Lenovo ThinkPad P1 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 P1 Gen 3
ThinkPad P1 Gen 3

Quick Stats

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 delivers solid mid-tier performance with strong CPU results despite limited graphics capabilities.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3's build exudes quality and attention to detail, standing out positively overall always.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3's OLED touchscreen display is exceptional, but also quite pricey.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 features a 4K OLED touchscreen display and Quadro T2000 graphics card.
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 P1 Gen 3
Winner
#376
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#378
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
#707
Winner
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#783
Display
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
#741
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#282
Winner
Performance
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
#144
Winner
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#630
Build
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
#717
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#83
Winner
Features
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
#110
Winner
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
#591

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

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3
Microsoft Microsoft Surface Pro 11
up to 64GB
up to 64GB
up to 16000GB SSD
up to 2000GB SSD
Intel Xeon W-10885M
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-64-100
NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Max-Q
Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite Adreno GPU
N/A
1x 2230 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3

Strengths

The ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 has a clean professional design that is minimal but perhaps a bit conservative.
It's super light, weighing only 3.75 pounds.
The keyboard is solid and most Thinkpad keyboards are, with the exception of the P1 Gen 2 which had the worst keyboard I've ever used on a laptop.
The 4k OLED touchscreen display is exceptional but it does add an extra $600 or so to the base model.
The price tag is refreshingly low, especially for professional mobile workstations, starting at around $1700.

Weaknesses

The trackpad could be a little bigger and better.
The GPU is a weird downgrade from the previous model, using the Quadro T2000 Max-Q design instead of the proper Quadro T2000.
Battery life is subpar, only lasting around 3 hours in typical workday usage.
The battery life is especially disappointing when compared to other mid-tier laptops like the Dell Precision 5550.
The lack of an Ultra Performance mode in the BIOS settings is also a drawback.

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 P1 Gen 3

The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 is a mid-tier mobile workstation that boasts a clean professional design, weighing in at an impressively light 3.75 pounds. With a 15.6-inch screen and a range of ports, this laptop is well-equipped for everyday use. Powered by an Intel Core i7-10850H processor and an NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Max Q graphics card, it offers solid mid-tier performance. However, its battery life falls short, lasting around three hours in typical usage scenarios. This review will explore the pros and cons of this laptop.

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 P1 Gen 3 ReviewRead Microsoft Surface Pro 11 Review

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