Microsoft Surface Laptop 6vsLenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3

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 T16 Gen 3
ThinkPad T16 Gen 3

Quick Stats

The Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 delivers improved performance with seamless multitasking capabilities effortlessly.
The ThinkPad's build quality is satisfactory, but the matte finish is surprisingly prone to fingerprints and smudges.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3's display offers a more efficient use of space with its 16:10 panel.
The Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 boasts impressive features that offer a solid balance of performance.
Key Differences

No significant specification differences found between these devices.

Rank
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#330
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
Winner
#325
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#370
Winner
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
#556
Display
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#284
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
#268
Winner
Performance
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#153
Winner
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
#355
Build
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#769
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
#733
Winner
Features
Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
#792
Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
#558
Winner

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

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Microsoft Microsoft Surface Laptop 6
Lenovo Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3
up to 64GB
up to 64GB
up to 2000GB SSD
up to 4000GB SSD
Intel Core Ultra 7 165H
Intel Core Ultra 7 165U
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB GDDR5)
Intel Graphics (4-Cores)
N/A
1x 2280 M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 x4 See photo

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 T16 Gen 3

Strengths

I've been very happy with this laptop, and now that I've upgraded it to 64 gigabytes of Ram, I'm even happier.
It gets your need for general stuff like email, web browsing, and office work covered.
16 by 10 aspect ratio is a nice feature.
Lenovo seems to be moving to 16 by 10 aspect ratio across their lineup.
Having used now 16 by 10 and 3X2, I definitely prefer those to 16 by 9.
This laptop gets recommended from me for general stuff and some photo editing or something on the side.
I love the feel of this laptop.

Weaknesses

The screen cleaner link in show notes is a reminder that cleaning the laptop requires more than just a microfiber cloth.
It might be a bit of a pain in the ass to have to whole thing with the screen cleaner case for a laptop.
16 by 9 aspect ratio can be preferred over 16 by 10, but I personally prefer the latter.
Lenovo's lead on making laptops user repairable is good, but not perfect.
The screen cleaner might need improvement in terms of design.
Cleaning the laptop requires wiping it down before use, which might not be ideal for all users.
Wiping the laptop frequently can become a hassle.
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 T16 Gen 3

The Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 3 is a business laptop that packs a punch with its 16:10 display, 64GB of RAM, and user-repairable design. This versatile machine excels in everyday tasks, while also offering enough power for photo editing and other creative pursuits. With its matte finish, the laptop may require more frequent cleaning than expected. In this review, we'll delve into the T16 Gen 3's strengths and weaknesses, exploring whether it's a great choice for those seeking a reliable and upgradable business companion.

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 T16 Gen 3 Review

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