Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

Side by side comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF). Compare dimensions, processors, batteries, storage capacities and other key specifications and features to simplify the choice of your perfect laptop. Our goal is to make it easier for you to decide on the laptop that will best meet your expectations by revealing the main differences between the products.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

powerful processor options

good battery life

impressive security features

heavier than competitors

average display brightness

limited color options

expensive base model

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
82 % - Design
72 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 31.77 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.32 kg
Case Material Metal Carbon fibre (top), glass-fibre (top), polycarbonate (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Iron grey Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
CPU Intel Core i5 (7th Gen) 7200U / 2.5 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 6650U / 2.9 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.1 GHz 4.5 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core 6-core
Cache 3 MB L3 - 16 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered)) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2133 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 1 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce 940MX / Intel HD Graphics 620 AMD Radeon 660M
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, IR camera, fixed focus
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, Dolby Voice
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3165 - M.2 Card Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111EPV
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features - Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Technology 2-cell Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 30 Wh 52.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours Up to 21.1 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt, 20 V, 3.25 A 45 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad 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 T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Interfaces USB-C
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
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 - French
Software Included - Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (80YL) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 3 (21CF)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
Max Operating Temperature - 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature - 5 °C
Humidity Range Operating - 8 - 95%
Manufacturer Warranty - Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
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