Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5). 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 S540-13IML (81XA) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

sleek aluminum design

sharp QHD display

impressive battery life

fast charging support

lightweight and portable

limited port selection

no dedicated GPU

average speaker quality

higher price segment

Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

efficient performance

excellent keyboard comfort

good battery life

versatile connectivity options

mediocre display resolution

heavier design

limited graphics power

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
86 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm 32.54 cm x 21.7 cm x 1.983 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.39 kg
Case Material Aluminum, glass Polycarbonate ABS (bottom), polycarbonate ABS (top)
Colour Light silver Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" 14" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:9
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 250 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 45% NTSC
Features Glossy, Wide Viewing Angle Anti-glare, 170° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 10210U / 1.6 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 5675U / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.3 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 6-core
Cache 6 MB L3 - 16 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 8 GB (1 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel -
Camera Features IR camera, ToF sensor Privacy shutter, IR camera, Windows Hello, 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
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller M.2 Card AMD RZ616 - M.2 Card
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Realtek RTL8111EPV
Compliant Standards - DASH
Features Dual stream (2x2) Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 56 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 18.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Interfaces USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
HDMI
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN
Memory Card Reader - Yes (microSD)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition (available through downgrade rights from Windows 11 Pro) + Windows 11 Pro Licence - Dutch / English / French / German / Italian
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad L14 Gen 3 (21C5)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader, smart card reader
Security Slot Type - Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection - Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge Administrator password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified
SAR Value 0.599 W/kg (body), 0.599 W/kg (limb) -
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) 0.599 W/kg (body)
0.599 W/kg (limb)
-
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 Base warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site
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