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·
Choosing between the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio involves considering factors like price, performance, and features. The ThinkPad Z16 is more expensive but offers higher storage capacity and more RAM, which translates to better performance especially in engineering tasks. It has an OLED screen which means deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, making it suitable for tasks that require high color accuracy. On the other hand, the Surface Laptop Studio is less expensive, with a high refresh rate IPS screen that is better suited for fast motion like gaming. It has a unique form factor and comes with hardware ray tracing and DLSS features which are beneficial for gaming and creative tasks. It's also slightly lighter than the ThinkPad Z16. The ThinkPad Z16 offers a longer battery life, which is valuable if you need to work on the go without frequent charging. Both laptops offer premium build quality, high screen resolution with touchscreen functionality, and are equipped with backlit keyboards and fingerprint readers for added security. The decision should align with whether you prioritize performance and screen quality over portability and gaming features. 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 Z16
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Very good for software development
- Very good for content creation
- Best in class speakers
- Excellent keyboard
Advantages of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16.
Key differences
General Use
8.6
7.4
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
393.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
7.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.8/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for general use, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 excels in general use due to its superior screen quality, larger RAM, and a more robust CPU, which enhances multitasking and productivity, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers good screen quality, flexibility with a hinge for drawing or tablet use, and marginally better portability and battery life. The Lenovo, with its premium business laptop features, prioritizes performance and screen quality at the cost of weight and battery life compared to the versatile Surface Laptop Studio, which balances general use with creative tasks.
Engineering and Design
8.4
7.3
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
4.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 boasts superior processing power with an AMD Ryzen CPU and more RAM, alongside a high-quality OLED screen, making it very good for demanding engineering and design tasks that require robust performance and accurate color reproduction.
Content Creation
8.5
7.4
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.2
7.3
7.4/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
5.5/10
32.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
9.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
8.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is very good for software development, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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
8.5
8.0
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
OLED
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
393.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
491.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio for general use, engineering and design, software development, and content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen for gaming and AI.
For general use, both the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio provide sharp visuals and bright displays, which are essential for activities like browsing and video streaming, ensuring a pleasant viewing experience. When it comes to engineering and design, the color accuracy and wider color gamut coverage are crucial, which both laptops deliver, making them suitable for professionals who work with visual content and need precise color representation. However, for gaming and 3D, a high refresh rate is key to a smooth experience, and since both laptops do not prioritize high refresh rates, they fall short in offering the optimal display quality that gamers and 3D artists typically seek.
Battery
7.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has 7 hours of battery life. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
Cost
$1,120
$1,700
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 has a price of $1,120 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio costs $1,700.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Laptop
Find your new laptop
Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.7
6.6
4.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
4.9/10
3840 x 2400
RESOLUTION
2400 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
Yes
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
8.0/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
6.7/10
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 is considered better for gaming and 3D applications than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio primarily because it has a stronger GPU, the AMD RX 6500M, compared to the RTX 3050 Ti in the Surface Laptop Studio. While both have adequate CPUs and screen quality, the ThinkPad Z16's GPU offers more robust gaming performance, despite both laptops having similar refresh rates which are also an important factor for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D tasks.
Portability
Good
Good
16.0in
SIZE
14.4in
4.2 lbs
WEIGHT
4.0 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.7in
The Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 both have very 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 ThinkPad Z16 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 | Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,120 | $1,700 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2023 | September 1, 2021 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14'' x 9.4'' x 0.62'' | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.27 lbs | 4 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 13.95" | 12.72" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.35" | 8.98" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 6850H | Intel i7-11370H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 32 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 2048 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 72 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 16" | 14.4" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | OLED | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3840 x 2400 | 2400 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 393 nits | 491 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | Yes | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 8/10 | 6.8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 9.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 1080p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | Yes | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 0 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 3 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 3 | 2 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Lenovo ThinkPad Z16
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCWorld
Matthew S. Smith | September 2022
"Lenovo’s ThinkPad Z16 tries has some success in its effort to tweak the ThinkPad formula. The laptop is attractive, yet still tame, and material quality is on par with the best Windows competition. I also like the smooth, responsive haptic touchpad and the wide range of modern connectivity. Yet the Z16 doesn’t fix ThinkPad’s typical weakness: value. Starting around $1,550, and more typically near $1,700, the Z16 finds itself facing alternatives that have better performance or an improved display for the same price, or less."
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
See more
Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Tom Brant | October 2021
"There’s no doubt that the Surface Laptop Studio is groundbreaking. We’ve come to expect such things from the Surface lineup, so it’s always nice to see a product that exceeds our expectations. The pull-forward laptop-screen concept has been tried before, but never in a device that’s so stylish and packed with innovative features like a haptic touchpad and robust digital stylus support."
Get a great deal on the Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 or the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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 ThinkPad Z16 vs. Acer Swift 3
VS
Compare Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 vs. Lenovo LOQ 15
VS
Compare Lenovo ThinkPad Z16 vs. ASUS Zenbook Pro 15
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio vs. Gigabyte Aorus 17
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio vs. Gigabyte Aorus 15
VS
Compare Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio vs. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
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
126,195
Recommendations made
27,343
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
