Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust metal design

crisp full HD display

backlit keyboard feature

adequate processing power

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited graphics performance

heavier than competitors

no USB-C port

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.29 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Metal Polycarbonate ABS
Colour Golden Blizzard white
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6"
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 200 cd/m²
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz AMD FX 9800P / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4 GHz 3.6 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 2 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered)) 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered))
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2133 MHz 1866 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 1866 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 1
Empty Slots 0 0
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm 128 GB SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s
Optical Drive DVD±RW -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620 AMD Radeon R7
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution 1 Megapixel 1 Megapixel
Camera Features Fixed focus -
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1
Wireless Controller M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Features Single stream (1x1) -
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Technology 2-cell lithium polymer 2-cell Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 35 Wh 30 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours Up to 4.5 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 45 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features - Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Interfaces USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1/USB 3.0
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15ABR (80XS)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader -
Security Slot Type Kensington mini security slot Kensington 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, hard drive password, power-on password
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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