Microsoft Surface Laptop 6vsLenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2

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

Microsoft
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
Surface Laptop 6

Quick Stats

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6's sluggish performance is its most significant and frustrating drawback overall unfortunately.
The most important takeaway is that the build quality of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 feels cheap.
The display is one aspect that fails to impress with the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 model.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 lacks necessary features with limited ports and no HDMI or extra USB ports available.
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
ThinkPad P17 Gen 2

Quick Stats

The Intel Xeon W11-855M processor delivers impressive performance in professional applications with certified smooth execution guaranteed.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 boasts a rock-solid build quality that screams durability and justifies its premium price.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 boasts an impressive 4K UHD display with exceptional brightness and color accuracy.
The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 boasts powerful professional-grade features including ISV certifications and a 94Wh battery.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#330
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
Winner
#328
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#370
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
#111
Winner
Display
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#284
Winner
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
#529
Performance
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#153
Winner
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
#254
Build
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#769
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
#763
Winner
Features
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#792
Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
#577
Winner

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

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2
up to 64GB
up to 128GB
up to 2000GB SSD
up to 24000GB SSD
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
Intel Core i7-11850H
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
NVIDIA T1200

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6

Strengths

The laptop itself is pretty light, you can carry it in one hand pretty easily.
The battery life is actually pretty solid, gets at least 2 to 4 hours on a single charge.
It does have touch screen which is nice
The laptop's weight and battery life are good, making it easy to take around

Weaknesses

It has only one USB port, one USBA port, a headphone jack, and a Microsoft proprietary charging port
The lack of ports means you have to add a dock or buy an adapter for extra connectivity
The laptop is very slow and buggy to use, even on normal daily tasks
Even with 16 GB of RAM, the laptop struggles to open basic apps like folders and web browsers
Apps often don't launch properly, requiring a restart to work
The dock has too many useless ports, including an Ethernet port that's rarely used
The dock lacks USBC, instead using a headphone jack that defeats its purpose
It has four ancient USB-A ports, taking up valuable space and offering no advantage over newer USBC

Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2

Strengths

A very interesting and powerful workstation
Bright sharp 4k display
Excellent keyboard with tactile feedback and good key travel
Good battery life with its 94 watt hour battery, up to 9 hours of continuous web surfing test over Wi-Fi at 115
Excellent touchpad with two-finger scrolling
Trackpoint responsive as well
Optional 5G and great array of ports

Weaknesses

Big and bulky, weighing nearly eight pounds
720p webcam is lacking
Not perfect for everyday users, but rather specialized towards professional applications
Price tag may be a concern, starting at around $1800
Stereo speakers are lacking in basic sound quality
Display's brightness can make it hot to the touch
Mobile workstation may not be as portable as expected
Read Full Reviews

Microsoft Surface Laptop 6

I was excited to start my new job with the Microsoft Surface Laptop 6, but it's been a disastrous experience. This laptop lacks essential ports, including HDMI and extra USB ports, making it difficult to connect external devices. Additionally, it's slow and buggy, frequently freezing even when performing basic tasks. Apps often fail to launch, requiring frequent restarts. The dock is equally frustrating, with unnecessary ports and proprietary connectors that require adapters. A reliable work laptop should be seamless, not a constant source of frustration.

Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2

The Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 is a powerful mobile workstation designed for professionals who require top-notch performance in specialized applications. With an Intel Xeon W-11 855M mobile processor and a bright, sharp 4K UHD display, this device delivers exceptional visuals and processing power. The sturdy build quality and excellent keyboard make it a joy to work with, while the 94Wh battery provides all-day runtime. Starting at around $5,000, this workstation is not for everyone, but those who need its capabilities will appreciate its rock-solid performance.

Need help choosing?

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

Read Microsoft Surface Laptop 6 ReviewRead Lenovo ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 Review

Compare other laptops

Explore comparisons between any other laptops

Compare laptops
VS

Choose two different items to see a detailed comparison of their specifications, performance, and features