Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9). 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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

lightweight and portable

sharp full HD display

solid state drive included

good battery life

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average audio quality

standard RAM capacity

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
81 % - Design
75 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 30.76 cm x 21.64 cm x 1.59 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.32 kg
Case Material Metal Aluminum
Colour Golden Mineral grey
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 13.3" - 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 300 cd/m²
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8265U / 1.6 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4 GHz 3.9 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 6 MB
64-bit Computing - Yes
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe - NVM Express (NVMe)
Optical Drive DVD±RW -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620 Intel UHD Graphics
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM -
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution 1 Megapixel -
Camera Features Fixed focus ThinkShutter camera privacy
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 X3
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology -
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0
Wireless Controller M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features Single stream (1x1) -
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Technology 2-cell lithium polymer Lithium Ion
Battery Capacity (Size) 35 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours Up to 11 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features - Multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
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 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - German
Software Included - Microsoft Office (Trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkBook 13s-IWL (20R9)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader 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, FIDO Certified
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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