The Lenovo Yoga vs Surface Pro stands out from the rest of the 2-in-1 models. So, which laptop should you choose?
If it were up to me, I would choose the Lenovo Yoga. It’s better suited for most applications and quite flexible, both hardware and software-wise.
But don’t worry. In this comparison, we’ll go into more detail about the two laptops and find which solution is the right one for you.
So, let’s get started!
Lenovo Yoga vs Surface Pro
Comparing the Yoga with the Surface Pro is a tough job. For one thing, both companies have always stood out among the crowd. In addition, Lenovo has always remained at the forefront of modern-day technology, be it in smartphones or laptops.
When comparing the two, there are a few stark differences. Firstly, I notice just how creativity-oriented the Surface Pro is. It is mainly marketed towards creators who like to run heavy and power-hungry applications on their laptops. The Yoga is the sleeker counterpart, with a slimmer design and a flexible laptop screen for on-the-go use.
| Feature | Lenovo Yoga Series | Microsoft Surface Pro Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 2-in-1 detachable | 2-in-1 detachable |
| Processors | Intel Core i7 and i9, AMD Ryzen 7 4700U | Intel Core i3, i5, i7, m3-6Y30, and m3-7Y30, Microsoft SQ1 and SQ2. |
| Memory | Up to 16 GB | Up to 32 GB |
| Storage | Up to 1 TB | Up to 1 TB |
| Screen Sizes | 13.3”, 14”, 15.6” | 10.6”, 12.0”, 12.3”, 13.0” |
| Operating Systems | Windows 10 Pro, 10 Home, | Windows 8 Pro, 8.1 Pro, 10 Pro, 10 Home |
| Models | Yoga 9i (15” and 14”), 7i (15” and 14”), 6, C940, C740, C640 | Surface Pro, 2, 3, 4, 2017, 6, 7, 7+, X |
| Recommended Model | Yoga C740 | Surface Pro 7 |
Lenovo Yoga Overview
Yoga Design
Lenovo’s Yoga sits at the peak of modern design. The keystone feature here is the duality of the laptop’s function. When on your lap, you can use it as a regular laptop. But for when you’re on the go, the laptop converts into a handy tablet.
The second most notable feature of the design is in the name “Yoga.” This laptop series was one of the very first to be able to bend completely. It makes one-handed use a breeze and sets a new standard for modern technology.
Other than that, the design is more boxy than rounded. And there’s an Ultra Slim version for those who are picky about the size of their laptop.
Yoga Performance
Performance is key to a reliable laptop. With each model featuring 16GB of RAM, you can bet that this laptop won’t slow you down. It’s designed to cater to fast-paced individuals that never stop working.
To be more specific, it has more (i.e. faster) processing power than most competitors in the same category. And the best part is that many of these models come with SSDs pre-installed. This makes them faster than their predecessors and any other laptop that uses an HDD.
Yoga Processors
The Lenovo Yoga is available in a few processor options, including:
- 10th Gen Intel Core i7
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7
- 10th Gen Intel Core i9 (only on Yoga 9i)
- AMD Ryzen 7 4700U (only on Yoga 6)
The Lenovo Yoga is a laptop for the modern age. It stands on par with what the modern technological demand is. Most models feature Intel Core i7 processors, considered some of the fastest in today’s day and age. And one of the models even features an i9 processor, which means even faster computing speed.
Of course, there is an odd one out here, and that’s the Yoga 6. It uses the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U Mobile Processor. The processor is the best choice for when the laptop has to be made extra slim without any consequences. And it’s not any less reliable than its Intel counterpart.
Yoga Display & Audio
The Lenovo Yoga is available in both FHD and UHD resolutions. The screen sizes range from 13.3″ to 15.6″. Nothing is interesting about that. But what is interesting is the use of Dolby Vision in many of its models. This HDR technology brings colors to life and provides the perfect balance between contrast and brightness.
As for the audio, the sound system differs among models. But some of the more recent models, such as the 9i, feature two-dimensional sound. In addition, there are woofers and tweeters within the soundbars. As a result, the sound almost fills the whole room and brings your music to life. It’s safe to say that this laptop series has one of the best sound systems on the market.
Yoga Models
Recommended: Lenovo Yoga C740
If you want an all-around model that’s excellent for work and not too costly, then try the Lenovo Yoga C740.
The C740 features a 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor along with an Intel Iris Plus graphics card. These technologies ensure that your computer doesn’t lag when you play 3D games and other renders.
Additionally, the RAM is LPDDR4X, up to 16GB. And the internal storage caps at 1 terabyte, seated on a speedy SSD.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This model also features a rotating soundbar hidden behind the front panel, which delivers crisp, clear sound. And you can buy it in both FHD and UHD variants.
Other Popular Yoga Models
Lenovo Yoga 9i
The Lenovo Yoga 9i is also popular, though it’s a bit more advanced and costly. This is the only Yoga laptop that runs on the Intel Core i9 processor. As a result, it’s exponentially faster and more reliable than its Yoga cousins.
The graphics card is a solid Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti, a card used primarily for gaming.
The memory features RAM of up to 16 GB and internal storage of a whopping 2TB. And it comes with a pre-installed SSD. In short, the operation of the laptop is extremely smooth, and you will hardly encounter any system lags.
Lenovo Yoga 7i
The 7i is another popular choice, this one slightly less advanced. It’s mainly used by people who use their laptops for every daily task. It’s a great all-rounder in the Yoga family.
It runs on the 11th generation of the Intel Core i7 processor. And it uses an Intel Iris Xe graphics card. The graphics card is pretty standard but perfect for most 3D renders. And you get 16GB of DDR4 RAM to help handle any memory-intensive applications.
In addition to that, you get two Dolby Atmos speakers that blast music at incredible volumes. Truly, it’s perfect for all applications.
Lenovo Yoga C940
The Lenovo Yoga C940 is a similar model to the 7i, but with a few changes. This laptop runs on the 10th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. And it features 16GB of RAM, complete with 1TB of internal storage.
In addition to that, the C940 features a rotating soundbar that delivers crystal clear sound. And with its powerful battery, the unit can last up to 18 hours. You can buy the C940 in both FHD and UHD variants.
Microsoft Surface Pro Overview
Surface Pro Design
The Microsoft Surface Pro is a laptop that’s made for everyday digital artists. It features the famous Kickstand design. In addition, the back of the laptop can be propped up on the table, making it ideal for long-term use in the office or the studio.
Furthermore, this Kickstand carries out another function: it lets you decide the angle of the screen. Angle is essential when you have to spend hours with your neck bent, looking at a screen.
And the best part? The Surface Pro quickly transforms into a tablet, perfect for on-the-go use in planes and classrooms.
Surface Pro Performance
Since an Intel processor powers every Microsoft Surface Pro model, reliability is never too far off. In addition, this laptop has incredible multitasking abilities and is excellent for those with a cluttered workspace. It keeps all your essentials running in the background, so you never have to close a tab to ramp up the performance.
Speaking of performance, you’ll be astonished by the super-fast networking capabilities. Network lag is common among other laptops, but not with the Microsoft Surface Pro. The Wi-Fi performance has been retouched to keep lags and delays at an all-time minimum.
And I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet. This laptop can last up to 10.5 hours on regular battery usage. So, it’s genuinely one of the most portable laptops, especially for tireless creators who need a reliable power source for their digital works.
Surface Pro Processors
The Surface Pro uses the following processors:
- Intel Core i3
- Intel Core i5
- Intel Core i7
- Intel Core m3-6Y30
- Intel Core m3-7Y30
- Microsoft SQ1
- Microsoft-SQ2
As you can see, the Surface Pro has a wider range of processors. And every model is available in many processor options, so you can choose the level of performance you want. However, a lot of these models are old. The newer models, namely the Surface Pro 7, 7+, and X, use higher-end processors.
Surface Pro 7 and 7+ are available in Intel Core i3, i5, and i7. And the Surface Pro X uses Microsoft’s SQ1 or SQ2 Systems on Chips (SoCs). These SoCs are co-developed with Qualcomm, so they’re still reliable.
Surface Pro Display & Audio
The Surface Pro series has a slightly smaller display, at 10.6″, 12.0″, and 12.3″. Progressively, the display doesn’t seem to get any bigger with subsequent releases. However, there is one technology that’s of interest here: ClearType. It’s a type of font rendering that works best on LCD flat monitors. Unfortunately, it’s only featured on the Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro X.
Moving on to the audio, newer Surface Pro models feature Dolby Audio integrated onto a Realtek Audio Console app. These features help equalize the sound and make it sound more natural.
Surface Pro Models
Recommended Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Surface Pro family is quite diverse and extensive, so if you want a more modern version, consider the Surface Pro 7. Available in 3 processor choices (i3, i5, and i7), the Surface Pro 7 is the best all-rounder for consumers and businesses.
This laptop has a max RAM of 16 GB and can store up to 1 TB of data. Plus, you get a microSD card for secondary storage.
As for the sound experience, it uses Omnisonic speakers with integrated Dolby Audio. And the best part is that you get a front 5MP camera and a back 8 MP webcam.
Other Popular Surface Pro Models
Microsoft Surface Pro 7+
If you want to upgrade from the Surface Pro 7, you should go for the Surface Pro 7+. It’s also available in three processor options (i3, i5, and i7), but they’re slightly more advanced than the Surface Pro 7.
This means that the Surface Pro 7+ will run faster and more efficiently. Furthermore, it has a max RAM capacity of 32 GB and a removable SSD of up to 1 TB. The SSD cannot be removed in the Surface Pro 7. Plus, it uses Intel’s Iris Xe graphics, one of their latest graphics technologies.
Of course, it will cost you more than the Surface Pro 7. But for those who want to step up their laptop’s performance and storage capacity, the Surface Pro 7+ is the way to go.
Microsoft Surface Pro X
For those who like to go beyond, try the Surface Pro X. Released alongside the 7 and 7+, the Surface Pro X uses a unique set of processors. It uses Microsoft’s SQ1 or SQ2 processors, which are as fast as an x86 Macbook Air.
These processors are exceptionally efficient and save a lot of battery life. To be more specific, the battery can last up to 13 hours on regular use.
Aside from that, the laptop has RAM of up to 16 GB and internal storage of up to 512 GB. Moreover, the default storage drive is a removable SSD.
All in all, this laptop is perfect for anyone who likes a more powerful processor. But be warned: it’s not as performative as the Surface Pro 7 or 7+.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6
Finally, if you want to try an older model, you should go for the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. Released before the 7 and 7+, the Surface Pro 6 is a 2-in-1 detachable laptop plus tablet. It’s available in Intel’s Core i5 and i7 processors.
It has a touch display of 12.3 inches and employs a UHD Graphics 620 graphics card. Additionally, you get up to 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal storage on an SSD. And the cherry on top is the Dolby Audio 1.6W speaker system.
This is one of those Surface pro models that you can get for cheap without compromising on quality. Anything below this, and you may not have the latest technology.
Conclusion
And that’s it for my Lenovo Yoga vs Surface Pro review! It sure was quite hard to decide which laptop is the best. But I think I finally have it narrowed down.
The Lenovo Yoga is highly recommended for anyone who loves to work on the go. The extreme flexibility of the laptop optimizes it for travel. And on the workbench, it’s an absolute beast, with its powerful processor and 16 GB of memory.
If you’re more on the creative side, then consider the Surface Pro. Although it’s designed for everyone, the main idea was to make it an all-around creative studio. The laptop is also great for everyday work and school projects.
