Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE). 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 ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

good security features

decent battery life

affordable price point

average display quality

modest graphics performance

no thunderbolt support

heavier design

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) and Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
75 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
73 % - Connectivity
65 % - Battery
83 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 37.8 cm x 26 cm x 2.2 cm 36.5 cm x 24 cm x 1.89 cm
Weight 2.2 kg 1.7 kg
Case Material Metal Aluminium (top), polycarbonate ABS (bottom)
Colour Golden Black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 15.6" - TN
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 220 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, 90° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (8th Gen) 8550U / 1.8 GHz Intel Core i5 (11th Gen) 1135G7 / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4 GHz 4.2 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core Quad-Core
Cache 8 MB 8 MB
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 4 GB + 4 GB (soldered)) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 32 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 1
Empty Slots 0 0
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 2 TB HDD SATA 6Gb/s / 5400 rpm 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x4 - Samsung
Optical Drive DVD±RW -
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Multi-GPU Configuration 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU -
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce MX150 / Intel UHD Graphics 620 NVIDIA GeForce MX450 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Video Memory 4 GB GDDR5 SDRAM 2 GB GDDR5 SDRAM
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 720p
Resolution 1 Megapixel -
Camera Features Fixed focus Privacy shutter, 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
Audio Features Output: Harman audio technology Harman audio technology
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Wireless Controller M.2 Card Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 - M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111H-CG
Features Single stream (1x1) Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Technology 2-cell lithium polymer 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 35 Wh 45 Wh
Battery Life Up to 6 hours Up to 10.8 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes -
Features - Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Slots - 1 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB-C 3.0
2 x USB 3.0
HDMI
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 2.0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 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 (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad 520-15IKB (81BF) Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 (20TE)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, 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, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS
Compliant Standards RoHS RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
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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