Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9). 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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

ultra-lightweight design

impressive battery life

robust security features

sharp display quality

powerful intel processor

limited port selection

higher price point

no touchscreen option

average speaker quality

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm 29.33 cm x 20.81 cm x 1.48 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 991.5 g
Case Material Aluminum, glass Carbon fibre (top), magnesium alloy (bottom)
Colour Light silver Black weave
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" 13" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 2160 x 1350 (2K)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 450 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% sRGB
Features Glossy, Wide Viewing Angle Anti-glare, anti-reflective, anti-smudge, 170° viewing angle, Low Power, Add-on Film Touch
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 10210U / 1.6 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1270P / 2.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.8 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 12-core
Cache 6 MB 18 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 5200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 2 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, two tweeters, two woofers, four microphones
Codec - Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX 211
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Technology Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 56 Wh 49.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 18.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
LAN (on supplied adapter)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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) -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Included Accessories Power adapter Lenovo USB-C to Ethernet Adapter, USB-C slim power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge Administrator 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, 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 -
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