Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7). 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 L15 Gen 3 (21C7) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

adequate performance level

reliable security features

average display quality

limited graphics power

heavier than competitors

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C7) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm
Weight 1.13 kg 1.76 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate, anodised aluminium Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Platinum Thunder black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Screen Size (Type) 12.4" 15.6" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
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
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U AMD Ryzen 3 Pro 5475U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.1 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core Quad-Core
Cache 12 MB L3 - 8 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
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 - Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Output: Omnisonic speakers Input: Dolby Voice, far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 Bluetooth 5.1, 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)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 39 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Precision touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Interfaces USB-C 3.2/DisplayPort
USB 3.1
Headphone output (mini-phone 3.5 mm)
SurfaceConnect
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
HDMI (4K support)
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 L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English / Portuguese
Software Included Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Business Premium or Microsoft 365 Apps (30 days trial), Microsoft 365 Apps (requires licence or subscription) Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
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
Carbon Footprint - 236 kg carbon emissions
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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