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Updated January 12, 2024·
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i offers higher performance with more memory and a more powerful processor with dedicated graphics, making it suited for intensive tasks like engineering, 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming. It also has a higher resolution screen and larger battery, which could result in better visual quality and battery life, but it is heavier and might be less portable than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13". In contrast, the Surface is lighter and more portable with a unique 3:2 screen aspect ratio and integrated graphics, which should suffice for general use and light productivity tasks. If portability and budget are your priorities, and your computing needs are moderate, the Surface might be the better option; however, if you need more power for demanding applications and are willing to invest more, the Lenovo would be the better choice. 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 Pro 9i
- 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
- Best in class overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
- Excellent portability
Key differences
General Use
8.5
7.4
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
618.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
6.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
7.5 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i stands out for general use due to its high-performance CPU, abundant RAM, and superior screen quality, offering a mini LED display with higher brightness and color accuracy compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13", which still provides good general use capabilities with a solid CPU, impressive portability, and long battery life but has less RAM and a standard IPS screen. While the Lenovo offers better performance and display for more demanding tasks, the Surface Laptop 5 excels in being lighter and easier to carry, with both laptops having quality keyboards and adequate storage for everyday needs.
Gaming and AI
7.6
6.1
6.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is good for gaming and AI, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is only fair.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is good for gaming and 3D largely because it has a powerful Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics chip and a high screen refresh rate of 165 Hz, which significantly enhance the visual experience and fluidity during gameplay. In contrast, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is equipped with a less powerful Intel Iris Xe graphics chip and a standard refresh rate of 60 Hz, which may result in less fluid and detailed gaming and 3D rendering performance.
Engineering and Design
8.9
7.1
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
6.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i excels in engineering and design due to its more powerful CPU and GPU, expansive RAM, and superior screen quality which are crucial for high-performance tasks, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" offers a balance between performance and portability with its lighter weight and good build, but houses a less robust CPU and GPU and a less vibrant screen, making it less optimal for intensive design work. While both laptops are fine-tuned for productivity and feature high-quality keyboards and touchscreens, the Lenovo's higher specifications make it excellent for demanding engineering software and detailed design applications where precision and speed are key.
Content Creation
8.5
7.4
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
8.3
7.2
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" 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
9.6
7.2
14.5in
SIZE
13.5in
3072 x 1920
RESOLUTION
2256 x 1504
Mini LED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
165Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
618.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
400.0 nits
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i shines in general use and engineering settings due to its high-resolution display, exceptional brightness, and wide color gamut coverage, providing vivid and accurate colors critical for detailed design work. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" also offers a high-quality screen with good resolution and brightness for everyday tasks and design work but falls short in the color accuracy compared to the Lenovo. However, both laptops lack high refresh rate screens, which is a key factor for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D rendering, making them less than ideal for these purposes.
Battery
6.0 Hours
7.5 Hours
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has 6 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 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
14.5in
SIZE
13.5in
3.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.8 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has excellent portability, while the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Cost
$1,500
$1,200
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i has a price of $1,500 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" costs $1,200.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Lenovo Slim Pro 9i to have very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 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 Slim Pro 9i and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo Slim Pro 9i | Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,500 | $1,200 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2023 | October 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.9'' x 9.6'' x 0.85'' | 12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.7 lbs | 2.86 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.9" | 12.1" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.64" | 8.8" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13705H | Intel i7-1255U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6 Hours | 7.5 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 75 Wh | 47.4 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.5" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | Mini LED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3072 x 1920 | 2256 x 1504 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 165Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 618 nits | 400 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
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 | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo Slim Pro 9i
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Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | August 2023
"The Lenovo Slim Pro 9i is an impressive laptop with a brilliant Mini-LED display, a powerful 100-watt version of Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics, and excellent connectivity. Having run the Cinebench benchmark again, we were impressed with the CPU performance. That makes the Slim Pro 9i is an easy recommendation, especially for those who care about GPU and CPU performance. It’s also a fantastic choice if you frequently view HDR movies and games on your laptop."
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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Dig into reviews and images
CNET
Lori Grunin | October 2022
"The Surface Laptop 5 remains afloat as a solid machine. It's just not one that stands out in any particular way. Just like the last one. The biggest upgrade were some new components, but they perform in the same range as other laptops with them, and frequently at the bottom of that range. I suspect Microsoft's settings are very conservative to help keep cooling and battery life within reason in the older chassis design."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo Slim Pro 9i or the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
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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