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Updated January 10, 2024·
When choosing between the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, consider the following: The Surface Laptop Studio is more expensive but offers a dedicated NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti GPU, making it better suited for 3D, machine learning, or gaming tasks. It features a slightly larger screen with a higher refresh rate, which is beneficial for fast-motion activities and creative work. The ThinkBook 13s, on the other hand, is more affordable and lighter, which increases its portability. It has integrated Intel graphics, which are sufficient for general use but not for intensive graphics tasks. Both models have similar storage, RAM, and high-resolution touchscreens, but the ThinkBook offers a slightly longer battery life, making it more suitable for on-the-go use without frequent charging. If price and portability are your main concerns, go with the ThinkBook 13s; if you need better performance for demanding applications, choose the Surface Laptop Studio. 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 Studio
- Very good overall display quality
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Screen Quality
8.0
7.2
14.4in
SIZE
13.3in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
491.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio boasts higher resolution and premium panel technology, delivering sharper and more vibrant visuals for both general use and engineering design tasks. It offers a wide color gamut, satisfying professionals who require accurate color reproduction for design work. However, its lower refresh rate affects the smoothness of fast-paced visuals, making it less optimal for gaming and 3D applications that benefit from higher refresh rates.
Portability
Good
Excellent
14.4in
SIZE
13.3in
4.0 lbs
WEIGHT
2.9 lbs
0.7in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has excellent portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.6
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has very good build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$1,700
$1,000
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a price of $1,700 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s costs $1,000.
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Key similarities
General Use
7.4
7.8
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
491.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
336.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.8/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.0/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for general use.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio offers a high-performance CPU and dedicated graphics, making it ideal for intensive tasks, while its larger, high-refresh rate touchscreen promotes productivity with a flexible hinge for various modes of use, but it is heavier and has shorter battery life. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s also provides strong performance with its efficient CPU and integrated graphics, has a lighter build coupled with longer battery life for greater portability, but lacks the dedicated GPU and the unique display functionality of its competitor.
Gaming and AI
6.6
6.4
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s are both only fair for gaming and AI.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio has a higher-end Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti graphics card and a 120Hz screen refresh rate that are better suited for gaming and 3D applications compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s, which comes with an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics and a 60Hz screen refresh rate, making it less optimal for such intensive tasks.
Engineering and Design
7.3
7.5
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
4.9/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.8/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for engineering and design.
PerfectRec’s Engineering and Design Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for graphic design and 3D rendering work.
Content Creation
7.4
7.8
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
Software Development
7.3
7.7
5.5/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
7.9/10
16.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2560 x 1600
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13s and Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio are both good for software development.
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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 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.
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How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13s compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio | Lenovo ThinkBook 13s |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$1,700 | $1,000 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9'' x 0.75'' | 11.7'' x 8.3'' x 0.59'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4 lbs | 2.9 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 11.7" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 8.98" | 8.3" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-11370H | Intel i7-1260P | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 56 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 13.3" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 491 nits | 336 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.9/10 | 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 | 6.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 1080p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | Yes | |
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 | 2 | 3 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 2 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | 4 | 4 | |
Shopping
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
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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."
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 Studio 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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