Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE). 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 X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful intel processors

robust build quality

excellent 4k display

advanced security features

wide connectivity options

high price point

heavier than competitors

average battery life

loud under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
82 % - Design
85 % - Display
92 % - Performance
86 % - Connectivity
82 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm 35.95 cm x 25.38 cm x 1.79 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.88 kg
Case Material Aluminum, glass Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre (top)
Colour Light silver Black paint
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 165 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% sRGB
Features Glossy, Wide Viewing Angle Anti-glare, 178° viewing angle, Low Blue Light technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 10210U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 12700H / 2.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 14-core
Cache 6 MB 24 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (1 x 16 GB)
Max RAM Supported - 64 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 4800 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 4800 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty - 2
Empty Slots - 1
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe), Performance
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 4 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 4 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
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 ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio Premium, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax NFC, Bluetooth 5.2, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6E)
Wireless Controller M.2 Card Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 56 Wh 90 Wh
Battery Life Up to 18.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 170 Watt
INPUT Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Slots - 2 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
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)
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader - Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
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 - German
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 (21DE)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, 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, USB FIDO (Fast Identity Online) device integration, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, TCG Certified, TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Method 2
SAR Value 0.599 W/kg (body), 0.599 W/kg (limb) -
ENERGY STAR Certified - Yes
EPEAT Compliant - EPEAT Gold
TCO Certified - TCO Certified Notebooks 9
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 - 3 years - on-site
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