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Surface Laptop or Surface Book?

4/9/2020

 

What's the difference?
And does the Surface Book 3 justify the extra cost?

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We have a number of clients who've been choosing between the Surface Book 3 and Surface Laptop 3.  With the addition of USB-C, the Surface Laptop has become a serious contender for fleet laptop purchasers. 
Both are laptops with 13.5 or 15 inch screens, but beyond that there are some serious differences for users.
Here’s what we found, and our recommendations for user-choosers and fleet managers:

Screens to suit different users.

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Surface Laptop 3

Clam shell laptop
Opens 135 degrees
Touch screen with Surface Pen support

13.5 or 15 inch display
3:2 aspect ratio
2256 x 1504 or 2496 x 1664 resolution
Gloss IPS wide-viewing-angle-display
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Surface Book 3

Clam shell laptop with detachable tablet screen
Opens 135 degrees, screen can be reversed
Touch screen with Surface Pen support

13.5 or 15 inch display
​3:2 aspect ratio
3000 x 2000 or 3240 x 2160 resolution
​Gloss IPS wide-viewing-angle display
With a screen that opens up to 135 degrees (not 180 degrees flat or 360 degrees like some competitors), the Surface Laptop is not designed to be used as a tablet, despite supporting the Surface Pen.  
By contrast the Surface Book has a detachable display that can be used as a standalone tablet, or reversed and attached to the keyboard.  Either way, the Surface Book is preferable for Pen users.  The Surface Book also features a higher resolution display - Pen users typically work closer to the screen than laptop users. 

Graphics performance

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Surface Laptop 3

Intel® Iris® Plus graphics
AMD Ryzen available in retail models only
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Surface Book 3

Surface Book 3 13.5 inch with Intel® Core™ i5:
Intel® Iris® Plus
Surface Book 3 13.5 inch with Intel® Core™ i7:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB
Surface Book 3 15 inch:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB, or
​NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 6GB 
The Surface Laptop 3 and entry-level Surface Book 3 have Intel Iris Plus graphics, which is better than most competing business laptops. 

Surface Book 3 graphics options ramp up markedly with up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics in the 13.5 inch model and GeForce GTX 1660 graphics or Quadro RTX 3000 graphics in the Surface Book 3 15 inch.  The NVIDIA graphics are used when the Book 3 is attached to the keyboard base.

Anyone using modelling software, gaming, VR and even using certain Adobe CS suite features will need NVIDIA graphics for these applications to be usable.  The NVIDIA graphics on the 15 model model benchmark around 40% faster than the NVIDIA graphics on the 13 inch model. 

The top-end Surface Book 3 15 with NVIDIA Quadro RTX graphics is more powerful again.  It's certified for  a growing range of professional CAD, simulation, compositing, animation and visualisation software suites. 
​This makes the top end Surface Book 3 15 inch an excellent choice for engineers, motion picture makers, modellers and creatives that want to use a high quality Pen based screen in a 3D environment. 
The NVIDIA graphics (plus additional ports and battery life in the keyboard base) are not available when the tablet display is detached, however the Book supports removing and reversing the display in Studio mode.

Surface Book 3 usage modes and graphics availability

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NVIDIA graphics available when used in laptop mode.
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NVIDIA graphics available when used in studio mode with screen flipped.
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Intel Iris Plus graphics available when used in detached screen mode.

Other factors

While performance and features favour the Book over the Laptop, many users don't need the extra functionality.  Here's a run down of remaining factors:

Surface Laptop 3

10th gen Intel Core i5 or i7

Lighter -
13.5 inch from 1.265kg
​15 inch from 1.542kg


Less battery life - 
13.5 inch up to 11.5 hours
​15 inch up to 11.5 hours

​Fewer ports
1x USB 3, 1x USB-C, 1x Surface Connect, Audio

More colours (depending on screen size) -
Platinum, Cobalt, Gold, Black


Significantly lower cost -
13.5 inch RRP from $2,049
15 inch RRP from $2,399

Surface Book 3

10th gen Intel Core i5 or i7

​Heavier - 
13.5 inch from 1.534kg
​15 inch from 1.905kg

More battery life (with keyboard attached) -
13.5 inch up to 15.5 hours
​15 inch up to 17.5 hours


More ports (with keyboard attached) -
2x USB 3, 1x USB-C, 2x Surface Connect, Audio, SD


Fewer colours -
​Platinum

Significantly higher cost -
13.5 inch RRP from $3,099
​15 inch RRP from $4,299

What about the Surface Pro

Users who want a tablet device with equivalent performance to the Surface Laptop should opt for the Surface Pro.  While the Surface Laptop is primarily a traditional laptop with touch and pen support added, the Surface Pro is primarily a touch and Pen tablet with keyboard added.  This makes the Surface Pro a good choice for non-power users who want a lighter and less-expensive device than the Surface Book.

Prices, specs and latest models at The Laptop Company:

Shop for Surface Here >
(Sign in to get prices and place orders or speak to your account manager)
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Differences between the new Surface Book 3 and the older Surface Book 2

22/5/2020

 
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Microsoft has announced a major update to the Surface Book range. While appearing fundamentally unchanged from the Surface Book 2 on the outside, there have been some important changes for power users.
Surface Book 3 Specs >

Surface Book 3 13.5 inch
Pictured with keyboard detached.

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Surface Book 2 13.5"

13.5" 3K PixelSense™ display
Intel® Core™ 7th gen dual core or 8th gen quad core processor options
8 or 16GB 1866Mhz memory
Intel® HD 620 graphics + optional NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1050 2GB graphics in keyboard
15 hour manufacturer-rated battery
802.11AC Wi-Fi 5™

Surface Book 3 13.5"

13.5" 3K PixelSense™ display
Intel® Core™ 10th gen quad core processor options (no dual core option)
8, 16 or 32GB 3733Mhz memory
Intel® Iris™ Plus + optional NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 4GB Max-Q Design graphics in keyboard
15.5 hour rated battery
802.11AX Wi-Fi 6™
Increases are bolded.

Performance increased for 13.5"

A switch to the new 10th generation Intel Core Quad Core processors and faster memory with higher capacity improves application performance.  Network speed is increased, particularly in crowded environments with the switch to Wi-Fi 6.
Switching from the entry-level Surface Book 2 with Intel Core i5 7300U to the new entry level Surface Book 3 provides roughly double the processing power.

Substantial graphics improvements

The detachable tablet now has Intel Iris Plus graphics - early benchmarks indicate roughly twice the graphics performance of the previous Intel HD 620.  Given the high resolution of the display, this is a welcome boost. 
NVIDIA graphics is included with Intel Core i7 models.  The new GTX-1650 benchmarks as much as 45% faster than the GTX 1050 option in the Surface Book 2.

Surface Book 3 15"

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Surface Book 2 15"

15" 3K+ PixelSense™ display
Intel® Core™ 8th gen quad core processor options
16GB 1866Mhz memory
Intel® HD 620 graphics + optional NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1060 6GB graphics in keyboard
17 hour manufacturer-rated battery
802.11AC Wi-Fi 5™

Surface Book 3 15"

15" 3K+ PixelSense™ display
Intel® Core™ 10th gen quad core processor options
16 or 32GB 3733Mhz memory
Intel® Iris™ Plus + optional NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1660 Ti 6GB Max-Q graphics in keyboard
17.5 hour rated battery
802.11AX Wi-Fi 6™
Increases are bolded.
As per the 13.5" model, a 10th generation Intel Core i7 Quad Core processor and faster memory with higher capacity options improves application performance.  The Surface Book 3 15" also gets Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more reliable connectivity in crowded environments.

More graphics horsepower

The 15" features NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti graphics, which benchmarks around 40% faster than the Surface Book 2 15" and 66% faster than the NVIDIA option in the 13.5" model. 
This makes the 15" the device of choice for engineers, film makers and architects as well as gamers.  

Workstation graphics option

An NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q option is available for users seeking workstation-class driver certification and ray-tracing support.  For professionals seeking ultimate stability in engineering, architecture, VR, game design and motion pictures, the Surface Book 3 allows access to one of the best on-screen Pen experiences in a device that supports 3D work spaces.
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Full specifications for the Surface Book 3 are on our web portal:

Surface Book 3 Specs >
For pricing and availability, please Contact Us or speak to your account manager at The Laptop Company.
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Benchmarks source: https://www.userbenchmark.com/

Lenovo X1 versus P1

20/11/2019

 

What's the difference?

Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 laptop and​ ThinkPad P1 mobile workstation
​

​What’s the difference between Lenovo’s flagship corporate laptop and their leading mobile workstation?
​​Both are designed to be thin and light while providing high levels of performance and excellent display quality, but each is designed for very different types of user.
Vertical Divider
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon
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Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Mobile Workstation
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Who are these devices designed for?

Vertical Divider

X1 Carbon

Executive teams
Travellers and commuters
Corporate fleets
Customer-facing company representatives

P1 Workstation

Engineering and research
Financial modelling and data analysis
Cinema and video post-production
Architecture and industrial design

Common features

Carbon Fibre and Magnesium Alloy casing
Optional Touch Screen
Dolby Atmos speakers
2 USB 3 ports, 2 USB-C Thunderbolt 3, LAN connector and headphone jack
Both are robustly designed with backlit keyboards, webcams with privacy shutters and a similar look-and-feel.

Comparative features

Blue = better | Red = lower
Vertical Divider

X1 Carbon

8th Gen Intel Core i5 to i7 quad core
14” IPS Full HD or WQHD display
Anti-glare display
Intel UHD 620 graphics
Up to 16GB memory
Up to 1TB PCIe SSD storage
Up to 18.3 hours battery, 51 Whr
802.11 AC Wi-Fi 5
Weight from 1.09kg

P1 Workstation

9th Gen Intel Core i7, Xeon 6 core or i9 8 core
15.6” IPS Full HD, UHD or OLED UHD display
Optional Dolby Vision with Anti-Glare (IPS)
Up to NVIDIA Quadro T2000 Max-Q graphics
Up to 64GB memory
Up to 2x M.2 SSD with RAID 0/1 support
Up to 13.8 hours battery, 80 Whr
802.11 AX Wi-Fi 6
Weight from 1.7kg
Vertical Divider

X1 Pros

Substantially lighter
Longer battery life
Strong performance for corporate applications
Lie-flat hinge and optional touch screen

X1 Cons

Not suitable for workstation applications
Not as able to run multiple high-resolution displays or 3D applications
Smaller display
Slower storage and wireless connectivity
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P1 Pros

Substantially more performance – up to 2x CPU application performance under load
Larger display with up to 4K OLED internal and external display support
Faster storage and wireless connectivity
Pen and touch screen option with lie-flat hinge

P1 Cons

Heavier
Shorter battery life
Overpowered for corporate applications
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​The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 has been proven as a strong performer across enterprise fleets – higher performance users opting for Intel Core i7 with 16GB of memory will find ample performance and long-haul flight battery-life.  The device is particularly slim and light and offers a premium look and feel that far exceeds cheaper fleet and retail devices.  This is well-suited for deployment across a typical corporate or government workforce where durability and dependability is important.
​
The Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 2, is similar looking on the outside but quite different under the skin.  While remarkably thin and light (and pretty) for a mobile workstation, its heavy-weight performance does mean the device is heavier and uses more power than the X1 (while running faster).  Despite the powerful components, typical corporate users won’t see an appreciable difference in performance for applications like Word or Outlook.  However, users of complex and massive Excel worksheets, Tableau, crypto and workstation-class engineering, editing, design and animation suites will notice a substantial boost.  

Typical deployment - performance environment

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Vertical Divider

Admin and management

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 7
Intel Core i5 to i7 quad core depending on usage
16GB memory recommended for 3 year life cycle 
256GB storage

Alternative Lenovo models
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga
360 degree laptop-tablet hybrid (enhanced usability)


Lenovo ThinkPad T490s
Lower-cost corporate fleet ultraportable laptop

Specialist users

Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 2
​Intel Core i7 six core or i9 eight core
Intel Xeon six core for certified application support
NVIDIA Quadro T1000 for multi-4K support
Quadro T2000 for 3D applications and simulations
32-64GB memory
512GB or greater storage, depending on application

Alternative Lenovo models
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme laptop
Similar features without application stability optimisations or Intel Xeon option (gaming-class optimisations)
​
Lenovo ThinkPad P53s mobile workstation
Lower cost quad-core with workstation-class cooling to reduce thermal throttling seen in equivalent specification non-workstation laptops

What about the X1 Extreme?

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The ThinkPad P1 Gen 2 has a near-twin in the ThinkPad X1 Extreme.
With NVIDIA GeForce graphics, the X1 Extreme is optimised for high frame rates and superior gaming performance. 
The NVIDIA Quadro graphics found in the P1 are optimised for stability, sustained thermal load and fidelity.  Like-for-like, we would opt for the P1 for users who need workhorse-like stability for productivity, especially for staff on billable time. 
The X1 Extreme is extremely attractive for corporate users who need quality gaming time when overseas.  We would give the entry level Intel Core i5 a miss in favour of an i7 six core or greater setup to make the most of the device.
More Fintech Solutions
More about the Lenovo P1
More about the Lenovo X1
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  • Products
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