In depth comparison and review of Dell Precision 3540 and Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD). Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.
Advantages and disadvantages of Dell Precision 3540 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
robust security features
affordable professional laptop
decent battery life
comfortable keyboard
solid build quality
mediocre display quality
limited graphics performance
heavier design
average processor speed
Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
powerful intel processors
high-resolution display
durable build quality
excellent keyboard feel
advanced security features
high price point
moderate battery life
heavier than competitors
limited color options
| DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Product Type | Mobile workstation | Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 35.91 cm x 23.625 cm x 2.2 cm | 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.77 cm |
| Weight | 1.83 kg | 1.81 kg |
| Case Material | - | Aluminium (bottom), glass-fibre reinforced plastic (top), carbon fibre reinforced plastic (top) |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| DISPLAY | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 15.6" | 16" - IPS |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Backlight Technology | WLED backlight | LED backlight |
| Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) |
| Pixel Density (ppi) | 141 | - |
| V-Sync Rate at Max Res. | 60 Hz | - |
| Widescreen | Yes | Yes |
| Image Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:10 |
| Image Brightness | 300 cd/m² | 300 cd/m² |
| Colour Gamut | - | 100% sRGB |
| Features | Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, ±80° horizontal viewing angle, ±80° vertical viewing angle | Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration, DC dimming, 86.42% screen-to-body ratio |
| PROCESSOR | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8565U / 1.8 GHz | Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12800H / 2.4 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Max Turbo Speed | 4.6 GHz | 4.8 GHz |
| Number of Cores | Quad-Core | 14-core |
| Cache | 8 MB | 24 MB |
| 64-bit Computing | Yes | - |
| Features | Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 | Integrated memory controller |
| MEMORY | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| RAM | 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) | 16 GB (1 x 16 GB) |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM Supported | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM | DDR5 SDRAM - non-ECC |
| Speed | 2400 MHz | 4800 MHz |
| Rated Speed | 2400 MHz | 4800 MHz |
| Form Factor | SO-DIMM 260-pin | SO-DIMM 262-pin |
| Slots Qty | 2 | 2 |
| Empty Slots | 1 | 1 |
| STORAGE | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe | 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia |
|---|---|---|
| RAID Level | - | RAID 0, RAID 1 |
| AUDIO & VIDEO | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Multi-GPU Configuration | - | 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100 | NVIDIA RTX A1000 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
| Max Monitors Supported | - | 3 external monitor(s) |
| Video Memory | 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM | 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM |
| Video System Features | - | Dynamic Boost 2.0 |
| Camera | Yes - HD | Yes - 1080p |
| Camera Features | Fixed focus, 78.6 degrees, RGB camera | Privacy shutter, fixed focus |
| Image Sensor Type | CMOS | - |
| Video Resolutions | 1280 x 720 | - |
| Frame Rate | 30 frames per second | - |
| Sound | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone | Stereo speakers, dual array microphone |
| Codec | Realtek ALC3254 | Realtek ALC3306 |
| Compliant Standards | - | High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice |
| Audio Features | Output: MaxxAudio Pro | - |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Wireless | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wave 2, Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E) |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Controller | Intel Wireless-AC 9560 - M.2 2230 | Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211 |
| Network Interface | Gigabit Ethernet | - |
| BATTERY | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Technology | 4-cell Lithium Ion | 4-cell lithium polymer |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 68 Wh | 90 Wh |
| AC ADAPTER | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Input | AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 90 Watt, 19.5 V, 4.62 A | 135 Watt, 20 V |
| INPUT | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Type | Keyboard, touchpad | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Backlight | Yes | Yes |
| Features | Multi-finger touchpad | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad |
| CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Slots | - | 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free) |
|---|---|---|
| Interfaces | 3 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 LAN USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (supports Thunderbolt 3, DisplayPort Alt Mode) Headphone/microphone combo jack HDMI |
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On) USB 3.2 Gen 1 2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) HDMI Headphone/microphone combo jack |
| Memory Card Reader | Yes (microSD) | Yes (SD Express Card) |
| SOFTWARE | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Operating System (OS) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - Multilingual User Interface (MUI) | Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Software Included | Microsoft Office (Trial) | - |
| MISCELLANEOUS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 5 (21DD) |
|---|
| Included Accessories | Power adapter | Power adapter |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, smart card reader | Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader |
| Security Slot Type | Noble Wedge security slot | Kensington nano security slot |
| Theft/Intrusion Protection | Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) | Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) |
| Features | - | Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password |
| Compliant Standards | - | RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, TCG Certified |
| Max Operating Temperature | 35 °C | 35 °C |
| Min Operating Temperature | 0 °C | 5 °C |
| Humidity Range Operating | 10 - 80% (non-condensing) | 8 - 95% |
| Manufacturer Warranty | Limited warranty - 3 years - on-site | - |
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