You haven’t been a tech enthusiast until you really know about Lenovo and Microsoft as laptop brands. Lenovo, however, is more vastly associated with laptops in comparison to Microsoft which is a brand known for its technology services. Since Microsoft has started producing laptops, it has gained equally prominent attention for its popular Microsoft Surface series. Lenovo, on the other hand, is known for more than one series including business-range, student laptops, work laptops and gaming sensations.
When it is about the comparison of the Microsoft Surface with Lenovo, a more ideal pairing would be Thinkpad from Lenovo and Surface from Microsoft. As Microsoft Surface laptops are manufactured in a premium package, and cost higher for demanding users, it would be unfair to compare them to low-budget Lenovo laptops. Hence, we have bagged enough laptops from both brands that are equally competitive but variate in real-time performance.
The major differences in Lenovo laptops and Microsoft Surface automatically come in the form of price factor. There is although much more to that. However, we have much wider range of series from the Lenovo brand to compare with one Microsoft Surface series laptops. Either way, Microsoft Surface laptops are known to surpass expectations and perform extraordinary for all rounding requirements.
Let’s delve into the key differences and major factors that contribute to the difference found in both Lenovo laptop series and Microsoft Surface laptops.
Lenovo ThinkPad Vs Microsoft Surface
The most essential comparison between both brands laptops comes to the Lenovo ThinkPad and Microsoft Surface Pro. Both these laptops are built to last longer with premium-looking design, rock-solid chassis, and of course high-end specs. But what makes ThinkPad highly competitive with the Microsoft Surface Pro is the features it has to offer and an almost similar specs array.
We have listed the two most sought-after laptops to compare for a standard comparability. Certainly, you would have a clear idea of which one to go for once you view the detailed comparison.
Specs | Microsoft Surface Pro (2017) | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 (Gen 2) |
Processor | 7th Gen Intel Core m3, i5, i7 | 7th Gen Intel Core i5, i7 |
RAM | 4GB, 8GB, 16GB LPDDR3 | 8GB or 16GB LPDDR3 |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB PCIe SSD | 128GB SATA SSD, 256GB, or 512GB PCIe SSD |
Display | PixelSense multi-touch, 12.3-inch | multi-touch, IPS 12.0-inch |
Resolution | 2,736 x 1,824 pixels (267 PPI) | 2,160 x 1,440 pixels (216 PPI) |
Camera/Webcam | Front 5MP, Rear 8MP | Front 2MP, Rear 8MP |
OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
Size | 11.5 x 7.9 x 0.33 inches | 11.4 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches |
Weight | 1.69 pounds | 1.69-1.73 pounds |
Connectivity | WWAN optional, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi, | LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi |
Battery | 45 watt-hour lithium polymer | 37 watt-hour lithium cylinder |
Ports | mini-DisplayPort, Cover port, 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, microSDXC card reader, Surface Connect, headphone jack | microSD card reader, NanoSIM, headphone jack, 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 X USB 3.1 Type-C Gen1, 1 x mini-DisplayPort |
CPU Speed:
Just as the specs mention, both ThinkPad X1 and Surface Pro are quite similarly integrated with the range of specs. While Microsoft Surface Pro is powered by the Intel’s 7th Generation Core m3, or Core i5 and Core i7, the ThinkPad is also mostly packed with the i5 and i7 version. However, when it comes to the base and turbo speed frequency along with the real-time benchmark scores, Microsoft Surface Pro lies a little ahead. The processors used in the ThinkPad X1 sometimes may have just a little less power in its Intel processor. So, the performance speed and benchmarks in ThinkPad are going to be slower than that of Microsoft Surface Pro.
Design and Build Factor:
This is the department where you will be definitely stunned with the design factor in both these laptops. Just when you take a glance at any one of these, you can feel a premium appeal from the look of them. However, Microsoft Surface is more directed towards the material and designing, to give a striking factor.
On the contrary, ThinkPad despite being made of plastic focuses on the durability factor, resulting in better longevity. An example that can explain it better is, if you drop ThinkPad and Surface Pro at once, you will be less worried about the ThinkPad. It comes with better patience and adaptability to withstand any knocks, bumps, slides, or accidents.
Storage, Performance and Battery:
The performance aspect among the ThinkPad and Surface Pro is as well justified with the processing power. However, you just can’t demonstrate it solely with the capacity of your laptop processor performance. The storage and RAM count significantly when it comes to the overall performance or speed. Microsoft Surface Pro is relatively better with the options provided in storage. But you can almost get a similar level of storage in ThinkPad. But, with Microsoft Surface Pro, we have slightly more choices to choose between the storage RAM combos.
The battery lasting time of the Microsoft Surface is visibly better than the Microsoft Surface Pro. While the Surface Pro lasts easily around 10 to 11 hours, the Lenovo ThinkPad still makes it to 8 to 9 hours a day. If you are a student, or a professional, you will enjoy using the Surface Pro much more.
Connectivity and Display
Here is where the tables turn around yet again with Lenovo ThinkPad doing much better with ports as compared to the Microsoft Surface Pro. While you can find USB Type C ports much easily in the Lenovo laptops, they are not that easily found in Microsoft Surface laptops. Its almost as if you Surface has the tradition of not including its USB C ports. So, the connectivity always stays better in the Lenovo laptops.
Lenovo Legion Vs Microsoft Surface
Lenovo Legion is the elite gaming series from the brand with mostly top-tier specs and high-end features. Made for sensational gaming sessions, these superfast gaming laptops do exceptionally well for every digital field. Microsoft Surface Pro, on the other hand, comes with premium and top-notch features to make its user experience lag-free. Let’s check which of these laptops can perform better in terms of performance, quality, and durability.
We have picked a perfect example to compare the two most demanding laptops from Lenovo Legion series and Microsoft Surface.
Specs | Lenovo Legion 5i | Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 |
Display | 15.6 in Screen Size, 2560 x 1440 | 13.5 Screen Size , 2256 x 1504 |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 10 Pro |
Processor | Intel Core i7 11th Gen. Processor | Intel Core i7 11th Gen. |
Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics GPU |
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB |
Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
CPU Speed:
The models compared here show that both laptops are integrated with the 11th Generation processor. Evaluating the benchmark scores and real-time performance, it was easier to negotiate both laptops held the same speed. But Microsoft Surface 4 performed a little better in the case of multitasking. The turbo speed frequency that you are able to get with the Legion ranges around 2.3GHz to 4.6GHz. In the case of Microsoft Surface, the Quad core processor operates between 3 GHz and 4.8GHz. Even when you get to operate various programs on the Legion and Microsoft Surface, you will observe the speed of Surface laptop is better.
Storage, Performance and Battery:
Clearly, the performance bar of the Microsoft Surface laptop 4 sets a high bar in comparison to the Lenovo Legion 4. In almost the same price, we are getting double the RAM in the Surface 4, with its featuring 32GB. But Lenovo Legion 5i mentioned above s integrated with the 16GB RAM, which makes it less speedy for multitasking. Although, you can get a 32GB version in the Legion as well, it will cost you a little higher than that of the Microsoft Surface 4.
Similarly, the storage capacity in both these laptops is comparably less than the other laptop. But both laptops come with the solid-state drive to entertain multitasking at its best. The battery, in contrast, is much better when it comes to the lasting time of Lenovo. Lenovo lasts around 12 to 13 hours while the Microsoft Surface 4 lasts around 8 to 9 hours, so you will be much more at ease when travelling with the Lenovo.
Connectivity and Display
Lenovo wins again in the connectivity sector with its range of ports added in all of its laptops, including Microsoft Surface 4. But this edition of Microsoft Surface 4 also features Thunderbolt C port which is easily found in the Legion 5 as well. But you can find a better collection of ports included in the Legion 5 as compared to Surface 4, so that is a plus.
Who makes the best gaming laptops Lenovo or Microsoft Surface?
Lenovo and Microsoft both offer good gaming laptops but gamers prefer the Lenovo legion gaming laptops over Microsoft gaming laptops. Lenovo gaming series with more powerful features. Microsoft gaming laptops are also with high-end features.
Bottom Line
Both brands are big and when we say big, it is not just an average brand followed by casual laptops and neither are they below the belt. You can find a very competitive versions of laptops from both manufacturers. In some cases, Microsoft Surface laptops have a clear edge over the Lenovo laptops but the premium series from Lenovo fights excellently with Microsoft’s top line items.
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