Microsoft Surface Book 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Microsoft Surface Book 3 and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Microsoft Surface Book 3 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Product Type Tablet - with keyboard dock Ultrabook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 31.2 cm x 23.2 cm x 2.3 cm 33.1 cm x 22.65 cm x 1.772 cm
Weight 1.534 kg 1.34 kg
Case Material Magnesium alloy Glass-fibre reinforced plastic, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, magnesium-aluminum alloy
Colour Platinum -
DISPLAY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Screen Size (Type) 13.5" 14"
Touchscreen Yes (10-point multi-touch) -
LCD Backlight Technology - LED backlight
Screen Resolution 3000 x 2000 1600 x 900 (HD+)
Pixel Density (ppi) 267 -
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 3:2 16:9
Features PixelSense Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G7 / 1.2 GHz Intel Core i7 (4th Gen) 4600U / 2.1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.7 GHz 3.3 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Dual-Core
Cache 6 MB 4 MB
64-bit Computing Yes Yes
Features - Hyper-Threading Technology, integrated memory controller, Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, Intel Smart Cache
MEMORY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
RAM 8 GB 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type LPDDR4X SDRAM DDR3L SDRAM
Speed 3733 MHz 1600 MHz / PC3L-12800
Rated Speed - 1600 MHz
STORAGE Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe) 120 GB SSD
AUDIO & VIDEO Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel Iris Plus Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4400
Camera Yes - 1080p Yes - 720p
Resolution 8 Megapixel (rear), 5 Megapixel (front) -
Camera Features Autofocus, Windows Hello Face tracking, gesture input support
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3232
Compliant Standards Dolby Atmos High Definition Audio, Dolby Home Theater v4
COMMUNICATIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
WWAN
Generation - WWAN upgradable
BATTERY Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Technology - Lithium Ion
Battery Life Up to 15.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Input - AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt -
INPUT Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, adaptive keyboard
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Interfaces 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (on keyboard dock)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (on keyboard dock) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone output
SurfaceConnect
SurfaceConnect (on keyboard dock)
USB 3.0
Mini DisplayPort
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Lenovo Ethernet extension connector
OneLink connector
USB 3.0 (Always On)
Memory Card Reader Yes (SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro Windows 10 Home (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher (MAR))
Software Included Microsoft 365 (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Microsoft Surface Book 3 Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2nd Gen)
Dockable Yes Yes
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options Accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, magnetometer, gyro sensor Ambient light sensor
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Trusted Platform Module (TPM 1.2) Security Chip
Security Slot Type - Kensington security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Volume control, Studio Mode, Tablet Mode, Laptop Mode Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, reset switch, 1 USB 3.0 (Always On), voice input support, MIL-STD-810G tested
Compliant Standards - ISO 9001, ISO 14001, RoHS, ISO 27001
SAR Value 1.45 W/kg (body) -
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year Limited warranty - 2 years - pick-up and return
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