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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 generally costs a bit more but provides double the storage and RAM, better CPU performance, larger screen with higher resolution, and longer battery life compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which is lighter and therefore more portable. The Surface Laptop could be suitable for general usage and if portability is a priority, while the ThinkPad, with its additional resources and power, is better suited for demanding tasks like engineering and 3D work. 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 ThinkPad Z13
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good battery life
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13.
Key differences
General Use
7.8
7.2
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
379.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
10.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.2/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is somewhat better.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 excels in general use thanks to its superior CPU and more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and faster performance, as well as a higher-quality screen and more substantial battery life for longer usage without recharging. Meanwhile, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 offers commendable portability and build quality with a lighter frame and compact size, but stands behind in long-term performance and viewing experience.
Engineering and Design
7.3
6.8
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 stands out for engineering and design due to its superior CPU, double the RAM, and much stronger GPU compared to the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, which, while fair, has a less powerful CPU, half the RAM and a weaker GPU. Moreover, the ThinkPad offers better screen quality with higher resolution and color accuracy, which is crucial for design tasks, though the Surface Laptop Go 3 is notably more portable and may have a slight edge in build quality.
Software Development
7.7
7.1
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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
7.0
6.8
13.3in
SIZE
12.4in
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
379.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
337.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation.
Both the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 have displays with resolutions and brightness levels that are well-suited for general tasks like web browsing and document editing, while their panel types ensure crisp and clear images. For engineering and design, their screens can accurately represent a wide range of colors, which is crucial for detailed and precise work. However, for gaming and 3D applications, their displays fall short because they lack the higher refresh rates that are necessary for smooth motion rendering and a more immersive experience.
Battery
10.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has 10 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.
Build Quality
8.5
7.8
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has very good build quality, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$999
$799
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 has a price of $999 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 costs $799.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.3
6.1
3.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
9.1/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3, while capable for general use and productivity tasks, are not optimized for gaming and 3D applications due to their moderate GPUs and standard screen refresh rates. For activities that require high graphics performance or ultra-smooth visuals, laptops with more powerful GPUs and higher refresh rate displays are recommended.
Content Creation
7.8
7.3
6.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.4/10
1920 x 1200
RESOLUTION
1536 x 1024
16.0 GB
RAM
8.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 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.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
13.3in
SIZE
12.4in
2.7 lbs
WEIGHT
2.4 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.6in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$999 | $799 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | October 1, 2023 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11.6'' x 7.9'' x 0.55'' | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.78 lbs | 2.49 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 11.59" | 10.95" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 7.86" | 8.12" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6850U | Intel i5-1235U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 10 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 51.5 Wh | 41 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 13.3" | 12.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 1536 x 1024 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 379 nits | 337 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 9.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | No | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 1 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 2 | 1 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | No | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 1 | |
Thunderbolt Ports | |||
Thunderbolt Ports | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad Z13
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Brian Westover | September 2022
"In the premium ultraportable space, the Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 competes with the best of the best, and still manages to shine. The design is an impressive departure from the bland bare-metal laptop that's become so popular in recent years, and the AMD-powered system has performance that's just as impressive. It's a stark alternative to the Intel-based majority, and it stands up well enough to the impressive Apple M2 processor."
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 ThinkPad Z13 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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About the laptop team
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CEO and Laptops Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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