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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 offers a more portable design and a higher battery capacity, which is great for general use and work on the go. It is priced similarly to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s but comes with less storage and a less powerful processor. The Surface Laptop Go 2 is equipped with an entry-level processor sufficient for everyday tasks, but it could struggle with more intensive applications. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s includes a more robust processor, double the memory, and quadruple the storage, tackling demanding tasks and engineering software with greater ease. With superior build quality and a backlit keyboard, the ThinkBook 13s is prepared for business use and environments that require more computing power. If portability and budget are your priorities, the Surface Laptop Go 2 is a solid choice, but if you need stronger performance for complex tasks, the ThinkBook 13s is a better fit. 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 Go 2
- The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has no clear advantages over the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s.
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
- Good for engineering and design
- Good overall display quality
Key differences
General Use
7.0
7.8
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
401.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
9.2/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for general use, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is somewhat better.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s excels in general use over the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 primarily because it has a faster CPU, more RAM, and a higher resolution display, enhancing overall performance and screen clarity. While both laptops offer portability and good battery life, the ThinkBook also has a larger storage capacity and higher speaker and screen color quality, which contribute to a more robust user experience for a variety of tasks.
Engineering and Design
6.5
7.5
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is good for engineering and design, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 is only fair.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s outperforms the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 in engineering and design because it has a more powerful CPU, double the RAM, higher storage capacity, and a better screen resolution, enhancing multitasking, and visual clarity for detailed work. While both have similar integrated GPUs and quality displays, the ThinkBook 13s's advantages in core performance specs are significant for demanding applications, despite it being slightly less portable and having a larger screen that could contribute to more operating noise.
Content Creation
7.1
7.8
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for content creation, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s is somewhat better.
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
7.0
7.7
4.9/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
7.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both good for software development, though the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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
6.9
7.2
12.4in
SIZE
13.3in
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
401.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has a better screen than the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 for general use, engineering and design, content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s have displays that provide clear, high-resolution images necessary for daily tasks and detailed engineering work with color accuracy that professionals need. However, both laptops lack high refresh rates which are critical for smooth visuals in gaming and 3D applications. Their strengths in resolution, brightness, and color accuracy make them suitable for productivity and design, but their lower refresh rates limit their effectiveness for gaming and 3D rendering.
Cost
$774
$1,000
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has a price of $774 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.4
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
1536 x 1024
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s are considered fair for gaming and 3D because they are equipped with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which can handle lighter gaming and 3D tasks, but lack the power of dedicated GPUs. Both have screens with a standard refresh rate of 60Hz, which is fine for casual gaming, but their screen quality and CPUs, while adequate, do not meet the high demands of the latest, most intensive games and 3D applications.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s 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.
Portability
Excellent
Excellent
12.4in
SIZE
13.3in
2.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.6in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s both have excellent portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
7.8
7.6
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s both have good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13s |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$774 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 11'' x 8.1'' x 0.62'' | 11.7'' x 8.3'' x 0.59'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 2.48 lbs | 2.9 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 10.95" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.12" | 8.3" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i5-1135G7 | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 128 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 12.4" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1536 x 1024 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 401 nits | 336 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | No | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | Yes | Yes | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 1 | 0 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | August 2022
"The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 review is a compact companion with old hardware. The Surface Laptop Go 2 shows some weaknesses. Microsoft didn't really develop the second generation of the Surface Laptop Go 2 any further but has only equipped it with a slightly more powerful Core i5 processor. However, the performance still remains at a fairly low level overall, but for many users, it definitely should still be sufficient for everyday tasks."
Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Monica Chin | July 2021
"The best thing about the ThinkBook 13S is that it’s a good deal. Business buyers looking for ThinkPad-level performance and software without ThinkPad pricing will probably find the ThinkBook a solid option. While nothing about it is really spectacular, it’s certainly unusual to see the ThinkBook’s screen resolution at a sub-$1,000 price, and its performance will be more than adequate for most office tasks. The generous port selection, 16:10 aspect ratio, physical webcam shutter, and clear audio are certainly icing on the cake."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 or the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
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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