Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful processor options

good battery life

impressive security features

heavier than competitors

average display brightness

limited color options

expensive base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
86 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.13 kg 1.32 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate, anodised aluminium Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Platinum Thunder black
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
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 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, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
RAM 8 GB 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 660M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, IR camera, 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, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Output: Omnisonic speakers -
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
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 - Qualcomm NFA725A
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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 52.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15 hours Up to 21.1 hours
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 39 Watt 45 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Interfaces USB-C 3.2/DisplayPort
USB 3.1
Headphone output (mini-phone 3.5 mm)
SurfaceConnect
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - French
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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
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 with Microsoft Pluton, 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, certificate based BIOS authentication
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 - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
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