Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV). 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 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

Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

sharp full-HD display

robust processing power

lightweight and portable

reasonable price point

average battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

moderate storage capacity

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
85 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
75 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 35.89 cm x 24.49 cm x 1.68 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.95 kg
Case Material Metal Aluminum, glass
Colour Golden Liquid blue
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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
Features Anti-glare Glossy
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz Intel Core i7 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4 GHz 4 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 8 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered)) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 16 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2133 MHz 2400 MHz
Rated Speed 2400 MHz 2400 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 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
Optical Drive DVD±RW -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620 Intel UHD Graphics 620
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, dual array microphone
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
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 -
Features Single stream (1x1) -
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Technology 2-cell lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 35 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours Up to 10 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features - Multi-touch touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Interfaces USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
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 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English
Software Included - Microsoft Office (30 days trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo IdeaPad 530S-15IKB (81EV)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington mini security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) -
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge
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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