Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7). 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 T16 Gen 2 (21K7) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

powerful processor options

good battery life

reliable security features

heavier than competitors

limited color accuracy

expensive base model

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
86 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm 36.19 cm x 25.55 cm x 2.05 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.82 kg
Case Material Aluminum, glass Carbon fibre hybrid (top), polyphenylene sulfide (bottom)
Colour Light silver Thunder black
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
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
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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 T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 740M
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel -
Camera Features IR camera, ToF sensor Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
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 T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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 AMD RZ616
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 T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 56 Wh 86 Wh
Battery Life Up to 18.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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 T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad - Yes
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 T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Home 64-bit Edition - English Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad T16 Gen 2 (21K7)
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 with Microsoft Pluton, 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, system password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, 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 Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
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