Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)

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 ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN). 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 ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

efficient performance

comfortable keyboard

good battery life

affordable price

average display quality

modest graphics power

limited port selection

heavier design

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
73 % - Design
72 % - Display
75 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
75 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm 35.61 cm x 24.77 cm x 1.985 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 1.81 kg
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (top), aluminium (bottom)
Colour Mineral grey Graphite black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 16" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
V-Sync Rate at Max Res. - 60 Hz
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 45% NTSC
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, Low Blue Light technology
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz Intel Core i5 (13th Gen) 1335U / 1.3 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 GHz 4.6 GHz
Number of Cores Quad-Core 10-core
Cache 6 MB 12 MB
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 8 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB 40 GB
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 3200 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin SO-DIMM 260-pin
Slots Qty 1 1
Empty Slots 0 1
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Graphics Processor (GPU) Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics
Max Monitors Supported - 3 external monitor(s)
Video System Features - Functions as Intel UHD graphics (for single-channel memory)
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 Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Synaptic CX11880
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Wireless Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.1
Wireless Controller M.2 Card M.2 Card
Network Interface Gigabit Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Ethernet Controller - Intel I219-V
Features Dual stream (2x2) Wake-on-LAN (WOL), dual stream (2x2)
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 57 Wh
Battery Life Up to 9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Input AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
Output 65 Watt 65 Watt
INPUT Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes Yes
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Slots - 1 x M.2 (PCI Express 3.0 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
USB 2.0
USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
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 2.1 (4K support)
LAN
Headphone/microphone combo jack
Memory Card Reader 4 in 1 (SD Card, MultiMediaCard, SDHC Card, SDXC Card) -
SOFTWARE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) -
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 (21JN)
Included Accessories Power adapter USB-C power adapter
Security Firmware Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader Discrete 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, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, self-healing BIOS, NVMe password
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 6, FSC, TCG Certified, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 26, TCO Certified 9.0
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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