Microsoft Surface Pro vs Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11)
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has the edge: it lasts longer on a charge, has a bigger screen and has more storage. The Microsoft Surface Pro still is lighter and is more compact, so it's worth a look if that matters more to you.
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Key differences
- Battery life Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 should last longer on a charge: it has a 60 Wh battery against 47 Wh.
- Weight Microsoft Surface Pro wins
The Microsoft Surface Pro is 0.3 kg lighter: 1.176 kg against 1.518 kg.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has the bigger screen (14" against 13"), while the Microsoft Surface Pro is more compact.
- Storage Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 wins
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
- Ports Depends on you
Only the Microsoft Surface Pro has Thunderbolt or USB4, while only the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has HDMI, USB-A and an SD card reader.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Microsoft Surface Pro if…
- You'll carry it every day: at 1.176 kg it's easy to take everywhere.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 13-inch screen.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives).
Choose the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 if…
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 33.1 hours).
- You want more room to work: its 14-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You plug things in: it has HDMI (for TVs and monitors), USB-A (for older USB accessories) and an SD card reader (for camera cards).
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Microsoft Surface Pro leads on the screen, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 leads on performance. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 is ahead on performance.
It has more storage, and the Microsoft Surface Pro doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon X Plus (X1P64100) | Snapdragon X2 Plus X2P-42-100 |
| Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno GPU | Qualcomm Adreno GPU |
| AI engine (NPU) | 45 TOPS | 80 TOPS |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X-9523 |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 256 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage interface | removable SSD | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2242 |
| Storage slots | 1 | 2 |
Screen
The Microsoft Surface Pro is ahead on the screen.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has the bigger screen (14" against 13"), while the Microsoft Surface Pro is more compact. The Microsoft Surface Pro is more compact, has a sharper screen and has a smoother screen, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has a bigger screen.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13" | 14" |
| Resolution | 3K (2880 x 1920) | Full HD+ (1920 x 1200) |
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 16:10 |
| Panel | LCD | IPS |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | — |
| Brightness | 600 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | sRGB and Vivid colour profiles | 45% NTSC |
| HDR | Dolby Vision IQ | None |
| Finish | Glossy | Glossy |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Pen standard | Microsoft Pen Protocol | AES 3.0 |
Battery and size
Each laptop has its strengths on battery and weight.
The Microsoft Surface Pro is lighter and is slimmer, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 lasts longer on a charge.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 14 hours | Up to 33.1 hours |
| Battery capacity | 47 Wh | 60 Wh |
| Charger | — | 65 W |
| Charges via | USB-C or Surface Connect | USB-C |
| Fast charging | 5% to 80% with minimum 65 W Surface supply or 60 W USB-C PD charger | Rapid Charge Boost: 2 hours of runtime from a 15-minute charge |
| Weight | 1.176 kg | 1.518 kg |
| Dimensions | 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm | 311.6 x 224.9 x 17.4 mm |
| Materials | anodized aluminium | aluminium (top), PC-ABS + 40% GF (bottom) |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H tested | MIL-STD-810H |
| Hinge | 165-degree full-friction kickstand | 360-degree convertible (360 Drop Down 2.0) |
| Colour | Platinum | Luna Grey |
| Colours available | Platinum, Black, Sapphire, Dune | Luna Grey |
Ports and wireless
On ports and wireless, it comes down to what you need.
The Microsoft Surface Pro has Thunderbolt or USB4, while the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 has HDMI, USB-A and an SD card reader.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x USB-C / USB4 (charging, data, DisplayPort 1.4a), 1x Surface Connect (charging), 1x Surface Keyboard port | 2x USB-C 10Gbps (USB PD 45-65W charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB-A 5Gbps (1 always-on), 1x HDMI 2.1 (up to 4K/60Hz), 1x 3.5 mm headphone/mic combo, 1x microSD |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | USB4 / Thunderbolt 4 dock support | None |
| External displays (max) | — | 3 |
| Card reader | None | microSD |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the Microsoft Surface Pro doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | Quad HD + IR | 1080p + IR |
| Webcam privacy | — | physical shutter |
| Backlit keyboard | No | Yes |
| Keyboard | — | 6-row, 1.3 mm travel, Copilot key, white 2-level backlight |
| Login | Face | Face |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | — | buttonless Mylar, 120 x 75 mm, Precision TouchPad |
| Speakers | 2 W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos | 2x 2 W stereo, Dolby Audio |
| Microphones | dual Studio Mics with voice focus | dual-array |
| Pen | Supported (sold separately) | Supported (sold separately) |
| Security | Microsoft Pluton TPM 2.0, Windows 11 Secured-core PC, Windows Hello face authentication | TPM 2.0 (firmware, in SoC), Camera privacy shutter, IR camera for Windows Hello |
Software and model
The Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Microsoft Surface Pro doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Microsoft Surface Pro | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (Gen 11) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Model number | EP2-08340 | 83UK0006UK |
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |