Lenovo Legion 9i vs Surface Go 3
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Lenovo Legion 9i | Surface Go 3 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 multi-core | 26,000 | 2,100 | +1,138.1% |
| Processor | Intel Core i9 (Panther Lake HX) | Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y | — |
| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 5080 | Intel UHD Graphics | — |
| Display | 16.0" 3200x2000 | 10.5" 1920x1280 | — |
| Battery life (h) | 4.5 | 9 | -50.0% |
| Weight (kg) | 2.50 | 0.54 | +363.0% |
| RAM / storage (base) | 32GB / 2048GB | 8GB / 128GB | — |
| Max configuration | 64GB / 4096GB | 8GB / 128GB | — |
| Operating system | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home in S mode | — |
| Price (USD) | $3,500–$4,300 | $549 | +537.5% |
- Lenovo Legion 9i is about 1138% faster in Geekbench 6 multi-core. Surface Go 3 lasts longer on battery (9h vs 4.5h).
- Surface Go 3 is the more portable at 0.54 kg.
Verdict: Legion 9i or Surface Go 3?
Lenovo Legion 9i advantages
- Multi-core performance (+92%)
- Base memory (+75%)
- Screen size (+34%)
Surface Go 3 advantages
- Battery life (+50%)
- Portability (+78%)
- Affordability (+84%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Lenovo Legion 9i if you need maximum performance for demanding work or gaming.
- Choose the Surface Go 3 if long unplugged battery life is essential.
- Choose the Lenovo Legion 9i if you run heavy multitasking, VMs or large projects.
Value for money
Lenovo Legion 9i delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Lenovo Legion 9i vs Surface Go 3: which should you choose?
Lenovo Legion 9i — Lenovo gaming laptop (2026) with the Intel Core i9 (Panther Lake HX) and Nvidia RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, a 16-inch 3200x2000 display, 2.5 kg and about 4.5 h battery; from $3,499.99.
Surface Go 3 — Microsoft ultrabook/creator laptop (2021) with the Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y and Intel UHD Graphics, 8GB RAM, a 10.5-inch 1920x1280 display, 0.54 kg and about 9 h battery; from $549.
Lenovo Legion 9i vs Surface Go 3: Lenovo Legion 9i is the faster laptop. Lenovo Legion 9i is about 1138% faster in Geekbench 6 multi-core. Surface Go 3 lasts longer on battery (9h vs 4.5h). Surface Go 3 is the more portable at 0.54 kg.
Performance
The Lenovo Legion 9i is the faster machine in Geekbench 6 multi-core (26,000 vs 2,100), pairing the Intel Core i9 (Panther Lake HX) with Nvidia RTX 5080. That gap matters most for video editing, compiling, 3D and gaming; for browsing and office work both feel quick. Note these serve different roles — a gaming versus a ultrabook/creator machine — so raw speed is only part of the story.
Portability and battery
The Surface Go 3 is easier to carry at 0.54 kg (vs 2.50 kg), and the Surface Go 3 lasts longer unplugged (about 9 h vs 4.5 h). For commuters and travellers these often matter more day-to-day than peak performance.
Configuration and value
Base configurations are 32 GB / 2048 GB and 8 GB / 128 GB, with higher-spec variants available. RAM, storage and display upgrades change both price and experience — compare like-for-like configurations and check current street pricing before buying.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the laptop comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lenovo Legion 9i better than the Surface Go 3?
These two are closely matched — the right pick comes down to which specific strengths you value and the price you actually pay. Lenovo Legion 9i is about 1138% faster in Geekbench 6 multi-core. Surface Go 3 lasts longer on battery (9h vs 4.5h).
What is the main difference between the Lenovo Legion 9i and the Surface Go 3?
Lenovo Legion 9i is about 1138% faster in Geekbench 6 multi-core. Surface Go 3 lasts longer on battery (9h vs 4.5h). Surface Go 3 is the more portable at 0.54 kg.
Which is better value?
Lenovo Legion 9i delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Lenovo Legion 9i if you need maximum performance for demanding work or gaming. Choose the Surface Go 3 if long unplugged battery life is essential.
Methodology
Laptops are compared on Geekbench 6 multi-core scores, processor and graphics hardware, display size and resolution, rated battery life, weight, RAM and storage across launch configurations, and list pricing (USD). Where a model spans several generations, the newest generation is shown. Battery figures are manufacturer or reviewer ratings under mixed use — sustained performance also depends on cooling, which benchmarks only partly capture.