Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)

Our Rating: 75 %

In depth comparison and review of Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8). 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

affordable price point

solid build quality

decent battery life

good processor performance

adequate storage options

average display quality

limited graphics capability

no thunderbolt support

heavier design

Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

powerful amd processor

high-resolution display

solid build quality

good thermal management

decent battery life

heavier than competitors

limited port selection

higher price point

noisy under load

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
83 % - Design
86 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm 35.46 cm x 25.5 cm x 1.99 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 2.2 kg
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Mineral grey Dual tone storm grey
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 400 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, Delta E<2 calibration, Eyesafe technology, X-Rite Pantone factory color calibration, Dolby Vision, Smart sense panel, ±89° viewing angle
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz Intel Core i7 (13th Gen) 13700H / 2.4 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 5 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (2 x 8 GB)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 32 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 5200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 5200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 262-pin
Slots Qty 1 2
Empty Slots 0 0
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 512 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Multi-GPU Configuration - 1 single GPU card / integrated GPU
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 / Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video Memory - 8 GB GDDR6 SDRAM
Video System Features - NVIDIA Resizable BAR, Advanced Optimus, Dynamic Boost 2.0, Direct X 12 Ultimate, NVIDIA DLSS 3
Camera Yes - 720p Yes - 1080p
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy Privacy shutter, Windows Hello, fixed focus, hybrid FHD/IR camera
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Two tweeters, two woofers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306-CG
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Output: harman/kardon stereo speakers, Smart Amplifier (AMP); Input: noise-cancellation technology
VR Ready - Yes
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
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 M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet -
Features Dual stream (2x2) Dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 80 Wh
Battery Life Up to 9 hours Up to 18 hours
Battery Run Time - Local video (1080p) playback time (150 nits): up to 18 hours
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 230 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, touchpad
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad, precision glass touchpad, smart sense keyboard backlight, SMB Service hot key
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Slots - 1 x M.2 (PCI Express 4.0 x4) (1 free)
Interfaces USB 2.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1
USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort Alt Mode) (Power Delivery)
HDMI
Headphone/microphone combo jack
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2
USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI (8K support)
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) Yes (SD Express Card)
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) Microsoft Office (Trial)
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkBook 16p G4 IRH (21J8)
Included Accessories Power adapter Power adapter
Integrated Options - Ambient light sensor
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot Kensington nano security slot
Theft/Intrusion Protection Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
Features Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810G tested Administrator password, hard drive password, power-on password, MIL-STD-810H tested, Rapid Charge Pro, self-healing BIOS, LA2-Q AI performance chip
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, FSC, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light (Hardware Solution), TCO Certified 9.0, Low-VOC
Carbon Footprint - 402 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 Limited warranty - 1 year - pick-up and return
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