Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)

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 X13 Gen 4 (21EX). 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 X13 Gen 4 (21EX) Review

Advantages and disadvantages of Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) based on its technical characteristics, features, user experience, expert reviews and price level.

robust build quality

excellent keyboard comfort

impressive security features

good battery life

portable design

average display brightness

limited graphics performance

noisy under load

higher price point

Laptop Comparison and Tests

Difference between Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) and Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
78 % - Design
72 % - Display
72 % - Performance
78 % - Connectivity
74 % - Battery
86 % - Design
84 % - Display
85 % - Performance
85 % - Connectivity
85 % - Battery

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) vs. Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX) Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 36.4 cm x 24.5 cm x 1.89 cm 30.17 cm x 21.48 cm x 1.595 cm
Weight 1.8 kg 1.09 kg
Case Material Aluminum, polycarbonate ABS Aluminium (bottom), carbon fibre hybrid (top)
Colour Mineral grey Deep black
DISPLAY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Screen Size (Type) 15.6" - IPS 13.3" - IPS
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Image Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:10
Image Brightness 250 cd/m² 300 cd/m²
Colour Gamut - 100% sRGB
Features Anti-glare Anti-glare
PROCESSOR Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 -
Platform Technology - Intel Evo
Features Integrated memory controller Integrated memory controller
MEMORY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 4800 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 X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 256 GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 3.0 x2 - NVM Express (NVMe) 256 GB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 - TCG Opal Encryption 2, NVM Express (NVMe)
AUDIO & VIDEO Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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, fixed focus
Sound Stereo speakers, dual array microphone Stereo speakers, dual array microphone
Codec Realtek ALC3287 Realtek ALC3287
Compliant Standards High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio High Definition Audio, Dolby Audio
Audio Features - Input: Dolby Voice, 360° far-field
COMMUNICATIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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) Dual stream (2x2)
WWAN
Generation - 4G upgradable
BATTERY Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Technology Lithium Ion Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 45 Wh 54.7 Wh
Battery Life Up to 9 hours -
AC ADAPTER Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
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 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On)
USB 3.2 Gen 1
2 x USB4 (supports Thunderbolt 4, DisplayPort 2.0 Alt Mode) (Power Delivery 3.0)
HDMI 2.1 (4K support)
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 X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Operating System (OS) Windows 10 Pro 64-bit Edition - French Windows 11 Pro - English
Software Included Microsoft Office (30 days trial) Glance by Mirametrix, Intel Connectivity Performance Suite
MISCELLANEOUS Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Included Accessories Power 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, smart card 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, system password, power-on password, RapidCharge, MIL-STD-810H tested, NVMe password, Firmware Resiliency 3.0, certificate based BIOS authentication, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication
Compliant Standards RoHS, Energy-Related Products (ErP) Lot 3 RoHS, Energy-using Products (EuP) Lot 6, 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 Base warranty - 3 years - pick-up and return
Base warranty - battery - 1 year
Extended warranty - 1 year - on-site - response time: next business day
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkBook 15-IIL (20SM)
Other Comparisons with Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Gen 4 (21EX)
Other Popular Laptop Comparisons
Other projects: