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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated March 13, 2024·
When choosing between laptops like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio and the Lenovo ThinkBook, consider that the Surface is generally more expensive but offers a versatile design suitable for creative professionals who may benefit from its touch screen and stylus capabilities. It usually has higher processing power, making it better for demanding tasks like video editing or design work. The ThinkBook, while more budget-friendly, is lightweight, making it a good fit for those prioritizing portability and basic business functionality without the need for high-end graphics or processing power. Battery life varies, so a laptop with longer battery life suits users who travel or work remotely frequently. 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 2
- Very good for general use
- Very good for engineering and design
- Good for gaming and AI
- Very good for software development
- Very good overall build quality
- Very good keyboard
Advantages of the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x
- Very good overall display quality
- Excellent portability
Key differences
Gaming and AI
7.7
6.6
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
Yes
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
6.7/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.3/10
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is good for gaming and AI, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is only fair.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 outperforms the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x for gaming and 3D applications because it typically features a better GPU and a higher screen refresh rate, which are crucial for smooth graphics and responsive gameplay. While the ThinkBook 13x may have a quality screen and competent CPU, these factors have less impact on gaming and 3D performance than the GPU and refresh rate, making the Surface Laptop Studio 2 the preferable option for those needs.
Engineering and Design
8.7
7.9
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
7.5/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.7/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 is very good for engineering and design, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2, with its advanced CPU, ample RAM, and high-end GPU, boasts a vibrant screen that excels in handling intensive engineering software, making it a solid choice for demanding design tasks. On the other hand, the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offers a balance of performance with its capable CPU and RAM, along with good portability and a quality keyboard, making it a practical option for engineers and designers who need to work on the go without compromising too much on power.
Screen Quality
7.9
8.2
14.4in
SIZE
13.5in
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
503.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a better screen than the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x for software development, and content creation, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has a better screen for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design.
For general use, both the Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x offer crisp visuals and clear details with their high-resolution displays and ample brightness, making text and images easy to view. Their wide color gamuts ensure that professionals in engineering and design see accurate colors, essential for tasks that demand precision in color work. However, their lower refresh rates, while not as critical for general use or professional design, can make fast-paced gaming or 3D modeling feel less smooth, which is why they fall short for those specific purposes.
Portability
Good
Excellent
14.4in
SIZE
13.5in
4.4 lbs
WEIGHT
2.7 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.5in
The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has excellent portability, while the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
Build Quality
8.5
7.6
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has very good build quality, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x has good build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$2,900
$1,399
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
$3,000
$3,500
$4,000
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has a price of $2,900 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x costs $1,399.
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Key similarities
General Use
8.3
7.9
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
503.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
500.0 nits
8.0 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
8.0 Hours
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
7.5/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
9.3/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 to be very good for general use, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x is good.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 offers a faster CPU and more RAM for smoother multitasking capabilities and quicker load times, with a high-quality screen that enhances visual experiences, making it well-suited to a range of tasks from daily productivity to media consumption; however, it is heavier and has a shorter battery life, which could limit its portability compared to the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x, which is lighter, boasts longer battery life for all-day use without charging, and still provides a solid balance of performance, screen quality, and comfortable keyboard, making it a practical choice for general use with the convenience of mobility.
Content Creation
8.4
8.0
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and Lenovo ThinkBook 13x are both very 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
8.2
7.9
9.0/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
8.6/10
64.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
2400 x 1600
RESOLUTION
2880 x 1920
8.0/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.5/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 to be very good for software development, while the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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.
Battery
8.0 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has 8 hours of battery life. The Lenovo ThinkBook 13x 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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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 13x compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 | Lenovo ThinkBook 13x |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$2,900 | $1,399 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2023 | January 30, 2024 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 12.7'' x 9.1'' x 0.86'' | 11.6'' x 8.1'' x 0.5'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.41 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 12.72" | 11.6" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.06" | 8.1" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i7-13700H | Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 64 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 5 | 5 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 0 | 0 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 1024 GB | 512 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 8 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 74 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 14.4" | 13.5" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1600 | 2880 x 1920 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 503 nits | 500 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 8.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.5/10 | 9.4/10 | |
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 | 1080p | |
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 2
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Dig into reviews and images
NotebookCheck
Andreas Osthoff | March 2022
"The new Surface Laptop Studio with its foldable display is supposed to replace the old Surface Book and the overall impression is good after our review. The build quality and the materials are top-notch, the performance utilization of the two components is solid and the device does not show any major flaws in terms of display or speakers, either. The folding mechanism leaves a sold impression as well, but it remains to be seen how it will hold up over the years. The so-called presentation mode is also not ideal since it covers the whole keyboard."
Get a great deal on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 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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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
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Recommendations made
21,103
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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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