Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9). 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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard feel

impressive battery life

powerful processor options

bright display

higher price point

limited graphics performance

no OLED option

heavier than competitors

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
86 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm 31.75 cm x 22.69 cm x 1.69 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Aluminum, glass Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre hybrid (top)
Colour Light silver Deep black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" 14" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 45% NTSC
Features Glossy, Wide Viewing Angle Anti-glare, on-cell touch technology
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 10210U / 1.6 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 7540U / 3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.9 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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5X SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 7500 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 740M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes
Resolution 1 Megapixel 5 Megapixel
Camera Features IR camera, ToF sensor Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, Discrete IR, Ultrasonic Human Presence Detection
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 - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Bluetooth 5.1, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller M.2 Card Qualcomm NFA725A
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
2 x USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN (on supplied adapter)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
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
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 (21F9)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter, Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet Adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip with Microsoft Pluton, fingerprint 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TCO Certified 9.0
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 -
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