Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)

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 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 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 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
81 % - Design
85 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Product Type Notebook Notebook - 180-degree hinge design
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm 29.33 cm x 20.81 cm x 1.48 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 991.5 g
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS Carbon fibre (top), magnesium alloy (bottom)
Colour Mineral grey Black weave
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 13" - IPS
Touchscreen - Yes (10-point multi-touch)
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight LED backlight
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 2160 x 1350 (2K)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 450 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare, anti-reflective, anti-smudge, 170° viewing angle, Low Power, Add-on Film Touch
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
CPU Intel Core i5 (10th Gen) 1035G1 / 1 GHz Intel Core i7 (12th Gen) 1270P / 2.2 GHz
Max Turbo Speed 3.6 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
RAM 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) 16 GB (provided memory is soldered)
Max RAM Supported 16 GB -
RAM Type DDR4 SDRAM LPDDR5 SDRAM
Speed 2666 MHz 5200 MHz
Rated Speed 2666 MHz 6400 MHz
Form Factor SO-DIMM 260-pin -
Slots Qty 1 -
Empty Slots 0 -
STORAGE Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 - Kioxia
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) 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
Camera Features ThinkShutter camera privacy 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 ALC3287 Realtek ALC3306
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Voice
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) 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 Gigabit Ethernet
Features Dual stream (2x2) -
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Technology Lithium Ion 3-cell lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 49.5 Wh
Battery Life Up to 9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Type Keyboard, touchpad Keyboard, TrackPoint, UltraNav
Numeric Keypad Yes -
Keyboard Backlight Yes Yes
Features Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, buttonless touchpad Spill-resistant, multi-touch touchpad, Fn keys with Unified Communications controls, glass touchpad
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
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 USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
LAN (on supplied adapter)
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 X1 Nano Gen 2 (21E9)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French 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 ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) 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, fingerprint reader Discrete Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) Security Chip, fingerprint reader
Security Slot Type Kensington security slot -
Theft/Intrusion Protection 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, 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
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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