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Surface Laptop 5 13"
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ThinkBook 13x
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What we think

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The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 13, 2024·

When deciding between the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, consider the use case and priorities. The Surface tends to be more recognized for its touch screen and stylus support, making it ideal for artists or those who prefer taking hand-written notes. The ThinkBook, on the other hand, often offers stronger build quality and might be favored in business environments for its professional design. If cost is a major factor, and the features align with your needs, the Surface could be the better value. However, if durability and a business aesthetic are more important, the ThinkBook may justify the higher price. 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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"
  • The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
  • Very good for content creation
  • Very good overall display quality

Key differences

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Engineering and Design

7.1
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
7.9
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for engineering and design, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.

Content Creation

7.4
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
8.0
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is very good for content creation, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" is good.

Software Development

7.2
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
7.9
6.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is somewhat better.

Screen Quality

7.2
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
8.2
13.5in
SIZE
13.5in
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
400.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" for general use, gaming and AI, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.

Cost

$1,200
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
$1,399
Product image
Product image

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has a price of $1,200 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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Key similarities

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General Use

7.4
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
7.9
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
400.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
7.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.0/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both good for general use.

Gaming and AI

6.1
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
6.6
3.7/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2256 x 1504
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" are both only fair for gaming and AI.

Battery

7.5 Hours
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" has 7.5 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has 8 hours of battery life.

Portability

Excellent
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
Excellent
13.5in
SIZE
13.5in
2.8 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.5in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x and Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.

Build Quality

7.8
Surface Laptop 5 13"
ThinkBook 13x
7.6
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x both have good build quality.

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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops

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Spec Comparison

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13"Lenovo ThinkBook 13x

GENERAL

Price
$1,200
$1,399
Release Date
October 1, 2022January 30, 2024
Overall Dimensions
12.1'' x 8.8'' x 0.57''11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5''
Weight
2.86 lbs2.7 lbs
Width
12.1"11.6"
Depth
8.8"8.1"

INTERNAL

Processor
Intel i7-1255UIntel Core Ultra 5 125H
RAM
16 GB16 GB
DDR Memory Version
55
RAM Slots
00
Storage
512 GB512 GB

BATTERY

Battery Life
7.5 Hours8 Hours
Battery Capacity
47.4 Wh74 Wh

SCREEN

Diagonal Size
13.5"13.5"
Display Technology
IPSIPS
Resolution
2256 x 15042880 x 1920
Refresh Rate
60Hz120Hz
Display Brightness
400 nits500 nits

RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS

Build Quality Score
7.8/107.6/10
Portability Score
9/109.4/10
Gaming Laptop Appearance
NoNo
Premium Business Laptop
NoNo
Fan Noise Score
7.5/108.4/10

HARDWARE FEATURES

Keyboard Quality Score
7/107.5/10
Speaker Quality Score
8.8/108.8/10
Webcam
720p1080p
Fingerprint Reader
NoYes
Backlit Keyboard
YesYes
Number Pad
NoNo

CONNECTIVITY

USB Type-A
10
USB-C ports
13
USB-C Charging
YesYes
Display Outputs
13
Thunderbolt Version
44

Shopping

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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 Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13" or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x

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.

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.

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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
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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.

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