In terms of connectivity,
Wifi Surface Pro 12 features a more advanced Wi-Fi standard v7, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections compared to ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 (v6E).
Below, you'll find a Wi-Fi Versions Table, along with their release dates and speeds, to provide a brief overview of its development.
Wi-Fi Versions and Speeds
| Standard |
Speed |
Release Date |
Network |
Frequency Bands (GHz) |
| Wi-Fi 7 |
up to 40 Gbps
(5 GB/s) |
2023 |
802.11be |
2.4, 5, 6 |
| Wi-Fi 6E |
up to 9.6 Gbps
(1.2 GB/s) |
2020 |
802.11ax |
2.4, 5, 6 |
| Wi-Fi 6 |
up to 9.6 Gbps
(1.2 GB/s) |
2019 |
802.11ax |
2.4, 5 |
| Wi-Fi 5 |
up to 6.93 Gbps
(866.25 MB/s) |
2014 |
802.11ac |
2.4, 5 |
| Wi-Fi 4 |
up to 600 Mbps
(75 MB/s) |
2009 |
802.11n |
2.4, 5 |
* Please note that the provided transfer rates are maximum theoretical values, and real-life performance may vary based on environmental factors.
USB ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 is equipped with 2x USB 3.2 USB-A ports. Surface Pro 12 does not have USB-A ports.Both ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 and Surface Pro 12 feature 2x USB 4.0 USB Type-C ports.
Below, you'll find a table of USB ports, along with their release dates and speeds.
To mitigate the confusion caused by generation names, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) suggests using marketing names like USB 5Gbps, USB 10Gbps, and so forth, based on their respective transfer rates.
USB Type and Speeds
| USB Type |
Version |
Speed |
Date |
Other Features/Explanations |
| USB4 |
Gen 4 (2.0) |
80 Gbps |
2022 |
Also known as USB 80Gbps |
| USB4 |
Gen 3×2 |
40 Gbps |
2019 |
Also known as USB 40Gbps |
| USB 3.2 |
3.2 Gen 2x2 |
20 Gbps |
2019 |
Double the data transfer rates of Gen 2 |
| USB 3.2 |
3.2 Gen 2 |
10 Gbps |
2017 |
Previously known as USB 3.1 |
| USB 3.2 |
3.2 Gen 1 |
5 Gbps |
2017 |
Previously known as USB 3.0 |
| USB 3.1 |
3.1 Gen 2 |
10 Gbps |
2013 |
Faster data transfer rates |
| USB 3.0 |
3.1 Gen 1 |
5 Gbps |
2010 |
SuperSpeed USB, improved data transfer rates |
| USB 2.0 |
2.0 |
480 Mbps |
2000 |
High-speed data transfer |
| USB 1.0 |
1.0 |
1.5 Mbps |
1996 |
Original USB standard |
Thunderbolt ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 is equipped with Thunderbolt 4 port. Surface Pro 12 does not have Thunderbolt port.
HDMI ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 features an HDMI port (1x HDMI 2.1) for connecting to external monitors. Surface Pro 12 does not have an HDMI port.
Below, you'll find a comparison table detailing different HDMI versions, including their bandwidth, color depth, maximum resolution, and release dates. This information can be helpful in understanding the capabilities of each HDMI version and choosing the most suitable one for your needs.
HDMI Comparison Table
| HDMI Version |
Maximum Resolution |
Bandwidth
(Gbps) |
Color Depth
(bits) |
Release
Date |
| HDMI 2.1-2.1b |
7680 x 4320 (8K) @ 60p
3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 120p |
48.0 |
48 |
2017 |
| HDMI 2.0-2.0b |
3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 60p |
18.0 |
48 |
2013 |
| HDMI 1.4-1.4b |
3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 30p |
10.2 |
48 |
2009 |
| HDMI 1.3-1.3a |
2560 x 1440 @ 60p |
10.2 |
48 |
2006 |
| HDMI 1.0-1.2a |
1920 x 1200 @ 60p |
4.95 |
24 |
2002 |
* Please note that the provided resolution values represent the maximum supported resolution, and actual display quality may depend on other factors such as source content and connected devices.
SD Card ReaderNeither ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 nor Surface Pro 12 has an SD Card Reader.
Audio Jack ThinkPad E16 Gen 3 is equipped with a 3.5mm Audio Jack, allowing seamless connection to headphones and speakers. Surface Pro 12 does not have a 3.5mm Audio Jack.
To summarize the connectivity and ports details, please refer to the table below to see them listed.
| Connectivity and Ports |
WiFi Standard
(latest: v7) |
v6E
|
v7
|
Bluetooth
(latest: v5.4) |
v5.3
|
v5.4
|
USB-A
(latest: 3.2) |
2x USB 3.2 |
No |
USB Type-C
(latest: USB4 2.0) |
2x USB 4.0
|
2x USB 4.0
|
Thunderbolt
(latest: 5) |
Thunderbolt 4
|
No
|
HDMI
(latest: 2.1) |
1x HDMI 2.1 |
No |
Display Port
(latest: v2.0) |
No
|
No
|
| VGA |
No
|
No
|
| Fingerprint Sensor |
Optional
|
No
|
| Optical Drive |
No
|
No
|
| Audio Jack 3.5mm |
Yes
|
No
|
| Ethernet RJ45 |
Yes
|
No
|
| SD CardReader |
No
|
No
|
| Proprietary Charging Port |
No
|
No
|