Dell Precision 5540 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Detailed comparison and review of Dell Precision 5540 and Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL). With our comprehensive overview, you can simply compare dimensions, performance, storage, functions, but also other key features of both laptops and easily decide which one is the right choice for you. Our goal is to help you identify the main differences between products and find the laptop that best fits your needs and expectations.

Dell Precision 5540 Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Dell Precision 5540 based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful processor performance

lightweight and portable

excellent 4k display

robust build quality

good thermal management

expensive price point

limited port selection

average battery life

noisy under load

Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) Review

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

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Dell Precision 5540 and Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
83 % - Design
82 % - Display
85 % - Performance
84 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Dell Precision 5540 vs. Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Product Type Mobile workstation Mobile workstation - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 35.7 cm x 23.5 cm x 1.12 cm 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 1.38 kg
Case Material - Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Silver Black
DISPLAY Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" 14" - IPS
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
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 45% NTSC
Features UltraSharp, anti-glare, IGZO technology, ±89° horizontal viewing angle, ±89° vertical viewing angle, 0.18 mm pixel pitch Anti-glare, 84% screen-to-body ratio, 85° viewing angle, DC dimming
PROCESSOR Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
CPU Intel Core i7 (9th Gen) 9850H / 2.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1260P / 2.1 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.6 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores 6-core 12-core
Cache 12 MB 18 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Platform Technology Intel vPro Platform -
Features Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 64 GB 48 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC DDR4 SDRAM - non-ECC
Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 2 1
Empty Slots 1 1
STORAGE Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe), Class 40 1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption, Performance - Samsung
AUDIO & VIDEO Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA Quadro T1000 Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM -
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
Camera Yes - HD Yes - 1080p
Resolution 0.92 Megapixel -
Camera Features 66 degrees Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, fixed focus
Video Resolutions 1280 x 720 -
Frame Rate 30 frames per second -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards - High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Output: MaxxAudio Pro Input: Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Dell Precision 5540 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 9260 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features Wake-on-LAN (WOL) Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
WWAN
Generation - 4G
Technology - LTE
Controller - FIBOCOM L860-GL-16 - M.2 Card
BATTERY Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Technology 3-cell Lithium Ion 4-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 56 Wh 52.5 Wh
AC ADAPTER Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 130 Watt, 19.5 V, 6.67 A 65 Watt
INPUT Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features Multi-touch touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Dell Precision 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Slots - 1 x Nano-SIM card (1 free)
Interfaces Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (PowerShare)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports Thunderbolt 3) (Power Delivery)
LAN (on supplied adapter)
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 (SD Card) -
SOFTWARE Dell Precision 5540 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 5540 Lenovo ThinkPad P14s Gen 3 (21AL)
Included Accessories Power adapter, USB to Ethernet adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip 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
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
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