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Updated January 10, 2024·
Selecting between the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 depends on your priorities. The Lenovo has a larger, higher-resolution screen, more powerful processor, better graphics capabilities, and longer battery life, making it suitable for more intensive tasks like light gaming, photo editing, and multitasking. However, it's heavier and less portable than the lighter and more compact Surface Laptop Go 3, which offers convenience for basic tasks and better mobility at the cost of lower storage capacity, less RAM, and a lower-specification processor. The Surface is usually cheaper and has a taller 3:2 aspect ratio screen that's advantageous for browsing or document work, but the Lenovo's performance advantage can be crucial if you need it for more demanding applications. 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 Pro
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
- Very good speakers
Key differences
Screen Quality
7.7
6.8
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
395.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, the Lenovo IdeaPad boasts a display that provides crisp images and bright visuals due to its high resolution and superior panel type, outweighing the Microsoft Surface in these regards. In the context of engineering and design, the Lenovo has a distinct advantage through its coverage of professional color gamuts, facilitating more accurate color work than the Surface which, while capable, lags slightly behind. However, for gaming and 3D applications, both laptops fall short as their screens don't have the high refresh rates preferred for smooth motion, making them less ideal for these purposes.
Cost
$799
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has a price of $799 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $699.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.3
7.2
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
395.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
8.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
8.7/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro offers more RAM and a higher-quality screen with better resolution and brightness, contributing to its efficiency in general use, but it is slightly heavier and pricier than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which boasts excellent portability and very good speaker quality but has less RAM and a lower resolution screen that might affect multitasking and visual tasks.
Gaming and AI
6.1
6.1
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
90Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has a higher screen refresh rate and a better GPU, which are very important for gaming and 3D applications, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has a lower refresh rate and the same level of GPU; both have decent CPUs and screen quality that are somewhat important, but they won't deliver the highest gaming performance due to their integrated graphics.
Engineering and Design
7.0
6.8
5.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro to be good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has superior CPU performance, more RAM, and a higher quality GPU compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which makes it a better fit for demanding engineering and design tasks. Although both laptops offer high screen quality, the Lenovo's screen provides better resolution and color accuracy, further enhancing its suitability for detailed work in engineering and design, while the Surface Laptop Go 3 offers greater portability and quieter operation, making it a fair choice for less intensive uses.
Content Creation
7.4
7.3
5.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for content creation.
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
7.3
7.1
5.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2880 x 1800
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development.
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.
Battery
8.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has 8.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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
Very Good
Excellent
14.0in
SIZE
12.4in
3.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 to have excellent portability, while the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro has very good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
7.8
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 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 Pro and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$799 | $699 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.3'' x 8.7'' x 0.62'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.04 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.29" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.74" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-11300H | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8.5 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 | 2880 x 1800 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 395 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 8.8/10 | 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 | 7.5/10 | 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 | No | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | N/A | |
Shopping
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Allen Ngo | October 2021
"The main selling point of the IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro versus a regular IdeaPad Slim 7 is its faster Core H-series CPU. In reality, the Core i7-11370H is only marginally faster than the U-series Core i7-1165G7 to the point where most users are not likely to notice the benefits. The slight performance uptick comes at the cost of slightly higher power consumption as well meaning owners will have to deal with potentially warmer temperatures or louder fans to compensate. Unless if you happen to be a power user, then the regular non-Pro model will be more than enough. Once you go 90 Hz, you can't go back."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Joe Osborne | October 2023
"When it comes to affordably priced laptops, the numbers after the dollar sign are crucially important—more so than in any other price category. By increasing the starting price of its Laptop Go line by $200 and not changing much else, Microsoft irrevocably altered the calculus surrounding the decision of whether to buy the Surface Laptop Go 3. Sure, it has a newer processor and longer battery life, but don’t think for a second you’re not paying dearly for that extra RAM and SSD capacity at that new price."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
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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