Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ). 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 T16 Gen 1 (21CJ) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive battery life

good security features

solid processor performance

heavier than competitors

limited color accuracy

basic graphics power

premium price tag

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
86 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
86 % - Design
85 % - Display
84 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm
Weight 1.13 kg 1.81 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 T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Screen Size (Type) 12.4" 16" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) 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, on-cell touch technology, 85° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 8-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 T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
RAM 8 GB 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 6400 MHz
Rated Speed - 6400 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption, Performance - Samsung
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
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 T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
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 - Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Technology - 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 52.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 39 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
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 T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
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 (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Pro
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 T16 Gen 1 (21CJ)
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
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, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0
Carbon Footprint - 233 kg carbon emissions (EU)
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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