In depth comparison and review of Dell Precision 3540 and Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL). 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 P14s Gen 3 (21AL) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.
robust build quality
excellent keyboard feel
impressive CPU performance
good battery life
useful security features
mediocre display brightness
limited GPU power
noisy under load
heavier than competitors
| DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Product Type | Mobile workstation | Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 35.91 cm x 23.625 cm x 2.2 cm | 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm |
| Weight | 1.83 kg | 1.38 kg |
| Case Material | - | Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom) |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| DISPLAY | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Screen Size (Type) | 15.6" | 14" - IPS |
|---|---|---|
| LCD Backlight Technology | WLED 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 | - | 45% NTSC |
| Features | Anti-glare, Wide Viewing Angle, ±80° horizontal viewing angle, ±80° vertical viewing angle | Anti-glare, 84% screen-to-body ratio, 85° viewing angle, DC dimming |
| PROCESSOR | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8565U / 1.8 GHz | Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1260P / 2.1 GHz |
|---|---|---|
| Max Turbo Speed | 4.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz |
| Number of Cores | Quad-Core | 12-core |
| Cache | 8 MB | 18 MB |
| 64-bit Computing | Yes | - |
| Features | Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 | Integrated memory controller |
| MEMORY | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| RAM | 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) | 16 GB (provided memory is soldered) |
|---|---|---|
| Max RAM Supported | 32 GB | 48 GB |
| RAM Type | DDR4 SDRAM | DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC |
| Speed | 2400 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| Rated Speed | 2400 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| Form Factor | SO-DIMM 260-pin | SO-DIMM 260-pin |
| Slots Qty | 2 | 1 |
| Empty Slots | 1 | 1 |
| STORAGE | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) | 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe | 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption, Performance - Samsung |
|---|
| AUDIO & VIDEO | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Graphics Processor (GPU) | AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100 | Intel Iris Xe Graphics |
|---|---|---|
| Max Monitors Supported | - | 3 external monitor(s) |
| Video Memory | 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM | - |
| Video System Features | - | Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory) |
| Camera | Yes - HD | Yes - 1080p |
| Camera Features | Fixed focus, 78.6 degrees, RGB camera | Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, 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 ALC3287 |
| Compliant Standards | - | High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio |
| Audio Features | Output: MaxxAudio Pro | Input: Dolby Voice |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| 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 | Gigabit Ethernet |
| Features | - | Wake-on-LAN (WOL) |
| WWAN |
|---|
| Generation | - | 4G |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | - | LTE |
| Controller | - | FIBOCOM L860-GL-16 - M.2 Card |
| BATTERY | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Technology | 4-cell Lithium Ion | 4-cell lithium polymer |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity (Size) | 68 Wh | 52.5 Wh |
| AC ADAPTER | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Input | AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) | AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Output | 90 Watt, 19.5 V, 4.62 A | 65 Watt |
| INPUT | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Type | Keyboard, touchpad | Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Backlight | Yes | - |
| Features | Multi-finger touchpad | Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls |
| CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Slots | - | 1 x Nano-SIM card (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 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0) HDMI (4K support) LAN Headphone/microphone combo jack |
| Memory Card Reader | Yes (microSD) | - |
| SOFTWARE | Dell Precision 3540 | Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| 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 P14s Gen 3 (21AL) |
|---|
| Included Accessories | Power adapter | USB-C 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, TCG Certified, TCO Certified 9.0 |
| Carbon Footprint | - | 270 kg carbon emissions (EU) |
| 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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