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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for an affordable, basic laptop for general use, the Gateway 11.6" is much less expensive than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, and with its smaller size and lighter weight, it's more portable. However, its lower storage capacity, lesser amount of RAM, and an older processor mean it may struggle with more intensive tasks. The ThinkBook 13s, while pricier and slightly heavier, boasts a higher resolution touchscreen, better performance with more storage and RAM, and overall higher build quality. It's better for demanding tasks like engineering or 3D work, but keep in mind both laptops have similar battery lives. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Gateway 11.6"
- The Gateway 11.6" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
- Good for general use
- Good for engineering and design
- Good for software development
- Good for content creation
- Good overall display quality
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
5.6
7.8
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
200.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.1/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good for general use, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" offers limited performance with a basic Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and a lower-resolution screen, impacting multitasking abilities and visual clarity, thus making it less suitable for general use. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s provides a powerful Intel i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a higher-resolution screen, ensuring smoother operations and sharper images conducive for a range of tasks.
Gaming and AI
5.4
6.4
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is only fair for gaming and AI, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Engineering and Design
5.4
7.5
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good for engineering and design, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
The Gateway 11.6" has modest specs with a lower-end CPU, minimal RAM, basic integrated graphics, and a lower resolution screen, making it less capable for demanding engineering and design tasks. In contrast, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is equipped with a high-performance CPU, ample RAM, superior integrated graphics, and a high-resolution screen, providing the power and detail required for such specialized work.
Content Creation
5.7
7.8
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good for content creation, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Software Development
5.7
7.7
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
5.3/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good for software development, while the Gateway 11.6" is poor.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
5.7
7.2
11.6in
SIZE
13.3in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
200.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has a better screen than the Gateway 11.6" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
For general use, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s stands out with a sharper resolution and brighter display, making everything from browsing to document editing clearer and more comfortable to view than the Gateway 11.6". The ThinkBook’s wider color gamuts render it superior for engineering and design tasks, where precise color representation is crucial, while the Gateway's limited color range could hinder such color-critical work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Gateway's low refresh rate can be a deal-breaker, and even though the Lenovo doesn't excel here either, its better resolution and panel quality give it a slight edge despite not being ideal for fast-paced visual content.
Build Quality
5.1
7.6
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has good build quality, while the Gateway 11.6" has poor build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$89
$1,000
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Gateway 11.6" has a price of $89 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Gateway 11.6" has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has 8 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
11.6in
SIZE
13.3in
2.6 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Gateway 11.6" and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Gateway 11.6" and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Gateway 11.6" | Lenovo ThinkBook 13s |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 7.5'' x 0.7'' | 11.7'' x 8.3'' x 0.59'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.6 lbs | 2.9 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.5" | 8.3" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel Celeron N4020 | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 64 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | Unknown | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 11.6" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1366 x 768 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 200 nits | 336 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 5.1/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.2/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 5.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 0 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chin | July 2021
"The best thing about the ThinkBook 13S is that it’s a good deal. Business buyers looking for ThinkPad-level performance and software without ThinkPad pricing will probably find the ThinkBook a solid option. While nothing about it is really spectacular, it’s certainly unusual to see the ThinkBook’s screen resolution at a sub-$1,000 price, and its performance will be more than adequate for most office tasks. The generous port selection, 16:10 aspect ratio, physical webcam shutter, and clear audio are certainly icing on the cake."
Get a great deal on the Gateway 11.6" or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
About Gateway
Gateway is a laptop and tablet brand owned by Acer which sells budget-friendly laptops exclusively through Walmart. It was previously an American computer company until its acquisition by Acer in 2007, who then revived the brand in 2020. Gateway laptops are manufactured by Chinese company Shenzhen Bmorn Technology, which also makes EVOO-branded models.
About Lenovo
Lenovo is a Chinese technology company, and one of the largest personal computer vendor. They are well known for a variety of technology products, including laptops. Their consumer series include their entry level IdeaPad and LOQ series and mid-to-high-end Yoga and Legion series. On the business-oriented side, their series include their entry-level ThinkBook series and mid-to-high-end ThinkPad series. Lenovo laptops offer strong performance for reasonable prices, and are often on sale.
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