Max Turbo Speed | 4.4 GHz | 4.3 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 L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM Supported | - | 64 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 SDRAM | DDR4 SDRAM |
| Speed | - | 3200 MHz |
| Rated Speed | - | 3200 MHz |
| Form Factor | - | SO-DIMM 260-pin |
| Slots Qty | - | 2 |
| Empty Slots | - | 1 |
| STORAGE | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| 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 L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| 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, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, dual far-field studio microphones | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone |
| Codec | - | Realtek ALC3287 |
| Compliant Standards | Dolby Audio Premium | High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio |
| Audio Features | Output: Omnisonic speakers | - |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Controller | - | AMD RZ616 - M.2 Card |
| Network Interface | - | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Ethernet Controller | - | Realtek RTL8111EPV |
| Compliant Standards | - | DASH |
| Features | - | Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2) |
| WWAN |
|---|
| Generation | - | 4G upgradable |
|---|
| BATTERY | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| Technology | - | Lithium polymer |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 41 Wh | 57 Wh |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours | - |
| AC ADAPTER | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| Input | - | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 39 Watt | 65 Watt |
| INPUT | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| 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 L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| 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) HDMI 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) Headphone/microphone combo jack LAN |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Card Reader | - | Yes (microSD) |
| SOFTWARE | Microsoft Surface | Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - Dutch / English / French / German / Italian |
|---|---|---|
| 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 L14 Gen 3 (21C5) |
|---|
| 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, smart card 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 3, TCG Certified |
| 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 |
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