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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 is typically much less expensive and offers solid performance for general use and engineering tasks, but it's not designed for intensive gaming. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, while typically much more expensive, delivers higher performance, especially for 3D applications, machine learning, and gaming, along with a premium build and features like a high-resolution screen and versatility in form factor. If budget is a concern and your work doesn't demand cutting-edge graphics or processing power, the Lenovo is a practical choice. However, if you're looking for top-tier performance and features and are willing to invest more, consider the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2. 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 Slim 7 16
- Very good overall display quality
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
Key differences
General Use
7.7
8.3
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
500.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
503.0 nits
9.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for general use, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 stands out for general use due to its higher RAM capacity, more powerful CPU, and sharper screen, alongside a versatile design that doubles as a drawing tablet, all beneficial for multitasking and media consumption, despite its lower battery life and storage than the Lenovo Slim 7 16, which offers ample performance and screen quality for everyday tasks, longer battery life, and more storage, making it a solid choice for general use albeit with lower RAM and a less versatile design.
Gaming and AI
6.6
7.7
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.5/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers better 3D and gaming performance due to its more powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card and higher screen quality, which are very important factors for such tasks. In contrast, the Lenovo Slim 7 16 has a less capable Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU and a slightly higher screen refresh rate, but these specs don't compensate for the Studio 2's superior GPU and screen quality.
Engineering and Design
7.5
8.7
7.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
4.3/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
7.5/10
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design thanks to its robust Intel i7 processor, substantial 64 GB of RAM, and powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, which together support demanding applications and complex tasks, as well as offering a high-quality display for precise work. In comparison, the Lenovo Slim 7 16's AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and Nvidia RTX 3050 GPU provide capable performance for engineering and design tasks but may not handle the same level of intensity as efficiently.
Content Creation
7.6
8.4
7.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for content creation, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 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
7.6
8.2
7.2/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
9.0/10
16.0 GB
RAM
64.0 GB
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for software development, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 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
8.3
7.9
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
2560 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
500.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
503.0 nits
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
When considering general use, both the Lenovo Slim 7 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offer screens with high resolution and brightness, providing crisp and vibrant visuals suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption. For engineering and design work, both laptops boast screens that cover a wide range of colors, ensuring that professionals can see accurate and precise hues for their projects. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their screens fall short due to lower refresh rates, which means that these laptops may not provide as smooth an experience as models specifically geared for high frame rate gaming.
Battery
9.5 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has 9.5 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
Build Quality
7.8
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo Slim 7 16 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$591
$2,900
$0
$1,000
$2,000
$3,000
$4,000
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 has a price of $591 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 costs $2,900.
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Key similarities
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
4.6 lbs
WEIGHT
4.4 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Lenovo Slim 7 16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Lenovo Slim 7 16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Slim 7 16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$591 | $2,900 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | September 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.7'' x 0.69'' | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.6 lbs | 4.41 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.01" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.68" | 9.06" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6800HS | Intel i7-13700H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 64 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 1024 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 9.5 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 75 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 500 nits | 503 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Slim 7 16
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Eric Grevstad | March 2022
"At $1,011, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 7 Pro is a real bargain among full-sized laptops, with a handsome 16-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio touch screen, a speedy CPU, a comfortable keyboard, ample memory, and a roomy solid-state drive. It's not a blazing gaming rig or mobile workstation, but it doesn't pretend to be. Its biggest negative is that it may be hard to find—during our review, it sold out and was marked "Temporarily Unavailable" on Lenovo's site."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The new Surface Laptop Studio with its foldable display is supposed to replace the old Surface Book and the overall impression is good after our review. The build quality and the materials are top-notch, the performance utilization of the two components is solid and the device does not show any major flaws in terms of display or speakers, either. The folding mechanism leaves a sold impression as well, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up over the years. The so-called presentation mode is also not ideal since it covers the whole keyboard."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Slim 7 16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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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