Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3). 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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

excellent build quality

powerful amd processor

bright oled display

eco-friendly materials

solid security features

higher price point

limited port selection

no dedicated gpu

average battery life

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) and Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
82 % - Design
84 % - Display
78 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery
81 % - Design
84 % - Display
80 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.69 cm x 20.85 cm x 1.595 cm 29.44 cm x 19.96 cm x 1.399 cm
Weight 1.25 kg 1.26 kg
Case Material Aluminum, glass Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Light silver Black (bottom), arctic grey (top)
DISPLAY Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Screen Size (Type) 13.3" 13.3" OLED
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA) 2880 x 1800 (2.8K)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:10 16:10
Image Brightness 300 cd/m² 500 cd/m²
Colour Gamut 100% sRGB 100% DCI-P3
Features Glossy, Wide Viewing Angle Anti-reflective, One Glass Solution, anti-smudge, on-cell touch technology, Low Blue Light technology, Dolby Vision, 91.6% screen-to-body ratio
PROCESSOR Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 10210U / 1.6 GHz AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850U / 2.7 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 4.2 GHz 4.7 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 8-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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
RAM 8 GB (provided memory is soldered) 32 GB (provided memory is soldered)
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
STORAGE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
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 - Union Memory
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics AMD Radeon 680M
Max Monitors Supported - 2 external monitor(s)
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Resolution 1 Megapixel -
Camera Features IR camera, ToF sensor Windows Hello, fixed focus, e-camera shutter, Discrete IR
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 Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Technology Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 56 Wh 51.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 18.5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, edge-to-edge backlit keyboard, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad, Haptic ForcePad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
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 DisplayPort 1.4a Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
LAN (on supplied adapter)
SOFTWARE Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13IML (81XA) Lenovo ThinkPad Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
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 Z13 Gen 1 (21D3)
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
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge Administrator password, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3, 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)
-
Carbon Footprint - 216 kg carbon emissions (EU)
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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