If you're on a tight budget, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is an economical choice that will cover basic tasks, but it has a lower resolution screen and less powerful components than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The Surface Laptop Go 2 costs more, but it offers a better display, improved performance for multitasking, and a more premium build quality. For heavy tasks like 3D modeling or machine learning, neither may be suitable, but for general use and portability with a better user experience, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is a stronger option, albeit at a higher price. 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 Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14"
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has no clear advantages over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2.
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
Good for general use
Good for software development
Good for content creation
Good overall build quality
Excellent portability
Very good speakers
Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.1/10
7.0/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
239.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
9.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.3/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good for general use, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" offers modest performance due to its basic processor and limited RAM, which might result in slower multitasking and less power for demanding applications, while its TN screen with lower resolution delivers less vibrant colors and viewing angles, making it less ideal for extended use. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 comes with a more capable processor, double the amount of RAM, a higher-resolution IPS touchscreen which provides better color rendition and viewing angles, and a more compact and lightweight design enhancing portability, resulting in a better overall experience for general use.
Engineering and Design
5.5/10
6.5/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair for engineering and design, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is poor.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is deemed unsuitable for engineering and design due to its limited RAM, basic CPU and GPU, and a lower-quality TN screen, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is considered fair for such tasks with more RAM, a superior CPU, higher screen resolution, and better GPU. Both machines are transportable and offer quality keyboards, but the Microsoft's higher screen quality and stronger internal hardware make it a more viable option for engineering and design use despite being somewhat pricier.
Content Creation
6.2/10
7.1/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good for content creation, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
6.4/10
7.0/10
3.3/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
4.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is good for software development, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" is only fair.
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
5.3/10
6.9/10
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1366 x 768
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
TN
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
239.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a better screen than the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Lenovo IdeaPad's screen may appear dull or grainy, impacting daily tasks like browsing or watching videos, making it less suitable for both casual and professional use, where clear and sharp visuals are important. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a higher resolution and brighter display, enhancing the user experience for general computing and detailed design work, thanks to more accurate colors. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Surface's standard refresh rate limits smooth motion rendering, which is less ideal for high-speed graphics where higher refresh rates are beneficial.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has excellent portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
6.0/10
7.8/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has good build quality, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$153
$565
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has a price of $153 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $565.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 to be only fair for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" 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.
Battery
9.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" has 9 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 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.
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How the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
"The IdeaPad 1 14 is a simple machine, but it’s well-designed and has nearly everything you’d expect from a no-nonsense laptop that allows you to check emails and get schoolwork or other light tasks done with relative ease. A "true" 128GB SSD (as opposed to an eMMC drive) and a roomy 14-inch full HD display are arguably the star attractions, with the comfortable keyboard and reasonably modern styling playing important backup roles."
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14" or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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.
About Microsoft
Microsoft is an American technology corporation. Microsoft is best known for their Windows operating system and Surface laptop series. The Surface Laptop is their standard notebook offering, while their Surface Go, Surface Pro, and Surface Studio are their 2-in-1/tablet offerings in order of increasing capability. Although Microsoft charges a premium price tag for their laptops, buyers can expect a well integrated and packaged device since Microsoft develops the Windows operating system.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec laptops team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest laptop information and makes it digestible for you.
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