Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3vsMicrosoft Surface Pro 11

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
ThinkPad L15 Gen 3

Quick Stats

The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 delivers decent performance, but CPU power drops under prolonged loads.
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 boasts an impressively durable build that defies expectations.
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3's display falls short with poor brightness and subpar color accuracy overall.
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 features a clicky keyboard with backlight and spill resistance primarily.
Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Surface Pro 11

Quick Stats

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11's impressive performance is its standout feature, rivaling traditional laptops with ease always.
The Surface Pro 11 has an impressive build quality with premium materials and substantial yet portable feel overall.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11's OLED display shines with vibrant colors and deep blacks, but falls short in brightness outside.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 boasts a stunning 13-inch OLED display and wireless charging capabilities primarily.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
Winner
#375
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#378
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
#104
Winner
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#783
Display
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
#322
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#282
Winner
Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
#438
Winner
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#630
Build
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
#715
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#83
Winner
Features
Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
#549
Winner
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#591

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3
Microsoft Microsoft Surface Pro 11
up to 64GB
up to 64GB
up to 2000GB SSD
up to 2000GB SSD
Intel Core i7-1260P
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100
Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 (48EU)
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Adreno GPU
1x 2242 M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 See photo
1x 2230 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3

Strengths

The laptop's durability is impressive, with a sturdy lid and base that show no flex.
The keyboard is phenomenal, with long key travel, clicky feedback, backlight, and spill resistance.
The input/output options are extensive, covering the left, right, and back sides of the laptop.
The laptop has good battery life, lasting 8 hours and 47 minutes in web browsing or 8 hours and 13 minutes in video playback.
The Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 squeezes out a higher Cinebench score than the HP EliteBook, despite carrying the same Core i5 1235U.
The laptop is upgradable with two SO-DIMM slots for DDR4 memory as well as one M.2 slot for generation 4 SSDs.

Weaknesses

The laptop's build quality could be improved, relying on plastic instead of metal chassis like some other brands.
The lid cannot be opened with one hand, which may not inspire confidence in a laptop of this price range.
The display has limited brightness, reaching only 256 nits at its peak.
The display's color coverage is subpar, reaching only 54% of the sRGB gamut.
The display's accuracy is also compromised, with some drifting in our design and gaming profile.
The battery life may not be enough to last through a whole workday's worth of mixed use for heavy users.

Microsoft Surface Pro 11

Strengths

The Surface Pro 11's hardware is impressive, with a sleek design and premium build quality that feels substantial yet surprisingly lightweight at just 1.97 pounds.
The new flex cover provides a more satisfying typing experience with improved key travel and the optional $350 keyboard cover is well worth it for those who want to upgrade their typing experience.
The Surface Pro 11's AI features, such as Windows co-pilot, live captions, and co-creator in Microsoft Paint, show promise for the future and can be useful for certain tasks.
The stunning OLED display is a definite highlight of the device, providing vivid and detailed visuals.
The Surface Pro 11's performance rivals that of traditional laptops, making it a great choice for those who prioritize portability and performance.
For those who are primarily focused on office tasks or need specific software that isn't optimized for arm processors, the Surface Pro is still an excellent choice.

Weaknesses

The high price tag makes the device a significant investment, especially when factoring in essential accessories like the $350 keyboard cover.
Compatibility issues with some software may be a problem for users who need specific applications to run on their devices.
The removal of certain promised features, such as Recall, due to privacy concerns is disappointing and reduces excitement about the device.
The AI features on the Surface Pro feel like they're at an early stage and not yet essential to the computing experience.
Battery life may be a concern for users who need to use their devices for extended periods of time, with actual battery life dropping to around five hours in some cases.
Certain features, such as Recall, are available on other Windows 11 devices, making the Surface Pro's AI capabilities not exclusive to this device.
Read Full Reviews

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3

In a market dominated by reliable yet unremarkable business laptops, Lenovo's ThinkPad L15 Generation 3 aims to shake things up. This machine boasts a sturdy plastic build that belies its durability, a classic design with a black finish, and a feature-rich spec sheet. But does it truly challenge the likes of HP EliteBook 650 G9? We dive into the details to see if this ThinkPad is more than just another safe bet for business users.

Microsoft Surface Pro 11

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 promises an AI-powered future, but is it just a pricey experiment? This hybrid device boasts a sleek design, premium build quality, and impressive performance, rivalling that of traditional laptops. With a stunning OLED display and improved keyboard, it's a powerhouse for those who prioritize portability and performance. But can its AI features live up to the hype, and what are the limitations of this cutting-edge device?

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 ReviewRead Microsoft Surface Pro 11 Review

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