A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" offers higher performance, better suited for intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering, thanks to its robust processor and dedicated graphics card. It has a higher storage capacity and more RAM, enhancing its ability to handle demanding applications. However, it's heavier and less portable compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which is lighter and offers better portability but with less power and lower storage capacity. The Surface Laptop Go 3 has a touchscreen and a better battery life but is more suitable for general use and less resource-intensive tasks. If you need a laptop for high-performance activities and don't mind a bulkier device, the Lenovo is a better fit. Otherwise, for everyday use and portability, the Surface Laptop Go 3 may be more appropriate. 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 Legion Slim 7 16"
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.2
7.2
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
502.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is good.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 boasts a higher-quality screen, more RAM, and a more powerful CPU compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. While both have high-quality keyboards and manage heat efficiently, the Surface Laptop Go 3 edges out in portability and battery life, which along with its touchscreen feature, may appeal to users who prioritize mobility and longer use away from power sources.
Gaming and AI
8.2
6.1
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
Yes
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" is very good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" is better for gaming and 3D applications due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU and higher screen refresh rate of 240Hz, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers a more basic gaming experience with its integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and standard 60Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the CPU in the Lenovo is more robust for handling gaming demands, and both laptops have quality IPS display panels, but the Lenovo offers a higher resolution and brighter screen for more immersive gaming and content creation.
Engineering and Design
8.6
6.8
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
8.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7, with a more powerful CPU and GPU and higher RAM, excels in engineering and design tasks requiring intensive computing, while the smaller screen and lower resolution of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 affect screen quality and detail, although it offers better portability due to its lighter weight and smaller form factor. The Lenovo's hardware, including discrete graphics, positions it as a strong choice for demanding tasks, while the Surface Laptop Go 3's integrated graphics and lower performance components make it fair for less intense uses but much more travel-friendly.
Content Creation
8.3
7.3
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is good.
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
8.0
7.1
9.1/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
8.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is good.
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
8.7
6.8
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
240Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
502.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
For general use, the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 delivers a sharp image and bright, vivid colors due to its high resolution and panel quality, making text and visuals crisp and clear, while the Surface Laptop Go 3 offers satisfactory display quality that suits everyday tasks but isn't as sharp as the Lenovo. In engineering and design, the Lenovo's ability to accurately represent a wide color spectrum stands out, essential for detailed and color-sensitive work, but the Surface, while serviceable, falls short for precision color work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, the Legion Slim 7's lower refresh rate may lead to less fluid motion and responsiveness compared to laptops designed for gaming, whereas the Surface Laptop Go 3 also lacks the high refresh rate crucial for smooth gameplay and 3D rendering.
Battery
7.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 has 7 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
Good
Excellent
16.0in
SIZE
12.4in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has excellent portability, while the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,344
$797
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" has a price of $1,344 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $797.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Build Quality
7.6
7.8
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 and Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,344 | $797 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 10.2'' x 0.69'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.4 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.08" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 10.21" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 1 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 99.9 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 240Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 502 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 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 | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 3 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16"
See more
Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Benjamin Herzig | November 2022
"The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 is a slim Legion notebook that is just as excellent with Nvidia & Intel. However, the Legion Slim 7i slightly sullied by lacklustre battery life. You get a slim aluminium chassis, great input devices, decent port selection, fast high-quality WQXGA display and great performance. Supporting Thunderbolt 4 is one advantage of the Intel/Nvidia model tested in this review. Moreover, this variant has slightly higher CPU performance as well as better GPU performance in certain applications (e.g. CUDA-based apps). The Lenovo Legion S7i is thin, premium and performant – but less efficient than its AMD counterpart."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
See more
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 Legion Slim 7 16" 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Laptop guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" vs. ASUS Vivobook 16X
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" vs. MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo
VS
Compare Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16" vs. Dell G15 5520
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 vs. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 vs. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7i Pro
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 vs. Dell Inspiron 16 5625
VS
FAQs
FAQs about laptops
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
380
Laptops evaluated
48,640
Laptops stats compiled
13
Proprietary Laptops ratings developed
130,695
Recommendations made
28,318
Consumer hours saved
About the laptop team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Craig Russell
Laptops Expert
Craig is a UK-based laptops expert. Craig works in IT, where he recommends and supports laptops and PCs for clients and has been recommending laptops on Reddit for five years.
Featured in
