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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is typically more expensive than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. The IdeaPad offers more storage and RAM, a slightly larger screen, and boasts a better battery life, making it better suited for intensive tasks like engineering and general use that require more power and multitasking capabilities. Conversely, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is more affordable, lighter, and comes with a touchscreen in a 3:2 aspect ratio which is better for productivity tasks like browsing or document editing. It is also more recent and runs Windows 11 out of the box. If budget and portability are key concerns, especially with lighter use in mind, the Surface Laptop Go 2 may be the better choice. However, for demanding tasks and longer unplugged usage, you might find the IdeaPad Slim 7i to be a more suitable option despite its higher price and weight. 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 Slim 7i
- Good for engineering and design
- Very good battery life
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.7
7.0
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
340.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
11.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.9/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is somewhat better.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is rated higher for general use than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 because it has a more powerful CPU, more RAM, and a larger screen with good image quality; these features enhance its performance and usability for a range of tasks. In contrast, the Surface Laptop Go 2 offers greater portability due to its smaller size and lower weight, but its weaker CPU, less RAM, and shorter battery life make it less suited for demanding applications, despite having a high-quality keyboard and managing heat well.
Engineering and Design
7.1
6.5
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is better suited for engineering and design tasks due to its more powerful Intel i7 processor, double the RAM, and higher storage capacity compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2, which has an Intel i5 processor, less RAM, and less storage, making it less powerful for such intensive tasks. Although the Surface Laptop Go 2 boasts a higher-resolution and touch-enabled screen, which is favorable for design work, its lower performance components make it more appropriate for less demanding tasks and enhance its portability due to its smaller size and lighter weight.
Content Creation
7.7
7.1
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is somewhat better.
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
7.5
7.0
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
4.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i is somewhat better.
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
6.9
6.9
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
340.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
401.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for software development, and content creation.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 both offer displays with adequate resolution, panel quality, and brightness suitable for typical applications like web browsing and video streaming, which is why they're good for general use. Their screens reproduce colors accurately enough to satisfy the needs for most engineering and design tasks which often involve work with color-sensitive content. However, for gaming and 3D applications which require smoother motion, they fall short as their refresh rates are not high enough to deliver the seamless visuals preferred in fast-paced or highly graphical environments.
Battery
11.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has 11.5 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.
Cost
$899
$774
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has a price of $899 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 costs $774.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.2
6.0
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both fair for gaming and 3D tasks due to their integrated Iris Xe graphics, which can handle some gaming and 3D applications but are less powerful compared to dedicated gaming GPUs. Moreover, both have 60Hz screen refresh rates which provide a decent experience for casual gaming, but avid gamers who require smoother visuals may prefer higher refresh rates typically found in specialized gaming laptops.
Portability
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
2.9 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 to have excellent portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
7.8
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$899 | $774 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2020 | June 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.6'' x 8.2'' x 0.59'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.99 lbs | 2.48 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.62" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.2" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-1165G7 | Intel i5-1135G7 | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 128 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 11.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 60.7 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 340 nits | 401 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Ted Needleman
| January 2022
"Among Lenovo's multiple laptop brands, the IdeaPad family is decidedly the one designed for consumers: people who want decent performance at a reasonable price. Consider, then, this laptop a paragon for the pickier members of that crowd. With a 14-inch touch-enabled display, a comfortable keyboard, an Evo-certified Intel Core i7 11th Generation CPU, and the latest Windows 11 operating system, the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro ultraportable ($1,199 as tested) is a slick mainstream machine at a bit of a premium price, and quite capable for everyday tasks."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"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 Slim 7i 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.
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