Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). 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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Microsoft Surface and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
86 % - Design
83 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 27.8 cm x 20.6 cm x 1.57 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.13 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material Polycarbonate, anodised aluminium Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Platinum Black paint
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 12.4" 16" - IPS
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1536 x 1024 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
Pixel Density (ppi) 148 -
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:10
Image Brightness - 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features Corning Gorilla glass 3, Color Calibrated, PixelSense, sRGB Mode, enhanced colour Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (12th Gen) 1235U Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.4 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 10-core 14-core
Cache 12 MB 24 MB
Features Intel Smart Cache, Intel Deep Learning Boost (DL Boost) Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 8 GB 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type LPDDR5 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed - 4800 MHz
Rated Speed - 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 128 GB SSD 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Xe Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
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 ALC3306
Compliant Standards Dolby Audio Premium High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Output: Omnisonic speakers -
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1 NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller - Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features - Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology - Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 41 Wh 90 Wh
Battery Life Up to 15 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input - AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 39 Watt 170 Watt
INPUT Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight - Yes
Features Precision touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 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)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - German
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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Dockable Yes -
Included Accessories Power adapter 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards - RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
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
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 3 years - on-site
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