Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7). 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.

Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good battery life

adequate performance level

reliable security features

average display quality

limited graphics power

heavier than competitors

no thunderbolt support

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) and Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
86 % - Design
75 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 36.02 cm x 23.7 cm x 1.993 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.76 kg
Case Material Metal Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Iron grey Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
CPU Intel Core i5 (7th Gen) 7200U / 2.5 GHz AMD Ryzen 3 Pro 5475U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.1 GHz 4.1 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Quad-Core
Cache 3 MB L3 - 8 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered)) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2133 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 2
Empty Slots 0 1
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce 940MX / Intel HD Graphics 620 AMD Radeon Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel -
Camera Features - Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec - Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology Input: Dolby Voice, far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 - M.2 Card AMD RZ616 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111EPV
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Technology 2-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 30 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 20 V, 3.25 A 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Interfaces USB-C
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
HDMI (4K support)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - English / Portuguese
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad L15 Gen 3 (21C7)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type Kensington mini 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, hard drive password, power-on password Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
Carbon Footprint - 236 kg carbon emissions
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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